who through faithFaith is the means by which believers are connected to God's power. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust and reliance on God.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This faith is a gift from God (
Ephesians 2:8-9) and is essential for salvation. It is through faith that believers are justified (
Romans 5:1) and live (
Galatians 2:20).
are shielded by God’s power
The Greek word for "shielded" (phroureo) implies a military guard, suggesting protection and security. This indicates that believers are under divine protection, much like a fortress guarded by soldiers. God's power is omnipotent, ensuring that nothing can separate believers from His love (Romans 8:38-39). This protection is not from physical harm but from spiritual defeat, preserving the believer's faith until the end.
for the salvation
Salvation in this context refers to the full realization of deliverance from sin and its consequences. While believers experience aspects of salvation now, such as justification and sanctification, the ultimate salvation includes glorification, which will be fully realized in the future (Romans 8:30). This salvation is a central theme throughout Scripture, promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53,John 3:16).
that is ready to be revealed
The phrase indicates that this salvation is prepared and awaiting revelation. It emphasizes the certainty and imminence of God's promise. The readiness of salvation reflects God's sovereign plan, which has been in place since before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). This future revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, urging them to live in anticipation of Christ's return.
in the last time
The "last time" refers to the eschatological period, the end of the current age when Christ will return. This is a common theme in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to live in light of the coming day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:10-13). The last time is characterized by the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, the final judgment, and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). This future perspective provides motivation for holy living and perseverance in faith.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PeterThe apostle of Jesus Christ, traditionally believed to be the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct believers facing trials.
2.
BelieversThe recipients of Peter's letter, likely Gentile Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor, who are experiencing persecution and need reassurance of their faith.
3.
GodThe divine protector and source of power who shields believers through their faith.
4.
SalvationThe ultimate deliverance and eternal life promised to believers, which will be fully revealed in the last time.
5.
The Last TimeRefers to the eschatological future when God's final plans for salvation and judgment will be unveiled.
Teaching Points
Faith as a ShieldFaith is not just belief but a protective force that guards our hearts and minds against spiritual attacks.
God’s Power in Our LivesRecognize that it is God's power, not our own strength, that sustains and protects us through life's trials.
The Assurance of SalvationOur salvation is secure and will be fully realized in God's perfect timing, providing hope and encouragement in difficult times.
Living with an Eternal PerspectiveFocus on the eternal promises of God rather than temporary struggles, knowing that our ultimate salvation is assured.
Active Faith in Daily LifeEngage in practices that strengthen faith, such as prayer, reading Scripture, and fellowship, to experience God's shielding power.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Peter 1:5?
2.How does 1 Peter 1:5 encourage trust in God's protective power today?
3.What role does faith play in being "shielded by God's power"?
4.How does 1 Peter 1:5 connect with Ephesians 2:8 about salvation?
5.How can we actively strengthen our faith as described in 1 Peter 1:5?
6.What practical steps can we take to prepare for "the coming salvation"?
7.How does 1 Peter 1:5 define the concept of salvation through faith?
8.What does "shielded by God’s power" mean in 1 Peter 1:5?
9.How does 1 Peter 1:5 relate to the idea of eternal security?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 1?
11.What does "Kept by the Power of God" mean?
12.What does 'Kept by the Power of God' mean?
13.What are the devil's deceptive strategies?
14.Am I assured of my salvation?What Does 1 Peter 1:5 Mean
WhoPeter has just spoken of an imperishable inheritance “kept in heaven for you” (v. 4). The “who” points to every man and woman who has been born again (1 Peter 1:3). •John 1:12 reminds us that those who receive Christ are given “the right to become children of God.” •1 Peter 2:9 calls believers “a chosen people,” underscoring that the promise here is exclusive to the redeemed.
Through faith“Through faith” identifies the means, not the merit. God’s protection is experienced only by those who trust Him. •Ephesians 2:8–9: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works.” •1 John 5:4 adds, “everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.” Faith is the divinely appointed conduit that links us to God’s keeping power.
Are shieldedThe verb pictures a continuous, surrounding guard. •Psalm 125:2 paints it vividly: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people.” •Psalm 121:5–7 promises that the Lord “watches over you… He will keep you from all harm.” Believers live inside God’s fortress; nothing reaches them unless it first passes through His sovereign permission (Job 1:10–12).
By God’s powerThe strength is not ours; it is His omnipotence. •Jeremiah 32:17 says, “Nothing is too difficult for You.” •John 10:28–29 assures, “no one will snatch them out of My hand… My Father… is greater than all.” Because God Himself is the guard, the preservation of every saint is as certain as His own character (2 Timothy 1:12).
For the salvationThe guarding has a goal: “for the salvation.” This refers to the final, full deliverance of body and soul. •Romans 13:11 speaks of “our salvation… nearer now than when we first believed.” •Hebrews 9:28 promises that Christ “will appear a second time… to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Present security guarantees future glory.
