1. 1 Peter 1:4 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does Peter describe the living hope of the reborn life as an “inheritance”?

1 Peter 1:4 (ESV)

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

In the framework of the Old Testament, an inheritance is what sons received when their father died. An inheritance was never earned but freely given from fathers to sons (Proverbs 13:22). More specifically, God promised to give to his covenant people the Promised Land as their inheritance (Deuteronomy 12:9–11; Psalm 105:9–11). In New Testament terms the inheritance God promises is the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9) with its wealth of being kings with Christ and residents of the New Earth (Revelation 21:7), a gift that comes to God’s children through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:12–13). This is the broad and exciting perspective on reality that is characteristic of life outside the this-worldly womb. Talk about opportunity to grow, a privilege to be alive!