CHAPTER 1
Of regeneration in Christ, and of patience in temptations and afflictions, and of the saving faith which was foretold by the prophets.
1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter, Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace be multiplied .
The series and order are now collected: Peter, Apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ . The rest, however, will be placed by interjection: for they signify to whom the letter is written. However, that particle is used according to the foreknowledge of God , to signify that there is no prophet who is inferior in anything, except in time. That they were sent, says Isaiah: "He has sent me to announce good news to the poor." (Isa. 61:1) But although later times have brought this to pass, it is not, however, the foreknowledge of God; rather, in this, he shows himself equal to Jeremiah, who was known and sanctified before he was formed in the womb and designated as a prophet to the nations. And since the prophets, among other things, had foretold the coming of Christ (for this reason they were sent), he adds the necessity of his apostleship, saying:
"I was sent in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ ," signifying through what is proposed: "This is the manner of my apostleship, to be set apart." The name signifies through sanctification : as it is said, "And you shall be to me a peculiar people sanctified," (Deut. 14:2) that is, separated from other nations. Therefore, the manner of his apostleship was to separate through spiritual gifts obedient nations, sprinkled with the passion and blood of Christ, not with the ashes of a heifer, when it must be purified, taken from the pollution of the Gentiles: but with the blood received from the passion of Christ. At the same time, it also touches upon a certain prolog to martyrdom of blood for Christ suffered by those who believe in him: for he who follows the footsteps of the teacher through obedience, when it is absolutely necessary, will not refuse to shed his own blood for him who poured out his for the whole world.
" Peter, Apostle of Jesus Christ ." Here Peter writes to those who were of the circumcision, as does blessed James, but he indeed addresses all Jews who inhabited the world, wherever they were; however, this one specifically addresses the regions of Pontus in Galatia. He also added Pontus to Galatia. For there is another Galatia near the Celts which is also truly Galatia, from which those he is now discussing had migrated. Therefore, he directs his speech to these and other nations which are mentioned in the preface, using this letter universally or generally. The series of letters is therefore this, with the addition of those things that have been said through deficiency for the sake of manifestation, for this reason also he employs rearrangement and the alteration of figures to the word.
Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ… receiving the end of your faith 1 , and what is that? Salvation of the soul: concerning which salvation even the prophets searched and inquired,
" To the chosen sojourners ." Sojourners, either because of dispersion he said, or also because all who live according to God are sojourners on earth, as David also says: "I am a sojourner with you and a pilgrim as all my fathers were." (Ps. 38:13) The name “sojourner” [παρεπίδηµος] signifies something different from a “newcomer” προσήλυτος. The former indicates someone who has come from elsewhere or from abroad, while the latter παρεπίδηµος denotes something more shameful. For just as a πάρεργον, that is, something incidental, is less valuable than an ἔργον, that is, a work, and a πάροδος, that is, a passage, is less than a ὁδός, that is, a way: Indeed, work and way are proper and are pursued with intention, while passage and what is done incidentally are like those things that intrude upon these. Thus, the term παρεπίδῃηµος, as it intrudes upon existence, seems indeed to signify more abjectly than ἔπίδημος.
" grace to you and peace be multiplied ." Grace, because you are saved freely, having contributed nothing to it, " And peace ”, for this is necessary for those who have offended their Lord and have become His enemies.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead .
