1 Peter 1:24

KJV

¶ For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1360} all {G3956} flesh {G4561} is as {G5613} grass {G5528}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the glory {G1391} of man {G444} as {G5613} the flower {G438} of grass {G5528}. The grass {G5528} withereth {G3583}, and {G2532} the flower {G438} thereof {G846} falleth away {G1601}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For

all humanity is like grass,
all its glory is like a wildflower —
the grass withers, and the flower falls off;

Berean Standard Bible

For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

American Standard Version

For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Peter 1:24 profoundly illustrates the ephemeral nature of human existence and all earthly achievements, drawing a vivid comparison to the rapid growth and decay of grass and its flower. This stark imagery serves to underscore the inherent transience of all that is human, setting a crucial backdrop for the subsequent declaration of the enduring, eternal nature of God's Word, which alone provides an imperishable foundation for salvation and new life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Peter's broader exhortation to believers regarding their new birth and living hope. Immediately preceding it, Peter emphasizes that believers have been "born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God" ([1 Peter 1:23](/1-peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23 - Born of Imperishable Seed")). Verse 24, a direct quotation from [Isaiah 40:6-7](/isaiah/40-6-7 "Isaiah 40:6-7 - The Fleeting Nature of Humanity"), provides the theological rationale for the necessity of this "imperishable seed." By highlighting the utter fragility and transience of all human life and glory, Peter magnifies the incomparable value and permanence of God's Word, which is then explicitly declared to "endure forever" in [1 Peter 1:25](/1-peter/1-25 "1 Peter 1:25 - The Enduring Word of the Lord"). This passage functions as a foundational truth, contrasting the temporal with the eternal, and reinforcing the secure hope found in Christ.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter is addressing "exiles of the Dispersion" ([1 Peter 1:1](/1-peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting to the Exiles")) scattered across various Roman provinces in Asia Minor. These believers were likely facing social ostracism, economic hardship, and potential persecution for their faith ([1 Peter 4:12](/1-peter/4-12 "1 Peter 4:12 - Suffering for Christ")). The imagery of grass and flowers withering is deeply rooted in the agricultural realities of the ancient Near East. In a region prone to intense summer heat and drought, the rapid flourishing and subsequent decay of vegetation was a common and powerful metaphor for the brevity and fragility of human life. This vivid, relatable imagery would have resonated deeply with Peter's audience, reminding them that their earthly struggles, as well as any fleeting human glory or opposition, were ultimately temporary, in stark contrast to the eternal hope they possessed in Christ.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout 1 Peter and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is the **Transience of Human Life and Glory**, which underscores that all human existence, accomplishments, beauty, power, and status are inherently temporary and subject to decay. This theme is frequently found in wisdom literature and prophetic books, emphasizing human mortality and the vanity of earthly pursuits when disconnected from divine truth. Secondly, it sets up the **Enduring Nature of God's Word**, as the fragility of human life serves to magnify the steadfastness and permanence of divine truth, which endures forever and is the foundation of the believer's new, eternal life. This contrast is central to Peter's argument for the security of salvation. Finally, it implicitly reinforces the theme of **New Birth and Salvation**, as the perishable nature of "flesh" highlights the absolute necessity of being born again through the imperishable Word of God, as discussed in [1 Peter 1:23](/1-peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23 - Born of Imperishable Seed"), providing a hope that transcends earthly decay.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Flesh (Greek, _sárx'_):** G4561. In this context, _sárx_ refers to humanity in its entirety, emphasizing its mortal, physical, and perishable nature. It highlights the inherent frailty and transient quality of all human life and existence, contrasting it with the eternal. This usage aligns with the Old Testament concept of humanity's finite nature before God.
* **Glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** G1391. _Dóxa_ here denotes human honor, splendor, achievements, beauty, power, or status. It signifies the outward manifestation of human pride or accomplishment, which, like the fleeting beauty of a flower, is destined to fade and decay, underscoring the vanity of earthly renown.
* **Withereth (Greek, _xēraínō'_):** G3583. This verb describes the process of drying up or becoming parched, specifically referring to vegetation. It powerfully conveys the inevitable decay, decline, and ultimate cessation of life, underscoring the impermanence of all that is human and its inability to sustain itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For all flesh is as grass,"**: This foundational clause introduces the central comparison, asserting that all humanity, in its physical and temporal existence, is inherently fragile and short-lived, akin to the brief lifespan of grass that sprouts and quickly fades under harsh conditions. It speaks to the universal mortality of humankind.
* **"and all the glory of man as the flower of grass."**: Building upon the first comparison, this phrase extends the metaphor to encompass human achievements, beauty, honor, and renown. Just as the flower of grass represents the pinnacle of its fleeting beauty and quickly withers, so too are all human accomplishments, accolades, and earthly splendor transient and subject to decay and eventual disappearance.
* **"The grass withereth,"**: This statement reiterates the inevitable fate of the grass, emphasizing the certainty of its decay and death. It serves as a direct, undeniable parallel to the mortality of human life, reinforcing the impermanence of physical existence.
* **"and the flower thereof falleth away:"**: This final clause reinforces the complete and utter transience, not only of life itself but also of its most beautiful and esteemed aspects. The falling away of the flower signifies the complete loss of its ephemeral splendor, mirroring the ultimate end of all human glory and the futility of placing ultimate hope in it.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's use of literary devices in this verse significantly enhances its impact. The primary device is **Simile**, clearly seen in the comparisons "all flesh is as grass" and "all the glory of man as the flower of grass." These vivid comparisons draw on common natural phenomena to convey the brevity and fragility of human life and its accomplishments. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, particularly in its two main comparative clauses, which reinforce the central message through a similar grammatical structure. Furthermore, powerful natural **Imagery** of grass and flowers is utilized, evoking a universal understanding of their rapid growth and inevitable decay. This imagery creates a strong visual and emotional resonance, making the theological point highly accessible and memorable. Finally, the entire verse is a profound **Allusion** to [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6-8 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Word of God Endures Forever"), demonstrating Peter's deep grounding in Old Testament prophecy and highlighting the continuity of divine truth across testaments. This intertextual connection adds significant weight and authority to his message, showing that the transience of humanity and the permanence of God's Word are timeless biblical truths.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a crucial theological bridge, connecting the impermanence of human life and its achievements to the eternal, life-giving power of God's Word introduced in the preceding verses. By starkly contrasting the fleeting nature of "flesh" and "glory" with the steadfastness of divine truth, Peter underscores the necessity of a salvation rooted in something far more enduring than human effort or earthly existence. It highlights the vanity of placing ultimate hope or value in anything temporal and redirects the believer's gaze towards the eternal, incorruptible foundation provided by God. This passage is a powerful reminder that true life and lasting glory are found not in human endeavors, but in the divine, eternal Word. It calls believers to live with an eternal perspective, valuing spiritual riches above temporal ones, and resting their identity not in what they achieve, but in who God has made them to be through His enduring Word.

