now that you are receivingThis phrase indicates a present and ongoing process. The concept of "receiving" suggests an active participation in the Christian life, where believers are continually experiencing the benefits of their faith. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that salvation is both a present reality and a future hope (
Philippians 2:12-13). The Greek word used here implies a continuous action, emphasizing that salvation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing experience.
the goal of your faith
The "goal" refers to the ultimate purpose or end result of faith. In the context of 1 Peter, faith is not merely belief but involves trust and obedience to God. The goal is not material prosperity or earthly success but something far greater. This aligns withHebrews 11:1, which describes faith as the assurance of things hoped for. The goal of faith is intimately connected with the promises of God, which are fulfilled in Christ.
the salvation of your souls
Salvation is a central theme in Christian theology, referring to deliverance from sin and its consequences. The "salvation of your souls" highlights the spiritual aspect of salvation, focusing on eternal life and reconciliation with God. This phrase underscores the eternal security and hope that believers have in Christ. It connects with the broader biblical narrative of redemption, from the promises made to Abraham (Genesis 12:3) to the fulfillment in Jesus (John 3:16). The term "souls" emphasizes the inner, eternal aspect of human beings, distinguishing it from temporary, earthly concerns.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PeterThe apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct believers who are facing trials.
2.
Recipients of the EpistleThe letter is addressed to the "elect exiles" scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, regions in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). These early Christians were experiencing persecution and needed reassurance of their faith.
3.
SalvationThe central theme of this verse is the salvation of the believers' souls, which is the ultimate goal of their faith.
Teaching Points
The Assurance of SalvationBelievers can have confidence in their salvation, knowing it is the ultimate goal of their faith. This assurance provides hope and strength during trials.
Faith as a JourneyFaith is not just a one-time event but a continuous journey toward the ultimate goal of salvation. This journey involves growth, perseverance, and trust in God's promises.
The Role of TrialsTrials and challenges are part of the Christian experience and serve to refine and strengthen faith, leading believers closer to the goal of salvation.
Living with Eternal PerspectiveUnderstanding that the salvation of our souls is the ultimate goal encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual growth and godly living.
Encouragement in CommunityAs Peter wrote to scattered believers, Christians today are encouraged to support one another in faith, especially during difficult times, reminding each other of the hope of salvation.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Peter 1:9?
2.How does 1 Peter 1:9 define the "goal of your faith"?
3.What does "salvation of your souls" mean in 1 Peter 1:9?
4.How can we actively pursue the "goal of your faith" daily?
5.Connect 1 Peter 1:9 with Ephesians 2:8-9 on salvation by faith.
6.How does understanding 1 Peter 1:9 impact your spiritual priorities?
7.What does "the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls" mean in 1 Peter 1:9?
8.How does 1 Peter 1:9 relate to the concept of faith and works in Christianity?
9.What historical context influenced the writing of 1 Peter 1:9?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 1?
11.What is soul winning and how is it done?
12.What defines moralism?
13.John 3:18 speaks of condemnation for unbelievers; how does this align with passages elsewhere that suggest God desires everyone to be saved?
14.What is the Baptist General Convention of Texas?What Does 1 Peter 1:9 Mean
now• The word “now” pulls salvation out of the realm of “someday” and anchors it in the present. Just as Paul wrote, “Now is the time of God’s favor; now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2), Peter assures believers that the blessing is already active.
• This immediacy comforts Christians facing trials, echoing the “living hope” Peter mentioned earlier (1 Peter 1:3). We do not wait to begin enjoying God’s rescue; it is already dawning in our hearts.
• Faith, by nature, is “the assurance of what we hope for” (Hebrews 11:1), so the present tense strengthens our confidence: the rescue is not merely promised; it is unfolding right now.
that you are receiving• Peter uses a continuous idea: believers are “receiving” rather than merely “received.” Salvation is a gift finished at the cross (John 19:30) yet daily applied by the Spirit (Titus 3:5–6).
• Like Israel gathering fresh manna each morning (Exodus 16:14–21), Christians experience new mercies every day (Lamentations 3:22–23).
• Paul echoes this present progressive sense: “though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
• The Christian life is therefore an ongoing reception—continual grace meeting continual need.
the goal of your faith• Faith is not aimless; it has a clear target. Peter calls that target “the goal.”
