1 peter 1:20 - who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake,

Generated Verse: 1 peter 1:20

What does "1 peter 1:20" mean?


This verse, 1 Peter 1:20, speaks about Jesus Christ and his role in God's plan of salvation. Let's break it down:

"who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world": This phrase emphasizes the pre-existence of Christ and God's eternal plan. "Foreknown" suggests that God knew and planned for Jesus' coming as the Messiah from the very beginning, even before creation. It implies that Jesus wasn't just an afterthought, but a central part of God's design for redeeming humanity.

"but was revealed in this last age for your sake": This contrasts with the previous phrase. While Jesus was known to God eternally, he was revealed (or made manifest) in the "last age." The "last age" (or "last times," "last days") refers to the period from Jesus' first coming to his second coming. This is the age in which the readers of Peter's letter were living, and it is the age we still live in today. The revelation of Jesus was for their (and our) sake, meaning that his coming, his life, death, and resurrection, were all done to benefit humanity, specifically for salvation.

In essence, the verse is saying:

God had a plan from eternity involving Jesus Christ.
Jesus was revealed in history, specifically during the time the readers were living in (and we are still living in).
This revelation was for their benefit - to provide salvation and redemption.

Key takeaways:

Pre-existence of Christ: Jesus isn't just a historical figure; he existed with God before creation.
God's Sovereign Plan: Salvation is part of God's eternal plan, not a reaction to human actions.
Revelation: Jesus' appearance on earth was a deliberate and timely revelation of God's plan.
Salvation: The purpose of Jesus' revelation was to bring salvation to those who believe.

The verse is meant to give Christians assurance and hope. It reminds them that their salvation isn't accidental, but part of God's carefully orchestrated plan that has been in place since before the beginning of time. It highlights the significance of the time they live in, and emphasizes the importance of Jesus Christ in their lives.