* [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6-8 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Word of God Endures Forever")
* [Psalm 103:15-16](/psalms/103-15-16 "Psalm 103:15-16 - The Fleeting Nature of Man")
* [James 1:10-11](/james/1-10-11 "James 1:10-11 - The Rich Man Fades Like a Flower")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Peter 1:24 compels us to confront the undeniable reality of our own mortality and the impermanence of everything we often chase in this world. In a culture that frequently glorifies youth, beauty, wealth, and fleeting achievements, Peter's words serve as a sobering counter-narrative. This verse challenges believers to re-evaluate their priorities, urging them to invest their lives in what truly lasts: the eternal Word of God and the spiritual realities it brings forth. It fosters humility, reminding us that all human strength, accomplishments, and even our very lives are but a vapor. For those who place their hope in Christ, this truth is not despairing but liberating, freeing us from the futile pursuit of earthly glory and directing us towards the imperishable hope of salvation. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, valuing spiritual riches above temporal ones, and resting our identity not in what they achieve, but in who God has made them to be through His enduring Word. This understanding should inspire a deeper commitment to God's purposes, a greater reliance on His unchanging truth, and a joyful anticipation of the eternal life that will never wither or fade.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What aspects of "human glory" do you tend to pursue or value most highly, and how does this verse challenge your perspective?**
* **How does the brevity of life, as described here, influence your daily decisions and long-term goals?**
* **In what practical ways can you shift your focus from perishable things to the eternal truths of God's Word?**

### FAQ
**What does "all flesh" mean in this verse?**

Answer: In 1 Peter 1:24, "all flesh" (Greek: _sárx_) refers comprehensively to all humanity, emphasizing its physical, mortal, and transient nature. It encompasses every human being and every aspect of human existence that is subject to decay and death, contrasting sharply with the eternal and unchanging nature of God's Word. This understanding aligns with its usage in other biblical texts, such as [Isaiah 40:6](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6 - All Flesh is Grass") from which Peter quotes, where it speaks of humanity's inherent fragility.

**Why does Peter use the imagery of grass and flowers?**

Answer: Peter employs the imagery of grass and flowers, which is common in the Old Testament (e.g., [Psalm 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5-6 "Psalm 90:5-6 - Man's Life Like Grass"), [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6-8 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Word of God Endures Forever")), to powerfully illustrate the extreme brevity and fragility of human life and its glory. In the ancient world, grass and wildflowers would sprout quickly after rains, flourish briefly, and then rapidly wither and die under the intense heat of the sun. This natural cycle provided a universally understood and poignant metaphor for the fleeting nature of human existence, accomplishments, and beauty, setting a stark contrast to the eternal and enduring Word of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
This verse, though speaking of the transience of all flesh, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the enduring Word. While all human life and glory wither and fall away, Jesus Christ is the **Word made flesh** ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), who entered into our perishable existence yet remained eternally glorious and imperishable. His resurrection from the dead ([1 Peter 1:3](/1-peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - New Birth Through Resurrection")) demonstrates His triumph over the decay of "flesh" and the fading of "glory." He is the "imperishable seed" ([1 Peter 1:23](/1-peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23 - Born of Imperishable Seed")) through whom believers are born again, receiving an eternal life that stands in stark contrast to the fleeting nature of the world described in verse 24. Thus, Christ Himself is the living embodiment of the enduring Word, the One whose glory never fades ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")), and the only source of true, lasting life that conquers the inevitability of decay. He is the eternal reality against which all human transience is measured, offering an everlasting hope that will never wither or fall away ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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

Isaiah 40:6

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Psalms 103:15

[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

James 4:14

Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

James 1:10

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

James 1:11

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Psalms 37:2

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.