1 Peter 1:18
Verse
Context
A Call to Holiness
17Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things - To redeem, λυτροω, signifies to procure life for a captive or liberty for a slave by paying a price, and the precious blood of Christ is here stated to be the price at which the souls of both Jews and Gentiles were redeemed; is was a price paid down, and a price which God's righteousness required. Corruptible things mean here any thing that man usually gives in exchange for another; but the term necessarily includes all created things, as all these are corruptible and perishing. The meaning of the apostle is, evidently, that created things could not purchase the souls of men, else the sacrifice of Christ had not been offered; could any thing less have done, God would not have given up his only-begotten Son. Even silver and gold, the most valuable medium of commerce among men, bear no proportion in their value to the souls of a lost world, for there should be a congruity between the worth of the thing purchased and the valuable consideration which is given for it; and the laws and customs of nations require this: on this ground, perishable things, or things the value of which must be infinitely less than the worth of the souls of men, cannot purchase those souls. Nothing, therefore, but such a ransom price as God provided could be a sufficient ransom, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the world. Vain conversation - Empty, foolish, and unprofitable conduct, full of vain hopes, vain fears, and vain wishes. Received by tradition from your fathers - The Jews had innumerable burdens of empty ceremonies and useless ordinances, which they received by tradition from their fathers, rabbins, or doctors. The Gentiles were not less encumbered with such than the Jews; all were wedded to their vanities, because they received them from their forefathers, as they had done from theirs. And this antiquity and tradition have been the ground work of many a vain ceremony and idle pilgrimage, and of numerous doctrines which have nothing to plead in their behalf but this mere antiquity. But such persons seem not to consider that error and sin are nearly coeval with the world itself.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Another motive to reverential, vigilant fear (Pe1 1:17) of displeasing God, the consideration of the costly price of our redemption from sin. Observe, it is we who are bought by the blood of Christ, not heaven. The blood of Christ is not in Scripture said to buy heaven for us: heaven is the "inheritance" (Pe1 1:4) given to us as sons, by the promise of God. corruptible--Compare Pe1 1:7, "gold that perisheth," Pe1 1:23. silver and gold--Greek, "or." Compare Peter's own words, Act 3:6 : an undesigned coincidence. redeemed--Gold and silver being liable to corruption themselves, can free no one from spiritual and bodily death; they are therefore of too little value. Contrast Pe1 1:19, Christ's "precious blood." The Israelites were ransomed with half a shekel each, which went towards purchasing the lamb for the daily sacrifice (Exo 30:12-16; compare Num 3:44-51). But the Lamb who redeems the spiritual Israelites does so "without money or price." Devoted by sin to the justice of God, the Church of the first-born is redeemed from sin and the curse with Christ's precious blood (Mat 20:28; Ti1 2:6; Tit 2:14; Rev 5:9). In all these passages there is the idea of substitution, the giving of one for another by way of a ransom or equivalent. Man is "sold under sin" as a slave; shut up under condemnation and the curse. The ransom was, therefore, paid to the righteously incensed Judge, and was accepted as a vicarious satisfaction for our sin by God, inasmuch as it was His own love as well as righteousness which appointed it. An Israelite sold as a bond-servant for debt might be redeemed by one of his brethren. As, therefore, we could not redeem ourselves, Christ assumed our nature in order to become our nearest of kin and brother, and so our God or Redeemer. Holiness is the natural fruit of redemption "from our vain conversation"; for He by whom we are redeemed is also He for whom we are redeemed. "Without the righteous abolition of the curse, either there could be found no deliverance, or, what is impossible, the grace and righteousness of God must have come in collision" [STEIGER]; but now, Christ having borne the curse of our sin, frees from it those who are made God's children by His Spirit. vain--self-deceiving, unreal, and unprofitable: promising good which it does not perform. Compare as to the Gentiles, Act 14:15; Rom 1:21; Eph 4:17; as to human philosophers, Co1 3:20; as to the disobedient Jews, Jer 4:14. conversation--course of life. To know what our sin is we must know what it cost. received by tradition from your fathers--The Jews' traditions. "Human piety is a vain blasphemy, and the greatest sin that a man can commit" [LUTHER]. There is only one Father to be imitated, Pe1 1:17; compare Mat 23:9, the same antithesis [BENGEL].