First Peter - Lorin

sprinkled with his blood.“ At the heart of this lies the expression ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν... εἰς κληρονομίαν (a living hope
for an inheritance). God has planted this hope in believers at their conversion to sustain them during times of
suffering and persecution. He has reserved this inheritance for them, thus giving certainty to receiving it. The
key term defining inheritance is σωτηρία (salvation, deliverance) which surfaces in vv. 5, 9, 10. Inheritance
looks forward to a bright future; salvation looks back to deliverance from danger and difficulties. Together the
two terms portray the heart of divine activity in human life. Believers experiencing this stand as chosen by
God and set apart by Him for unique obedience to Jesus Christ, a privilege not even angels experience. In
light of this divine action, the human response is rejoicing and loving devotion to God that expresses praise
and thanksgiving to Him. Around this summary the letter body will be developed.
Literary Structure. Although a single sentence in the original text, the flow of ideas does seem to
move in a threefold pattern: 1) vv. 3-5, affirmation of God’s ‘birthing’ of believers, 2) vv. 6-9, encouragement
to rejoice in this blessing in the midst of suffering, and 3) vv. 10-12, reminder of the special blessing of this
salvation. The block diagram below charts out the inner connection of ideas in vv. 3-9:
1 1.3 Blessed be the God
and
Father
of our Lord Jesus Chris,
according to His abundant mercy
who gave you new birth
for a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead,
1.4 unto an inheritance,
incorruptable
and
undefiled
and
unfading,
reserved
in Heaven
for you,
1.5 by God’s power
who...are being guarded
through faith
for salvation,
/-----------------|
ready to be revealed
at the last time.
1.6 in whom you are rejoicing
for a short time
if need be
suffering
in various kinds of testings,
more precious
than gold
/-----------------------|
which is perishing
and
through fire
is being tested
1.7 in order that the testing...may be found
your
of...faith
/-------------------------unto
praise
Bible Study: Page 25