1:20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
Most English texts state that He was foreknown (Greek ‘proginosko’), I prefer the word used in the KJV and NKJV, ‘foreordained’. This idea of sending Jesus to die was not a last-minute plan. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit God did not say, “well I didn’t see that coming” or anything close to that. This was His plan from the beginning, before the foundation of the world (see Acts 2:23; 2 Timothy 1:9; Revelation 13:8). The God’s Word translation[1] states it this way: “He is the lamb who was known long ago before the world existed, but for your good he became publicly known in the last period of time.”
He was made manifest, or in other words, Jesus and God’s plan were not fully revealed until He was seen (see Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:6-7). Even though Jesus indeed fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies (see Appendix 1 for more information), it wasn’t until He started His ministry and spoke about His role in our salvation, was the plan revealed. The fulfillment of these prophecies once again authenticated the author of Scriptures as God.
Peter says His appearance began in the last times for our sake. There is a great debate between Biblical scholars as what the terms “last times,” “last days” and “last hours” really mean. It is clear we are in the last times, or put it in another way, we are in the last period of man’s rule on Earth. Much like being in the last quarter of a game, except there is no overtime. What most scholars do agree is that when these terms are used (based on their context and how they are used) generally refer to the period between Jesus’ victory on the cross (living a sin-free life, suffered, crucified, died, and rose back to life again, thus conquering death for our sake) and His return (second coming).
1:21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Jesus made it possible for believers to be saved (see John 12:44; Acts 3:16; 4:12). He also made it possible for people to believe in God the Father (see Hebrews 11:6) who raised Jesus from the dead (see Acts 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26). God the Father also gave Jesus glory (see Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:19; Philippians 2:9-11) so that our faith and hope are in God. One way to look at this is to understand that faith in Jesus enables believers to trust God for redemption and hope in this, yet future event (see Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 6:11-12). Peters reminds us that salvation is only made possible through faith in what Jesus did for us (read John 20:31; Acts 13:38-39; Ephesians 2:8-10).
1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
Jesus purified our souls with His blood; He made us clean before God (again remember not by anything we have done or will do, see Psalm 37:39; Ezekiel 36:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Romans 11:6; Titus 3:5). The verse says we were purified by our obedience to the truth for a sincere love. Even though our obedience does not save us, our obedience does render external evidence of our faith in Him (for others to observe, see Romans 6:16). He calls us to have a sincere brotherly love; the word in the Greek for ‘sincere’ is often translated as ‘genuine’ meaning it is not hypocritical.[2]
So what is sincere love? Simply stated, it is what separates us from the world. The popular song “They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love,” states the case perfectly (see below). No love for others undoubtedly points to the fact that we also have no love for God. Jesus gave us a commandment to love (read John 15:12) He also gave us the definition of the greatest love (read the following verse, John 15:13) something He demonstrated for us. What would you do if someone died to save your life? Sadly, there are believers that feel that since Jesus was divine, His death does not have the same meaning as a human giving up their life. First of all, that is not true, there are a number of things we don’t know about His experience but one thing we do know is that He became sin for us (see 2 Corinthians 5:21), a process we know nothing about (that’s between Him and His Father). In any case, I doubt if He received a bulk discount in pain and suffering by taking on all of our sins at the same time! One way to check to see if you comprehend that last statement is to check for tears in your eyes right now. Remember John 3:16, that’s how much He loves you!
Here Peter defines “sincere brotherly love” as someone who loves (not the classic form of ‘brotherly love’ ‘phileō’, but the Greek ‘agapao’, the highest form of love)[3] earnestly or fervently (working hard to make it happen like stretching out your hand to pass a baton in a race) from a pure heart. A love that does not have an agenda or is in any way fake (see Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 5:15-21).
1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
Peter tells us that we should love one another because we were born again (same word he used in verse 3) not of perishable seed (something that is temporary) but of imperishable (lasting forever, not temporary), through the living and abiding Word of God. The phrase “living Word” is used also in Hebrews 4:12 which adds the term ‘active’ (Greek word ‘energes’) which implies that it is always active and giving power. The Word of God is not just ink on a page or a collection of words, it is dynamic and living touching our hearts differently every time we read it. It is the Word of salvation; it is indeed life (see John 1:1-5; Romans 10:17). Instead of the word ‘active’, Peter combines the word ‘living’ with the word ‘abiding’ pointing to the fact that the Word of God endures forever. His love God has for us does not change regardless of what any Christian or religious group might proclaim. The Word of God is applicable today just like it was in the past. We are not to change or reject any portion. It is a shame that some churches have fallen for the ‘politically correct’ lie and have compromised the Word of God in the process. If we “offend” someone for our beliefs, we can be like Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, and state we can’t do anything other, since there is no other name that can save (see Acts 4:12) and then perhaps we can ‘offend’ them to heaven!
Peter next quotes a portion of Isaiah 40 (verses 6 and 8) pointing to the temporary nature of life and the permanency of the Word of God. Can you quote Scripture when necessary? Remember Jesus quoted Scripture when He was tempted by the devil and the devil fled from Him (see Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13, see also James 4:7-8).
They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love[4]
Written by Peter Scholtes (1938-2009)
We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand.
Together we’ll spread the news that God is in the land.
And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other, We will work side by side.
We will work with each other, We will work side by side.
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity, and save each man’s pride.
And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come.
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.
And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
About the author (from publisher’s website)
Peter was born in Evanston, Illinois and grew up in Oak Park, where he attended Ascension School and Fenwick High School before studying at Quigley and St. Mary of the Lake-Mundelein seminaries. He earned his Master’s degree in Adult Education and Organization Development at Boston University.
Peter wrote the hymn They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love while he was a parish priest at St. Brendan's on the South Side of Chicago in the 1960s. At the time, he was leading a youth choir out of the church basement and was looking for an appropriate song for a series of ecumenical, interracial events. When he couldn't find such a song, he wrote the now-famous hymn in a single day. His experiences at St. Brendan's, and in the Chicago Civil Rights movement, influenced him for the rest of his life.
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[1] GOD’S WORD Translation. (1995). (1 Pe 1:20). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.
[2] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. Strong’s Greek No. 505
[3] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. Strong’s Greek No. 25
[4] Copyright: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. 1991 Assigned To Lorenz Publishing Company <http://www.lorenz.com/Composers/PeterScholtes/>