1 Peter 1:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

NIV: trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.

NASB: seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

CSB: They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

NLT: They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

KJV: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

NKJV: searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

In verse 10, Peter reveals to us that the Old Testament prophets who wrote about the coming salvation by God's grace didn't fully understand it. They searched and asked questions about it.

He continues the sentence in verse 11: The prophets wanted to know the "who" and "when" Christ's Spirit was referring to as they were directed to write the words of their prophecies. Who was the person who would bring this salvation, the Christ who would suffer and then be glorified? And when would it happen? Isaiah chapters 11 and 53 are examples of these prophecies.

In verse 12, Peter gives us the answer they received, but verse 11 is important. It is a clear statement that the Old Testament prophets were not writing their own ideas. Christ's Spirit—the Holy Spirit—was in them, directing as they wrote the very words of God. It's a truth that Peter will state even more clearly in 1 Peter 1:20–21.

Peter reinforces another crucial idea in this verse: In the ancient prophesies, God promised a Savior who would suffer and then be glorified. Jesus' life and death and resurrection fulfilled those prophesies. That same God has now promised that, even though Christians may now suffer, we will also be glorified. God has proven Himself trustworthy to keep such a promise.

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.