1 Peter 1:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He adds something else that draws them to endure sorrows. What is it? The following: "Whom, having not seen, you love."

If, he says, you love Him by hearing alone, though you have not seen Him with bodily eyes, what love will you feel when you see Him, and see Him appearing in glory?

If His sufferings so attached you to Him, what attachment should His appearing in unbearable radiance produce in you, when the salvation of your souls will be given to you as a reward?

If you are to appear before Him and be counted worthy of such glory, then now show patience corresponding to it. Thus you will fully attain the goal set before you.

Unbelief is terrible and grievous. Faith, however, is the greatest of good things. It always assists in the work of salvation.

The soul is not incorruptible by nature. But by the mercy of God, through faith, righteousness, and understanding, it becomes incorruptible.

“Receiving finally through your faith,” or more precisely, receiving “the end of your faith, the salvation of souls.” This expression indicates the foundation of this inexpressible and glorious joy.

That foundation is confidence in attaining the salvation of souls as the end of this faith.

The Greek word translated “receiving” is used of athletes in the games who receive prizes after victory.

The salvation of souls, as the end of faith, is also the reward for it. Christians receive this reward for their contest in struggle when this faith is tested by temptations (cf. 1 Cor 9:24ff.; 2 Tim 4:7-8; Heb 12:1).

Here salvation is taken in a broad sense. It begins and is accomplished here on earth as moral perfection, and it will be revealed as blessedness in the future glorious Kingdom of Christ.

Having then told his disciples that the power of God, through faith, keeps them for salvation, the Apostle teaches that this salvation will be revealed for them in its full power only in the last time.

For now they must grieve a little, if need be, so that their faith, tested by the fire of temptations, may prove more precious than refined gold at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This means at His Second Coming. Here we see an indication of the persecuted condition of the Christians of Asia Minor.

Yet love for Jesus Christ, in whom they believe though they do not see Him, must constantly bring them heartfelt and inward joy, inexpressible and full of glory. At last, through their faith, they will definitively attain the salvation of their souls.

Faith itself in Jesus Christ as Savior can help Christians joyfully endure misfortunes, especially since complete salvation is granted to them through Him.

Therefore, if Christians do not see Christ directly, yet believe in Him and are comforted by the forgiveness of sins granted by Him, why should they not be comforted by the hope of complete salvation?

As they approach their goal, they should be comforted by the salvation that will be revealed through Christ in the life to come.

The Apostles rejoiced when they saw the risen Christ, but He said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jn 20:29).

The Apostle is so deeply assured of the fruitfulness of faith in Jesus Christ and prayer to Him that he contemplates as though already accomplished that ineffable joy which believers must experience when they attain complete salvation.

Christ, the righteous Judge and Rewarder, will worthily and justly honor with praise, honor, and glory on the day of His glorious appearing those who love Him.

They did not see Him directly with bodily eyes during His earthly life. Yet faith in Him as the Only-begotten Son of God and Redeemer moves them to love Him.

Blessed are those who have such faith, although they do not behold Christ according to the flesh. Christ Himself calls such people blessed: “Blessed is he who has not seen, but has believed” (Jn 20:29).

Their blessedness consists in spiritual joy, “inexpressible and full of glory.” It is the most exalted joy, which they feel even in the present life as they attain the salvation of their souls, the goal of faith.