1 Peter 1:21 – “Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Peter is pointing to Jesus Christ as the one who makes it possible for people to believe in God. He says, “Through him you believe in God.” That means Jesus is the way people come to know, trust, and follow God.
Peter reminds his readers that God raised Jesus from the dead and glorified him. The resurrection wasn’t just a moment of victory; it was the confirmation that Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Son of God, the Savior.
Because of what God has done through Jesus, believers can have real faith and solid hope. Their trust isn’t built on feelings or wishes but on the unshakable truth of the resurrection and the glory of Christ.
Historical Context
Peter’s readers were scattered believers living under the pressure of a world that rejected their faith. Many of them had never seen Jesus personally. They had heard the message about Him, and Peter wanted them to know that their faith wasn’t weak or secondhand—it was grounded in God’s powerful work through Jesus.
In a Roman world full of gods, false religions, and uncertainty, Peter directs them back to the one true God, revealed through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and glory.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches that faith in God is possible only through Jesus Christ. There is no other path to know God. It is Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that make faith and hope real.
It also teaches that the resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope. Without the resurrection, faith would be empty. But because Jesus rose and was glorified, believers can confidently trust in God’s promises.
Lastly, it shows that true faith is not about religious rules or human effort—it is about believing in what God has done through His Son.
Literary Analysis
Peter uses simple but strong language: believe in God, raised him from the dead, glorified him, faith and hope. These words tie together the heart of the Christian message.
The structure of the verse shows cause and effect:
Through Jesus → you believe in God → because God raised and glorified Jesus → so your faith and hope are in God.
Everything centers around Jesus and what God has done through Him.
Biblical Cross-References
- John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
- Romans 4:24-25 – “God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.”
- Acts 2:32-33 – Peter preaches that God raised Jesus and exalted Him to His right hand.
- 1 Corinthians 15:17 – “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”
- Hebrews 12:2 – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a solid reminder of where faith and hope are anchored. It’s easy to get distracted by circumstances, worries, or doubts. But Peter points believers back to the unchanging truth that God raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him. That’s the foundation of faith and hope.
It also reminds believers that their relationship with God is not based on their own effort—it’s made possible through Jesus.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
A loving God doesn’t leave people guessing about how to know Him. He made the way clear and personal—through Jesus. God didn’t just send commands from a distance; He sent His Son, raised Him from the dead, and glorified Him so that people could have faith and hope that is real and lasting.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is all about Jesus. It shows that He is the one through whom people come to believe in God. His resurrection and glory are the foundation of the Christian faith. Without Jesus, there is no way to know God, no reason to hope, and no lasting peace.
John 11:25 – Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does knowing that your faith and hope are rooted in Jesus’ resurrection encourage you today?
- Why is it important to remember that you believe in God through Jesus?
- What does it mean to you that God raised and glorified Jesus?
- How can this verse help you stay focused on the foundation of your faith?
- In what ways can you live out your faith and hope in God in your daily life?