1 Peter 1:3

εὐλογητός. The verbal adjective is recognised, perhaps coined by the LXX as proper to the Benediction of the Name. This usage is reflected in N.T., Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; note Mark 14:61. ὁ θεὸς … ἡμῶν, part of the formula (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3) based on the saying “I ascend to your father and my father, unto your God and my God” (John 20:17). κατὰ τὸ πολὺ ἔλεος, the more elaborate κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ of Ephesians 1:7 (cf. 1 Peter 2:4). ἀναγεννήσας (cf. 1 Peter 1:23). Else the verb only occurs in N.T. as variant to γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν in Old Latin (and Irenæus) text of John 3:5, which prompted St. Peter's Christian use of the word, see especially 1 Peter 1:23. Later it is used to describe the outward sign of baptism (e.g., Justin Apol. i. 51) for the benefit of pagans as to the limitation of worshippers of Isis (Apuleius, Met. xi. 26, ut renatus quodammodo staatim sacrorum obsequio desponderetur). And of Mithras (in aeternum renati). Here the regeneration of the Christian corresponds to the resurrection of Christ (Chrysostom on John) and implies a previous mystical or figurative death to sin see 1Pe 2:24; 1 Peter 3:17 f.; 1 Peter 4:1 which is repeated in the practice of their unnatural virtue (1 Peter 4:1-4). The simple idea of regeneration underlies St. Paul's elaborations of the doctrine of the καινὴ κτίσις. Hort refers to Philo, de incorruptibilitate mundi (ii. 489 M.) where ἀναγέννησις is used for the more usual παλιγγενεσία rebirth of the world of the Stoics. ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν. The omission of the definite article is characteristic of St. Peter. The Hope is a recognised technical term (Acts 23:6, etc.) of the Pharisees, corresponding to בטחרו. ζῶσαν stamps the Christian hope as Divine since life is God's prerogative (cf. 1 Peter 1:23 and the living bread, water of John) and effective (cf. the corresponding use of dead faith, James 2:17; James 2:26). Cf. Sap. 1 Peter 3:4, ἡ δὲ ἐλπὶς αὐτῶν ἀθανασίας πλήρης. διʼ ἀ. with ἀναγεννήσας rather than ζῶσαν : three prepositional clauses are thus attached to ἀ. as to ἐκλεκτοῖς (and ἀπόστολος) in 1 Peter 1:2. The resurrection of Jesus is the means and guarantee of the spiritual resurrection of the Christian (1 Corinthians 15:14; 1 Corinthians 15:17) from the death of the sinful and fleshly life.