The Meaning of 1 Peter 1:10 Explained

1 Peter 1:10

KJV: Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

YLT: concerning which salvation seek out and search out did prophets who concerning the grace toward you did prophecy,

Darby: Concerning which salvation prophets, who have prophesied of the grace towards you, sought out and searched out;

ASV: Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that'should come unto you:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Of  which  salvation  the prophets  have enquired  and  searched diligently,  who  prophesied  of  the grace  [that should come] unto  you: 

What does 1 Peter 1:10 Mean?

Study Notes

salvation
.
The Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses:
(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Luke 7:50 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; Ephesians 2:5 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 and is safe.
(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin Romans 6:14 ; Philippians 1:19 ; Philippians 2:12 ; Philippians 2:13 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Romans 8:2 ; Galatians 2:19 ; Galatians 2:20 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 .
(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Romans 13:11 ; Hebrews 10:36 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 1 John 3:2 . Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works; Romans 3:27 ; Romans 3:28 ; Romans 4:1-8 ; Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8 . The divine order is: first salvation, then works; Ephesians 2:9 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; Titus 3:5-8 .

Context Summary

1 Peter 1:1-12 - Our Imperishable Inheritance
Scattered strangers! The designation is true of us all. Note the reference to the Trinity involved in the opening sentence. Our inheritance is prepared and kept for us, as we for it. We who believe may count on the guarding power of God. Not till our spirit is joined to a perfected body in the presence of Christ will our salvation be complete.
Trial is manifold. There is more or less of it in every true life. The best diamonds take longer in cutting and polishing. But, after all, compared to the eternity before us, it is but short-lived, and there is a needs-be for all. Hope in 1 Peter 1:3, faith in 1 Peter 1:7, love in 1 Peter 1:8, blend in the joy that is unspeakable and full of the glory which is as yet hidden.
Notice that the prophets, angels and apostles are represented as deeply interested in that glorious salvation which God has declared unto mankind in the gospel, and by which we have been redeemed. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Peter 1

1  Peter praises God for his manifold spiritual graces;
10  showing that the salvation in Christ the fulfillment of prophesy;
13  and exhorts them accordingly to be holy

Greek Commentary for 1 Peter 1:10

Concerning which salvation [περι ης σωτηριας]
Another relative clause (taking up σωτηρια — sōtēria from 1 Peter 1:9 and incorporating it) in this long sentence (1 Peter 1:3-12, inclusive, all connected by relatives). Peter lingers over the word σωτηρια — sōtēria (salvation) with something new to say each time (Bigg). Here it is the general sense of the gospel of grace. [source]
Sought [εχεζητησαν]
First aorist active indicative of εκζητεω — ekzēteō to seek out (Acts 15:17), late and rare compound, only in lxx and N.T. save once in Aristides.Searched diligently (εχηραυνησαν — exēraunēsan). First aorist active indicative of εχεραυναω — exeraunaō old and common compound (εχερευναω — exereunaō), to search out diligently, here only in N.T. Both of these words occur together in 1 Macc. 9:26.Of the grace that should come unto you “Concerning the for you grace” (meant for you). [source]
Searched diligently [εχηραυνησαν]
First aorist active indicative of εχεραυναω — exeraunaō old and common compound (εχερευναω — exereunaō), to search out diligently, here only in N.T. Both of these words occur together in 1 Macc. 9:26. [source]
Of the grace that should come unto you [περι της εις υμας χαριτος]
“Concerning the for you grace” (meant for you). [source]
Have inquired and searched diligently [ἐξεζήτησαν - ἐξηρεύνησαν]
Rev., properly, renders the aorists sought and searched diligently. The ἐξ in composition has the force of out, searched out, and is rendered by diligently. [source]
Sought []
Used of Esau's seeking carefully for a place of repentance, in Hebrews 12:17. [source]
Searched []
Used nowhere else in the New Testament. Compare Septuagint, 1 Samuel 23:23, of Saul's searching out David. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Peter 1:10

