I.
1 Peter 1. 9.
It is a question whether salvation in this verse is used with a different meaning from that found in verses 5 and 10. In these there cannot be a doubt that salvation is looked upon as future, and hence as comprising all the blessedness of full redemption - everything secured by Christ for His people through His death and resurrection, including our raised and changed bodies, and conformity to His own image. This belongs indeed to Peter's line, viewing believers, as he does, in the wilderness, as strangers and pilgrims, and as such subjected to every kind of suffering and testing, that the trial of their faith "being much more precious than of gold which perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." As ever, therefore, when saints are in the wilderness, and under responsibility, the appearing of Christ is their goal; and then they enter upon the enjoyment of salvation. (See Heb. 9:28.) It must thus be weighed whether the term "the end of your faith" does not refer to the same period. It is quite true that there is a present assurance of acceptance in Christ, which the believer, who is walking in the power of the Holy Ghost, enjoys in the most adverse circumstances; but whether this is the teaching of this scripture is another thing. If, however, it is asked, Is not the phrase "the salvation of your souls" in express contrast with the words "salvation ready to be revealed in the last time"? the answer is, Not necessarily. As another has said, "It is in contrast with temporal deliverances, to which, as Jews, they were accustomed to look." If, however, the reader prefer to regard the "salvation of souls" (the literal rendering) as a present thing, there is no objection. Certainly it is for our present comfort and sustainment that it is written, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." But we submit, at the same time, that the words "full of glory" (exactly rendered, "glorified") look on to the end and issue of the pilgrim journey. We incline therefore to the interpretation of salvation in this verse, in the same pregnant and complete sense of the word found in the context; and the more confidently inasmuch as the apostle proceeds, "Of which salvation the prophets have enquired," etc.; for in the word salvation here he distinctly embraces "the glory [glories] that should follow."