That is ready to be revealed“Ready” signals that nothing more must be accomplished for this salvation to unfold. •Colossians 3:4: “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” God’s plan is complete; the unveiling simply awaits the appointed hour (Acts 17:31).
In the last timeThe unveiling occurs at history’s climax—Christ’s return and the consummation of all things. •1 Peter 1:13 urges us to “set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” •2 Peter 3:10 describes that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” The “last time” is literal, future, and certain.
summary1 Peter 1:5 assures believers that the same faith that united us to Christ now places us under God’s continuous protection. His omnipotent power keeps us secure until the moment He unveils the completed salvation He already has in store. Our inheritance is guarded, our future is guaranteed, and our hope is anchored in the unbreakable promise of God.
(5)
Who are kept.--This explains the word "you:" "those, I mean, who are under the guardianship of God's power." Bengel says, "As the inheritance hath been preserved, so are the heirs guarded; neither shall it fail them, nor they it."
Through faith.--The Apostle is fearful lest the last words should give a false assurance. God can guard none of us, in spite of His "power," unless there be a corresponding exertion upon our part--which is here called "faith"--combining the notions of staunch fidelity and of trustfulness in spite of appearances. It is through such trustful fidelity that we are guarded.
Unto salvation.--These words "unto" arise like point beyond point in the endless vista. "Begottenunto an inheritance, which hath bee reserved unto you, who are kept safe unto a deliverance." This Salvation, spoken of again in1Peter 1:9, must not be taken in the bald sense of salvation from damnation. Indeed, the thought of the perdition of the lost does not enter at all into the passage. The salvation, or deliverance, is primarily a deliverance from all the trials and persecutions, struggles and temptations of this life--an emergence into the state of peace and rest, as we can see from the verses that follow.
Ready to be revealed in the last time.--How such an assurance helps to form the very "faith" through which the treasure is secured! That perfect state of peace, that heavenly inheritance, is not something to be prepared hereafter, butthere it is. If only our eyes were opened, we should already see it. It is all ready, only waiting for the great moment. The tense of the word "revealed" implies the suddenness of the unveiling. It will be but the work of an instant to put aside the curtain and show the inheritance which has been kept hidden so long behind it. This, however, will not take place till theexact period (so the word for "time" suggests; comp.2Thessalonians 2:6), and that period will be the last of the world's history. For such teaching the Hebrews would be well prepared by the Old Testament--for instance, comp.Daniel 12:9;Daniel 12:13--and it was the earliest kind teaching culled for converts out of the "oracles of God" (Hebrews 5:12;Hebrews 6:2). . . .
Verse 5. - Who are kept by the power of God. "Hereditas servata est," says Bengel, "heredes custodiuntur?" The verb
φρουρεῖν, is a military word. "The governor under Areas the king
kept [guarded] the city of the Damascenes" (
2 Corinthians 11:32); the peace of God shall
keep ("guard."
Philippians 4:7) the hearts of those who trust in him, - they are guarded by a heavenly host; "The angel of the Lord encampeth around them that fear him;" they are guarded by, or rather, according to the exact rendering,
in the power of God. His power is all around them; it is the sphere in which they live and move; no harm can reach them in that all-embracing shelter. Through faith. Faith, the evidence of things not seen, realizes the presence of the heavenly guard, and gives courage and confidence to the Christian when assailed by temptations and dangers; the servant of Elisha feared no more the hosts of Syria, when he saw the mountain full of chariots and horses of fire round about his master. Faith is the instrument by means of which we grasp the Divine strength, so that it is made perfect in our weakness. Unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. By "salvation" St. Peter means not merely present deliverance from sin, but everlasting life, the joy of our Lord, the deep, full blessedness of his elect in heaven. Eye hath not seen it yet, it hath not entered into the heart of man. But it is ready to be revealed; the veil which now hides it from us will be withdrawn in the last time, when the last page of this world's history shall have been written, when the number of the elect shall be accomplished, and the eternal purpose of God shall have been fulfilled.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
whoτοὺς(tous)Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.throughδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.faithπίστεως(pisteōs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102:Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.[are] protectedφρουρουμένους(phrouroumenous)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5432:From a compound of pro and horao; to be a watcher in advance, i.e. To mount guard as a sentinel; figuratively, to hem in, protect.byἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.God’sΘεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.powerδυνάμει(dynamei)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411:From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.forεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.[the] salvationσωτηρίαν(sōtērian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4991:Feminine of a derivative of soter as noun; rescue or safety.[that is] readyἑτοίμην(hetoimēn)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2092:Ready, prepared. From an old noun heteos; adjusted, i.e. Ready.to be revealedἀποκαλυφθῆναι(apokalyphthēnai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 601:To uncover, bring to light, reveal. From apo and kalupto; to take off the cover, i.e. Disclose.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[the] lastἐσχάτῳ(eschatō)Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2078:Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.time.καιρῷ(kairō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2540:Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.
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NT Letters: 1 Peter 1:5 Who by the power of God (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) 
