-Precious Gems Today

 Precious Gems Today

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The world’s largest gem diamond is known as the Cullinan. It was found in 1905 in the Premier Mine in the Republic of South Africa. It weighed 1306 carats - over 250 grams! Recognizing its great value, the government of Transvaal purchased the stone and presented it to King Edward VII of England. It was certainly a most valuable treasure. Anyone familiar with Peter’s letters will remember that the word “precious” appears several times. The English word “precious” is actually used for four different Greek words. One of these is timé (1 Pet. 2:7). Christ is “precious” to those who believe in Him. The word speaks of value placed upon something; it is also rendered “honor” in three places, (1 Pet. 1:7; 3:7; 2 Pet. 1:17). The other words translated as “precious” are all related to timé. A similar word, timios, meaning costly or valuable, is found three times in Peter’s writings. A study of these verses can be a great blessing, for we discover in them things of inestimable value.

PRECIOUS FAITH
The first verse where timios ¹ is found is 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV): “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire.” Gold is proved genuine when tested by fire. Pyrite looks like gold and is sometimes called “fool’s gold.” Experts are not deceived by this pale brassy yellow mineral. Pyrite is usually mined for its sulphur, and its true nature is seen when it is “tried with fire.” In this verse Peter is concerned with something “much more precious” than gold – our faith. Gold can be placed in a furnace for an extended time and withstand very high temperatures, but it will not increase in size or in value. However, when a believer passes through the furnace of affliction, his faith is multiplied and strengthened, and its true value is seen.

After the Cullinan diamond was discovered, it was handed to an expert craftsman in Amsterdam, Holland. For weeks he studied its design and produced diagrams of its structure. Eventually, using special tools, with one hard blow he broke it in two. A wasteful act of destruction? Not at all. This lapidary (cutter of precious stones) knew what he was doing, and his single blow multiplied this treasure’s value. From those two halves, nine large diamonds and 96 smaller stones were produced. The rough, uncut stone contained those precious jewels that only the expert could see.

In a similar way we are “living stones” (1 Pet. 2:5) in God’s hands. He wants to fashion us into objects of beauty that will glorify His Son. The blow that strikes us may be painful, and the fires of testing may be hard to endure, but God’s purpose is that the believer’s faith “might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7). The trial of our faith is “much more precious” than gold tried in intense heat. When we find ourselves in the furnace of affliction, we must patiently trust our God who works all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11) and always does that which is for our ultimate good.

PRECIOUS BLOOD
The second time Peter uses timios is in 1 Peter 1:19 where he refers to “the precious blood of Christ.” Once again we find gold brought into the comparison. Our redemption, Peter tells us, is not with “silver and gold” which are “corruptible.”

In the Old Testament, atonement money was paid by the Israelites (Ex. 30:11-16), but by Peter’s day Judaism had degenerated into mere tradition. The redemption Peter wrote about is altogether different, for it is “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19). John the Baptist had pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). In Him no “blemish” or “spot” could be found. His life was perfect. That sinless life was to be laid down, bringing to an end the animal sacrifices which had been required under the Law. Through His blood which was shed, eternal redemption has been obtained (Heb. 9:12). In heaven He is worshiped as the One who has redeemed people from every nation by His blood (Rev. 5:9).

How precious is that blood to those who believe! Considering the price of our redemption, our one desire now should be to please Him by living “holy” lives (1 Pet. 1:16) that bring glory to our Father.

PRECIOUS PROMISES
The third use of timios is in 2 Peter 1:1. Writing to those who have “obtained like precious faith,” Peter unfolds the bountiful provisions that God has supplied for His people.² He then reveals that “exceeding great and precious promises” have been given us (2 Pet. 1:4). These promises relate to what God is going to do for us. We have become “partakers of the divine nature” by which we are able to escape “the corruption that is in the world through lust.” God has not only given us a new life but also all the resources necessary to maintain it. When we know the One who “called us to glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3), we can appreciate His promises.

These promises are not just “great” but “exceeding great” (2 Pet. 1:4). Although Peter does not enumerate them, they are all connected with the Lord’s second coming and what God will do for us then. Being connected with such an event, they are certainly “precious” to us! John tells us that “when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2). These promises, like the precious blood, have eternal value. We ought to search out and rejoice in this “treasure” (Gen. 43:23).

ALL BECAUSE …
One other related word, found twice in 1 Peter 2, is entimos, meaning “valued.” Both times this word, translated “precious,” refers to Christ, the “living stone” and the “chief corner stone” (1 Pet. 2:4,6). Although rejected by ungodly men, Christ was chosen of God and is “precious” to Him. We, who by grace believe in the Lord Jesus, find Him precious too. All our blessings come from Him. Our “precious” faith and the “precious promises” that have been given to us are both on account of His “precious blood” that was shed at Calvary. No wonder we’ll praise Him eternally!

END NOTES
1. Some manuscripts use a comparative here: polutimoteros. Hence, “much more precious.”
2. Here “precious” (2 Pet. 1:1) is isotimos – faith equal to Peter’s “like precious faith.”

With permission to publish by: Sam Hadley, Grace & Truth, 210 Chestnut St., Danville, IL., USA. Website: www.gtpress.org

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By Martin Girard