FIRST PETER SUPPLEMENT TO THE TEXT -- CH 1:9-12 (v. 9) When Peter said, "Receiving the end (Gr. "telos") of your faith, even the salvation of your souls," (1 Pet. 1:9), he wasn't using the word "end" in the sense of that which comes at the end of a faithful life. That "end" of faith would be used in contrast to the "beginning" and would view salvation as that which came after everything is over and finished. It is true that salvation is sometimes viewed as that which comes after a faithful life (cf. 2 Tim. 4:6-8), and it is in harmony with truth to affirm that fact. However, Peter is affirming that the salvation which is the "end" of faith is the "completion" of faith. It is faith brought to its consummation. The difference may be deemed slight but it is real and worth considering. The climax of everything God planned and purposed and for which Jesus died is the salvation of our souls in eternity. Salvation from our past sins is experienced when we believe in Jesus and are baptized. It is at the point in time that we are reconciled to God (cf. Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38-42; 22:16; 2 Cor. 5:17-21). But that is only the beginning of a walk that leads us on toward perfection in Christ Jesus (cf. Col. 1:26-28). The end of our faith, the eternal salvation of our souls, cannot occur unless there is the beginning, but many begin and do not finish. For such there is no eternal reward (cf. Lk. 8:1-11; 2 Tim. 4:6-8). (v. 10) The manifold (many sided) wisdom of God in providing salvation for man was predicted by God's prophets. They sought and searched for an understanding of what God was doing as they spoke of the coming of the Messiah and His suffering (cf. Psa. 2:1-12; 16:10; Isa. 7:14; 9:1-ff; 11:1-ff; 42:1-ff; 53:1-ff; Zech. 6:12-13; 9:9; 11:10-14; 12:10; 13:7-9). How much did Isaiah fathom as he spoke of the Messiah as a suffering Messiah (53:1-14)? How much did Zechariah comprehend as he spoke of the price one would accept to betray the Messiah? We know that sometimes the prophets did not understand that of which they spoke (cf. Dan. 12:8). Inspiration does not require comprehension of the revealed truth on the part of the one speaking. (v. 11) However, Peter says that the prophets searched and sought for an understanding about what manner of time the Spirit of Christ, by which they prophesied, spoke. Specifically, they sought to understand "the suffering of Christ and the glory that should follow." (v. 11). Isaiah prophesied explicitly of Christ's vicarious suffering and death (Isa. 53:5-12). David spoke of His death, glorious resurrection, ascension and rule (note Psa. 2:10; 6:10; cf. Acts 2:32-36). Notice that the inspiration those prophets received is identified as "the Spirit of Christ." Is this in some way contradictory with v. 12, which speaks of the Holy Spirit as the source of the preaching done to these disciples? Rather than being contradictory these statements complement each other -- inspiration may well be spoken of as being by God (2 Tim. 3:16-17); the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 1:12); and by Christ (v. 11). Those passages, and others, show us the inseparable nature of the Godhead. (v. 12) As the prophets searched to understand the suffering and glory of The Messiah, God revealed to them that it was "not to themselves." Rather than "to themselves," Peter says they were ministering to us the things God had planned for salvation. That phrase means that the prophets ministered beyond their time, reaching into the actual benefits for those of the first century and beyond "unto all men." That is not to say that they would not benefit from the Messiah's death, for the blood of atonement reached back in time to cleanse all faithful servants (cf. Heb. 13:13-16; 8:12; 9:22-28; 10:10-14; 11:39-40). The great doxology, the praising and glorifying of God's matchless name, because of His wonderful works, comes to a close with v. 12. [Table of Contents] [Preface] [Introduction] [Outline] [Study Questions] [Ch. 1:1-2 ] [Ch.1:3-4] [Ch.1:5-6] [Ch.1:7-8] [Ch.1:9-12]

	Created on 7-Oct-99	Page last updated