Bible Strands
1 Peter 1:20
He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Peter writes to scattered believers in Asia Minor, anchoring their redemption (v. 19) and resulting faith in God (v. 21) in a decision that predates creation.
The words — proegnōsmenou (foreknown) and phanerōthentos (having been revealed) form a deliberate pair: hidden in eternity, then made visible in the last times. The particle men…de ("indeed…however") marks the pivot between the two.
The thread — The same "before the foundation of the world" language appears in Ephesians 1:4 (chosen) and Hebrews 9:26 (appeared once for sin); 2 Timothy 1:9 ties the purpose to "the ages before time."
Why it lands — Your salvation is not a response to your circumstances or merit; it is the disclosure of a plan that was already in motion before the world existed.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Cross-references
- Ephesians 1:4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
- 2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
- Hebrews 9:26 Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
- Revelation 13:8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.
- Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
- Hebrews 1:2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
- Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
- Ephesians 3:9 and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
- Ephesians 3:11 according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Colossians 1:26 the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints.