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Moreover, this Word is the Good News which has been proclaimed to you.
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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Peter 1:24–25.
The apostle having given an account of the excellency of the renewed spiritual man as born again, not of corruptible but incorruptible seed, he now sets before us the vanity of the natural man, taking him with all his ornaments and advantages about him: For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass; and nothing can make him a solid substantial being, but the being born again of the incorruptible seed, the word of God, which will transform him into a most excellent creature, whose glory will not fade like a flower, but shine like an angel; and this word is daily set before you in the preaching of the gospel. Learn, 1. Man, in his utmost flourish and glory, is still a withering, fading, dying creature. Take him singly, all flesh is grass. In his entrance into the world, in his life and in his fall, he is similar to grass, Job 14:2; Isa 40:6, Isa 40:7. Take him in all his glory, even this is as the flower of grass; his wit, beauty, strength, vigour, wealth, honour - these are but as the flower of grass, which soon withers and dies away. 2. The only way to render this perishing creature solid and incorruptible is for him to entertain and receive the word of God; for this remains everlasting truth, and, if received, will preserve him to everlasting life, and abide with him for ever. 3. The prophets and apostles preached the same doctrine. This word which Isaiah and others delivered in the Old Testament is the same which the apostles preached in the New.
Historical interpretation
Eight Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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"But the word of the Lord," he says, "endures for ever:" as well prophecy as divine doctrine.
God foresaw and forewarned us about all the above, but although he sees our great disobedience, the Lord of all persists in guiding us toward salvation.
Because all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away: but the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Because all flesh is grass. When Peter said, "not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever," he also adds, by casting down and despising the easy corruption of human glory, and so to speak, its non-subsistence, enticing the listeners to cling to those things which are proposed by themselves, as those which have subsistence and endlessness. However, the subsistence of those things that come to corruption is here called grass and the flower of grass. Moreover, the weakness of the subsistence of grass is brought to a greater faith of the word: with which David compares our life. (Ps. 41:1) Wherever, therefore, it shows our glory to be so worthless, it again repeats and teaches more openly what it is that has regenerated them through the word of God which lives and abides forever, and it says:
"But this is the word that has been announced to you." That which remains forever is confirmed in the same way with the Lord. For He Himself said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Matt. 24:35) Moreover, it must be known that this should be expressed: "Love one another fervently should be expressed in a manner free from all deceit." For such outcomes tend to follow those which are treated and carried out for their sake. Therefore, since mutual love from the world leads to fervent love that is unaware of deceit, it is rightly done that "From the world" precedes, and "To love fervently" follows. It should be noted that the preposition εἰς, that is, "unto", is translated into διά, that is, "for the sake of", so that the sense is: for the sake of "Love one another fervently."
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Summary
First Peter 1:25 powerfully asserts the eternal and unchanging nature of God's revealed message, specifically identifying it with the gospel, which has been proclaimed to believers. This verse stands as a profound theological anchor, contrasting the transient and perishable realities of human existence and earthly glory with the imperishable, enduring truth of divine revelation, thereby establishing a firm foundation for Christian faith and hope.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to a significant theological argument Peter has been developing regarding the new birth and the imperishable nature of salvation. Immediately preceding 1 Peter 1:25, Peter quotes from Isaiah 40:6-8 in 1 Peter 1:24, stating, "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." This stark declaration of human mortality and the fleeting nature of earthly splendor provides the essential backdrop against which the enduring quality of God's word shines forth. Peter's argument builds from the believer's new birth into a living hope (1 Peter 1:3), emphasizing that this spiritual regeneration is not from corruptible seed but from "incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23). Thus, 1 Peter 1:25 directly connects the imperishable source of the new birth—the living and abiding Word of God—with the specific message of the gospel preached to them, reinforcing its eternal validity and power.
Historical & Cultural Context
Peter writes to "strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (1 Peter 1:1), referring to Jewish and Gentile Christians dispersed across Asia Minor. These believers were likely facing various forms of social ostracization, misunderstanding, and even persecution for their faith. In such a climate of uncertainty, suffering, and displacement, the concept of something enduring "forever" would have offered immense comfort and stability. The Greco-Roman world, while valuing certain philosophical ideals, was also characterized by the transient nature of political power, human achievements, and even religious cults. By contrasting the perishable glory of man with the eternal Word of God, Peter provides his audience with an unshakeable foundation for their identity and hope, one that transcends the shifting sands of their historical and cultural circumstances. The emphasis on the preached gospel also highlights the oral tradition and the vital role of apostolic teaching in establishing and sustaining early Christian communities.
Key Themes
First Peter 1:25 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the epistle and broader biblical theology. A primary theme is the contrast between the perishable and the imperishable. Peter repeatedly emphasizes the living hope and incorruptible inheritance that believers possess, distinguishing them from the fleeting nature of the world. This verse explicitly identifies the "word of the Lord" as the ultimate imperishable reality. Another crucial theme is the nature and power of God's Word. The epistle presents God's Word not merely as information but as a living, active force that brings about new birth (1 Peter 1:23), sanctifies believers (1 Peter 1:2), and provides a sure guide for life. Finally, the verse underscores the centrality of the gospel. By equating the "word of the Lord that endureth for ever" with "the word which by the gospel is preached unto you," Peter elevates the good news of Jesus Christ to the status of eternal, divine truth, making it the bedrock of Christian existence and the means by which God's eternal purposes are made known to humanity. This echoes the enduring nature of God's promises found throughout the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah 55:10-11.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term, derived from rheō (to speak), refers to an utterance, a specific saying, or a spoken word. While often distinguished from logos (which can imply the underlying reason or divine thought), in this context, rhēma carries the full weight of God's revealed message, particularly as it is proclaimed. It is the concrete, audible manifestation of God's truth, emphasizing its active and communicative nature. Here, it refers to the specific content of the gospel message.
