1 Peter 1:21

KJV

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3588} by {G1223} him {G846} do believe {G4100} in {G1519} God {G2316}, that raised {G1453} him {G846} up {G1453} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, and {G2532} gave {G1325} him {G846} glory {G1391}; that {G5620} your {G5216} faith {G4102} and {G2532} hope {G1680} might be {G1511} in {G1519} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Through him you trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory; so that your trust and hope are in God.

Berean Standard Bible

Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God.

American Standard Version

who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Peter 1:21 profoundly articulates the theological bedrock of Christian faith and hope, establishing them firmly in God's sovereign actions. It reveals that believers are enabled to trust God through Christ, whose resurrection from the dead and subsequent glorification by the Father serve as the irrefutable evidence and ultimate ground for their confident expectation and unwavering trust in the divine. This verse thus encapsulates the Trinitarian dynamic of salvation, where the Father's power, the Son's redemptive work, and the Spirit's enabling grace converge to secure the believer's spiritual assurance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the culmination of a powerful theological argument Peter has been building since the opening of his epistle. Having established the believers' "lively hope" through the resurrection of Jesus Christ in [1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope"), and having exhorted them to holy living in light of their redemption, Peter then emphasizes the immense cost of their salvation—not perishable things, but the [precious blood of Christ](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redemption by Christ's Precious Blood"). Verse 21 directly follows this declaration, providing the divine rationale and ultimate purpose behind Christ's sacrifice and God's subsequent actions. It links the past redemptive work to the present reality of the believer's faith and future hope, thus grounding their spiritual life in concrete divine acts rather than human effort or fleeting circumstances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter writes to "elect exiles of the Dispersion" ([1 Peter 1:1](/1_peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting to Exiles")), Christians scattered across various Roman provinces in Asia Minor. These believers were likely facing social ostracism, persecution, and various trials, making it difficult to maintain their faith and hope. In such a climate, Peter's emphasis on God's active involvement in their salvation—specifically the resurrection and glorification of Jesus—would have been profoundly encouraging. The Roman world valued power, glory, and visible triumph, and Peter's declaration that God had raised Jesus from the dead and given Him glory would have countered any perception of Christ as a defeated figure, instead presenting Him as the victorious Lord. This message provided a robust theological framework for enduring suffering with a steadfast, God-centered hope.
* **Key Themes:** First Peter 1:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the epistle. It reinforces the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Power**, particularly through His act of raising Christ from the dead, demonstrating His ultimate control over life and death. This divine power is the basis for the believers' [living hope](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope"). The verse also highlights **Christ's Mediatorial Role**, as it is "by him" that believers come to God, underscoring Jesus' indispensable position as the means of access to the Father, a truth echoed throughout the New Testament, such as in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life"). Furthermore, it emphasizes the **Foundation of Christian Assurance**, linking faith and hope directly to the historical realities of Christ's resurrection and glorification. This provides a tangible, verifiable basis for their spiritual confidence, rather than subjective feelings, aligning with the broader New Testament emphasis on the resurrection as the cornerstone of the gospel message, as seen in [1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **raised (Greek, _egeírō_):** This verb signifies "to waken," "rouse," or "lift up," often from sleep, a lying position, or death. In the context of the resurrection, it powerfully conveys God's active, life-giving power over death and non-existence. It is not merely a passive recovery but a divine intervention that brings forth new life and validates Christ's identity and mission.
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa_):** Derived from a root meaning "to appear" or "to seem," _dóxa_ refers to "glory as very apparent," encompassing dignity, honor, praise, and worship. When applied to Christ, it signifies His exaltation, majestic status, and inherent divine radiance, particularly after His resurrection and ascension. It speaks of His rightful place of honor and authority at the Father's right hand.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis_):** This term denotes "persuasion," "credence," or "moral conviction," specifically "reliance upon Christ for salvation." It is an active trust and belief in the truthfulness of God and His promises, leading to a personal commitment and assurance. In this verse, it is the direct result of God's actions in Christ, grounded in the objective reality of the resurrection and glorification.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who by him do believe in God":** This clause establishes the essential mediatorial role of Jesus Christ. It is through Christ, by His person and work, that believers are enabled to place their trust and confidence in God the Father. This highlights the Trinitarian nature of salvation, where access to the Father is granted solely through the Son.
* **"that raised him up from the dead":** This phrase identifies God the Father as the active agent in the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is presented as a divine act, demonstrating God's ultimate power over death and validating Christ's atoning sacrifice. It is the historical, verifiable event that underpins all Christian hope.
* **"and gave him glory":** Following the resurrection, God the Father further exalted Jesus by bestowing upon Him divine "glory." This refers to Christ's ascension into heaven and His enthronement at God's right hand, signifying His supreme authority, honor, and completion of His redemptive work. This glorification assures believers of Christ's present reign and power.
* **"that your faith and hope might be in God":** This final clause articulates the ultimate purpose and result of God's actions concerning Christ. The resurrection and glorification of Jesus are not ends in themselves, but are divinely purposed to establish and secure the faith and hope of believers. Knowing that God has powerfully acted to raise and glorify His Son provides an immovable foundation for their trust and confident expectation in God Himself.

