Dear Friends,

I hope you can join us tonight for Bible study. We will study 1 Peter 1:6-12. Notes are attached. 

LIVING THE CHRISTLIFE

WAYNE BARRETT

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

1 Peter 1:6-12

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested

by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though

you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice

with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of

your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched

and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when

he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were

serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who

preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to

look.

v 6 – “In this you rejoice …”

The translation is understated. “Rejoice” – agalliaó, to exceedingly rejoice, to greatly rejoice,

more lit. to jump, leap

more lit. “though presently for a little while, if being necessary, you have been put to grief by

various trials”

These two conditions of life can and do exist side-by-side—rejoicing in one’s salvation

while, at the same time, having been put to grief by all sorts of trials

trials – peirasmos, which is translated trial, temptation [often], testing

v 7 – “so that the genuineness of your faith …”

so that — hina

“genuineness” – the word is dokimion, proving, so as we might say you have a “proven faith” or

you are a “proven” follower of the Lord. This generally refers to something or someone that

has been put through the test and has come through the test, now stronger than before.

“more precious than gold” – here the metaphor takes on a little more, since gold is both revealed

and purified as it is tested by fire

“may be found to result in praise …”

Our faith, as it is tested and proven, purified, and revealed—will result in this

Robertson says that “praise, glory, and honor” are here “probably both to God and man in

the result.” And he cites:

“to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He

will give eternal life.—Romans 2:7

“but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who does what is good, to the Jew first and

also to the Greek.”—Romans 2:10

Obviously the praise, glory, honor that belong to God are not ours to seek. But it is not

wrong to seek praise (from the Lord) over rebuke, or the glory of God’s kingdom, or

honor (as in seeking that which is honorable).

2

v 8 – more lit. “whom, not having seen, you love; on whom presently not seeing, believing …”

Even in the first century, most believers were doing so based on the witness of the apostles and

others; they had not themselves ever seen Jesus

“Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are [those] not having seen yet having

believed.”—John 20:29

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”—2 Corinthians 5:7

more lit. “moreover you rejoice [exult] with joy inexpressible …”

Peter returns to his opening theme—which is one of rejoicing

“filled with glory” – beyond all earthly joys

v 9 – more lit. “receiving the outcome of you faith: salvation of souls”

Our eternal salvation is worthy of this level of rejoicing

v 10 – “Concerning this salvation …”

An important word of reminder that the Old Testament prophets themselves did not fully

understand all the details and meaning of what they were given by God to prophesy. (This

speaks in contradiction to some philosophies of Old Testament interpretation.)

“inquired carefully” – exereunaó, search diligently, explore

v 11 – “inquiring [seeking] what person or time …”

“time” – in Gk, what kind of kairos; so, what sort of circumstances

“the Spirit of Christ in them”

A reference to the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of Christ.”

An affirmation that the Scriptures are inspired by God

“the sufferings of Christ”

The Suffering Servant prophesies were not understood (or, really, accepted by the leaders of

Jesus’ day)

the subsequent glories – nor did they understand the fullness of who Christ is or what our

inheritance will be in Him

v 12 — “It was revealed to them …”

That their words were for a later generation

The were “serving” us by them.

“that have now been announced”

These truths have now been made manifest in Christ and in the gospel; they are no longer

mysteries

“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus

Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages”—

Romans 16:25

“making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in

Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and

things on earth in him.—Ephesians 1:9-10

more lit. “in [en] the Holy Spirit, having been sent from heaven”

Peter reinforces the truth that the power of the Gospel’s proclamation is from the Holy Spirit,

who was sent from heaven—as Peter well remembered.

3

“things into which angels long to look”

This is a very interesting revelation

long – epithumeó; in the NASB: long, covet, desired, lust, coveted, craved, desire. It is a strong

word

Angels have strong desires

Angels themselves did not know and are filled with desire to see what God is doing for us and

for His lost creation in Christ