This verb signifies to stay, abide, continue, or remain. Its use here emphasizes the permanence and stability of God's word. Unlike things that fade or pass away, the word of the Lord is steadfast and unchangeable. It implies an active state of remaining in existence, unaffected by time or circumstances, underscoring its reliability and eternal validity.
This noun denotes an age, a period of time, or by extension, perpetuity. When combined with the preposition eis ("unto" or "into"), as in eis ton aiona ("unto the age" or "into the age"), it strongly conveys the idea of eternity, without end. This is not merely a long duration but an endless, timeless existence, affirming the absolute and perpetual nature of God's word.
Verse Breakdown
"But the word of the Lord endureth for ever."
This clause introduces a profound contrast ("But") to the preceding statement about the transient nature of human life and glory. It declares the absolute and perpetual existence of God's word. The "word of the Lord" (Greek: rhēma Kyriou) refers to God's revealed truth, his divine utterance. The phrase "endureth for ever" (Greek: menei eis ton aiona) emphasizes its eternal, unchanging, and indestructible quality, drawing a direct parallel to the Septuagint translation of Isaiah 40:8, from which Peter is quoting. This establishes the divine word as the ultimate, unshakeable reality.
"And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."
This second clause explicitly identifies the eternal "word of the Lord" with the specific message of the gospel that has been proclaimed to Peter's audience. The conjunction "And" (Greek: dé) connects this identification directly to the preceding declaration of the word's eternal nature. The phrase "by the gospel is preached" (Greek: euangelizō) highlights the means by which this eternal truth is conveyed to humanity—through the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. This clarifies that the imperishable word is not an abstract concept but the concrete, saving message that they have heard and believed, making the gospel itself an eternal, divine revelation, not a human invention or a temporary philosophy.
Literary Devices
Peter effectively employs several literary devices in 1 Peter 1:25. The most prominent is Contrast, which is central to the entire preceding passage. By juxtaposing the fading "grass" and "flower" (representing all human flesh and glory) with the "word of the Lord" that "endureth for ever," Peter highlights the radical difference between the perishable and the imperishable, the temporal and the eternal. This contrast serves to elevate the divine word as the sole source of true and lasting hope. The verse also utilizes Allusion and Quotation, as it directly draws from and interprets Isaiah 40:6-8. This intertextual connection grounds Peter's teaching in the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament, lending it significant authority and demonstrating the continuity of God's revelation. Furthermore, there is an element of Emphasis through repetition and direct assertion. Peter reiterates "the word" (rhēma) twice in the verse, underscoring its significance. The declarative statement "this is the word" leaves no ambiguity, firmly identifying the eternal word with the preached gospel. This rhetorical force aims to instill confidence and assurance in the believers regarding the reliability and permanence of their faith's foundation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The profound theological implication of 1 Peter 1:25 lies in its assertion of God's immutability and the absolute reliability of His revelation. In a world characterized by change and decay, this verse declares that God's spoken word, specifically the gospel of Jesus Christ, is an unshakeable, eternal reality. This truth provides the ultimate foundation for Christian faith, assuring believers that their salvation, hope, and ethical framework are not built on fleeting human wisdom or transient circumstances but on the very nature of God Himself, who is forever faithful to His word. It underscores that the gospel is not merely a historical event or a set of human doctrines, but the living, abiding, and powerful expression of God's eternal will and saving purpose for humanity, active in bringing about new life.
Reflection and Application
First Peter 1:25 offers immense comfort and a steadfast anchor for believers navigating a world marked by uncertainty, shifting values, and personal trials. Knowing that "the word of the Lord endureth for ever" provides an unshakeable foundation for our faith and a reliable guide for our lives. In moments of doubt, suffering, or confusion, we can lean into the eternal truths of the gospel, confident that God's promises will never fail and His character remains constant. This verse encourages us to prioritize the study and application of God's Word, recognizing it as the ultimate source of wisdom, truth, and life. It also serves as a powerful motivation for sharing the gospel, for we are entrusted with an eternal message that offers lasting hope in contrast to all that is temporary. Our commitment to Christ and His mission is rooted in the assurance that the message we proclaim is not a fleeting trend but the enduring revelation of God's saving power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does Peter mean by "the word of the Lord" and how is it connected to the gospel?
By "the word of the Lord" (Greek: rhēma Kyriou), Peter is referring to God's revealed message, His divine utterance. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God's word is consistently portrayed as powerful, effective, and eternal (e.g., Isaiah 55:10-11). In the second part of 1 Peter 1:25, Peter explicitly connects this eternal "word of the Lord" to "the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." This means that the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and ascension—is not merely a human message or a temporary philosophy, but the very eternal, living, and abiding revelation of God Himself. It is the concrete manifestation of God's enduring truth, made known and proclaimed to humanity for their salvation and new birth (1 Peter 1:23).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
First Peter 1:25 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the living embodiment and perfect revelation of "the word of the Lord." While the verse speaks of the preached gospel as the eternal word, it is crucial to recognize that the gospel's content is fundamentally about Christ. Jesus is not merely the subject of the eternal word, but He is the Word made flesh, as declared in John 1:1 and John 1:14. He is the eternal truth of God incarnate, the one through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17). Therefore, when Peter proclaims that "the word of the Lord endureth for ever," he is implicitly pointing to the everlasting reign and unchanging nature of Christ, whose words "shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). The gospel, which is preached, is the good news of God's saving work accomplished in Christ, offering an eternal salvation that is as enduring as the Word Himself (Hebrews 5:9). Thus, the imperishable "word of the Lord" is ultimately the person and work of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, whose redemptive act secures an imperishable hope for all who believe.