1 Peter 1:3-9

³ “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ⁸ and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Verse 3: We begin with a joyful exclamation of praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through His great mercy that we have been granted new birth, a spiritual rebirth, into a living hope. This living hope is made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is a hope that is alive and active, bringing us assurance and confidence in our salvation.

Verse 4: Through this new birth, we have also received an inheritance that is imperishable, incorruptible, and unfading. This inheritance is not subject to decay or loss. It is a heavenly inheritance that is reserved for us, kept secure by God himself. This means that once we are saved, we are always saved.

Verse 5: As believers, we are shielded by God’s power through our faith. He protects and preserves us in terms of our salvation until the final unveiling of our salvation, which will be revealed in the last time. This assurance gives us confidence and hope as we navigate through the challenges of life.

Verse 6: Even though we may experience various trials and sufferings in this present life, we can still rejoice. Our joy is not dependent on our circumstances but on the hope we have in Christ. These trials are temporary and serve to refine our faith and strengthen our character.

Verse 7: The trials we face serve a purpose. They test and prove the genuineness of our faith, which is of far greater worth than any earthly treasure. Just as gold is refined by fire, our faith is refined through trials. The outcome of this refining process is praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed in all His glory.

Verse 8: Although we have not physically seen Jesus, we still love him. Our faith is not based on physical sight but on a deep belief in him. As a result, we are filled with an indescribable and glorious joy that surpasses human understanding.

Verse 9: The ultimate outcome of our faith is the salvation of our souls. Peter is speaking of all who are currently trusting in Christ and how they receive salvation the moment they believe. We are completely forgiven and new.