1 Peter 1:11-17

1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  The Old Testament speaks of Christ from the opening verse and we see types and shadows in the very first book of the bible.  The Psalms detail his suffering on the cross, Isaiah foretells his sacrifice.  These Old Testament writers all seemed to know, by the Holy Spirit, someone was coming – but they didn’t have the name or dates to reveal.  Like Daniel’s 70 weeks, they were a mystery looking forward, but a clearer picture for those of us looking back.  Rom 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, :26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 

1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.   Peter saw the change from the law service to grace.  He saw the transition as Jews left the law and turned to Christ.  He himself spoke to the strangers at the home of Cornelius to usher in the gospel to the Gentile nations.  Peter knows firsthand from the day of Pentecost that the gospel preached with the power and demonstration of the spirit moves men to serve God.   

which things the angels desire to look into.  The angels have no understanding of salvation, sin, redemption or why it was necessary for their creator God to take on human form and die.  To understand grace and the gospel, the angels desire to look into these things, and we suppose a just and holy God would permit such.  That observation would take place in worship services, where “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”  (Luke 15:10) And learn of the hierarchy of marriage as described in 1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 

1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  In the study of scripture, we must take established truth and use it to brace contextual wording that causes us questions.  This is one such verse.  We know that it is not our hope that brings grace or salvation to us, but rather the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  1Cr 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  1Cr 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. Using established truth as our brace, we view Peter’s instruction as a timely or knowledge salvation to gird up the loins of our mind and be sober as a daily admonishment. 

1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  This instruction pertains to righteous living and Peter will spend a good portion of his letter imploring these new Christians to walk upright. 

1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Peter says of those who are obedient children, desirous of being holy, and further down, those who call upon the Father and have an understanding of their redemption and the incredible price it cost, that God hath called you – not into eternal life, which He certainly has, but here, to worship and service in this lifetime.  

Jhn 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  

If Jesus makes the distinction here to qualify true worshippers, we conclude that there must be false worshippers as well.  Among the true worshippers, it says the Father seeks them to worship him.  That’s a reducing qualifier.  Not everyone is capable or eligible or sought for that opportunity to worship.  It is these whom Peter addresses and instructs in this first chapter.    2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  The instruction for our daily walk is set as high as Peter possibly can, giving our example as Jesus and encouraging us to emulate him in our efforts. 

1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:    Again, we declare it is not our works being judged that determines our eternal destiny.  This must then be speaking of our daily quality of life as we appear in the courtroom of the king, before the throne that he has established in these earthly tabernacles, where he rules our heart and mind and judges us on our actions, choices and efforts. 

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  Not in fear of eternal condemnation, but with the reverential fear of a just and holy God, seeking to increase the wisdom He gives us.  Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  Why should we do so?