1 Peter 1:23-25 Bible Teaching

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Alright, we left off with Peter bring us all to the Heart of the Matter as we said last week – which is love – or as he put it to the believers in those days at verse 22:

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

Here he congratulates these believers by saying:

I can see that you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit UNTO unfeigned love of the brethren. And then he gives them a reminder, saying:

1st Peter 1.end – part I
August 2nd 2015

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 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:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Let’s drop back to the twenty-two for a second.

When Peter writes “see that ye love one another “with a pure heart fervently,” the Greek words of this line are

see that ye love
one another
with
a pure
heart
fervently

These words form for us a description from Peter on how to love each other – the manner, the quality, the fervency.

For starters we all recognize the word used for love here – its NOT philos, or eros, or storgay, but agapao.

That unconditional love that God has (listen) for the world.

The same LOVE used here as in John 3:16. And how did God manifest His love for the world? Gave us salvation incarnate, His only begotten Son, hope, forgiveness, longsuffering, salvation – all given to us by giving us His Son.

That is love – unconditional loving action toward people who do not deserve it.

And so the love we have for others as believers Peter is petitioning us for it to be the same.

see that ye love
one another

Now in the first line of verse 22 Peter says:

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren,

That last line “through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren” speaks of brotherly love or phileo love.

They had a brother and sisterhood. They were probably bound together greatly in the cause, in common belief, in a shared enemy, in survival.

Peter commends them on this. But notice that he doesn’t stop there. He has noted their phileo love but adds:

“see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

Meaning, let your brotherly love continue and to reach the heights of God’s love. And then he qualifies this love a bit more, saying that they are to have it:

“With a pure heart fervently.”

With clear affinity. Without conditions that cannot obscure our love (kathros) from the heart (kardia).

From this Greek term for clear and unobstructed (katharos) we get catharsis –
the release of pent-up emotions. Release. Give up. Let go.

Sorry for the grossness but in medicine, it is interesting that a cathartic is something that accelerates defecation.

Something, in our modern vernacular, helps us to get rid of our waste quickly.

Moving this into human relations we all know its important for everyone to get rid of their “schnit” – and to let stuff go – especially the stuff we carry around inside against other people.

Kathros – without pent up, back up, constipated, thoughts, feelings and grudges against others – that we carry NOT in our intestines but in our hearts.
(Kardia)

The deal is plain – we all want God to have this love and attitude toward us. Made in His image, following Him, obeying His command, we opt to do the same toward others.

And Peter says fervently in the King James – ektenos in the Greek.

It’s the only time the word is used in scripture – fervently is a good word to describe it – earnestly. Seeking to love them from the heart unconditionally.

It’s a tremendous ideal. Peter supports it by adding a description of believers, and says:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

“Born anew,” “begotten from above,” “born to new life” are all phrases translated in this verse in other versions.

As we pointed out last week, Peter says that this birth is not from “corruptible seed” like where we came from in the flesh but is a birth from above, of incorruptible seed – not from human parents.

The only result of our first birth will be corruption, decay and death. It’s our human guarantee.

But to be born of “incorruptible seed” the end results are just as apparent.

In this passage Peter uses a word translated seed – sporah. It is only used twice in all of scripture – both here in this verse though Mark does use a version of it.

When John uses seed, as in 1st John 3:9 (which says)

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

The Greek word is Sperma – and it is this term that is used all through the New Testament whenever seed is mentioned.

Is there a difference – not really. They both come from the same root word so I really can’t even suggest why Peter used sporah instead of sperma – maybe he just didn’t like the latter word.

What IS really interesting however is the concept these words and terms present to us as believers and how they relate to God, His Word that dwelled among us and His Word shared and written by prophets and apostles.

Here in verse 23 Peter says:

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

We have a tendency to think of the Word of God in those two categories I just mentioned.

But I think we open ourselves up to greater understanding when we sort of step back and consider what scripture means when it speaks of the Word of God.

Here, Peter ties the rebirth or birth from above from incorruptible seed to THE WORD of God, saying that this birth is BY IT.

Paul said in Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

We remember James saying in James 1:18:

“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.”

For starters we can assume, I think, that “the hearing” Paul is speaking of here refers to both literally hearing the Word of God (or as James calls it, the Word of Truth) as it is shared by messengers of the Gospel.

We could also assume (I think safetly) that Paul was speaking also of our figurative ability to hear God speaking and drawing men to Him.

We know from experience that He can reach people through either means. I would suggest that the general method is through the verbal sharing of the Gospel by believers – as this is the context of Paul’s message in Romans 10 – messengers going out and preaching the Word.

I think that we will benefit by really examining this term, “the word” and/or “the word of God.”

