1 Peter 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.

Unto whom {G3739} it was revealed {G601}, that {G3754} not {G3756} unto themselves {G1438}, but {G1161} unto us {G2254} they did minister {G1247} the things {G846}, which {G3739} are {G312} now {G3568} reported {G312} unto you {G5213} by {G1223} them that have preached the gospel {G2097} unto you {G5209} with {G1722} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} sent down {G649} from {G575} heaven {G3772}; which things {G3739} the angels {G32} desire {G1937} to look {G3879} into {G1519}.

It was revealed to them that their service when they spoke about these things was not for their own benefit, but for yours. And these same things have now been proclaimed to you by those who communicated the Good News to you through the Ruach HaKodesh sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things!

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

1 Peter 1:12 (KJV) is a powerful verse that bridges the Old Testament prophetic ministry with the New Testament revelation of the gospel, highlighting the divine nature and profound significance of God's redemptive plan.

Context

This verse directly follows 1 Peter 1:10-11, where Peter explains that Old Testament prophets diligently inquired about the salvation that would be revealed to believers. These prophets, inspired by the Spirit of Christ within them, testified beforehand of the "sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." Verse 12 clarifies that the profound truths they ministered were not fully for their own generation but were ultimately intended for "us" – the believers living in the era of Christ's fulfillment.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Foresight and Fulfillment: The verse underscores the continuity of God's plan through history. The ancient prophets were conduits for God's message, delivering truths that transcended their immediate context. Their insights into the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory were ultimately for later generations, demonstrating God's sovereign orchestration of redemption.
  • Divine Empowerment of the Gospel: Peter emphasizes that the gospel proclaimed to believers is not merely human wisdom but is delivered "with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." This highlights that the preaching of the good news is supernaturally empowered and validated by the direct work of the Holy Spirit, poured out from God. This divine anointing gives the message its authority, clarity, and transformative power.
  • Angelic Wonder: The fascinating phrase, "which things the angels desire to look into," reveals that even celestial beings, who directly witness God's glory, are captivated by the mystery and wisdom of God's plan of salvation for humanity. The Greek word for "look into," parakypto (παρακύπτω), implies bending over or stooping to gaze intently, suggesting a profound curiosity and awe at the unfolding drama of redemption, a mystery made known even to principalities and powers through the Church.

Linguistic Insights

The term "minister" (διακονέω, diakoneō) here refers to serving or delivering, indicating that the prophets served as God's messengers, conveying truths that would be fully understood and experienced by future generations. The intense curiosity of the angels, conveyed by parakypto, paints a vivid picture of their earnest desire to comprehend the depths of God's redemptive work, which is a unique aspect of God's interaction with humanity.

Practical Application

This verse encourages profound gratitude and reverence for the gospel message. If Old Testament prophets ministered for us, and even angels long to understand these truths, how much more should believers cherish, study, and live by the profound reality of our salvation? It reminds us that our redemption is part of a grand, divinely orchestrated plan, revealed progressively through history and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This understanding should motivate us to respond with deep appreciation and to share this glorious message, recognizing its eternal significance and divine origin.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 15:26

    But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

  • 1 Corinthians 2:10

    But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

  • Ephesians 3:10

    To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

  • Hebrews 11:39

    And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

  • Hebrews 11:40

    God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

  • Mark 16:15

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

  • 1 Peter 1:25

    But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

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