The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Salvation Hope."
“Hope” is used in a variety of ways—most often without certainty as to whether what is hoped for will actually come to pass. Used in this way an expression of “hope” amounts to little more than an expression of optimism, as in, “I hope to be admitted to Acme University.”
However, according to the sense of Hebrew and Greek words translated “hope” and their use in Scripture, the word connotes certainty, as in Titus 1:1-3, where the apostle writes: “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.”
“Hope” can function as a verb, in which case it refers to the action of hoping, e.g., having faith and hope in God (1Pe 1:21; cf. 3:5); it can also function as a noun in which case it refers to that which is hoped for, i.e., the object of hope, e.g., the hope believers have (1Pe 3:15; cf. 1:3). One commentator writes: “Just as ‘faith’ can be subjective (the act or state of believing), or objective (the content of belief), so ‘hope’ can refer either to an anticipation (even a certainty) of good things to come or to the content of that anticipation, the good things themselves” (J. Ramsey Michaels, Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 49, 1 Peter, 19). On the use of “living hope” in 1 Peter 1:3, he goes on to say: “The ‘living hope’ of which Peter speaks here is better understood in the second, objective, sense. As such, it appropriately parallels, and is further explained by, the ‘inheritance’ of v 4 and the ‘salvation’ of v 5 (cf. Col 1:5, where Paul speaks of ‘hope’ in much the same way that Peter speaks of the ’inheritance’)” (19).
By its very nature, “hope” refers to that which is future, unseen, and as of yet unattained. No one hopes for what they already have. Paul writes: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently“ (Ro 8:23-25, italics added).
Believers are to remember, according to Peter, that the hope they have been given when they experienced regeneration is the hope of resurrection and of receiving an inheritance with the coming of salvation “that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (v. 5). This hope enables them, as well as believers of all ages, to cope with the vicissitudes of life and ultimately with death.
Central Message of the Text:
Praise God for giving you new birth, which provides you with a living hope and an eternal inheritance, and for keeping you and your inheritance secure until the fullness of your salvation comes.
Family Talk:
What’s your morning personality? Do you hit the snooze button several times and groan as you cover your head with a pillow or are you ready to conquer the world the moment you open your eyes? Some people jump out of bed instantly awake but I’m more of a slow-start gal. My whole family knows not to talk to Mom until the glazed look passes, usually around the bottom of the second cup of coffee. I feel like Peter is one of those “Let’s go!” morning personalities. I wonder, if he lived today, what’s the first thing Peter would do when he woke up? I don’t think he would reach for his phone or turn on the television or computer. I doubt he’d start by processing his to do list or giving himself a pep talk in the mirror. Based on the opening of 1 Peter, I think he would start his day by praising God. Imagine if, instead of reaching for the phone or thinking of all the things that must be done, we began our morning with, “I praise you, God, for…” How would your day change? Would you react to your crying child with compassion instead of frustration? Would you view your work or tasks as a gift instead of an overwhelming burden? I don’t think starting our day with praise is a quick fix for all our troubles, but I do believe if we reorient our heart toward the Lord, we might have a different outlook on the day and with it an attitude of hope. This week let’s challenge our families to start the day praising God! We’re praying for you!