1 Peter 1:4-5? what does it mean?

[olivliv]

Hi everyone!
I’m new to the Catholic faith and I’m currently going through RCIA, I also attend a Christian school (it’s a protestant school, but they never say anything against Catholics)
I was studying 1 Peter and chapter 1 verses 4-5 really have me thinking:

1. Unto an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled and that cannot fade, reserved in heaven for you, 5. Who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.
   Douay-Rheims Bible

this confuses me a lot, I was always told that our inheritance of heaven CAN fade if we die in a state of mortal sin, even if we were baptized? And what is the meaning of “are kept by faith unto (in this case i’m guessing it means ‘to’) salvation”? I know we aren’t saved by faith alone but I dont know how i’m supposed to interpret it otherwise?
Thank you in advance to those who help me <3

 

[TheMortenBay]

A Catholic reading of “faith” includes returning to God’s path and a state of grace through the sacraments. We need faith in God and His Church in order to attain heaven. A strong faith keeps you on the narrow path.

 

[Todd_Easton]

From the Catholic Biblical Association’s A Commentary on the New Testament, published in 1942, on 1 Peter 1:3-12:

1, 3-12: Thanksgiving. A doxology comparable to the great rhapsody upon Christian salvation (Eph. 1, 3-14). 3. The living hope of Christians is eternal and divine because: (a) it is founded on divine mercy (Rom. 5, 8-11); (b) its source is the God-man who “dies now no more” (Rom. 6, 9). Furthermore, this hope begets confidence. 4. The essential character of the reward promised by this living hope is its incorruptible inheritance; from the viewpoint of duration it is everlasting (Heb. 9, 15); in view of its character, one undefiled and unfading. 5. This reward depends neither on fortune nor human causes, for the power of God assures it (Matt. 6, 19 f), and the virtue of faith will maintain it through trial and temptation (Phil. 4, 13) ready to be revealed in the last time (7.13). 6. Over this you rejoice: i.e., the prospect of a reward so great (Matt. 25, 34). 7. The Greek text heightens the comparison between the value of gold and faith: gold, though refined by fire, perishes; a tempered faith endures forever. But even as gold must be purified by fire so must faith likewise be tried in “the furnace of humiliation” (cf. Ecclus. 2, 1-5; Prov. 17, 3). The revelation of Jesus Christ refers to the glorious Second Coming of Christ. 8. The readers had not, as St. Peter, seen Christ. 9. The salvation of your souls: this constitutes the reason for their joy unspeakable and triumphant (cp. 1 Cor. 2, 9). 10. The activity of the Old Testament prophets demonstrates the importance of this salvation which is within reach of the readers of the Epistle. 11. Dan. 9, 22-27 foretold the time of its advent; Isa. 9, 1-7; 11, 1-5 and Mich. 5, 2 prophesied its circumstances. The prophecy of salvation disclosed to the people of Israel came by the Spirit of Christ, the eternal Logos ( 1 Cor. 10, 4.9). The fact that Christ, the Son of God, trod this path of sorrow is consoling; His example is inspiring and encouraging. 12. Those who preached the gospel, etc., refers to the events of the first Pentecost (Acts 2 ). Into these things: i.e., the fruition of those graces foretold by the prophets.

 

[stoplooklisten]

Could it be that the inheritance represents treasures beyond salvation? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talked about laying up treasures in heaven. Jesus talked there about rewards for those who pray in secret, fast in secret, give alms in secret. Jesus talked about many mansions or dwellings in the eternal kingdom. 1 Corinthians 3 talks about whether our rewards will be wood, hay, stubble or… gold, silver, precious stones. 2 Peter 1 talks about an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God (in contrast perhaps to just squeaking by and having a less abundant entrance where we are saved but with a less abundant reward).

 

[NeedImprovement]

I see 1 Peter 1:4 as fairly straightforward.

As is presented in @Todd_Easton 's post, 1 Peter 1:4 's reference also suggests to me an inheritance which is not like what we regularly call an inheritance ie. money or property which can rot and/or dissipate over time. Rather, it reminds me of our Blessed Lord’s words:

Mat 6:19-21 [DRV]
“Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.”

