1 Peter 1:21

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

τὴν Who G3588
τὴν Who
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δι' by G1223
δι' by
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 2 of 24
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 3 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πιστεύοντας do believe G4100
πιστεύοντας do believe
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 4 of 24
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
εἰς in G1519
εἰς in
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 5 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
θεόν God G2316
θεόν God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 6 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὴν Who G3588
τὴν Who
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγείραντα that raised G1453
ἐγείραντα that raised
Strong's: G1453
Word #: 8 of 24
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 9 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ from G1537
ἐκ from
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 10 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
νεκρῶν the dead G3498
νεκρῶν the dead
Strong's: G3498
Word #: 11 of 24
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δόξαν glory G1391
δόξαν glory
Strong's: G1391
Word #: 13 of 24
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 14 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
δόντα gave G1325
δόντα gave
Strong's: G1325
Word #: 15 of 24
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ὥστε that G5620
ὥστε that
Strong's: G5620
Word #: 16 of 24
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
τὴν Who G3588
τὴν Who
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστιν faith G4102
πίστιν faith
Strong's: G4102
Word #: 18 of 24
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ὑμῶν your G5216
ὑμῶν your
Strong's: G5216
Word #: 19 of 24
of (from or concerning) you
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 20 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐλπίδα hope G1680
ἐλπίδα hope
Strong's: G1680
Word #: 21 of 24
expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence
εἶναι might be G1511
εἶναι might be
Strong's: G1511
Word #: 22 of 24
to exist
εἰς in G1519
εἰς in
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 23 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
θεόν God G2316
θεόν God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 24 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis & Commentary

Peter describes believers' new relationship to God through Christ. "Who by him do believe in God" (tous di' autou pistous eis theon)—Christ is the means/mediator through whom believers access faith in God. No one comes to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6). The dual description of God follows: He "raised him up from the dead" (ton egeiranta auton ek nekrōn)—God the Father resurrected Christ, vindicating His claims and accomplishing salvation. He "gave him glory" (kai doxan autō donta)—exalted Christ to supreme position (Philippians 2:9-11). The purpose clause: "that your faith and hope might be in God" (hōste tēn pistin hymōn kai elpida einai eis theon)—resurrection and exaltation provide objective foundation for believers' subjective faith and hope.

Historical Context

For first-century believers facing persecution and martyrdom, Christ's resurrection and glorification provided hope that their own suffering would end in vindication and glory. Jewish readers familiar with messianic expectations found confirmation that Jesus fulfilled prophecies. Gentile converts learned that Christianity wasn't myth (like pagan religions) but historical reality—Christ genuinely died and rose. Early creedal formulas emphasized resurrection (Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4), making it Christianity's cornerstone truth.

Questions for Reflection

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