1:5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith. This verse stresses both the priority of divine grace and the importance of the human action that results from grace. Faith is the gift of God, but believers are still responsible for exercising that faith, or steadfast trust, in spiritual battle (5:8, 9; Eph. 6:16; Phil. 2:12, 13). The strength of God’s protection is conveyed by means of a military term, here translated “guarded,” signifying vigilant defense of a fortress.

salvation. Here the word means complete and final future deliverance from sin and full enjoyment of eternal glory (v. 9; 4:13, 14; 5:1, 4).

the last time. Christ’s return and the final manifestation of His power and glory.