1 Peter 1:8
What does 1 Peter 1:8 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 1:8 means
Though his readers have never seen Jesus, they love him. Though they do not now see him, they believe, and this faith yields “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Such joy is not shallow excitement but a Spirit-given delight rooted in Christ’s worth. Faith bridges the gap between absence and presence, sight and promise. In suffering, love for the unseen Savior becomes vivid, and joy arises that words cannot fully capture. This verse honors the reality of a relationship with Christ that is personal and transforming, even apart from physical sight, and it strengthens believers to endure until the day they do see him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To whom your love is given, though you have not seen him; and the faith which you have in him, though you do not see him now, gives you joy greater than words and full of glory:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862whom, not having seen, ye love, in whom, now not seeing and believing, ye are glad with joy unspeakable and glorified,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whom having not seen, you love: in whom also now though you see him not, you believe and, believing, shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified;
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890whom, having not seen, ye love; on whom [though] not now looking, but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with [the] glory,
Context
After addressing the testing of faith (v. 7), Peter celebrates the living relationship believers have with Jesus now. This unseen love and believing joy point directly to the outcome described in verse 9—the salvation of their souls—and back to the revelation of Jesus Christ anticipated in verses 7 and 13. It affirms that present Christian experience already tastes the future glory.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
- John 16:22
And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.
- Hebrews 11:27
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
- John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.
- Romans 14:17
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 16:22
If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.
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