1 Peter 1:8-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 1:6-9

The first word, wherein, refers to the apostle's foregoing discourse about the excellency of their present state, and their grand expectations for the future. ?In this condition you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, or a little while, if need be, you are made sorrowful through manifold temptations,? 1 Pet. 1:6. I. The apostle grants they were in great affliction, and propounds several things in mitigation of their sorrows. 1. Every sound Christian has always something wherein he may... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 1:8-9

1:8-9 Although you never knew him, you love him; although you do not see him, you believe in him. And you rejoice with unspeakable and glorious joy because you are receiving that which faith must end in--the salvation of your souls. Peter is drawing an implicit contrast between himself and his readers. It was his great privilege to have known Jesus in the days of his flesh. His readers had not had that joy; but, although they never knew Jesus in the flesh, they love him; and although they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love ,.... That is, Jesus Christ, whom they had never seen with their bodily eyes, being Jews, who dwelt not in Judea, when Christ was upon earth, but were scattered about in several parts of the Gentile world; and yet Christ being made known to them, through the preaching of the Gospel, they received and embraced him, and their affections were strongly set upon him: they loved him because of his excellencies and perfections, because of the loveliness of his person,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 1:9

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Which is a just and sufficient ground of joy and rejoicing. "Salvation" intends spiritual and eternal salvation; that which God appointed his people to from all eternity, which is obtained by Christ, applied by the Spirit, and will be fully enjoyed in heaven: this is the salvation "of souls": which are of more worth than a world; and the redemption of which is precious, and requires a great price, and for which a great price... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love - Those to whom the apostle wrote had never seen Christ in the flesh; and yet, such is the realizing nature of faith, they loved him as strongly as any of his disciples could, to whom he was personally known. For faith in the Lord Jesus brings him into the heart; and by his indwelling all his virtues are proved, and an excellence discovered beyond even that which his disciples beheld, when conversant with him upon earth. In short, there is an equality between... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 1:9

Receiving the end of your faith - Ye are put in possession of the salvation of your souls, which was the thing presented to your faith, when ye were called by the Gospel of Christ. Your faith has had a proper issue, and has been crowned with a proper recompense. The word τελος , end, is often used so as to imply the issue or reward of any labor or action. Salvation of your souls - The object of the Jewish expectations in their Messiah was the salvation or deliverance of their bodies... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 1:8

Verse 8 8Whom having not seen, or, Whom though ye have not seen. He lays down two things, that they loved Christ whom they had not seen, and that they believed on him whom they did not then behold. But the first arises from the second; for the cause of love is faith, not only because the knowledge of those blessings which Christ bestows on us, moves us to love him, but because he offers us perfect felicity, and thus draws us up to himself. He then commends the Jews, because they believed in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 1:9

Verse 9 9Receiving the end of your faith He reminds the faithful where they ought to direct all their thoughts, even to eternal salvation. For this world holds all our affections ensnared by is allurements; this life and all things belonging to the body are great impediments, which prevent us from applying our minds to the contemplation of the future and spiritual life. Hence the Apostle sets before us this future life as a subject of deep meditation, and he indirectly intimates that the loss... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love . Some ancient manuscripts read οὐκ εἰδότες , "although ye know him not:" but the reading ἰδόντες is best supported, and gives the better sense. The Christians of Asia Minor had not seen the gracious face of the Lord, as St. Peter had. But though they had never known him after the flesh, they knew him by the inner knowledge of spiritual communion, and, having learned to love him, had attained the blessing promised to those who had not seen, but yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:8

Peter had seen Jesus constantly during the course of his ministry, had known him intimately, and had loved him well. But most of these to whom he wrote this Epistle had not been brought into such association with the Son of man. The apostle's aim in communicating with such professed Christians as those to whom he addressed his letter was to encourage and stimulate their spiritual life. It was his privilege to bear the testimony which it was their privilege to receive and to act upon. They were... read more

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