 

[NeedImprovement]

@olivliv : Welcome. This is only my own limited opinion, but your “confusion” is actually a good question . . .

this confuses me a lot, I was always told that our inheritance of heaven CAN fade if we die in a state of mortal sin, even if we were baptized? And what is the meaning of “are kept by faith unto (in this case i’m guessing it means ‘to’) salvation”? I know we aren’t saved by faith alone but I dont know how i’m supposed to interpret it otherwise?
Thank you in advance to those who help me

. . . which touches upon the doctrine of predestination. Below is Fr. John Hardon’s definition of predestination from his Modern Catholic Dictionary:

PREDESTINATION. In the widest sense it is every eternal decision of God; in a narrower sense it is the supernatural final destination of rational creatures; and in the strictest sense it is God’s eternal decision to assume certain rational creatures into heavenly glory. Predestination implies an act of the divine intellect and of the divine will. The first is foreknowledge, the second is predestination.

According to its efficacy in time, predestination is distinguished as incomplete or complete depending on whether it is to grace only or also to glory. Complete predestination is the divine preparation of grace in the present life and of glory in the life to come.

This doctrine is proposed by the ordinary and universal teaching of the Church as a truth of revelation. The reality of predestination is clearly attested by St. Paul: “They are the ones he chose especially long ago and intended to become true images of the Son, so that his Son, might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified and with those he justified he shared his glory.” (Romans 8:29-30). All elements of complete predestination are given: the activity of God’s mind and will, and the principal stages of its realization in time.

The main difficulty in the doctrine of predestination is whether God’s eternal decision has been taken with or without consideration of human freedom. Catholic teaching holds that predestination by God does not deny the human free will. Numerous theories have been offered on how to reconcile the two, but all admit with St. Paul (Romans 11:33) that predestination is an unfathomable mystery. (Etym. Latin praedestinatio , a determining beforehand.)

 

[NeedImprovement]

@olivliv:
Would it be correct to assume that your confusion/question might pertain, or relate very closely to the last paragraph of Fr. Hardon’s definition of predestination given in the previous post ?

If it does , then probably the best answer we have is that , as you believe - yes, our own salvation will always be subject to the free will God gave us (otherwise it wouldn’t truly be free) and we are free to reject the Mercy and salvation He offers us but that on the other end of the same rope, predestination also remains an “unfathomable mystery.”
Father Hardon points out, “The main difficulty in the doctrine of predestination is whether God’s eternal decision has been taken with or without consideration of human freedom. Catholic teaching holds that predestination by God does not deny the human free will. Numerous theories have been offered on how to reconcile the two . . .” , which would imply to me that the part we can’t figure out should be a seam, as opposed to a separation.

 

[EndTimes]

In Context from an easier to understand translation…

It’s addressed to those who maintain their Faith - while under persecution

FAITH is the Key…

1. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! The inheritance to which we are born is one that nothing can destroy or spoil or wither. It is kept for you in heaven, and you, because you put your faith in God, are under the protection of his power until salvation comes—the salvation which is even now in readiness and will be revealed at the end of time.
2. This is cause for great joy, even though now you smart for a little while, if need be, under trials of many kinds. Even gold passes through the assayer’s fire, and more precious than perishable gold is faith which has stood the test. These trials come so that your faith may prove itself worthy of all praise, glory, and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
3. You have not seen him, yet you love him; and trusting in him now without seeing him, you are transported with a joy too great for words, while you reap the harvest of your faith, that is, salvation for your souls. This salvation was the theme which the prophets pondered and explored, those who prophesied about the grace of God awaiting you.
4. They tried to find out what was the time, Or: who was the person … and what the circumstances, to which the spirit of Christ in them pointed, foretelling the sufferings in store for Christ and the splendours to follow; and it was disclosed to them that the matter they treated of was not for their time but for yours. And now it has been openly announced to you through preachers who brought you the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things that angels long to see into.