1 Peter 1:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

NIV: for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

NASB: obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

CSB: because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

NLT: The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

KJV: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

NKJV: receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Verse 9 completes the thought Peter began in verse 8. Peter's readers—like us today—had not seen Jesus with their eyes as Peter had. Still, they loved and believed in Him. And, as all Christians do, they rejoiced in their believing in Him. That faith, though, is not just a thing to have for its own sake. Faith in Christ has an outcome, a result. It's a faith that is leading to something.

Peter writes that by that faith they are receiving or obtaining the salvation of their souls. They, we, are right now being saved. "Salvation," according to the Bible, comes in three ways. The first is "justification," which is the one-time salvation from an eternity in hell. The second is "sanctification," which is the ongoing process of salvation from the influence of sin in our lives. The third is the permanent and complete absence of sin we will experience in heaven.

Notice that Peter phrases this particular mention of salvation in the present tense. Our faith in Christ is right now, in this moment, resulting in our salvation, both from the penalty and power of sin. Peter has also described our salvation as something that has already happened (1 Peter 1:3) and something that will eventually happen (1 Peter 1:5).

It's clear that our souls need saving. It's also clear that God has promised that our salvation, by His grace through our faith in Christ, is done, is being done, and will be done. In Him, we can be completely confident in all aspects of that salvation.

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.