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Forasmuch as ye know,.... From the Scriptures of truth, by the testimony of the Spirit, by his work upon the soul, and by the application of the benefits of redemption, such as justification, pardon, adoption, and sanctification; see Job 19:25, that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. The redemption of a soul, which is of more worth than a world, requires a greater price than gold and silver; and those who have the largest share thereof, can neither redeem their own souls with it, nor the souls of others. The soul is immortal and incorruptible, but these are corruptible things, which may be cankered, or wear away, and perish by using; and therefore, seeing redemption is not obtained by anything corruptible, nothing corrupt in principle, or practice should be indulged. The allusion is to the redemption of the people of Israel, and of the firstborn, by shekels, Exo 30:12. Gold and silver do not mean pieces of gold and silver, but gold and silver coined; for only by such could redemption of anything be obtained (d) but these are insufficient for the redemption of the soul; which is a deliverance from the slavery of sin, the bondage, curse, and condemnation of the law, the captivity of Satan, and from a state of poverty, having been deep in debt, and sold under sin. It here follows, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; meaning not the corruption of nature, which is propagated from father to son by natural generation, and lies in the vanity of the mind, and is the spring and source of an evil conversation; though the saints, as they are redeemed from all sin, so from this, that it shall not be their condemnation; not Gentilism, which lay in vain philosophy, in idolatry and superstition, and in evil and wicked conversation, encouraged by the example of their ancestors; but Judaism, and either regards the ceremonial law, which was delivered by Moses to the Jewish fathers, and by them handed down to their posterity; and which was vain, as used and abused by them, and was unprofitable to obtain righteousness, life, and salvation by, and therefore was disannulled by Christ, who has redeemed and delivered his people from this yoke of bondage; or rather the traditions of the elders, which our Lord inveighs against, Mat 15:3 &c. and the Apostle Paul was brought up in, and zealous of, before conversion, Gal 1:14 as the Pharisees were. These were the inventions and decrees of them they called "fathers", to whose dogmas and decisions they paid the utmost respect. These made up their oral law, which the Jews say (e) Moses received from Sinai, and delivered to Joshua; and Joshua to the elders; and the elders to the prophets; and the prophets to the men of the great synagogue, the last of which was Simeon the just; and from him it was delivered to another; and so from one to another to the times of Christ and his apostles and afterwards; and which consisted of many vain, useless, and unprofitable things; to walk according to which must be a vain conversation; and the saints now being redeemed by a greater price than that of silver and gold, and which is after mentioned, they ought not therefore to be the servants of men, no, not of these fathers, but of God and Christ, (d) Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Beracot, c. 7. sect. 1. (e) Pirke Abot, c. 1. sect. 1, 2, &c.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:18 A ransom is paid for the release of a captive. Slaves could sometimes pay a ransom and be released from their master. Christ’s death is the price God paid to release people from captivity to sin (1:19).
1 Peter 1:18
A Call to Holiness
17Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
At the Price of God's Own Blood
By John Piper14K27:39Giving AllMAT 7:13ACT 20:25ACT 20:28ROM 6:11EPH 1:7HEB 12:141PE 1:18In this sermon, Pastor John Piper emphasizes the importance of holiness, zeal for good works, and commitment to world evangelization. He highlights that Jesus bled and died to purchase our holiness and to ignite a passion for good deeds that goes beyond mere avoidance of sin. Furthermore, he emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice should fill us with a fervor for spreading the gospel to the world. Piper acknowledges that we all fall short in these areas and encourages the congregation to seek God's forgiveness and redirection in their lives. He also reminds them that beneath these three aspects lies the foundational purchase of forgiveness, justification by faith, and reconciliation to God through Christ's sacrifice.
God Has Spoken
By B.H. Clendennen4.1K1:17:211PE 1:18In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of progressive learning in the Christian faith. He discusses two key lessons that believers must learn: the consciousness of their own impotence and a strong desire for a better life found in the full revelation of Christ's ability to save completely. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about the negative influence of watching a movie on his spiritual life, highlighting the need to lay aside anything that hinders spiritual growth. He also emphasizes the power of the spoken word of God and how it is an act that judges and transforms individuals. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the importance of despairing of oneself and placing hope in God alone, allowing Him to fulfill His purpose in believers' lives.