Peter blesses God, referring this act of thanksgiving for the good things He grants. But what are those things that are given? Hope, not like the promised dwelling in the land of Canaan through Moses, which hope, being corruptible, promises corruptible things: but a living hope . And from where has it received life? From Jesus Christ who rose from the dead . For by the fact that He rose, He grants the same resurrection to those who come to Him through faith. Therefore, the living hope that is given is an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance, not laid up on earth, as it was for the fathers, but in heaven, from where it has also obtained endlessness, which is even greater than the inheritance that is on earth. And for this reason, the preservation and guardianship of the believers: for even this the Lord prayed, saying: "Holy Father, keep them." (Jn. 17:11) But also power. And what is patience? That which endures until the revelation or manifestation of the Lord. For if the protection were not powerful, it would not last for such a long time. Therefore, since there are such great and such things that are given, it is not absurd that joy follows those who receive. However, since the master's promise brings not joy but sorrow by saying: "In the world, you will have tribulation," (Jn. 16:33) he adds a little to the exultation. And because it is sad, he adds "Now," speaking in accordance with his leader, who says: "In the world, you will have tribulation," but your sorrow will turn into joy. Either what he said "Now" or "But," is added for the sake of exultation, as if the exultation that will follow will not last for a little while, but for a long and infinite time. Or "A little," refers to what is sorrowful, so that the sense here is: If it is necessary, we are now sorrowful for a little while through various tribulations. But since afflictions bring about turmoil, he added the reason for afflictions, that through these your faith is made more manifest and more precious than gold, since that which is tested by fire is more valuable to men. Peter also adds: If it is necessary, for not every faithful person is tested through affliction, nor is every sinner. Yet neither does each of these always rejoice: the just are indeed afflicted for the increase of their crowns, while sinners suffer to pay the penalties of their sins. However, not all the just are afflicted, lest you attribute vice to praise and detest virtue. Nor are all sinners afflicted, lest there be a loss of hope in the resurrection, as if all those who are their own receive here.
1 Peter 1:4-9 In an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. In which you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found in praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy, inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls .
If there is an inheritance in heaven, the restoration of things is magnificent in a thousand years.
" In which you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary ." This is the order: affected by sorrow now, if necessary, that is, if this also should be (for not all saints are afflicted) at the end of time you will rejoice, for the present is accepted for the future. Or even through the present, as is declared in the following.
" In praise, honor ." It signifies the reason why the righteous are afflicted through these things, while also comforting them, because through afflictions they become more manifest: and making them more diligent by adding:
at the revelation of Jesus Christ , at that time, through the demonstration of sufferings, a great nobility will be added to those who have competed. Moreover, he adds another thing that attracts to the endurance of afflictions. What is that?
" whom having not seen, you love ." For if, when you do not see him with bodily eyes, you love him solely by hearing, he says, consider how great a love you will show when you see him, and that when he is manifested in glory: for if his passion has so attracted you, how much will his manifestation affect you with incredible splendor, when he will even grant you the salvation of souls as a reward? Therefore, in order that you may be known in such a way, also receiving such glory, show the briefest endurance in time, and you will have the highest goal of your purpose.
1 Peter 1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to come to you searched and investigated carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance about the sufferings that would come upon Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; into which angels long to see .
Since Peter had made mention of the salvation of the soul: however, this was not clear, but he brings forth the prophets who inquired and studied about it. For they inquired about future events: as Daniel did, who was called a man of desires by the angel, who gave him divine responses. (Dan. 9:23)
" inquiring what person or time the Spirit ." To that, namely the consummation of the age: such as when the Jews, through various captivities, deviating from the perfect worship of God, were constituted towards the mystery of Christ. Note, however, that the spirit of Christ openly contemplates and discusses Christ. Moreover, this Spirit signified the afflictions of Christ, as Isaiah indeed says: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter." (Isa. 53:7) And through Jeremiah: "Come, let us put wood in his bread." (Jer. 11:19) Moreover, the resurrection through Hosea: "On the third day we will be raised up before Him, and we will pursue Him to know the Lord; as the dawn is ready, we will find Him." (Hos. 6:2-3) However, it has been revealed not for Himself, but for you. Moreover, these two things he does with these words: Peter shows the providence of the prophets, and that those who are now called to the faith of Christ were foreknown by God before the foundation of the world. Indeed, through the foresight of the prophets, he leads them, so that they are not unbelieving regarding those whom the prophets greatly cared for, for their own benefit: for neither do wise sons despise their father's labors. Indeed, if they sought and found these things, when they would not benefit themselves, and committed the findings to books, as if transmitting an inheritance to us, we would act unjustly, he says, if we were negligent in these matters: therefore, do not show our gospel as empty, leading you who announce these things to you, as rejected and insignificant. Therefore, these things are from the providence of the prophets. Through this, however, that they were foreknown by God, they are terrified lest they present themselves as unworthy by divine foreknowledge or by His calling, but they urge and inspire each other, so that they may be deemed worthy of the gift of Christ.
