1 Peter1

Peter addresses the scattered elect, blessing God for their new birth into a living hope and an incorruptible inheritance through Christ's resurrection. He encourages them to rejoice in their salvation despite trials, which refine their faith. Believers are exhorted to live holy lives, redeemed by Christ's precious blood, and to love one another. Their spiritual rebirth is by the enduring Word of God.

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Salutation and Greeting

¶ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

A Living Hope and Heavenly Inheritance

¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

¶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The Prophets Foretold This Salvation

¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

A Call to Holiness and Obedience

¶ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Fervent Love and the Eternal Word

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

¶ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Study Notes for 1 Peter 1

Verse 1

Peter addresses Jewish and Gentile Christians scattered across the Roman provinces of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). They are identified as 'strangers scattered' (Gk. *parepidēmois*), emphasizing their identity as temporary residents or exiles in the world.

Verse 2

This verse presents a concise Trinitarian summary of salvation: election is rooted in the Father’s foreknowledge, implemented by the sanctification of the Spirit, and results in obedience through the saving work (blood) of the Son.

Verse 3

Peter opens with a doxology, praising God for the 'new birth' (regeneration). This new life is described as a 'lively hope,' meaning it is active, dynamic, and secured by the historical reality of Christ’s resurrection.

Verse 4

The inheritance is contrasted with earthly wealth. It is 'incorruptible' (not subject to decay), 'undefiled' (not stained by sin), and 'fadeth not away' (eternal), highlighting its absolute security in heaven.

Verse 5

This verse assures believers that while they await the final salvation, they are actively protected and guarded (*phroureō*, a military term) by God's own power, which works through their faith.

Verse 6

The reality of Christian joy is not negated by suffering, but exists alongside it. Believers are commanded to rejoice in their hope, even while they experience temporary 'heaviness' (grief or distress) due to trials.

Verse 7

The purpose of trials is not destruction, but purification. Like gold refined by fire, the genuine nature of faith is proven through testing, leading ultimately to divine approval and glory when Christ returns.

Verse 10

Peter emphasizes the continuity between the Old Testament and the New. The salvation now enjoyed by believers was the very subject of intense study and inquiry by the ancient prophets.

Verse 11

The prophets, though they spoke of the Messiah, did not fully understand the timing of the two phases of Christ’s work: the 'sufferings of Christ' (crucifixion) and the 'glory that should follow' (resurrection and exaltation).

Verse 12

It was revealed to the prophets that they were ministering not to their own generation but to the future church. This salvation, revealed by the Holy Spirit, is so profound that even angels 'desire to look into' it.

Verse 13

The metaphor 'gird up the loins of your mind' means to prepare for action, similar to tucking up a long robe for travel or work. It calls for mental discipline, self-control ('be sober'), and unwavering focus on the future grace.

Verse 15

Holiness is the central ethical demand of the letter. Since God is holy, His people must reflect His character in 'all manner of conversation' (Gk. *anastrophē*), meaning their entire conduct and way of life.

Verse 17

Since God judges impartially, believers must live with 'fear.' This is not terror, but deep reverence and awe toward the divine Judge, recognizing their temporary status ('sojourning') on earth.

Verse 18

Redemption is defined by what it is *not*: it was not purchased by transient, corruptible wealth like silver or gold, which are common standards of value in the world.

Verse 19

The true currency of redemption is the 'precious blood of Christ.' This phrase links Jesus explicitly to the flawless sacrificial lamb of the Old Testament Passover and Day of Atonement rituals.

Verse 20

Christ’s sacrifice was not a reaction to sin, but was part of the eternal decree of God, planned 'before the foundation of the world,' and revealed at the necessary time for the benefit of believers.

Verse 22

Spiritual purification (achieved through obedience to the Gospel) must manifest itself in practical, tangible love for fellow believers. This love must be 'unfeigned' (sincere) and 'fervent' (intense).

Verse 23

The believer is 'born again' (regenerated) not by human effort or perishable means ('corruptible seed'), but by the eternal, life-giving Word of God, which is the source of the new life.

Verse 24

Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6–8 to emphasize the frailty and transience of human life and glory. All human achievements and physical existence are fleeting, like grass that quickly withers.

Verse 25

In sharp contrast to human mortality, the Word of God endures forever. This eternal Word is the very Gospel message that Peter and the apostles preached to them.

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1 Peter1

Salutation and Greeting

A Living Hope and Heavenly Inheritance

The Prophets Foretold This Salvation

A Call to Holiness and Obedience

Fervent Love and the Eternal Word

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