(Genesis) Genesis 49:6-7
By J. Vernon McGee2.8K02:33Genesis1PE 1:18In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the tribe of Levi and the grace of God exhibited in their transformation. The speaker highlights how Levi, despite being a cruel person, was chosen by God to be the head of the priestly tribe. This demonstrates the marvelous grace of God, which can also transform sinners into a kingdom of priests. The speaker emphasizes that all believers are priests today, having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. The sermon also references biblical verses from 1 Peter to emphasize the concept of redemption and the role of believers as living stones in a spiritual house.
The Power of the Blood - Sermon 1 of 5 - the Passover Lamb
By Roy Hession2.0K47:37Blood of The LambLEV 17:11MAT 6:33ROM 3:25EPH 1:7HEB 9:221PE 1:18In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching about the blood of Jesus. He believes that when the blood of Jesus is preached, it brings liberty and joy to congregations. The preacher highlights that the blood of Jesus is the key to removing a tormenting conscience and experiencing the blessings of God. He refers to the story of the Passover in Exodus chapter 12, where the blood of a lamb was used as a token of judgment already falling on a house. The preacher concludes by encouraging believers to sit down and rest in the finished work of Jesus, rather than striving and standing in their own efforts.
The Power of the Blood - Sermon 3 of 5 - Every Blessing by the Blood
By Roy Hession1.9K52:59Blood Of ChristMAT 6:33MAT 16:26EPH 1:7COL 1:14HEB 9:221PE 1:181PE 2:24In this sermon, the preacher discusses the worth of gaining the world at the expense of one's soul and relationship with God. He emphasizes that making such a bargain is a mistake and asks the audience what they can give in exchange for their soul. The preacher then focuses on the power of the blood of Jesus and the immense blessings that come from it. He mentions forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Christ, using the example of David's repentance in Psalm 51.
Communion
By Don McClure1.9K45:591PE 1:18In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the transformative power of the word of God. He compares the experience of the children of Israel, who were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years, to the bondage and weakness that people may feel in their own lives. The preacher highlights the preciousness of redemption through the blood of Christ, which has the potential to revolutionize any life, marriage, or family. He encourages believers to share this power and love with their neighbors, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and the magnitude of the cross.
The Epistle to the Romans
By Keith Daniel1.8K51:38Bible ReadingROM 3:31ROM 5:9JAS 2:101PE 1:18In this sermon, the speaker takes the audience on a crash course through the book of Romans. The book of Romans is seen as a vital revelation given to Paul by Christ, who appeared to him in a powerful conversion experience. The main theme of the book is the power of the gospel of Christ, which brings salvation to all who believe. The speaker emphasizes that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
(Following the Footsteps of Christ) the Lord's Death
By Willie Mullan1.5K1:05:36Footsteps Of ChristMAT 6:33ACT 2:22HEB 1:81PE 1:18In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the significance of the Lord's death and its various aspects. He highlights that the act of proclaiming the word of God is a messy but essential task. The preacher discusses the decision of Jesus to sacrifice himself and quotes from the first epistle of Peter to support his point. He also mentions the tearing of the temple veil as a significant event that occurred when Jesus died. The sermon concludes with a prayer expressing gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice and anticipation for the future redemption of believers.
The Writer and the Reader
By Willie Mullan1.3K1:10:55Epistle1PE 1:18In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the concept of being an heir and how, as children, we are no different from servants until the appointed time. He then talks about how we were once in bondage under the elements of the world, but God sent his son to redeem us and adopt us as his children. The speaker emphasizes that as sons of God, we have the spirit of his son in our hearts, allowing us to cry out to God as our Father. He also mentions the importance of grace and peace in times of trials and tests, and highlights the power of the Holy Spirit in transforming lives through the gospel.
Hidden Sin - Part 3
By Joshua Daniel1.1K09:091PE 1:18This sermon emphasizes the true cost of gaining a member in the church, contrasting it with the concept of salvation through Jesus Christ, which is freely given without cost or pride. It challenges the modern approach of church growth strategies that focus on material investments rather than spiritual transformation. The speaker highlights the sacrificial giving of ordinary people for the work of Jesus, contrasting it with the superficial displays of wealth and status. The message calls for genuine repentance, humility, and a focus on spiritual renewal rather than external displays of wealth or status.
