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:
1 Peter 1:8 nkjv
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:8 niv
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
1 Peter 1:8 esv
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
1 Peter 1:8 nlt
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
1 Peter 1 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 20:29 | "Jesus said... Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." | Believing without physical sight. |
| 2 Cor 5:7 | "For we walk by faith, not by sight." | Principle of living by faith in the unseen. |
| Heb 11:1 | "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." | Definition of faith concerning the unseen. |
| Heb 11:27 | "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." | Moses' faith in the invisible God. |
| Col 1:3-4 | "We give thanks to God... since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints," | Love and faith are closely linked. |
| Eph 3:17 | "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love," | Christ dwelling by faith, rooted in love. |
| 1 Jn 4:19 | "We love him, because he first loved us." | Our love for Christ is a response to His love. |
| Ps 16:11 | "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." | Fulness of joy in God's presence. |
| Ps 21:6 | "For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance." | God as the source of exceeding joy. |
| Neh 8:10 | "The joy of the LORD is your strength." | God-given joy provides strength. |
| Rom 15:13 | "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." | Joy and peace through believing, by the Spirit. |
| Gal 5:22 | "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," | Joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. |
| Phil 4:4 | "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." | Command to continually rejoice in the Lord. |
| Hab 3:18 | "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." | Rejoicing in God despite circumstances. |
| Ps 43:4 | "Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God." | God is the source of exceeding joy. |
| 1 Cor 2:9 | "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." | Future blessings surpass human comprehension, connected to loving God. |
| 1 Jn 3:2 | "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." | Future seeing and glorification. |
| Rom 8:18 | "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." | Present suffering contrasted with future glory. |
| Rom 8:30 | "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." | Believers' destiny includes glorification. |
| 2 Cor 3:18 | "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." | Transformation into glory through beholding the Lord. |
| Jude 1:24 | "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy," | Presented before God's glory with exceeding joy. |
1 Peter 1 verses
1 Peter 1 8 Meaning
1 Peter 1:8 describes the profound and paradoxical experience of believers. Though they have never physically seen Jesus Christ, they hold Him in deep affection and trust Him implicitly. This spiritual perception and faith in an unseen Savior result in an extraordinary, overflowing joy that transcends human expression and is imbued with divine glory, foreshadowing their ultimate glorification.
1 Peter 1 8 Context
First Peter is addressed to "elect exiles of the Dispersion" (1 Pet 1:1), Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor, facing trials and persecution. The preceding verses (1 Pet 1:3-7) establish their "living hope" through the resurrection of Christ and an "inheritance incorruptible," being kept by God's power through faith for salvation. This hope sustains them through present suffering. Verse 8 describes the spiritual reality and experience of these believers amidst their trials: their active love, faith, and joy in an unseen Savior, which provides assurance and strength. It contrasts their physical distance from Christ with their spiritual closeness and the glorious outcome of their faith.
1 Peter 1 8 Word analysis
- Whom having not seen (Ὃν οὐκ ἰδόντες - Hon ouk idontes): This highlights the fundamental nature of Christian faith—it is not based on physical perception but on spiritual revelation and conviction. This stands in stark contrast to worldly validation, which often demands empirical evidence. The paradox emphasizes that Christ's presence and reality are not bound by earthly limitations.
- ye love (ἀγαπᾶτε - agapate): The verb is in the present active indicative, denoting an ongoing, volitional, and deep-seated affection. Agapē love in the Bible is a self-sacrificial, benevolent love, distinct from mere emotional attachment. It signifies a choice and commitment to Christ as the ultimate object of devotion, driven by His prior love for them (1 Jn 4:19).
- in whom (εἰς ὃν - eis hon): This phrase indicates the direction or object of their belief and is closely connected to the act of believing into Him, suggesting intimate union and reliance.
- though now ye see him not (ἄρτι μὴ ὁρῶντες - arti mē horontes): Reinforces the absence of physical sight, emphasizing the present reality. This acknowledges the challenge of believing without seeing but asserts its spiritual validity and power. It implicitly prepares for the future when they will see Him (1 Jn 3:2).
- yet believing (πιστεύοντες - pisteuontes): A present active participle, denoting a continuous act of trusting, relying, and having faith. This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a profound commitment of one's whole being to Christ, active despite the lack of physical evidence.
- ye rejoice (ἀγαλλιᾶσθε - agalliasthe): This word signifies an exultant, leaping joy, often expressing enthusiastic celebration and triumph, especially in relation to God's salvation. It is more intense than simple happiness and is indicative of divine gladness, an internal, spiritual outburst.
- with joy unspeakable (χαρᾷ ἀνεκλαλήτῳ - chara aneklalētō): "Joy" (chara) refers to a deep, abiding inner gladness, a divine gift. "Unspeakable" (aneklalētō) means "not to be spoken out," "inexpressible," "beyond human words." This highlights the supernatural quality and immense magnitude of the joy; it surpasses the capacity of language to describe fully, hinting at its heavenly origin.
- and full of glory (καὶ δεδοξασμένῃ - kai dedoxasmenē): Literally "and glorified" or "joy glorified." The joy itself is infused with or possesses divine glory. This links the present spiritual experience with the future state of glorification. It's a foretaste of the future reality when believers will fully share in Christ's glory (Rom 8:18, 30).
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Whom having not seen, ye love... though now ye see him not, yet believing": This passage elegantly frames the core Christian paradox. It underscores that spiritual reality supersedes physical perception. True Christian love and faith are directed toward a person (Christ) who is currently unseen, highlighting the unique nature of their relationship with Him, grounded in faith rather than sight.
- "ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory": This phrase describes the extraordinary fruit of such love and faith. The joy is not a superficial emotion but an internal, divine gift, so profound that it defies human description and carries within it the very essence of divine glory. It bridges the gap between present suffering and future triumph.
1 Peter 1 8 Bonus section
- The present tense verbs ("love," "see not," "believing," "rejoice") emphasize the continuous, living reality of this Christian experience. It's not a one-time event but an ongoing dynamic in the life of a believer.
- The paradox of "seeing Him not, yet loving and believing" implies a form of spiritual vision that transcends physical sight, often attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit who reveals Christ to believers (Jn 16:14, 1 Cor 2:10).
- This verse counters a worldview that demands tangible, visible evidence for belief and worth, pointing instead to the profound reality of a spiritual connection with God.
- The "glory" connected to the joy anticipates the future "glory" believers will inherit and share with Christ, serving as both an earnest and a confirmation of that destiny (1 Pet 5:10).
1 Peter 1 8 Commentary
1 Peter 1:8 vividly portrays the dynamic Christian experience as believers navigate life without the physical presence of Jesus Christ. Despite not having seen Him with their eyes, their hearts are filled with profound agapē love for Him. This love is intertwined with an unwavering faith—a trust and conviction in His reality and salvific work even when unseen. The immediate consequence and testament to this faith and love is an exultant, overflowing joy. This joy is not a mere emotional state but a profound, spiritual experience; it's unspeakable, defying linguistic articulation, hinting at its divine origin and depth. Furthermore, it is full of glory, suggesting that this present joy is not just a personal feeling but an participation in, and a reflection of, Christ's own glory, providing a taste of the future glorification promised to believers. This verse serves as a powerful encouragement to early Christians enduring trials, reminding them that their internal spiritual blessings far outweigh any external adversities, cementing their identity and hope in Christ.