notes

Genitive Labeling

Hey guys, this is my very first go-around at labeling genitive phrases. I would REALLY appreciate any feedback or insights that I may have missed. Thanks!

Color Designations

Gold arrows = pointing back to the Head Phrase (i.e., the main phrase of the sentence) Blue arrows = subordinate phrase pointing to another subordinate phrase which is NOT the Head phrase Blue-gray arrows - Genitive phrases Gray labels - General labels of the phrase Green labels - Genitive labels

Main point summary

In the midst of all of our afflictions and trials, God has promised us that it is only temporary. We can rejoice that our salvation is not far off!

Phrase

editing

NT

1 Peter 1:1-9

esv

Greeting & Salutation

Peter,

an apostle

Appositive

of Jesus Christ,

Possesion

To those who are elect exiles

of the Dispersion

Source

in Pontus,

Locative

Galatia,

Cappadocia,

Asia,

and Bithynia,

according to the foreknowledge

Standard

of God the Father,

Subjective

in the sanctification

Context

of the Spirit,

Producer

for obedience

Result #1

to Jesus Christ

and for sprinkling

Result #2

with his blood:

Manner

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A Near-View Perspective

Blessed be the God

and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Relationship

According to his great mercy,

he has caused us to be born again

to a living hope

Advantage #1

through the resurrection

of Jesus Christ

Objective

from the dead,

Separation

to an inheritance

Advantage #2

that is imperishable,

Descriptive

undefiled,

and unfading,

kept in heaven for you,

who by God’s power are being guarded

through faith

Means

for a salvation

Purpose

ready to be revealed

Explanation

in the last time.

Temporal

A Future Hope

In this

Content

you rejoice,

though now for a little while,

if it is necessary,

Conditional

you have been grieved

by various trials,

so that the tested genuineness ... may be found

to result

Result

of your faith—

more precious than gold that perishes

Example

though it is tested by fire—

in praise

and glory

and honor

at the revelation

of Jesus Christ.

Destination

A Present Reality

Though you have not seen him,

Concessive #1

you love him.

Though you do not now see him,

Concessive #2

you believe ... and rejoice

in him

with joy that is inexpressible

and filled with glory,

obtaining the outcome

Manner/Result

of your faith,

the salvation of your souls.

phrasing

Passage Insights

Besides the greeting & salutation I see the passage divided into three other sections: 1. A Near-View Perspective –– Peter is putting his audience's view into perspective. He is reminding them that they have been born again; their faith is completely grounded in the Trinitarian work of God: their election by the Father, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and their sins cleansed through the blood of the Son. All of this is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The fact that God raised Him from the dead was proof of an eternal sacrifice and the exiles need not fear that God has abandoned them. They are now part of His covenant people because they have been "sprinkled with His blood" so that they are an obedient people. These exiles, Peter assures, are not in this pilgrimage alone. They are kept by God Himself!. What a glorious truth! He is the author, and therefore the very defender of our faith through faith in His Son. And so, all of these things point to an everlasting inheritance. This inheritance is not an earthly one, therefore it can never be destroyed. 2. A Future Hope –– Peter now commends them for their rejoicing and reminds them that their sufferings are only for "a little while." This is significant language for the fact that these trials ARE necessary. Peter is not stating that they MIGHT experience trials, as I believe is shown by the context as well as the conditional nature of the sentence. I believe he is telling them that it is necessary for the testing of their faith to reach the final outcome (cf, Acts 14:22). Their faith is of such value to God that it must undergo the same process that gold undergoes in order to remain pure (spiritually speaking). But the future hope is that our faith be fully found in Christ with praise on our lips, glory for the King of Kings, and honor-filled lives when He appears to take us to be with Him. 3. A Present Reality –– Through all of this Peter wraps up this portion with more encouraging words and exhortations for them to continue in the faith. Their rejoicing comes because they love God! They have never seen Him, nor do they seem Him during their trying times, yet they continue to hold fast to Him. This belief is the very cause of their rejoicing and what will eventually be full fruition, which Peter states will be the final salvation of their souls. I think that it is important to note here that many people may read this passage and take it to mean that the exiles' salvation comes because of their rejoicing. But it is clear that the rejoicing is produced from their faith in God and ultimately this steadfastness results in the salvation of their souls.

Wisdom, Works, & Worship

Where do I start with this one? This has probably been one of the most convicting passages for me, especially the fact that I don't rejoice in my trials like this passage suggests. There were so many things to apply but I'll try and limit them to two: 1. I (and all believers) are kept by God's power. God does not take His possessions lightly. He is not fickle, nor does He change His mind from day-to-day. If God is the one guarding my faith then I cannot be guarding my faith at the same time. That would be an oxymoron. I sometimes try to guard my own faith with my "checklist" but often feel the weight of my own sin rather than the freedom that comes through complete trust in Christ. After reading and re-reading this passage it was SO COMFORTING to know and understand that it is God Himself that keeps me. What a relief. So why do I continually fall into the trap of the infamous checklist? The only answer is because of unbelief. Looking to the cross time and time again keeps the checklist at bay and continually reminds me of Christ's righteous act in fulfilling the Law and then becoming an eternal sacrifice for my sin. 2. My troubles are only for "a little while." This is so closely related to the first application because trials are what sometimes cause me to break out my checklist. Have I offended God? Did I not do something I wasn't supposed to do?, and so on and so on. But the fact that Peter tells his audience that their suffering is (1) temporary and (2) for the benefit of their own faith is an assurance that these things are not for my harm but for my own benefit (Rom 8:28). It might all sound a little generic but honestly, that's what I took away from this passage. I hope it is an encouragement for all who stumble upon it.