(The Recovery of the Apostolic) 1. the Rise of Anabaptism
By Dale Heisey8041:08:09JHN 10:27ACT 2:411CO 3:111PE 1:181JN 4:5In this sermon, the speaker begins by mentioning a choice he would have liked to present visually but is unable to due to time constraints. He then describes a scenario where a young Catholic couple, hungry for God's word, seeks guidance on the way of God. The speaker asks a young man to share the message of God's holiness with them. The sermon emphasizes the importance of practicing what Jesus taught and following in his steps. The speaker concludes by inviting the audience to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
At the Price of His Own Blood - John Piper
By From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons71625:31RadioACT 20:25ACT 20:28EPH 5:251PE 1:18In this sermon, the speaker addresses the tendency to only focus on one aspect of the cross, namely forgiveness and justification. He emphasizes that Jesus' death on the cross was not only for our forgiveness, but also for our holiness and zeal for good deeds. The speaker references Titus 2:14, which states that Christ gave Himself to redeem us from iniquity and to purify a people who are zealous for good deeds. The sermon highlights the gap between what Christ died to achieve in our lives and how far short we fall, reminding listeners of the importance of pursuing holiness, zeal for good works, and commitment to world evangelization.
They Follow the Lamb Wherever He Goes
By Stephen Kaung5701:03:101PE 1:18This sermon emphasizes the imminent return of the Lord Jesus, urging believers to be prepared and vigilant for His coming. It delves into the story of creation, the fall of man, and the purpose of defeating God's enemy to bring glory to God. The importance of standing with God against the enemy within us is highlighted, calling for self-examination and surrender to God's will in anticipation of His return.
The Glories of Our Redemption
By R. Edward Miller40246:58RedemptionMAT 20:28EPH 1:7TIT 2:14HEB 9:12HEB 9:221PE 1:181JN 1:7In this sermon, the speaker discusses the power of the invisible forces that govern people's lives. He uses the example of addiction to illustrate how individuals can be controlled by these forces, even against their own will. The speaker also references the story of the children of Israel in slavery in Egypt as a metaphor for the bondage that all people experience. He emphasizes the need for deliverance and redemption, highlighting the preciousness of the blood of Jesus as the price paid for our freedom. The sermon concludes with the assurance that there is a divine control over these invisible forces, providing hope for liberation.
Session 14: John 17
By Joseph Carroll3040:54Christian LifeSelflessnessDiscipleship1PE 1:18Joseph Carroll emphasizes the significance of Christ's sacrifice in John 17, highlighting that Jesus sanctified Himself for our sake, demonstrating selflessness over selfishness. He urges believers to embrace humility and to live for others, reflecting on the eternal impact of our decisions. Carroll draws parallels between the necessity of death for the corn of wheat to produce life and the call for disciples to die to self for the sake of others. He challenges the congregation to build a magnificent life in Christ, forsaking all for the sake of discipleship, and to maintain their savor as salt in the world. The sermon concludes with a prayer for grace to build a character that reflects Christ and impacts eternity.
Cheap Grace
By Dietrich Bonhoeffer1MAT 16:24LUK 14:33ROM 6:23EPH 2:81PE 1:18Dietrich Bonhoeffer emphasizes the distinction between cheap grace and costly grace, highlighting the danger of settling for a superficial faith that justifies sin without true repentance. He challenges Christians to embrace costly grace, which requires discipleship, self-sacrifice, and a genuine commitment to following Jesus Christ. Costly grace, exemplified by God's sacrifice of His Son, calls believers to a life of surrender, condemnation of sin, and justification through faith.
God's Great Goodness and Love Is Shown to Man in This Sacrament
By Thomas a Kempis0PSA 34:18JHN 6:511CO 11:27HEB 13:151PE 1:18Thomas a Kempis preaches about the humility and reverence required when approaching the Lord in Communion, acknowledging our unworthiness and praising God's mercy and love. He emphasizes the great gift of receiving the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, highlighting the profound mystery and the need for constant preparation and reflection on the work of redemption. Kempis marvels at the condescension of God to dwell in us through the Sacrament, urging believers to keep their hearts and bodies clean to partake in this everlasting memorial with joy and thanksgiving.
