
1 Peter 1
1 Peter 1 provides a foundation for Christian living, emphasizing hope, holiness, and reverence rooted in the salvation available through Jesus Christ. Peter addresses believers scattered across Asia Minor, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith despite trials and suffering. The chapter highlights the imperishable nature of the believer’s inheritance, the enduring word of God, and the call to live a holy life in reverence to God.
1 Peter 1:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
Peter introduces himself and addresses the believers scattered across various regions, acknowledging them as chosen by God. This election is part of God’s foreknowledge and involves the work of the Spirit sanctifying them, leading them to obedience and purification through Jesus' blood. His greeting emphasizes the grace and peace multiplied to them through their relationship with God.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Peter praises God for His mercy in giving believers a new birth into a living hope through Jesus' resurrection. This hope is linked to an inheritance that is incorruptible, pure, and eternal, securely kept in heaven. Believers are safeguarded by God’s power through their faith, ensuring their ultimate salvation, which will be fully revealed in the end times.
1 Peter 1:6-10 (NKJV)
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.
Despite facing trials, believers rejoice because these hardships test their faith, proving its genuineness—more valuable than perishable gold—and resulting in praise and glory at Jesus' return. Peter emphasizes the love and joy believers have for Jesus, despite not having seen Him. This faith leads to the ultimate reward, the salvation of their souls, a theme long explored by prophets who foretold this grace.
1 Peter 1:11-12 (NKJV)
11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ which was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
The prophets, guided by Christ's Spirit, sought to understand the timing and circumstances of the Messiah's sufferings and subsequent glories. Their revelations were not for their benefit but for future believers—like the recipients of this letter. The gospel these believers received was delivered through the Holy Spirit's power, revealing truths so profound that even angels long to understand them.
1 Peter 1:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Peter urges believers to prepare their minds for action and set their hope on the grace of Jesus Christ’s return. They are called to live as obedient children, breaking away from past desires and behaviors born from ignorance. The call to holiness in every aspect of life mirrors God’s character, embodying the scriptural mandate to be holy.
1 Peter 1:17-21 (NKJV)
17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Believers are reminded that God judges impartially based on one's actions, thus they should live reverently during their earthly lives. Redemption comes not through material means but through Christ's sacrificial death, predestined since the world's creation but realized in recent times for their benefit. This act ensures that believers’ faith and hope should rightly rest in God.
1 Peter 1:22-25 (NKJV)
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
24 because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Having purified their souls by obeying the truth and loving each other sincerely, believers are exhorted to continue loving deeply. This new birth through the enduring word of God contrasts with human frailty—like grass that withers. The eternal nature of God's word, which brings salvation, stands in contrast to the temporary glories of humanity, reinforcing the call to live according to the gospel that was preached to them.