#### Literary Devices
First Peter 1:21 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is the **Purpose Clause**, indicated by the repeated use of "that" (Greek _hṓste_ or implied purpose) in relation to God's actions: God raised Christ and gave Him glory *that* believers' faith and hope might be in God. This structure clearly links divine action to human spiritual outcome, emphasizing God's intentionality in salvation. There is also a strong element of **Theological Emphasis** on God's omnipotence and faithfulness. By explicitly stating that God "raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory," Peter underscores the absolute power and authority of the Father as the ultimate source of salvation and the guarantor of the believer's assurance. This serves to bolster the confidence of a persecuted audience, reminding them that their faith is grounded in an all-powerful God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Peter 1:21 is a concise theological statement on the Triune God's work in salvation, emphasizing the Father's sovereign plan, the Son's completed work, and the Spirit's enabling of belief. It underscores that Christian faith and hope are not based on human sentiment or philosophical speculation, but on the objective, historical acts of God in Christ. The resurrection and glorification of Jesus are presented as the definitive proofs of God's power and faithfulness, providing an unshakeable foundation for trust. This divine sequence—God raising Christ and glorifying Him—is the very reason believers can confidently direct their faith and hope towards God, knowing He is both able and willing to fulfill His promises.

* [Romans 4:24-25](/romans/4-24-25 "Romans 4:24-25 - Christ's Resurrection for Our Justification")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith")
* [Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers navigating the complexities and challenges of life, 1 Peter 1:21 offers a profound anchor for the soul. It redirects our gaze from fleeting circumstances or personal inadequacies to the immutable power and faithfulness of God. When doubts arise, or when the world's pressures threaten to overwhelm, this verse reminds us that our faith is not in a fallible human system or a vague spiritual feeling, but in the God who conquered death itself through His Son. This truth empowers us to live with a confident, "lively hope," knowing that the same God who raised Christ from the dead is actively working in our lives and will bring His ultimate purposes to fruition. It calls us to place our full, unwavering trust and expectation in Him, allowing this divine reality to shape our perspectives, priorities, and responses to every situation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's active role in raising and glorifying Christ strengthen your personal faith and hope today?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to more fully ground your hope in God, rather than in circumstances or human efforts?**
* **How can the truth of Christ's resurrection and glorification empower you to face current trials or uncertainties with greater confidence?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God "raising him up from the dead" in this verse?**

Answer: The act of God "raising him up from the dead" is the cornerstone of Christian theology and the central event validating Jesus' identity and mission. It signifies God the Father's ultimate approval of Christ's atoning sacrifice, His victory over sin and death, and His power to bring new life. Without the resurrection, Christian faith would be futile, as [Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection"). It provides the irrefutable historical and theological basis for the believer's hope and assurance, demonstrating God's faithfulness and omnipotence.

**How do "faith" and "hope" relate to each other in this verse?**

Answer: In 1 Peter 1:21, faith and hope are presented as inextricably linked and divinely grounded. **Faith** is the present trust and conviction in God's character and His past actions (raising and glorifying Christ), while **hope** is the confident expectation and anticipation of God's future promises and ultimate triumph. Both are directed "in God," meaning they find their object and security in His person and power. The resurrection and glorification of Christ provide the objective basis for both: because God has demonstrated His power and faithfulness in these acts, believers can have firm faith now and a confident hope for the future. This dynamic is a recurring theme in the New Testament, as seen in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith") and [Romans 5:1-5](/romans/5-1-5 "Romans 5:1-5 - Justification by Faith and Hope").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Peter 1:21 powerfully articulates the Christ-centered nature of Christian faith and hope. It is "by him" (Christ) that believers come to trust in God, underscoring Jesus' indispensable role as the sole mediator between God and humanity, as affirmed in [1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator"). The verse highlights two pivotal events in Christ's redemptive work: His resurrection and His glorification. God the Father's act of raising Jesus from the dead is the ultimate validation of Christ's victory over sin and death, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of a resurrected Messiah (e.g., [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - You will not abandon my soul to Sheol")). Furthermore, God "gave him glory," referring to Christ's ascension and exaltation to the Father's right hand, where He now reigns as Lord of all ([Ephesians 1:20-22](/ephesians/1-20-22 "Ephesians 1:20-22 - Christ's Exaltation")). These divine actions concerning Christ are the very foundation "that your faith and hope might be in God." Thus, Christ is not merely the object of our faith but also the means and the guarantee of our faith and hope in God, securing our spiritual assurance through His completed work and ongoing reign ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 2:24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

John 12:44

¶ Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

Hebrews 7:25

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Acts 2:32

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Acts 2:33

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

1 Peter 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.