1 Peter 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Who verily {G3303} was foreordained {G4267} before {G4253} the foundation {G2602} of the world {G2889}, but {G1161} was manifest {G5319} in {G1909} these last {G2078} times {G5550} for {G1223} you {G5209},

God knew him before the founding of the universe, but revealed him in the acharit-hayamim for your sakes.

He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.

who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the times for your sake,

1 Peter 1:20 unveils a profound truth about Jesus Christ: His role as Savior was not an improvisation but a meticulously planned, central part of God's eternal design. This verse assures believers that their redemption is rooted in an unchangeable, divine purpose that predates creation itself.

Context

This verse continues Peter's exposition on the magnificent nature of the believer's redemption. It follows the declaration that we were redeemed not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Verse 20 then elevates this act of redemption to an eternal decree, highlighting God's sovereign foresight in providing salvation through Christ.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreordination and Christ's Pre-existence: The phrase "foreordained before the foundation of the world" underscores God's eternal plan and immutable purpose. It signifies that Christ's sacrifice was not a response to sin that caught God by surprise, but rather an integral part of His divine blueprint conceived before creation began. This speaks to the pre-existence of Jesus Christ and His participation in the divine counsel from eternity past.
  • Timely Manifestation: "But was manifest in these last times for you" indicates that while Christ's redemptive work was eternally purposed, His physical incarnation, ministry, death, and resurrection occurred at a specific, divinely appointed moment in human history. The "last times" refers to the era inaugurated by Christ's first coming, leading to His second coming, marking the culmination of God's redemptive plan.
  • Personal Purpose and Benefit: The crucial addition "for you" emphasizes the personal and corporate benefit of Christ's manifestation. His entire earthly mission was for the sake of humanity, specifically for the redemption and salvation of those who would believe, providing them with a living hope and an inheritance.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "foreordained" is proginosko (προγινώσκω), meaning "to know beforehand" or "to foreknow." In this context, it carries the weight of divine pre-determination or appointment. It's not merely intellectual knowledge but a purposeful selection. The word "manifest" comes from phaneroo (φανερόω), which means "to make visible," "to reveal," or "to appear." This highlights the historical reality of Christ's advent and the physical unveiling of God's eternal plan through Him.

Practical Application

Understanding 1 Peter 1:20 offers immense spiritual security and transforms our perspective on salvation.

  • Unwavering Assurance: Our salvation is not based on fluctuating human efforts or circumstances, but on the unchanging, eternal plan of a sovereign God. This provides profound peace and confidence in our faith journey.
  • Deep Gratitude: Reflecting on God's foreknowledge and provision for our redemption, even before the world was made, stirs incredible gratitude for His immeasurable love and grace.
  • Purposeful Living: As those for whom Christ was manifest in these last times, we are called to live lives worthy of this eternal calling, demonstrating the reality of our redemption to a world that needs the hope found in Christ. Our faith is rooted in an eternal purpose, not a fleeting event, giving our lives profound meaning and direction as we await the new heavens and new earth.

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.

  • Ephesians 1:4

    According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

  • 2 Timothy 1:9

    Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

  • 2 Timothy 1:10

    But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

  • Hebrews 9:26

    For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

  • Revelation 13:8

    And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

  • Titus 1:2

    In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

  • Titus 1:3

    But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

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