1 Peter 1:25 kjv
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter 1:25 nkjv
But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:25 niv
but the word of the Lord endures forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:25 esv
but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:25 nlt
But the word of the Lord remains forever."
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 40:8 | The grass withers... but the word of our God will stand forever. | Direct quote and source for 1 Pet 1:25. |
| Ps 119:89 | Your word, O Lord, is forever; it is firm in the heavens. | Emphasizes the eternal nature and stability of God's word. |
| Ps 119:160 | The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. | Highlights the enduring truthfulness and longevity of God's commands. |
| Matt 5:18 | For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. | Affirmation of the enduring nature of God's revealed law by Christ. |
| Matt 24:35 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. | Christ's words, identifying with God's word, are eternal. |
| Mark 13:31 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. | Similar to Matt 24:35, asserting the permanence of Christ's teachings. |
| Luke 21:33 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. | Confirms the enduring authority and nature of Jesus's words. |
| Isa 55:10-11 | For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven... so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty. | God's word is effective and accomplishes its purpose, not returning void. |
| Ps 33:11 | The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. | God's purposes and intentions, inherent in His word, are eternal. |
| Ps 102:12 | But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations. | Connects God's eternal nature with the endurance of His name/character. |
| Mal 3:6 | For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. | God's unchangeable nature undergirds the permanence of His word. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword... | Describes the dynamic and penetrating power of God's word. |
| Heb 13:8 | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. | Christ's immutability reflects the unchanging nature of God's truth. |
| Jam 1:17 | Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above... with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. | God is unchangeable, which means His word is steadfast. |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. | Affirms the divine origin and perpetual usefulness of Scripture. |
| 2 Pet 3:10-13 | ...the heavens will pass away with a roar... but according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth... | Contrasts the destruction of the physical world with the certainty of God's promises. |
| Jn 1:1 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. | Identifies Jesus as the eternal Logos, the ultimate embodiment of God's revelation. |
| 1 Pet 1:23 | ...having been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. | Immediate context, stating that believers' new birth is by this imperishable word. |
| Rom 10:17 | So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. | Emphasizes the role of the preached word in generating faith. |
| Jer 1:12 | ...for I am watching over my word to perform it. | God actively ensures the fulfillment and endurance of His spoken word. |
| 1 Jn 2:14 | ...you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. | The word indwelling believers gives them strength and victory. |
1 Peter 1 verses
1 Peter 1 25 Meaning
The word of the Lord in 1 Peter 1:25 declares the enduring, unchanging, and eternal nature of God's divine utterance or revealed truth. This stands in stark contrast to the temporary and fading quality of all human existence and accomplishments, which the preceding verse likens to grass that withers. It assures believers of the unwavering foundation of their faith and new birth in the unfailing message of the Gospel, providing an unshakeable source of hope and stability in a fleeting world.
1 Peter 1 25 Context
First Peter is an epistle written by the apostle Peter to scattered Christians, referred to as "exiles" or "sojourners" (1 Pet 1:1), primarily facing various trials and persecutions in Asia Minor. The overall theme revolves around Christian hope, holy living, and patient endurance amidst suffering, all founded on the reality of salvation in Christ.
Within chapter 1, Peter extensively expounds on the profound nature of their salvation – a living hope received through faith, secured by God's power, and tested by trials. He emphasizes that their salvation, revealed at the end of time, is a priceless gift purchased by the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18-19). Verses 22-23 pivot to the means of their transformation, stating that they have purified their souls by their obedience to the truth, leading to sincere brotherly love, and importantly, have been "born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God."
Verse 24 then highlights the transient nature of human life and glory, quoting Isaiah 40:6-7: "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass; the grass withers, and the flower falls." Verse 25 serves as the powerful antithetical conclusion, contrasting this fleeting human existence with the eternal stability and unchanging power of God's word, thereby grounding the "imperishable seed" of their new birth in an immutable divine reality.
1 Peter 1 25 Word analysis
- but (δὲ - de): This particle signals a strong contrast or antithesis. It highlights the stark difference between the perishable nature of human life described in the preceding verse and the enduring nature of God's word that follows.
- the word (τὸ ῥῆμα - to rhēma): Refers to a specific utterance or spoken declaration from God. While "logos" (λόγος) can denote a broader concept of word, reason, or even a person, rhēma typically points to a specific divine statement, a pronouncement, or the message proclaimed. Here, it refers to the revealed word of God, particularly the Gospel, which brought about their new birth (1 Pet 1:23).
- of the Lord (Κυρίου - Kyriou): Signifies that the word originates from God Himself. "Lord" (Kyrios) conveys divine authority, sovereignty, and power. This underscores that the enduring nature of the word stems directly from the eternal, unchanging character of its divine Author.
- remains (μένει - menei): This verb means to abide, endure, continue, or stay. It is in the present active indicative tense, emphasizing an ongoing and perpetual state of existence. It denotes steadfastness, stability, and immutability. Unlike perishable things, God's word does not wither or fall away.
- forever (εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα - eis ton aiōna): This phrase expresses an infinite duration, into eternity, for all ages. It emphasizes absolute and unending permanence. It extends the enduring quality of God's word beyond any temporal boundary, making it a source of absolute certainty.
Words-group analysis:
- "but the word of the Lord": This phrase clearly distinguishes God's utterance from anything human or created. It designates the specific, divinely authored message as the subject, endowing it with inherent authority and eternal significance because it flows from the eternal Lord.
- "remains forever": This unit conveys the absolute and timeless durability of God's truth. It is a profound declaration of immutability and steadfastness. It stands as an unshakeable bedrock for faith, offering certainty and stability regardless of changing circumstances or the transient nature of earthly things.
1 Peter 1 25 Bonus section
The quoted phrase from Isaiah 40:8 ("the word of our God will stand forever") in 1 Peter 1:25 directly relates to the broader prophetic context of comfort and assurance for Israel after exile, emphasizing God's steadfastness. Peter applies this ancient prophetic truth directly to the Gospel preached to his New Testament audience, highlighting the continuity of God's unchanging nature and the eternal power of His saving word. The term rhēma here particularly resonates with the preached gospel, the specific spoken message through which new birth occurs (v.23). Thus, 1 Peter 1:25 emphasizes that the power and efficacy of the gospel message are guaranteed by its divine, eternal origin, providing unshakeable confidence in its ability to bring about and sustain salvation.
1 Peter 1 25 Commentary
First Peter 1:25 provides a foundational truth for believers experiencing trials: their salvation and hope are rooted not in fleeting human circumstances or promises, but in the immutable, eternal word of God. Peter strategically quotes Isaiah 40:8 to underscore this point. Just as all "flesh is like grass," subject to decay and dissolution, so are all human endeavors, glories, and assurances. In contrast, the rhēma Kyriou, the specific, preached, divine declaration of the Lord, stands firm. This is the living and enduring word by which believers have been "born again" (v.23). This divine truth offers unparalleled comfort, knowing that the foundation of one's faith and the promise of salvation cannot be shaken by persecution, suffering, or the passage of time. It reinforces the authority, reliability, and ultimate triumph of God's message, which continues to shape and sustain believers throughout history, serving as their constant guide and comfort.