1 Peter 1:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,

NIV: Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,

NASB: As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,

CSB: Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated.

NLT: This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you.

KJV: Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

NKJV: Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

Verse 10 has to be read and understood together with verse 11. Peter has just finished referring to the salvation of those who trust in Christ. This salvation is available only by God's grace through the faith of those who believe (Ephesians 2:8–9).

This idea of salvation by God's grace was not new to Peter, or the other apostles. It had been described and predicted by Israel's prophets generations before, in the Old Testament Scriptures. Peter now reveals to us something about those prophets. Though these men were deeply respected by his readers, they need to realize that these prophets themselves did not fully understand—yet—the message God had given them.

And these ancient writers knew full well that they were missing part of the puzzle. The prophets, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, wrote of God's coming grace for those of Peter's time (and ours). Then, these prophets searched and asked questions, hoping to understand what they had written. Verse 11 describes specifically what they wanted to know.

1 Peter 1:3–12 is one of the most loved passages in all of Scripture. It begins as a blessing to God, but also describes how incredibly He has blessed us in Christ. Because Jesus has risen from the dead, our hope is not a wish—it is as alive as He is. Our inheritance as God’s children is eternal, full of glory, and secured forever. Even in our suffering, we have every reason to rejoice. The mystery of God’s plan has been revealed to us in Christ. We are being saved!

Peter, the apostle of Jesus, writes a letter to Christians facing persecution to comfort them with the truth of who they are in Christ—children of God with every reason to rejoice in their salvation and future glory in eternity. Next, he urges them to live like the holy ones of God they already are by obeying God now, loving each other earnestly, and placing all of their hope in the endless life to come.

This beautiful, profound, and challenging first chapter of 1 Peter lays the foundation for the rest of Peter’s letter. In spite of whatever suffering we may face, God Himself has already shown us great mercy in Christ by including us in His family! Jesus is our living hope. Our future is secure and endless and perfect. As the children of God we have every reason to rejoice, even in this present darkness. Peter then calls us to prepare ourselves to live as the holy people God has made us to be.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:46:01 AM