Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 1:4

"unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you," — 1 Peter 1:4 (ASV)

To an inheritance. Through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, we now cherish the hope of that future inheritance in heaven. On the word inheritance, see Acts 20:32; Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18; Colossians 1:12.

Christians are regarded as the adopted children of God, and heaven is spoken of as their inheritance—as what their Father will bestow on them as the proof of His love.

Incorruptible. It will not fade away and vanish, as that which we inherit in this world does. See the word explained in 1 Corinthians 9:25.

The meaning here is that the inheritance will be imperishable, or will endure for ever. Here, whatever we may inherit, we must soon part with it; there, it will be eternal.

And undefiled. See Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 13:4; James 1:27.

The word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. As applied to an inheritance, it means that it will be pure.

It will not have been obtained by dishonesty, nor will it be held by fraud. It will not be such as will corrupt the soul or tempt to extravagance, sensuality, and lust, as a rich inheritance often does in this world. It will be such that its eternal enjoyment will never tend in any way to defile the heart.

Benson says, "How many estates have been obtained by fraudulent and unjust methods: by poisoning, or in some other way murdering the rightful heir; by cheating helpless orphans; by ruining the fatherless and widows; by oppressing their neighbours, or grinding the faces of the poor, and taking their garments or vineyards from them! But this future inheritance of the saints is stained by none of these vices; it is neither obtained nor detained by any of these methods, nor shall persons polluted with vice have any share in it."

In this world, no one can be heir to an inheritance of gold or houses without danger of soon sinking into indolence, effeminacy, or vice. There, however, the inheritance may be enjoyed for ever, and the soul will continually advance in knowledge, holiness, and the active service of God.

And that fadeth not away. Greek: amaranton. This word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, though the word amarantinov (amarantine) occurs in 1 Peter 5:4, applied to a crown or garland.

The word is properly applied to that which does not fade or wither, in contrast to a flower that fades. It may then denote anything that is enduring. It is applied to the future inheritance of the saints to describe its perpetuity in all its brilliance and splendour, in contrast with the fading nature of all that is earthly.

The idea here, therefore, is not precisely the same as that expressed by the word "incorruptible." Both words indeed denote perpetuity, but "incorruptible" refers to perpetuity in contrast with decay. This word, "amaranton," denotes perpetuity in the sense that everything there will be kept in its original brightness and beauty.

The crown of glory, though worn for millions of ages, will not be dimmed; the golden streets will lose none of their lustre; the flowers that bloom on the banks of the river of life will always be as rich in colour and as fragrant as when we first beheld them.

Reserved in heaven for you. A marginal reading is us. The difference in the textual margin arises from various readings in manuscripts (MSS). The common reading is "for you." The meaning is not materially affected. The idea is that it is an inheritance appointed for us, kept by One who can make it sure to us, and who will certainly bestow it upon us. See Matthew 25:34; John 14:2; Colossians 1:5.