What does "perishable things" in 1 Peter 1:18 refer to in our lives? Text in Focus “For you know that it was not with perishable things like silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:18–19 What “Perishable” Means • Greek phthartos — subject to decay, corruption, disappearance • Anything time can erode, moths can chew, rust can corrode, or markets can devalue (Matthew 6:19) Then and Now • In Peter’s day: literal silver or gold used to purchase slaves’ freedom • Today: every earthly asset or achievement we lean on for meaning, security, or status Perishable Things in Everyday Life 1. Money and possessions • Savings, investments, real estate, gadgets • Proverbs 23:5 — “…sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.” 2. Social status and reputation • Titles, follower counts, likes, awards • Galatians 1:10 — “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?” 3. Traditions and cultural heritage • Family pedigree, national pride, denominational labels • Mark 7:8 — “Setting aside the command of God for the tradition of men.” 4. Personal achievements • Degrees, career milestones, athletic trophies • Ecclesiastes 2:11 — “All was vanity and chasing after the wind.” 5. Physical beauty, health, and youth • Fitness regimens, cosmetic fixes, longevity quests • 1 Peter 1:24 — “All flesh is like grass… the grass withers.” 6. Intellectual brilliance and eloquence • Knowledge, clever arguments, cutting-edge ideas • 1 Corinthians 1:19 — “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise.” Why None of These Can Redeem • They wear out (Isaiah 51:6) • They cannot cleanse a guilty conscience (Hebrews 9:9) • They perish with the using (Colossians 2:22) • Their price tag is finite; our sin debt is infinite The Imperishable Alternative • “The precious blood of Christ” — incorruptible, sufficient, final (Hebrews 9:12) • An “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” inheritance kept in heaven (1 Peter 1:4) • We are “born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23) Living Differently Because of This Truth • Hold possessions loosely; steward them for eternal gain (Luke 12:33) • Seek treasures that cannot be stolen or spoiled (Matthew 6:20) • Anchor identity in Christ, not résumé or reputation (Philippians 3:8) • Invest time in people and the gospel, which outlast every economy (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20) • Measure success by faithfulness, not by numbers or applause (1 Corinthians 4:2) In Summary “Perishable things” are anything material or temporal we might trust for redemption, significance, or security. They cannot save because they expire, but Christ’s blood and the life He grants are forever. |
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