As stated, scripture (Jesus included) likens it to a seed that is planted in the human heart (parable of the Sower).

Peter here tells us that this seed in incorruptible, meaning it does not decay, but (as he says) goes on forever and ever.

In John 15:3 Jesus says to the disciples:

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” And from this we can see that in addition to giving us “new life from above” it is His Word – the Word of God – that actually cleans us.

This teaching causes John to say (as already mentioned) in 1st John 3:9 the absolutely RADICAL words:

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

The King James translation of this passage is really misleading. Doth not commit sin and cannot sin are misnomers because in reality the Greek speaks to continuing in sin and of course that needs to be studied in context of other passages as well.

The point that John brings out is that with the sperma of the Word planted in the heart of a believer they are regenerated by another incorruptible source and not one just aimed at death.

Again, and in contradistinction from corruptible seed, the Word of God is incorruptible, and Peter says here, along with a number of other biblical writers, that the word of God . . .

“which liveth and abideth for ever.”

Scholars are divided over whether Peter, when he says “WHICH liveth and abideth forever,” is speaking of God or His Word.

The Greek supports either interpretation. I am of the opinion, however that due to verses 24 and 25 that Peter is speaking of the Word of God (spoken, written, conveyed by the Spirit) endures forever.
(In verse 24-25 he goes on, and quoting from the Old Testament says)

24 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:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
(then the summary reference) And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

It seems that in having mentioned corruptible seed (that is, the flesh) that Peter now provides a contrast between the corruptibleness of Man and the incorruptibleness of God’s Word.

And speaking of Man he quotes Psalm 103:15 which says:

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

And

Isaiah 40:6-7 which says:

“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: the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, The flower fadeth, But the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

In other words Peter seems to be saying or showing that what is begotten by Man and what is begotten by God are two very different things.

Not only does Peter mention the flesh of Man as grass but he adds that the glory of man is as the flower of grass.

If our flesh is as grass itself – which can have a heartiness to it for at least a while – the glories we attain is then likened to the flower of grass, which is much more temporary and far more susceptible to heat and wind and death.

“The grass withereth, and the flower fall away but . . .

The WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.

Isn’t that a fantastic notion – that whatever God says, speaks, breathes – remains FOREVER.

Whatever comes and goes in our lives, in this universe, this galaxy or on this earth His Word endures forever.

Everything fades, decays, perishes – every memory of most people who have ever lived have been lost.

But the Word of the Lord endures forever.

Our youngest daughter Delaney is attending some courses in architecture at UCLA and we discovered that she was working really close to the OJ Simpson Nicole Brown Simpson fiasco.

Hearing this Delaney asked in all honesty: “Who is OJ Simpson.”

It was a stunning question because when Mary and I were teens OJ Simpson was THE NFL player.

Thirty, forty years later our daughter had no idea of him or his accomplishments.

As flowers, as grass.

BUT . . . the Word of the Lord endures forever. With this being the case I really can’t think of an area more vital where a human being would want to be proficient than in the Word of the Lord.

I preach to the choir, I know. You are hear, on a Sunday afternoon, listening to the Word – His Word.

Most of you have Bibles where you read . . . His Word.

It is why we sing HIS WORD.

Because IT endures forever.

Peter adds, saying to the scattered believers of his day:

“And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

In other words “it is (or was) by this Word of God that you received the Good News.”

If we stop and look over these last passages we will notice something.

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 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:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

If we drop into the next chapter we will also read:

1st Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
(and then drop down to verses 7-8 where he adds)

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Because of this emphasis, and his orbiting around the concept of the Word, I want to wrap today up with a review of the Word, the Word of God, the Living Word of God, the Word made flesh and the like.

Let’s start with the languages.

In Hebrew Word is dabar.

The primitive root means most properly, “to arrange;” but when it is used figuratively (of words) it means, “to speak; to answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter.

Word in scripture can be translated from a few different Greek words like Appagello and of course the most popular term Logos – which is what we are going to examine here because both the written word of God and Jesus is called the Logos in scripture.

Note that I pronounce the term LAGAS and NOT LOW-GO-S. The reason is there are two O’ pronunciations in the Greek – one long, from an Omega and one short, from an omnicron.

In the Greek word LOGOS both o’s are omnicrons so the pronunciation is LOGOS NOT LOGOS.

And the LAGAS is one of the titles of the Lord which only John uses (John 1:1-14; 1Jo 1:1; Re 19:13) in all three of his books.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the LAGAS, and the LAGAS was with God, and the LAGAS was God.

1st John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the LAGAS of life

And Revelation –

Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The LAGAS of God.

Without question John appealed to a Greek terms that was first used by Heraclitus which means more that just words.

But yes, logos does mean something said (but it includes the thought behind it). It also is (by implication) a topic, the actual
subject of discourse, the reasoning (or mental faculty or motive of the reasoning – so it includes computation and then when included with the article in John LAGAS becomes “the Divine Expression”

what we might say is the

reasoning thought, discourse, topic, computation and articulation of God – Jesus.

LEGO is the primary verb of LAGAS and it means to “lay” forth, relate in a systematic or set discourse) to ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say, show, speak, tell, utter.

So the LAGAS of GOD that became flesh (Jesus) came as all of that . . . of God. His literal LAGAS, His literal LEGA.

I do get amused at myself and at others when we try to assign concrete understanding of all of this.

For starters God is Spirit, God is a consuming fire, God is Just, God is love and, as scripture says, God is NOT a Man.

He therefore has no vocal cords – at least not as we would relate to them. He has no lips, no tongue, no gray matter either.

And yet He speaks. Paradoxically, Psalm 33:6 seems to negate all I just said when it says:

Psalms 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

And so we are presented with two elements present in Human beings by which God created all things – and they all relate to the mouth of God –

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”

For me – AGAIN – for me – since God has always been, His words and his breath – whatever they are – have always been too.

And they ALL work in conjunction with each other. We get a picture of this within us and since we are made in His image maybe God gifts us with this understanding as a means to know Him better.

Looking at ourselves, we “think,” have thoughts, impressions, ideas, opinions, and with our breath express them through our mouths with words.

And all of it originating from one self.

For some reason I see God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in this manner. If we take these elements from the human experience and combine them with passages like Psalm 33 I (at least) am able to see the relationship between the one-ness of God, the unity of Father and Son and Holy Breath, and the fact that in something as glorious as God His very breath and Words would have life and existence whether they were in Him or even when they were expelled from Him.

Sort of like a self-existing fire, if it spoke word, those word would burn too – wherever they landed.

This helps us understand John 1:18 which says: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him”

So stepping back to Genesis we know that God created all things by his Word, uttered, as Psalms says, by the breath of his mouth.

Speaking of Jesus, The Word of God made flesh – again, speaking of JESUS the Son of God, Paul says in Colossians 1:15 tells us that He is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature,” and then adds

“For by him (the Word of God before He was made flesh) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”

John 1:3 reiterates this saying, and speaking of the Word of God:

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Speaking of the Word of God BEFORE they became flesh, Paul says in Romans 11:36

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

From these passages – and many more – we learn something – Through His Word God created all thing.

Since His word was made flesh we now say, By His Son Jesus (the Word made flesh, all things were created).

Now stay with me. If I said

BY AND THROUGH HIS WORD God created all things.

Bible believing folks would have to agree.

Then if I said:

BY AND THROUGH (HIS WORD MADE FLESH GOD) CREATED ALL THINGS.

They would also, believing the Bible accept this too.

So, when Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

We are talking about God, in and through Christ (the Word) creating in us the new man, the new woman – just as Psalm 33 says:

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”

Assign this passage to us earthlings now:

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”

So we can now see and say, from scripture, that the means God re-creates us in the image of His Son – by His Word and His breath – which are the very same means He created ALL things.

Listen to . . .

Hebrews 13:21 that God . . . “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 15:17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Galatian 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

1st Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

2nd Corinthians 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

And it finally brings to light Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

So now, looking again to our passages in 1st Peter 1. Peter has told us to get out and in our freedom to love with Agape love, and adds:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 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:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

And from here we are able to partially see, at least, that if and since through Christ, through His Word, God created all things, He continues, by and through Christ – His Word – that the Gospel came to us, and that this Word liveth and abides forever.

God the “proverbial” mouth of God He breathed His word and created all things.

And “this is the Word which by the Gospel came to us.”

The Word made flesh, revealing and expressing God, brought us the Gospel which the apostles preached.

One final thought for today:

Without breath Words would be impossible. Remove the breath from a body and that body will not speak.

But a person with respiration (which is very close to inspiration) has the ability to talk.

Hebrews 11:3 says, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

But Psalms 33:6 intimates that both breath and word are used in conjunction to each other. saying:

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”

In my estimation God, when He speaks, utters Words from and by His Spirit (breath) and the one-two combination always work in conjunction with one another.

And in this combination, or in the MOUTH of two or three witnesses, are all things are established.

We might be able to say that in the Word or in the Words the Word speaks there is the Spirit, and in the Spirit or breath of God there is the Word.

Never are any expressed or shared or moved or delivers without the other.

And with this point I’m going to stop for today and will pick up next week on how and why these Words of God are so vitally important to His Children, whom He is creating in Christ Jesus.

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