– Faith looks beyond circumstances to “Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
– John writes that his Gospel is given “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ…and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).
• Trusting Christ means aiming for His promised outcome rather than temporary relief. Suffering disciples like Peter’s audience needed this reminder: their faith was headed somewhere glorious.
• A goal implies completion. While salvation is presently enjoyed, its full unveiling at Christ’s return is certain (1 Peter 1:5, 13).
the salvation of your souls• “Salvation” encompasses rescue from sin’s penalty, power, and ultimately presence. Peter highlights the personal dimension: “your souls.”
– Jesus declared, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36). Present possession—“has.”
– Paul adds that the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
• Souls are eternally secure because the Savior lives: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).
• Yet Peter’s phrase also points ahead. Full salvation will be revealed “at the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). Our souls already belong to Him, but the final redemption of our bodies awaits (Romans 8:23).
• Therefore, believers enjoy a salvation that is:
– Already accomplished at Calvary.
– Actively received each day.
– Assured in its future completion.
summaryPeter’s words assure persecuted believers that salvation is not a distant dream but a present, unfolding reality. Right now we are actively receiving what our faith aims for: full deliverance, secured by Christ and applied by the Spirit. This ongoing rescue steadies us through trials, fuels endurance, and fixes our eyes on the certain, glorious completion that awaits when Jesus is revealed.
(9)
Receiving the end of your faith.--The "
end of our faith" means, the
object to which our faith is directed, the thing we believed
for. And "faith" catches up the "believing" of last verse, so that, in reading, the accent of the sentence falls on "end," not on "faith;" and the whole clause is added to justify the statement that we rejoice with a joy which has already attained its full perfection. The reason is, he says, because we receive already, in the present life, the object of all this trusting without sight; we need not wait till the next world to attain our glorification.
The salvation of your souls.--It might be simply,salvation of souls,including other men's besides our own, but the context is against it, and the absence of articles is characteristic of St. Peter. It seems at first sight not a very exalted object for our faith to work to, the deliverance, or safety, of our own souls. And yet our Lord fully recognises the instinct of the higher self-preservation as that to which the ultimate appeal must be made (Matthew 16:25-26). He could give His own soul a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28); He could save others and not Himself (Matthew 27:42); St. Paul could wish himself accursed from Christ for his brethren's sake, "that they might be saved" (Romans 9:3;Romans 10:1); Moses could ask to be "blotted out of the book" (Exodus 32:32); and yet the fact remains, that in seeking our own welfare, in the highest sense, we are fulfilling a primal law of our being, imposed upon us by the Creator. We are bound to make that our first object, if it were only to gratify Him who has no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, even if we could possibly divest ourselves of all "selfish" interest in the matter. . . .
Verse 9. - Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. The present participle "receiving" (
κομιζόμενοι) implies that the believer realizes the deep blessing of salvation gradually while he is being saved as one of
οἱ σωζόμενοι (
Acts 2:47). Salvation is present as well as future. "By grace ye are saved through faith" (
Ephesians 2:8); "According to his mercy he saved us" (
Titus 3:5). God's elect receive it in various measures now; in its blessed fullness it will be manifested hereafter. It is the end which faith ever holds in view, pressing towards it as the prize of the high calling. It is the salvation especially of souls; for, as Bengel says," Anima praecipue salvatur; corpus in resurreetione participat."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[now that] you are receivingκομιζόμενοι(komizomenoi)Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2865:From a primary komeo; properly, to provide for, i.e. to carry off.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative 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.goalτέλος(telos)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5056:(a) an end, (b) event or issue, (c) the principal end, aim, purpose, (d) a tax.ofτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.yourὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.faith,πίστεως(pisteōs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102:Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.[the] salvationσωτηρίαν(sōtērian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4991:Feminine of a derivative of soter as noun; rescue or safety.of [your] souls.ψυχῶν(psychōn)Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 5590:From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.
Links
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1 Peter 1:9 BibleApps.com1 Peter 1:9 Biblia Paralela1 Peter 1:9 Chinese Bible1 Peter 1:9 French Bible1 Peter 1:9 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the result of your faith (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) 
