Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Whom (on). Relative referring to Christ just before and accusative case, object of both idontev and agapate (ye love).
Not having seen (ouk idontev). Second aorist active participle of oraw, to see, with ouk rather than mh because it negatives an actual experience in contrast with mh orwntev (though not seeing, hypothetical case). On whom (eiv on) with pisteuontev common construction for "believing on" (pisteuw eiv). It is possible that Peter here has in mind the words of Jesus to Thomas as recorded in John 20:29 ("Happy are those not seeing and yet believing"). Peter was present and heard the words of Jesus to Thomas, and so he could use them before John wrote his Gospel.
Ye rejoice greatly (agalliate). Same form as in verse I Peter 1:6, only active here instead of middle.
With joy (xarai). Instrumental case (manner).
Unspeakable (aneklalhtw). Late and rare double compound verbal (alpha privative and eklalew), here only in N.T., in Dioscorides and Heliodorus, "unutterable," like Paul's "indescribable" (anekdihghtov) gift (II Corinthians 9:15, here alone in N.T.).
Full of glory (dedocasmenh). Perfect passive participle of docazw, to glorify, "glorified joy," like the glorified face of Moses (Exodus 34:29 ff.; II Corinthians 3:10.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Peter 1:8:
John 10:12
John 20:29
1 Peter 1:10
1 Peter 1:13
1 Peter 1:21
1 Peter 4:13
1 Peter 4:13
1 Peter 4:14
2 Peter 1:7
Revelation 19:7
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