Romans 3:11 Seeketh after [ἐκζητῶν]
Lit., seeketh out. See on 1 Peter 1:10. [source]
Galatians 2:21 The grace of God [τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ]
Χάρις is, primarily, that which gives joy ( χαρά ). Its higher, Christian meaning is based on the emphasis of freeness in a gift or favor. It is the free, spontaneous, absolute loving kindness of God toward men. Hence often in contrast with the ideas of debt, law, works, sin. Sometimes for the gift of grace, the benefaction, as 1 Corinthians 16:3; 2 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 8:19; 1 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 1:13. So here: the gracious gift of God in the offering of Christ. [source]
Hebrews 12:17 Sought it carefully [ἐκζητήσας]
See on 1 Peter 1:10. Comp. Hebrews 11:6. See also on questionings, 1 Timothy 1:4. [source]
Hebrews 11:6 Of them that diligently seek him [τοῖς ἐκζητοῦσιν αὐτὸν]
Lit. unto them that seek him out. Comp. Acts 15:17; Hebrews 12:17; 1 Peter 1:10. The verb is used of seeking God, Romans 3:11. God's beneficent will and attitude toward the seeker are not always apparent at the first approach. In such cases there is occasion for faith, in the face of delay, that diligent seeking will find its reward. One is reminded of Jesus' lessons on importunity in seeking God, Luke 11:5-10; Luke 18:1-8.He hides himself so wondrouslyAs though there were no God;He is least seen when all the powersOf ill are most abroad.Or he deserts us at the hourThe fight is almost lost,And seems to leave us to ourselvesJust when we need him most.It is not so, but so it looks;And we lose courage then;And doubts will come if God hath keptHis promises to men.”Faber. [source]
1 Peter 1:5 Salvation []
Note the frequent occurrence of this word, 1 Peter 1:9, 1 Peter 1:10. [source]
1 Peter 1:11 Of Christ [εἰς Χριστὸν]
Lit., unto Christ. So Rev., in margin. The sufferings destined for Christ, as in 1 Peter 1:10he speaks of the grace, εἰς ὑμᾶς , unto you; i.e., destined to come unto you. Peter was especially concerned to show that the sufferings of Christ were in fulfilment of prophecy, because it was a subject of dispute with the Jews whether the Christ was to suffer (Acts 3:18; Acts 26:22, Acts 26:23). [source]
1 Peter 1:11 Searching [εραυνωντες]
Present active participle of εραυναω — eraunaō late form for older ερευναω — ereunaō (both in the papyri), uncompounded verb (John 7:52), the compound occurring in 1 Peter 1:10 above. [source]
1 Peter 1:11 What time or what manner of time [εις τινα η ποιον καιρον]
Proper sense of ποιος — poios (qualitative interrogative) kept here as in 1 Corinthians 15:35, Romans 3:27, though it is losing its distinctive sense from τις — tis (Acts 23:34). The prophets knew what they prophesied, but not at what time the Messianic prophecies would be fulfilled.The Spirit of Christ which was in them (το εν αυτοις πνευμα Χριστου — to en autois pneuma Christou). Peter definitely asserts here that the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) was in the Old Testament prophets, the Holy Spirit called the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9), who spoke to the prophets as he would speak to the apostles (John 16:14).Did point unto Imperfect active of δηλοω — dēloō to make plain, “did keep on pointing to,” though they did not clearly perceive the time.When it testified beforehand (προμαρτυρομενον — promarturomenon). Present middle participle of προμαρτυρομαι — promarturomai a late compound unknown elsewhere save in a writer of the fourteenth century (Theodorus Mech.) and now in a papyrus of the eighth. It is neuter here because πνευμα — pneuma is neuter, but this grammatical gender should not be retained as “it” in English, but should be rendered “he” (and so as to Acts 8:15). Here we have predictive prophecy concerning the Messiah, though some modern critics fail to find predictions of the Messiah in the Old Testament.The sufferings of Christ “The sufferings for (destined for) Christ” like the use of εις — eis in 1 Peter 1:10 “The after these things (sufferings) glories.” The plural of δοχα — doxa is rare, but occurs in Exodus 15:11; Hosea 9:11. The glories of Christ followed the sufferings as in 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 5:1, 1 Peter 5:6. [source]
1 Peter 1:11 The sufferings of Christ [τα εις Χριστον πατηματα]
“The sufferings for (destined for) Christ” like the use of εις — eis in 1 Peter 1:10 “The after these things (sufferings) glories.” The plural of δοχα — doxa is rare, but occurs in Exodus 15:11; Hosea 9:11. The glories of Christ followed the sufferings as in 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 5:1, 1 Peter 5:6. [source]
