What does 1 Peter 1:12 mean?

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. 1 Peter 1:12

Explanation

1 Peter 1:12 is a passage that speaks about the prophets of the Old Testament and how they served not only their own generation but future generations as well. They were guided by the Spirit of Christ as they made predictions about the Messiah and the grace that would come. This grace is now revealed and preached to Peter’s audience through the Holy Spirit. The passage also notes that even angels are curious about the unfolding of these events, emphasizing the significance and mystery of salvation history.

Historical Context

1 Peter is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter and is addressed to various churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It was written around AD 60-65, a time when early Christians faced persecution. The epistle serves to encourage believers to stand firm in their faith and understand the privileged position they hold in the salvation story, as recipients of prophecies fulfilled in Christ.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse underscores the continuity between the Old Testament prophecy and the New Testament fulfillment. It also highlights the doctrine of inspiration, suggesting that the prophets were speaking by the Holy Spirit. The idea that angels long to look into salvation events suggests the profound and wondrous nature of God’s redemption plan for humanity. Various theological perspectives might emphasize different aspects, such as the role of the Holy Spirit, the fulfillment of prophecy, or the interest of angels in human affairs.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can inspire believers to appreciate their place in God’s plan and to value the Bible as God’s revelation that has been unfold through the ages. It encourages Christians to trust in the messages preached by the apostles and to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that they are part of a grand divine narrative that even spiritual beings find compelling.

Cross-References

• 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”
• Daniel 12:4: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
• Hebrews 1:1-2: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…”

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

• “Revealed” (ἀποκαλύπτω, apokalypto): to uncover or disclose, often with a connotation of revelation from God.
• “Minister” (διηκονέω, diakoneo): to serve or attend to, often with the sense of ministerial or diaconal service.
• “Gospel” (εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion): literally “good news,” referring to the message of Christ’s salvation.
• “Holy Ghost” (πνεῦμα ἅγιον, pneuma hagion): the Holy Spirit, often associated with divine guidance and power.
• “Desire to look into” (παρακύπτω, parakupto): to stoop down to look into something with great interest or to peer into.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The curiosity of angels about human salvation can be compared to various mythologies where gods take interest in human affairs. However, in Christianity, the focus is on a divine plan of redemption rather than capricious supernatural intervention. Furthermore, the concept of a progressive revelation, culminating in the life and work of Jesus, is distinct from the cyclical or static cosmologies found in many ancient religions.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific discourse, it does touch on the notion of revelation and how ultimate truths about life and the cosmos are understood. From a scientific viewpoint, the pursuit of knowledge often mirrors the “desire to look into” realities beyond immediate observation, albeit through empirical methods rather than spiritual revelation.

Commentaries

Experts and biblical scholars offer various interpretations of 1 Peter 1:12. Matthew Henry’s commentary emphasizes the privilege of the New Testament believers in receiving the truths the Old Testament prophets were curious about. The Expositor’s Greek Testament notes the contrast between the limited understanding of prophets and the fuller revelation provided to New Testament believers. Contemporary scholars like Thomas R. Schreiner in his commentary on 1 Peter discuss the importance of the Spirit’s inspiration for both the prophets’ predictions and the apostolic preaching that followed.