The Meaning of 1 Peter 1:8 Explained

1 Peter 1:8

KJV: 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:

YLT: whom, not having seen, ye love, in whom, now not seeing and believing, ye are glad with joy unspeakable and glorified,

Darby: whom, having not seen, ye love; on whom though not now looking, but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with the glory,

ASV: whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Whom  having  not  seen  {5625;1492:5631}, ye love;  in  whom,  though now  ye see  [him] not,  yet  believing,  ye rejoice  with joy  unspeakable  and  full of glory: 

What does 1 Peter 1:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Even though we will experience joy when we see the Lord, we can experience joy now too because we have hope ( 1 Peter 1:3), faith ( 1 Peter 1:7), and love ( 1 Peter 1:8). These characteristics are inseparable. Our joy is "full of glory" in that the glory people will see when God reveals Jesus Christ infuses our present joy (cf. John 20:29). Our joy will be no different on that day, only greater.

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 1:8

Whom [ον]
Relative referring to Christ just before and accusative case, object of both ιδοντες — idontes and αγαπατε — agapate (ye love). [source]
Not having seen [ουκ ιδοντες]
Second aorist active participle of οραω — horaō to see, with ουκ — ouk rather than μη — mē because it negatives an actual experience in contrast with μη ορωντες — mē horōntes (though not seeing, hypothetical case). On whom It is possible that Peter here has in mind the words of Jesus to Thomas as recorded in John 20:29 (“Happy are those not seeing and yet believing”). Peter was present and heard the words of Jesus to Thomas, and so he could use them before John wrote his Gospel.Ye rejoice greatly (αγαλλιατε — agalliāte). Same form as in 1 Peter 1:6, only active here instead of middle.With joy Instrumental case (manner).Unspeakable (ανεκλαλητωι — aneklalētōi). Late and rare double compound verbal (alpha privative and εκλαλεω — eklaleō), here only in N.T., in Dioscorides and Heliodorus, “unutterable,” like Paul‘s “indescribable” (ανεκδιηγητος — anekdiēgētos) gift (2 Corinthians 9:15, here alone in N.T.).Full of glory Perfect passive participle of δοχαζω — doxazō to glorify, “glorified joy,” like the glorified face of Moses (Exodus 34:29.; 2 Corinthians 3:10. [source]
Ye rejoice greatly [αγαλλιατε]
Same form as in 1 Peter 1:6, only active here instead of middle. [source]
With joy [χαραι]
Instrumental case (manner).Unspeakable (ανεκλαλητωι — aneklalētōi). Late and rare double compound verbal (alpha privative and εκλαλεω — eklaleō), here only in N.T., in Dioscorides and Heliodorus, “unutterable,” like Paul‘s “indescribable” (ανεκδιηγητος — anekdiēgētos) gift (2 Corinthians 9:15, here alone in N.T.).Full of glory Perfect passive participle of δοχαζω — doxazō to glorify, “glorified joy,” like the glorified face of Moses (Exodus 34:29.; 2 Corinthians 3:10. [source]
Unspeakable [ανεκλαλητωι]
Late and rare double compound verbal (alpha privative and εκλαλεω — eklaleō), here only in N.T., in Dioscorides and Heliodorus, “unutterable,” like Paul‘s “indescribable” (ανεκδιηγητος — anekdiēgētos) gift (2 Corinthians 9:15, here alone in N.T.). [source]
Full of glory [δεδοχασμενηι]
Perfect passive participle of δοχαζω — doxazō to glorify, “glorified joy,” like the glorified face of Moses (Exodus 34:29.; 2 Corinthians 3:10. [source]
Full of glory [δεδοξασμένῃ]
Lit., glorified, as Rev., in margin. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Peter 1:8