" through those who preached the Gospel to you ." If both the prophets and these have effectively worked through the Holy Spirit: indeed, those in prophecy, and these in the Gospel: nothing is different from the prophets for them: therefore, you must bring the same diligence that those who were obedient to the prophets, lest you be subjected to the same punishment as those who were unbelieving towards the prophets.
It must be noted, however, that through this mystery of the Trinity, Peter reveals: the Son and the Spirit when he says " the Spirit of Christ ," but the Father in what follows, " from heaven ." Moreover, when he says " from heaven ," do not take it according to place, but understand it as excellence, because it especially applies to God.
" by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven ." Peter speaks of what had happened on the day of Pentecost.
However, that " into which angels longed to see " means that which angels also desire; for this reason, even while such things were happening, they sang out of abundant joy: "Glory to God in the highest." (Luke 1:14)
From hope and sanctification and firm conversion, which is necessary in addition to adoption.
1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope perfectly for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, in your ignorance: but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written: "Be holy, for I am holy." [Lev. 19:2]
For this reason, an exhortation is brought forth from those things which were previously held in honor. For when it was said, The prophets provided you with what concerns your salvation, and these were so admirable that even angels were made agreeable: and that they themselves also demonstrated that these things were agreeable in that they sweetly sang from abundant joy at the birth of Christ, "Glory to God in the highest." (Luke 1:14) Therefore, having said this, he adds for their sake, saying: "Since these things have been administered to you all, both agreeable and most desirable, not only to men but also to angels, therefore do not be negligent in being affected by these things, but directing yourselves and arranging yourselves with courage. For this signifies the girding of the loins: which Job was also commanded by God. (Job 38,40) He explains what he means by loins, saying that they refer to those who are of the mind . Therefore, he says, prepared, perfectly sober, hope perfectly in the grace that is brought to you . Moreover, this is what he said a little earlier, concerning the second coming of the Lord; consider that he did not simply say, "Sober," but added " perfectly ," as if the law had provided a slender and introductory soberness.
Conforming [Συσχηματιζειν], however, means to shape and adapt oneself to the present circumstances. This is also what some foolish people now say: Conform yourself to affairs and business. Therefore, it commands to renounce such vanities: whether those who were previously knowledgeable and wise, or those who ignorantly clung to these. But now, he says, you, and those like you, be holy yourselves.
1 Peter 1:17-19 And if you call upon the Father, him which without respect of persons, judges according to every one's work: in fear of turning, you spend your time in your dwelling. 18 Knowing that not with corruptible things, gold or silver, you are redeemed from your vain conversation of your fathers' tradition. 19 But with the precious blood as it were of an immaculate and unspotted Lamb, Christ .
Gathering and with much exaggeration: first from the angels who are affected by a longing spirit for these things: then from the description of what is just again: from that which is necessary. For since they call upon God as Father , it is necessary that those who desire adoption, which are worthy of the Father, should act: and fourthly, since they have received countless goods, through the established price for them: that is the blood of Christ which was given as a price for those who had sold themselves to evil through sin. After these things, he commands to have a continuous fear throughout life: not the initial one, for this has a ensuing punishment, but perfect fear . For perfect fear always accompanies the holy ones, lest anything be lacking to them of what is fitting for the perfect. Consider how, when it has been said by Christ, "The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son," (Jn. 5:22) Peter now says that the Father judges. To which we say that the Son can do nothing except what he sees the Father doing: for this is what Christ also said. Furthermore, this shows that it is inherent to the Holy Trinity: and that the divine operations are not divided among the persons we see in it: but there is both complete identity and a peaceful concord free from strife. Therefore, he said without distinction that the Father judges: as if it were truly and universally considered common to all, whatever another might say is divinely accomplished by one of the three. Moreover, since the Lord frequently calls the apostles sons, and said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven," (Mark 2:5) and to the woman who suffered from a flow of blood, "Daughter, your faith has made you well," (Mark 5:34) there is nothing obscure or absurd if he also calls this one the father of the offspring whom he generated through the sharing of holiness.