Seeing the Glory of Christ as Son of Man
By T. Austin-Sparks0MAT 3:17ACT 26:17ROM 8:292CO 4:4EPH 5:25HEB 1:1HEB 2:5HEB 3:11PE 1:18T. Austin-Sparks preaches about the significance of Christ as the Son of Man, emphasizing His role as the arch-type of a new humanity and the Redeemer-Kinsman. Through Christ, God has initiated a new order of mankind, free from the sinful nature that estranges humanity from God. The humanity of Jesus represents an incorruptible life that satisfies God's holiness, providing the power of redemption. As the Redeemer-Kinsman, Christ has the right, power, liberty, and willingness to redeem and unite His people to Himself in a sacred bond, symbolized by the marriage between the Church and the Lord.
The Supreme Importance of the Incorruptible
By A.T. Robertson0ISA 48:10ACT 2:27ROM 1:231CO 3:131CO 9:251CO 15:532TI 1:81PE 1:18A.T. Robertson preaches about the importance of living a life focused on intrinsic, eternal values rather than superficial or comparative ones. He emphasizes that the essence of the gospel is to bring to light life and incorruption through Jesus Christ, who abolished death. Robertson explains that incorruption is the standard measure of heaven and should be applied to every aspect of believers' lives, including their knowledge, Christian work, and personal growth. He challenges listeners to evaluate their lives based on the incorruptible nature of their actions, teachings, and emotions, emphasizing that God values depth, solidity, and intensity in building eternal value.
Toronto Hebrew Academy.
By Gareth Evans0JHN 1:29ROM 3:25ROM 4:11GAL 3:7EPH 2:13HEB 9:22HEB 10:10HEB 13:121PE 1:181JN 1:7Gareth Evans shares a powerful testimony of his journey from applying for a teaching position at Toronto Hebrew Academy to impacting the lives of students and the school's rabbi with his faith in Jesus Christ. Despite being a born-again Christian, he is offered the Head of Science Department position and later engages in thought-provoking discussions about Christianity and Judaism, leading to a profound revelation for the rabbi and students. Through his obedience and willingness to share his faith, Gareth experiences a mountain-top encounter with God, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love and sacrifice.
1 Peter 1:9
By John Gill0SalvationJoy in FaithPRO 23:18ROM 8:242CO 1:22EPH 1:13EPH 2:8PHP 3:20COL 3:1HEB 11:11PE 1:91PE 1:18John Gill expounds on 1 Peter 1:9, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of faith is the salvation of souls, which is a profound source of joy. This salvation, appointed by God from eternity, is obtained through Christ and applied by the Spirit, leading to eternal happiness in heaven. Gill clarifies that while salvation primarily concerns the soul, it also encompasses the body, as both will be redeemed and united with Christ. He highlights that faith is not the cause of salvation but a means to perceive and enjoy it, culminating in the full realization of salvation. The present experience of salvation brings joy and assurance to believers, as they possess the beginnings and promises of their eternal inheritance.
Christ's Priestly Office.
By Edward Payson0JHN 14:6PHP 3:8COL 2:91TI 2:5HEB 4:16HEB 7:25HEB 8:1HEB 9:221PE 1:181JN 2:2Edward Payson preaches about the significance of Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest, the true tabernacle, and the atoning sacrifice, emphasizing how he fulfills and surpasses the roles of the Levitical priests, the tabernacle, and the sacrifices in the Old Testament. Payson explains how Jesus is the Christian's tabernacle, high priest, and sacrifice, drawing parallels between the Jewish practices and Christ's redemptive work. He urges believers to appreciate the divine origin and truth of the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of understanding the Old Testament in relation to the New Testament and the gospel of salvation through Christ.
Psalm 52
By Henry Law0EXO 6:6LUK 24:21TIT 2:14HEB 9:121PE 1:18The preacher delves into the concept of redemption, emphasizing the freeing of captives through the payment of a ransom price, as seen in the biblical use of the Greek word 'lutroo.' The sermon explores how Jesus' precious blood serves as the ultimate redemption for believers, setting them free from bondage to sin and empowering them to live holy lives. Through various Bible verses and word studies, the preacher highlights the Old Testament foreshadowing of redemption, the practical implications of Christ's redemptive work, and the eternal inheritance secured through redemption in Christ.
