1 Peter 1:25 - The Word of the Lord Stands
but the word of the Lord stands forever.
This phrase emphasizes the eternal nature of God's word, contrasting it with the transient nature of human life and achievements. The concept of the enduring word is rooted in Isaiah 40:8, which states, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." This connection to Isaiah highlights the fulfillment of prophecy and the reliability of God's promises. The phrase underscores the belief that God's word is unchanging and authoritative, providing a foundation for faith and practice. In the New Testament context, this eternal word is often associated with the teachings of Jesus Christ, who is described as the Word made flesh in John 1:14. The enduring nature of God's word assures believers of the permanence and reliability of the gospel message.
And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
This part of the verse refers to the gospel message that was preached to the recipients of Peter's letter. The early Christian community, to whom Peter was writing, was composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers scattered throughout Asia Minor. The proclamation of the word refers to the apostolic preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ, His death, and resurrection, which was central to the early church's mission. This proclamation is seen as a fulfillment of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. The phrase also emphasizes the personal nature of the gospel message, as it was specifically delivered to the audience of Peter's letter, affirming their inclusion in God's redemptive plan. The use of "proclaimed" highlights the oral tradition of spreading the gospel, which was vital in a time when written texts were not as accessible.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle of Jesus Christ who authored this epistle. He was a leading figure in the early church and wrote to encourage believers facing persecution.
2. The Recipients
Early Christians scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who were experiencing trials and needed encouragement to remain steadfast in their faith.
3. The Word of the Lord
Refers to the enduring message of the Gospel, which Peter emphasizes as eternal and unchanging.
4. Isaiah
The Old Testament prophet whose writings Peter references, specifically Isaiah 40:8, to highlight the permanence of God's word.
5. The Early Church
The community of believers in the first century who were recipients of Peter's teachings and were tasked with spreading the Gospel.
Teaching Points
The Eternal Nature of God's Word
God's word is unchanging and reliable, providing a firm foundation for our faith amidst life's uncertainties.
The Importance of Scripture in Daily Life
As believers, we are called to immerse ourselves in the Bible, allowing it to guide our decisions and shape our character.
The Role of the Gospel in Salvation
The Gospel message, as the enduring word of God, is central to our salvation and should be shared with others.
Perseverance in Faith
In times of trial, we can find strength and encouragement in the eternal promises of God's word.
The Authority of Scripture
Scripture holds ultimate authority in our lives, and we should submit to its teachings and allow it to transform us.
(25) The word which by the gospel is preached.--An incorrect rendering of the original tense. It literally runs, And this is the word which was preached unto you. The whole magnificent peroration of this paragraph, as of the last, leads up to this: that, in the opinion of St. Peter, the Gospel, as delivered by St. Paul and his followers--the Gospel of equality, or rather of unity between Jew and Gentile in Jesus Christ--was the living and supreme abiding revelation of the will of God! Well may the Tbingen school wish to disprove the genuineness of this Epistle!
Verse 25. - But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you. In this verse, both in the quotation and in the apostle's comment, the Greek equivalent for "word" is not λόγος, as in ver. 23, but ῤῆμα. Ῥῆμα is "an utterance, the word uttered," more concrete than λόγος; yet in some pus-sages, as Ephesians 6:18; Hebrews 6:4 and Hebrews 11:3, it seems to be used as equivalent to λόγος, and the variation here may possibly be owing to the quotation. Compare the transition from λόγος to ῤῆμα in St. Peter's speech recorded in Acts 10:36, 37. The Revised Version renders the last half of the verse, And this is the Word of good tidings which was preached unto you; literally, This is the Word which was preached as good tidings. Here St. Peter recognizes the gospel which had been preached in Asia Minor as the Word of the Lord which abideth for ever. St. Paul and his companions were the missionaries from whom those provinces had heard the Word of God. St. Peter gives his formal testimony to the teaching of St. Paul, as he had already done at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1-9).
Greek
but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.
the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
word
ῥῆμα (rhēma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4487: From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.
of [the] Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.
stands
μένει (menei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.
forever.”
αἰῶνα (aiōna)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.
And
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.
this
Τοῦτο (Touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.
is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
word
ῥῆμα (rhēma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4487: From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.
that
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
was proclaimed
εὐαγγελισθὲν (euangelisthen)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2097: From eu and aggelos; to announce good news especially the gospel.
to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.
you.
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
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1 Peter 1:25 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 1 Peter 1:25 But the Lord's word endures forever (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)