" In fear of turning ." According to this limit of perfection, it was also said by the blessed David: "Fear the Lord, all you His saints, for there is nothing lacking to those who fear Him." (Ps. 38:10)
1 Peter 1:20-25 He was indeed predetermined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God: since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit. Love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever: because all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away: but the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you .
Peter connected the death of Christ with the resurrection. For he fears the easy change of beginners in faith to skepticism, due to the disgrace of Christ's afflictions, but he says there is no recent mystery about Christ: since this also disturbs the foolish; but in former times and before the foundation of the world , it had been hidden by divine providence until the opportune time, indeed it was revealed to the prophets who inquired about these things, as he had said a little earlier, now, however, he says, it is more manifest, because what had been foreknown before the foundation of the world , namely by God, is now revealed , whether completed or perfected. And he adds because of whom it may be perfect, namely because of you. For because of you, he says, he raised him from the dead . But why because of you? So that when you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth through the Spirit, you may have faith and hope in God . And how have you purified yourselves? Because by believing in Him who has proclaimed to you the resurrection from the dead to an incorruptible life, you are debtors to Him who, being incorruptible, called you to walk in newness of life.
But if both Peter and Paul say that the Father raised the Lord from the dead, do not be disturbed: for now they are using introductory teachings to say these things. For listen to Christ saying that he raised himself, when he says: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (Jn. 2:19) But also Luke: "To whom he also showed himself alive, after he had suffered." (Acts 1:3) And again Christ himself: "I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it again." (Jn. 10:18) Therefore, in a certain dispensation, the Son's resurrection is sometimes referred to the Father, to show the unity of the operation of the Father and the Son.
The sequence of the letters is as follows: He was indeed predetermined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory : so that you may purify your souls (in fact, ὥστε is taken for 'so that' ) in obeying the truth, having faith and hope in God . For it is accepted that εἶναι means “to have”, because of the preceding. For if ὥστε is left in its meaning as stated, the sentence will be incoherent and unintelligible.
" Love one another fervently ." In this way, it must be said: That you may have faith and hope in God, when you have purified your souls through obedience to the truth, that is, when you have prepared yourselves for obedience to the truth through the Spirit . For the obedience in evils and lies is not through the Spirit, that is, it is not spiritual. Since purification for obedience or preparation, exercise, care, also wishes to attract many other helpers, provided it is spiritual and free from envy: but this is the work of fervent love , making a neighbor a participant in the goods that someone has obtained: therefore, it adds: to love fervently , devoid of hypocrisy. However, this is subjected by deficiency: for it is familiar to the blessed apostles, as it is also found in blessed James, "Who is wise among you and endowed with knowledge?" (James 3:13) And again: "Now you who say, 'Today and tomorrow,'" (James 5:1) and many other similar things. That spiritual ones should, in turn, make others partakers of all good things with utmost diligence, can be learned from what he says elsewhere: "I indeed consider them to be mutual for the provocation of love," (Heb. 10:24) that is, to sharpen and stir it up.
Because all flesh is grass . When Peter said, " not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever ," he also adds, by casting down and despising the easy corruption of human glory, and so to speak, its non-subsistence, enticing the listeners to cling to those things which are proposed by themselves, as those which have subsistence and endlessness. However, the subsistence of those things that come to corruption is here called grass and the flower of grass . Moreover, the weakness of the subsistence of grass is brought to a greater faith of the word: with which David compares our life. (Ps. 41:1) Wherever, therefore, it shows our glory to be so worthless, it again repeats and teaches more openly what it is that has regenerated them through the word of God which lives and abides forever , and it says:
" But this is the word that has been announced to you ." That which remains forever is confirmed in the same way with the Lord. For He Himself said: " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away ." (Matt. 24:35) Moreover, it must be known that this should be expressed: " Love one another fervently should be expressed in a manner free from all deceit." For such outcomes tend to follow those which are treated and carried out for their sake. Therefore, since mutual love from the world leads to fervent love that is unaware of deceit, it is rightly done that " From the world " precedes, and " To love fervently " follows. It should be noted that the preposition εἰς, that is, “unto”, is translated into διά, that is, “for the sake of”, so that the sense is: for the sake of " Love one another fervently ."