1 Peter 1:2 is one of the most debated verses in the Bible. When we approach a difficult verse or topic, it is very important that we remember the first two rules for interpreting Scripture. The gold rule of Bible interpretation is: “Interpret Scripture with Scripture” (2 Peter 1:20). The silver rule of Bible interpretation is: “Always use clear Scriptures to interpret unclear Scriptures”. In other words, use clear verses to interpret cloudy verses and easy verses to interpret hard ones.
We must apply these rules to the topic of election and foreknowledge found in our text. The word “elect” means to be picked or chosen, but did God pick some for heaven and send the rest to hell, or did God choose all who would believe the Gospel? Clear verses answer this question. (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Romans 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (1 Timothy 2:4) “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (1 John 2:2) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” These clear verses show us that God wants every human to be saved not just a few.
Transition
Keep these facts in mind, while we see how all three Persons of the Trinity encouraged the persecuted believers.
Because there are different ways of interpreting 1 Peter 1:1-2, I am going to present some of them and give you my opinion.
The Father Foreknew
- The definitions
- The word “elect” means chosen.
- In the original language, the word “elect” is an adjective located in verse 1 before “strangers”, not in verse 2. If understood in that way, foreknowledge in verse 2 describes those scattered rather than the word “elect” as many claim.
- Though no one can fully understand the sovereignty of God regarding election, the Bible makes it clear that man has a free will and that God does not want anyone to perish. God loves the whole world. Jesus cried over Jerusalem because they would not come to Him (Mat 23:37). He died for all and invites whosoever will to be saved.
² The preacher Henry Ward Beecher divided folk into two categories: the “whosoever wills” and the “whosoever won’ts.” Quoted by McGee
- The word “foreknowledge” means to know beforehand.
- God is omniscient. He knows all things. Before creation, God knew everything that will ever happen.
- Though some claim that foreknowledge means to plan beforehand, they cannot prove that theory.
- The word “elect” means chosen.
- The interpretations
- If foreknowledge describes the elect, the Father knew from eternity past that they would be saved. God knew they would become His elect by believing the Gospel.
- Harry Ironside put it this way, “There is nothing fatalistic or arbitrary about election as taught in the Scriptures. The gospel is to be preached to all, and all who believe it may be assured that they are numbered among the elect.” Ironside on 1Pe 1:2
- Again Ironside said, “Looking down through the ages God foreknew all who would ever put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and He chose them to be conformed to Christ. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you need never worry about your election. The very fact that you are a believer, redeemed by Christ, assures you that you are among the elect of God.” Ironside on 2 Th 2:13
- How God blends His sovereignty with man’s free will is a mystery that will not be revealed until heaven.
- On the other hand, if foreknowledge describes the scattered as the wording implies, then the Father knew from eternity past that Peter’s readers would be elect foreigners scattered in the back woods of Asia because of persecution. Their scattering did not surprise or trouble God. God knew all about their burdens.
- If foreknowledge describes the elect, the Father knew from eternity past that they would be saved. God knew they would become His elect by believing the Gospel.
The Holy Spirit Sanctified
- The definitions
- To “sanctify” is “to set apart from sin and dedicate to God.”
- In context, it may refer to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in a sinner’s heart urging him to be set apart for Christ. Jesus said this of the Holy Spirit
(John 16:8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
- The interpretations
- If foreknowledge applies to the elect, then sanctification is connected with their salvation in one of two ways.
- It could be that the Holy Spirit set them apart through conviction unto salvation. This seems to be the way it is used in 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”
This would be true if “obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” refer to obeying the Gospel and receiving Christ’s blood as payment for salvation. - It could be that God set them apart through transformation after salvation. This would be true if “obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” refer to Christian growth and confession of sin (1Jn 1:7-9).
- It could be that the Holy Spirit set them apart through conviction unto salvation. This seems to be the way it is used in 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
- However, if foreknowledge applies to the scattered, then God is assuring those persecuted believers that the Holy Spirit set them apart as witnesses in foreign lands for His glory. They were special ambassadors for Christ.
- If foreknowledge applies to the elect, then sanctification is connected with their salvation in one of two ways.
Jesus Christ Cleansed
- The definitions
- This sprinkling of blood may refer to the dedication of something to God as it was often so used in the Old Testament (Lev 8:30).
- It may be a reference to the saving blood of Jesus.
- Or it may refer to the cleansing blood of Jesus for believers who confess their sins (1Jn 1:7-9).
- The interpretations
- If God is addressing the elect, then they were sanctified to obey the Gospel and be saved by the blood of Jesus or to obey His commands and be cleansed by the blood of Jesus when they sin (1Jn 1:9).
- However, if God is addressing the scattered, then they were sanctified to obey God and to be dedicated to Him. They are special to God though the world hates them. They were anointed by God to serve Him.
Paul ends the verse with a prayer for God’s grace and peace to be multiplied for these suffering people.
Conclusion
Though not positive, I think that verse 2 refers to the scattered rather than to the elect, but I have presented both views for your benefit. Feel free to download my notes and study it for yourself. When studying difficult verses, be sure to remember the gold and silver rules for interpreting Scripture: Interpret Scripture with Scripture and Always use clear Scriptures to interpret unclear Scriptures.
If you are a true Christian, when you feel like a stranger in this wicked world, it is encouraging to remember that the Father knew that would happen. It did not surprise Him. The Holy Spirit set you apart to glorify God in a God-rejecting world. Jesus Christ has dedicated you to God. You are special to Him. You are his special ambassador.
If you are not positive you are a true Christian, God does not want you to perish in hell. He wants you to repent of your sin and trust Jesus who died and rose again to pay for your sins.
Song: Thank You Lord – 221
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Encouraging the Persecuted
19 April 2015 am – 1 Peter 1:2 – 1Pe15 – Scott Childs