On the Antiquity of the Existing Liturgies
By J.H. Newman0LEV 17:11MAT 26:26JHN 6:53ACT 2:421CO 11:23EPH 5:2COL 1:20HEB 9:141PE 1:18REV 5:12J.H. Newman delves into the history and significance of Liturgies, highlighting the potential interpolations and corruptions that have occurred over time. Despite these challenges, learned individuals have found value in examining these ancient Liturgies, some of which have been traced back to the Apostolic age. Newman discusses the remarkable similarities and differences among various Liturgies, suggesting a common origin and shared sentiments among the early Christian communities. He emphasizes the Eucharistic sacrifice and mystery present in the Liturgies, pointing out key elements such as the consecration prayers and the commemoration of Christ's actions. Newman's sermon underscores the importance of these ancient forms in understanding the early Christian worship practices and traditions.
Redeemed
By Thomas Brooks0GraceRedemptionNEH 1:10ROM 8:1EPH 1:7COL 1:13HEB 9:121PE 1:18Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound nature of redemption through Christ, explaining that believers are redeemed from sin and its consequences by the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. He highlights that this redemption is not only complete but also free and gracious, satisfying divine justice and pacifying God's wrath. Brooks elaborates on the extensive benefits of redemption, including reconciliation with God, justification, and eternal security, portraying it as a treasure trove of spiritual riches. He reassures that Christ's work is thorough, delivering believers from all forms of sin and its dominion, leading to a state of perfect bliss. Ultimately, Brooks encourages believers to appreciate the eternal and invaluable nature of their redemption.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things - To redeem, λυτροω, signifies to procure life for a captive or liberty for a slave by paying a price, and the precious blood of Christ is here stated to be the price at which the souls of both Jews and Gentiles were redeemed; is was a price paid down, and a price which God's righteousness required. Corruptible things mean here any thing that man usually gives in exchange for another; but the term necessarily includes all created things, as all these are corruptible and perishing. The meaning of the apostle is, evidently, that created things could not purchase the souls of men, else the sacrifice of Christ had not been offered; could any thing less have done, God would not have given up his only-begotten Son. Even silver and gold, the most valuable medium of commerce among men, bear no proportion in their value to the souls of a lost world, for there should be a congruity between the worth of the thing purchased and the valuable consideration which is given for it; and the laws and customs of nations require this: on this ground, perishable things, or things the value of which must be infinitely less than the worth of the souls of men, cannot purchase those souls. Nothing, therefore, but such a ransom price as God provided could be a sufficient ransom, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the world. Vain conversation - Empty, foolish, and unprofitable conduct, full of vain hopes, vain fears, and vain wishes. Received by tradition from your fathers - The Jews had innumerable burdens of empty ceremonies and useless ordinances, which they received by tradition from their fathers, rabbins, or doctors. The Gentiles were not less encumbered with such than the Jews; all were wedded to their vanities, because they received them from their forefathers, as they had done from theirs. And this antiquity and tradition have been the ground work of many a vain ceremony and idle pilgrimage, and of numerous doctrines which have nothing to plead in their behalf but this mere antiquity. But such persons seem not to consider that error and sin are nearly coeval with the world itself.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Another motive to reverential, vigilant fear (Pe1 1:17) of displeasing God, the consideration of the costly price of our redemption from sin. Observe, it is we who are bought by the blood of Christ, not heaven. The blood of Christ is not in Scripture said to buy heaven for us: heaven is the "inheritance" (Pe1 1:4) given to us as sons, by the promise of God. corruptible--Compare Pe1 1:7, "gold that perisheth," Pe1 1:23. silver and gold--Greek, "or." Compare Peter's own words, Act 3:6 : an undesigned coincidence. redeemed--Gold and silver being liable to corruption themselves, can free no one from spiritual and bodily death; they are therefore of too little value. Contrast Pe1 1:19, Christ's "precious blood." The Israelites were ransomed with half a shekel each, which went towards purchasing the lamb for the daily sacrifice (Exo 30:12-16; compare Num 3:44-51). But the Lamb who redeems the spiritual Israelites does so "without money or price." Devoted by sin to the justice of God, the Church of the first-born is redeemed from sin and the curse with Christ's precious blood (Mat 20:28; Ti1 2:6; Tit 2:14; Rev 5:9). In all these passages there is the idea of substitution, the giving