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Blessed be The God and Father of our Master1 Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy,2 has [given us] a New Genesis3 unto a living hope through the resurrection4 of Jesus Christ from the dead.
| 1 | The God and Father of our Master: Like Paul, Peter uses the dual formula, not a triune one. [Ephesians 1:3, 17] This phrase also confirms that Jesus had a God that he worships. See 1 Peter 1:17. Jesus is one of the “lords” over which Yehowah is the Lord. [Deuteronomy 10:17; Revelation 3:12] |
| 2 | Great mercy: Or, abundant mercy. |
| 3 | Has [given us] a New Genesis: Or, begotten, born anew, new life, born again, regeneration. The Greek is ANAGENNESAS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #313, born, or generated again; procreated again]. Compare John 1:12, 13; 3:3-5; James 1:18. Note similar words in Job 14:14 and Matthew 19:28 [PALINGENESIA] The Hebrews and Jews of the Old Testament had a hope of a restored Eden under Messiah’s reign. Christ introduced the hope of heavenly immortality. [2 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:46-54] Thus, the resurrection of Christ aroused a new hope, a new genesis – a heavenly one. |
| 4 | Unto a living hope through the resurrection: See above. The Church has “one hope” [Ephesians 4:4] of life eternal in the heavens. [2 Corinthians 5:1] For details on the subject of the resurrection see the work Where Are the Dead? or See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 Corinthians 15:1ff. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
Today we begin to examine Peter’s first epistle, which might be titled, “Suffering Priests Modeled After Christ.” We choose 1 Peter 1:3 as the theme verse of chapter one – Hope and Holiness. Peter addresses his letter “to the Diaspora.” [1, 2] He describes these Christians as “those chosen by a spiritual sanctification” and then be borrows from Exodus 24:8.
Peter begins by blessing “the God and Father of our Master” for the “new genesis unto a living hope” He has given Christians through the resurrection of Christ. [3-9] This is reserved in heaven awaiting “the revelation of a salvation at the end-time.” Peter borrows some phrasing from James and the Nazarene as he describes the “various trials” these Christians endured as “proof of your faith.” These Christians had never seen Christ but still loved him. As triumphant Christians they rejoice knowing they are about to “capture the result of your faith” – salvation.
It was concerning this salvation the ancient prophets ministered to the Elect. [10-12] As they were driven by a messianic inspiration these prophets kept searching when and how Christ’s sufferings and the glory to follow would be revealed. Even angels desired “to obtain a closer look.” For this reason these Christians should become active and holy. [13-16] They should fortify a mental determination to persist in this hope until the revealing of Christ. As obedient children they should not let their past life shape them. Instead they must become holy in every kind of conduct, just as Leviticus 11:44 declared, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
Peter writes that these Christians should conduct themselves with fear. [17-21] For the Father “judges impartially each person’s work.” They have been freed from their past conduct under the Law by the precious blood of Christ’s ransom. Though Christ was foreknown from the beginning of humanity he became manifest during their life times “at the time of the end.” As new-born Christians they must love each other. [22-25] They must purify their souls by obedience to the Truth. They have been given a new birth by means of God’s Word. Peter then quotes Isaiah 40:6-8, “The Saying of Yehowah remains forever.”
Abba our Father bless all those who strive for holiness.
[30 August 2002]
