John Calvin Commentary 1 Peter 1:21

"who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God." — 1 Peter 1:21 (ASV)

Who believe The manifestation of Christ does not refer to all indiscriminately but belongs only to those on whom he shines through the Gospel. But we must notice the words, Who by him believe in God: here, what faith is, is briefly expressed. For, since God is incomprehensible, faith could never reach him unless it had an immediate regard to Christ.

Indeed, there are two reasons why faith could not be in God unless Christ intervened as a Mediator. First, the greatness of divine glory must be taken into account, and at the same time, the littleness of our capacity. Our acuteness is undoubtedly very far from being capable of ascending so high as to comprehend God.

Therefore, all knowledge of God without Christ is a vast abyss that immediately swallows up all our thoughts. We find clear proof of this not only in the Turks and the Jews, who instead of God worship their own dreams, but also in the Papists. Common is that axiom of the schools: that God is the object of faith.

Thus, overlooking Christ, they speculate extensively and with refinement about hidden majesty; but with what success? They entangle themselves in astounding absurdities, so that there is no end to their wanderings. For faith, as they think, is nothing but an imaginative speculation. Let us, therefore, remember that Christ is not called in vain the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15); but this name is given to him for this reason: because God cannot be known except in him.

The second reason is that, though faith unites us to God, we shun and dread every approach to him, unless a Mediator comes who can deliver us from fear. For sin, which reigns in us, makes us hateful to God and him to us. Therefore, as soon as God is mentioned, we are necessarily filled with dread; and if we approach him, his justice is like fire, which will completely consume us.

Therefore, it is evident that we cannot believe in God except through Christ, in whom God, in a way, makes himself little, so that he might accommodate himself to our comprehension. And it is Christ alone who can tranquillize consciences, so that we may dare to approach God with confidence.

That raised him up from the dead—He adds that Christ was raised from the dead so that their faith and hope, by which they are supported, might have a firm foundation.

And by this, the interpretation concerning universal and indiscriminate faith in God is again refuted. For if Christ had not been resurrected, God would still remain in heaven. But Peter says that God would not have been believed in unless Christ had risen. It is therefore evident that faith is something other than beholding the naked majesty of God. And Peter rightly speaks in this manner, for it is the nature of faith to penetrate to heaven, so that it may find the Father there. How could it do so, unless it had Christ as a leader?

By him, says Paul, we have confidence of access (Ephesians 3:12).

It is also said in Hebrews 4:16 that, relying on our High Priest, we can come with confidence to the throne of grace. Hope is the anchor of the soul, which enters into the inner part of the sanctuary; but not without Christ going before (Hebrews 6:19). Faith is our victory against the world (1 John 5:4). And what makes it victorious, unless it is that Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth, has us under his guardianship and protection?

Since, then, our salvation depends on the resurrection of Christ and his supreme power, faith and hope find in this what can support them. For, if he had not triumphed over death by rising again, and did not now hold the highest sovereignty to protect us by his power, what would become of us, exposed as we are to the great power of our enemies and to such violent attacks? Let us, therefore, learn toward what target we ought to direct our aim, so that we may truly believe in God.