1 Peter 1:4 kjv

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:4 nkjv

to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:4 niv

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:4 esv

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:4 nlt

and we have a priceless inheritance ? an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

1 Peter 1 verses

1 Peter 1 4 Meaning

This verse describes the nature and security of the believer's inheritance. It is presented as an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance, actively preserved by God in heaven for His people. This secure hope contrasts sharply with all earthly inheritances, which are prone to decay, defilement, and eventual loss. It establishes a firm foundation for the "living hope" born of the new birth.

1 Peter 1 4 Context

This verse (1 Pet 1:4) stands as the culminating point of the doxology (1 Pet 1:3-5) initiated by Peter after the salutation. Following the declaration of God’s great mercy and the new birth through Christ’s resurrection into a "living hope," this verse details the object and character of that hope: a glorious, secure inheritance. Peter is writing to scattered believers (the elect exiles of the Dispersion, 1 Pet 1:1), who are undergoing various trials and persecutions (1 Pet 1:6). In this context, describing a divine, secure, and perfect inheritance "reserved in heaven" offers profound comfort and solidifies their perseverance amidst earthly suffering. It directly counters the uncertainty and fragility of life in the Roman Empire, where inheritances could be confiscated, lost to corruption, or simply decay over time. The focus is shifted from their temporary earthly plight to their permanent heavenly destiny, assuring them of God’s complete provision and ultimate triumph.

1 Peter 1 4 Word analysis

• To (εἰς, eis): Preposition indicating destination or purpose; the inheritance is what the living hope directs towards.
• an inheritance (κληρονομίαν, klēronomian): The term refers to a share or portion of what one inherits, a possession passed down. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently denotes Israel's promised land or the spiritual blessings of God's covenant people. Here, it is not earthly land or wealth, but a heavenly, spiritual legacy bestowed by God. It implies participation in God's eternal blessing, much like an heir receiving their full portion.
• incorruptible (ἄφθαρτον, aphtharton): From a (negative particle) and phthartos (corruptible, perishable). Signifies impervious to decay, ruin, or destruction. It will never diminish in value or cease to exist, unlike earthly possessions which decay (e.g., Mt 6:19-20). This quality points to eternity and perfect preservation.
• and (καί, kai): A simple conjunction connecting distinct but related attributes.
• undefiled (ἀμίαντον, amianton): From a (negative particle) and miainō (to defile, stain). Means untarnished, unpolluted, unstained. This inheritance is perfectly pure, free from moral defilement, sin, or any imperfection that taints earthly things (e.g., Rev 21:27). It denotes both spiritual and moral purity, indicating a complete absence of anything that could corrupt its essence.
• and (καί, kai): Another connective conjunction.
• unfading (ἀμάραντον, amaranton): From a (negative particle) and marainō (to fade, wither). Describes something that will never wither, fade, or lose its freshness or luster. It suggests enduring beauty, vigor, and glory. Unlike earthly beauty or crowns of perishable laurels (1 Pet 5:4), this inheritance retains its splendor perpetually. The amaranth flower, a mythical flower believed to never fade, likely influenced this Greek term, emphasizing eternal vibrancy.
• reserved (τετηρημένην, tetērēmenēn): This is a perfect passive participle of tēreō, meaning "to guard, keep, observe." The perfect tense indicates a completed action with continuing results—it has been and remains guarded. The passive voice emphasizes that it is God who is doing the reserving and keeping, ensuring its security. This action guarantees the inheritance's inviolability and assures its delivery.
• in heaven (ἐν οὐρανοῖς, en ouranois): Specifies the location of this inheritance. Its placement in heaven ensures its incorruptibility, undefiled nature, and unfading glory, as heaven is beyond the reach of earthly forces of decay, defilement, or destruction (Col 3:1-2). It signifies a transcendent, divine reality, wholly secured by God Himself.
• for you (εἰς ὑμᾶς, eis hymas): A deeply personal phrase, indicating that this inheritance is specifically prepared and intended for the believers, the very recipients of Peter’s letter. It underscores God's personal commitment and intentional provision for each of His elect.

• An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading: This group of three negative adjectives strongly emphasizes the transcendent nature of the inheritance, presenting a powerful contrast with all earthly possessions. Earthly inheritances are susceptible to decay (phthartos), contamination (miainō), and fading glory (marainō). By defining what the heavenly inheritance is not, Peter magnifies its absolute and enduring perfection.
• Reserved in heaven for you: This phrase confirms the security and divine provenance of the inheritance. It's not subject to earthly fluctuations, economic downturns, or theft, but kept safe by God's own power. The specific mention "for you" reiterates God's particular grace and foresight for His chosen ones, assuring them of its certain bestowal.

1 Peter 1 4 Bonus section

This verse implies the concept of God's direct sovereignty and providence, as He is the One actively "reserving" or "guarding" this inheritance. It forms a powerful anchor for the believer's living hope (1 Pet 1:3), establishing the concrete object of that hope. The perfection of this inheritance aligns with the holiness and glory of God, affirming that only what is eternally perfect and pure can exist in His presence and be His ultimate gift to His children. This verse also lays the groundwork for understanding the believer's future glory, providing assurance that whatever challenges they face on earth, their ultimate destiny is secure and glorious beyond measure, reflecting God's unfailing love and power.

1 Peter 1 4 Commentary

Peter's description of the believer's inheritance is profoundly comforting and foundational to Christian hope. It is not merely a future blessing but a presently guaranteed reality, its security established by God Himself. The three descriptive adjectives – incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading – stand in sharp opposition to everything earthly. Earthly possessions degrade, are contaminated by sin, and eventually lose their beauty or value. This heavenly inheritance, by contrast, is eternal, morally pure, and perpetually glorious, echoing the very character of God. The phrase "reserved in heaven" signifies its divine safekeeping, beyond human intervention or earthly threats. It is held securely by God, ready for the rightful heirs, His elect. This assured future motivates enduring faith and provides steadfast hope for those experiencing trials, reminding them that their ultimate reward transcends their current sufferings and the transient nature of the world. For practical usage, this truth should shift our focus from temporary gratifications or worries to eternal realities. For example, like someone investing in an unbreakable, priceless treasure account in an unreachable, perfectly secure bank, believers can rest assured that their ultimate inheritance cannot be touched by worldly economic crashes, political instability, or physical decay. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, investing our lives in that which endures, rather than in that which perishes.