of one for another by way of a ransom or equivalent. Man is "sold under sin" as a slave; shut up under condemnation and the curse. The ransom was, therefore, paid to the righteously incensed Judge, and was accepted as a vicarious satisfaction for our sin by God, inasmuch as it was His own love as well as righteousness which appointed it. An Israelite sold as a bond-servant for debt might be redeemed by one of his brethren. As, therefore, we could not redeem ourselves, Christ assumed our nature in order to become our nearest of kin and brother, and so our God or Redeemer. Holiness is the natural fruit of redemption "from our vain conversation"; for He by whom we are redeemed is also He for whom we are redeemed. "Without the righteous abolition of the curse, either there could be found no deliverance, or, what is impossible, the grace and righteousness of God must have come in collision" [STEIGER]; but now, Christ having borne the curse of our sin, frees from it those who are made God's children by His Spirit. vain--self-deceiving, unreal, and unprofitable: promising good which it does not perform. Compare as to the Gentiles, Act 14:15; Rom 1:21; Eph 4:17; as to human philosophers, Co1 3:20; as to the disobedient Jews, Jer 4:14. conversation--course of life. To know what our sin is we must know what it cost. received by tradition from your fathers--The Jews' traditions. "Human piety is a vain blasphemy, and the greatest sin that a man can commit" [LUTHER]. There is only one Father to be imitated, Pe1 1:17; compare Mat 23:9, the same antithesis [BENGEL].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Forasmuch as ye know,.... From the Scriptures of truth, by the testimony of the Spirit, by his work upon the soul, and by the application of the benefits of redemption, such as justification, pardon, adoption, and sanctification; see Job 19:25, that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. The redemption of a soul, which is of more worth than a world, requires a greater price than gold and silver; and those who have the largest share thereof, can neither redeem their own souls with it, nor the souls of others. The soul is immortal and incorruptible, but these are corruptible things, which may be cankered, or wear away, and perish by using; and therefore, seeing redemption is not obtained by anything corruptible, nothing corrupt in principle, or practice should be indulged. The allusion is to the redemption of the people of Israel, and of the firstborn, by shekels, Exo 30:12. Gold and silver do not mean pieces of gold and silver, but gold and silver coined; for only by such could redemption of anything be obtained (d) but these are insufficient for the redemption of the soul; which is a deliverance from the slavery of sin, the bondage, curse, and condemnation of the law, the captivity of Satan, and from a state of poverty, having been deep in debt, and sold under sin. It here follows, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; meaning not the corruption of nature, which is propagated from father to son by natural generation, and lies in the vanity of the mind, and is the spring and source of an evil conversation; though the saints, as they are redeemed from all sin, so from this, that it shall not be their condemnation; not Gentilism, which lay in vain philosophy, in idolatry and superstition, and in evil and wicked conversation, encouraged by the example of their ancestors; but Judaism, and either regards the ceremonial law, which was delivered by Moses to the Jewish fathers, and by them handed down to their posterity; and which was vain, as used and abused by them, and was unprofitable to obtain righteousness, life, and salvation by, and therefore was disannulled by Christ, who has redeemed and delivered his people from this yoke of bondage; or rather the traditions of the elders, which our Lord inveighs against, Mat 15:3 &c. and the Apostle Paul was brought up in, and zealous of, before conversion, Gal 1:14 as the Pharisees were. These were the inventions and decrees of them they called "fathers", to whose dogmas and decisions they paid the utmost respect. These made up their oral law, which the Jews say (e) Moses received from Sinai, and delivered to Joshua; and Joshua to the elders; and the elders to the prophets; and the prophets to the men of the great synagogue, the last of which was Simeon the just; and from him it was delivered to another; and so from one to another to the times of Christ and his apostles and afterwards; and which consisted of many vain, useless, and unprofitable things; to walk according to which must be a vain conversation; and the saints now being redeemed by a greater price than that of silver and gold, and which is after mentioned, they ought not therefore to be the servants of men, no, not of these fathers, but of God and Christ, (d) Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Beracot, c. 7. sect. 1. (e) Pirke Abot, c. 1. sect. 1, 2, &c.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:18 A ransom is paid for the release of a captive. Slaves could sometimes pay a ransom and be released from their master. Christ’s death is the price God paid to release people from captivity to sin (1:19).