John 10:12 He that is a hireling [ο μιστωτος]
Old word from μιστοω — misthoō to hire (Matthew 20:1) from μιστος — misthos (hire, wages, Luke 10:7), in N.T. only in this passage. Literally, “the hireling and not being a shepherd” Note ουκ — ouk with the participle ων — ōn to emphasize the certainty that he is not a shepherd in contrast with μη εισερχομενος — mē eiserchomenos in John 10:1 (conceived case). See same contrast in 1 Peter 1:8 between ουκ ιδοντες — ouk idontes and μη ορωντες — mē horōntes The hireling here is not necessarily the thief and robber of John 10:1, John 10:8. He may conceivably be a nominal shepherd (pastor) of the flock who serves only for the money, a sin against which Peter warned the shepherds of the flock “not for shameful gain” (1 Peter 5:2). Whose own Every true shepherd considers the sheep in his care “his own” Vivid dramatic present, active indicative of τεωρεω — theōreō a graphic picture. The wolf coming Present middle predicate participle of ερχομαι — erchomai Leaveth the sheep, and fleeth Graphic present actives again of απιημι — aphiēmi and πευγω — pheugō The cowardly hireling cares naught for the sheep, but only for his own skin. The wolf was the chief peril to sheep in Palestine. See Matthew 10:6 where Jesus says: “Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.” And the wolf snatcheth them and scattereth them Vivid parenthesis in the midst of the picture of the conduct of the hireling. Bold verbs these. For the old verb αρπαζω — harpazō see John 6:15; Matthew 11:12, and for σκορπιζω — skorpizō late word (Plutarch) for the Attic σκεδαννυμι — skedannumi see Matthew 12:30. It occurs in the vision of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 34:5) where because of the careless shepherds “the sheep became meat to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.” Jesus uses αρπαζω — harpazō in John 10:29 where no one is able “to snatch” one out of the Father‘s hand. [source]
John 20:29 Thou hast believed [πεπιστευκας]
Perfect active indicative. Probably interrogative, but “it was sight, not touch that convinced Thomas” (Bernard). And yet Clear use of και — kai in the adversative sense. Thomas made a noble confession, but he missed the highest form of faith without the evidence of the senses. Peter (1 Peter 1:8) uses language that seems like a reminiscence of the words of Jesus to Thomas which Peter heard. [source]
2 Corinthians 5:10 May receive [κομίσηται]
See on 1 Peter 1:8. Compare Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:25. [source]
Galatians 5:22 Joy [χαρά]
Comp. joy of the Holy Ghost, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, and see Romans 5:2; Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Philemon 1:25; Philemon 4:4; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 1:4. [source]
Ephesians 6:8 Shall he receive [κομίσεται]
See on 1 Peter 1:8; compare Colossians 3:25. [source]
Colossians 3:25 Shall receive [κομίσεται]
See on 1 Peter 1:8. Compare Ephesians 6:8. [source]
Hebrews 10:36 Ye might receive the promise [κομίσησθε τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν]
Comp. Hebrews 11:13, Hebrews 11:39, and see on 1 Peter 1:8. The verb implies, not mere obtaining, but receiving and carrying away for use and enjoyment. [source]
1 Peter 1:21 Who through him are believers in God [τους δι αυτου πιστους εις τεον]
Accusative case in apposition with υμας — humās (you), “the through him (that is Christ as in 1 Peter 1:8; Acts 3:16) believers (πιστους — pistous correct text of A B) in God.” [source]
1 Peter 4:13 Ye are partakers of [κοινωνειτε]
Present active indicative of κοινωνεω — koinōneō old verb (from κοινωνος — koinōnos partner), to share in either with genitive (Hebrews 2:14) or dative as here Purpose clause with ινα — hina and second aorist passive subjunctive of χαιρω — chairō with the present middle participle of αγαλλιαω — agalliaō to exult (1 Peter 1:8), “that ye may rejoice exulting.” See 1 Peter 1:6-8 for this same idea associated with the second coming of Christ as here. [source]
1 Peter 4:13 That ye may rejoice with exceeding joy [ινα χαρητε αγαλλιωμενοι]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and second aorist passive subjunctive of χαιρω — chairō with the present middle participle of αγαλλιαω — agalliaō to exult (1 Peter 1:8), “that ye may rejoice exulting.” See 1 Peter 1:6-8 for this same idea associated with the second coming of Christ as here. [source]
1 Peter 4:14 For the name of Christ [εν ονοματι Χριστου]
“In the matter of the name of Christ.” For the idea see Matthew 5:11.; Matthew 19:29; Acts 5:41; Acts 9:16; Acts 21:13. This is the only N.T. example of just ονομα Χριστου — onoma Christou here used because of the use of Χριστιανος — Christianos in 1 Peter 4:16. For the beatitude μακαριοι — makarioi see Matthew 5:11.The Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God (το της δοχης και το του τεου πνευμα — to tēs doxēs kai to tou theou pneuma). Note repetition of the article (το — to) though πνευμα — pneuma only once. The reference is to the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Glory and of God.Resteth upon you Quotation from Isaiah 11:2. Present middle indicative of αναπαυω — anapauō to give rest, refresh (Matthew 11:28). “He rests upon the Christian as the Shechinah rested upon the tabernacle” (Bigg). Cf. 1 Peter 1:8; Matthew 3:16. [source]
1 Peter 4:14 Resteth upon you [επ ημας αναπαυεται]
Quotation from Isaiah 11:2. Present middle indicative of αναπαυω — anapauō to give rest, refresh (Matthew 11:28). “He rests upon the Christian as the Shechinah rested upon the tabernacle” (Bigg). Cf. 1 Peter 1:8; Matthew 3:16. [source]
2 Peter 1:7 Love [την αγαπην]
By deliberate choice (Matthew 5:44). Love for Christ as the crown of all (1 Peter 1:8) and so for all men. Love is the climax as Paul has it (1 Corinthians 13:13). [source]
Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad [χαιρωμεν και αγαλλιωμεν]
Present active subjunctive (volitive) of χαιρω — chairō and αγαλλιαω — agalliaō (elsewhere in N.T. in the middle except Luke 1:47; 1 Peter 1:8). For both verbs together see Matthew 5:12. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Peter 1:8 mean?

whom not having seen you love on now [though] not seeing believing now you exult with joy inexpressible and filled with glory
ὃν οὐκ ἰδόντες ἀγαπᾶτε εἰς ἄρτι μὴ ὁρῶντες πιστεύοντες δὲ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε χαρᾷ ἀνεκλαλήτῳ καὶ δεδοξασμένῃ

ὃν  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἰδόντες  having  seen 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
ἀγαπᾶτε  you  love 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀγαπάω  
Sense: of persons.
ἄρτι  now  [though] 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἄρτι  
Sense: just now, this moment.
ὁρῶντες  seeing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
πιστεύοντες  believing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πιστεύω  
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἀγαλλιᾶσθε  you  exult 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀγαλλιάω  
Sense: to exult, rejoice exceedingly, be exceeding glad.
χαρᾷ  with  joy 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: χαρά  
Sense: joy, gladness.
ἀνεκλαλήτῳ  inexpressible 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀνεκλάλητος  
Sense: unspeakable.
δεδοξασμένῃ  filled  with  glory 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: δοξάζω  
Sense: to think, suppose, be of opinion.