1 Peter 1:11 Did point unto [εδηλου]
Imperfect active of δηλοω — dēloō to make plain, “did keep on pointing to,” though they did not clearly perceive the time.When it testified beforehand (προμαρτυρομενον — promarturomenon). Present middle participle of προμαρτυρομαι — promarturomai a late compound unknown elsewhere save in a writer of the fourteenth century (Theodorus Mech.) and now in a papyrus of the eighth. It is neuter here because πνευμα — pneuma is neuter, but this grammatical gender should not be retained as “it” in English, but should be rendered “he” (and so as to Acts 8:15). Here we have predictive prophecy concerning the Messiah, though some modern critics fail to find predictions of the Messiah in the Old Testament.The sufferings of Christ “The sufferings for (destined for) Christ” like the use of εις — eis in 1 Peter 1:10 “The after these things (sufferings) glories.” The plural of δοχα — doxa is rare, but occurs in Exodus 15:11; Hosea 9:11. The glories of Christ followed the sufferings as in 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 5:1, 1 Peter 5:6. [source]
2 Peter 1:19 The word of prophecy [τον προπητικον λογον]
“The prophetic word.” Cf. 1 Peter 1:10, a reference to all the Messianic prophecies. [source]
1 John 1:5 We have heard of Him [ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ ' αὐτοῦ]
A form of expression not found elsewhere in John, who commonly uses παρ ' αὐτοῦ . See on John 6:46. The phrase here points to the ultimate and not necessarily the immediate source of the message. Not only John, but others in earlier times had heard this message. Compare 1 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 1:11. Ἁπό points to the source παρά to the giver. Thus, John 5:41, “ I receive not honor from ( παρά ) men.” They are not the bestowers of honor upon me.” John 5:44, “How can ye believe which receive honor from ( παρά ) one another;” the honor which men have to give, “and seek not the honor that cometh from ( παρά ) God;” the honor which God alone bestows. On the other hand, 1 John 3:22, “Whatsoever we ask we receive from ( ἀπό ) Him,” the ultimate source of our gifts. So Matthew 17:25: “Of ( ἀπό ) whom do the kings of the earth take custom - of ( ἀπό ) their own children or of ( ἀπό ) strangers?” What is the legitimate and ultimate source of revenue in states? [source]
Jude 1:14 Enoch the seventh from Adam [εβδομος απο Αδαμ ενωχ]
The genealogical order occurs in Gen 5:4-20, with Enoch as seventh. He is so termed in Enoch 60:8; 93:3.Prophesied (επροπητευσεν — eprophēteusen). First aorist active indicative of προπητευω — prophēteuō If the word is given its ordinary meaning as in 1 Peter 1:10, then Jude terms the Book of Enoch an inspired book. The words quoted are “a combination of passages from Enoch” (Bigg), chiefly from Enoch 1:9.With ten thousand of his holy ones “With (εν — en of accompaniment, Luke 14:31) his holy ten thousands” (μυριας — murias regular word, feminine gender, for ten thousand, Acts 19:19, there an unlimited number like our myriads, Luke 12:1). [source]
Jude 1:14 Prophesied [επροπητευσεν]
First aorist active indicative of προπητευω — prophēteuō If the word is given its ordinary meaning as in 1 Peter 1:10, then Jude terms the Book of Enoch an inspired book. The words quoted are “a combination of passages from Enoch” (Bigg), chiefly from Enoch 1:9. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Peter 1:10 mean?

Concerning this salvation sought out and searched out diligently [the] prophets - of the toward you grace having prophesied
Περὶ ἧς σωτηρίας ἐξεζήτησαν καὶ ἐξηραύνησαν προφῆται οἱ περὶ τῆς εἰς ὑμᾶς χάριτος προφητεύσαντες

Περὶ  Concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
ἧς  this 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
σωτηρίας  salvation 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: σωτηρία  
Sense: deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation.
ἐξεζήτησαν  sought  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐκζητέω  
Sense: to seek out, search for.
ἐξηραύνησαν  searched  out  diligently 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐξεραυνάω  
Sense: to search out, search anxiously and diligently.
προφῆται  [the]  prophets 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἰς  toward 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
χάριτος  grace 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: χάρις  
Sense: grace.
προφητεύσαντες  having  prophesied 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: προφητεύω  
Sense: to prophesy, to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspirations, to predict.