I Peter 1: A Living Hope Through Christ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This opening chapter of I Peter is a powerful and comforting message to Christians facing hardship. Peter, a key disciple of Jesus, writes to believers scattered throughout various regions, reminding them of their identity in Christ and the incredible blessings they possess, even amidst suffering. He lays a foundation of hope, holiness, and love, urging them to live lives that reflect their new reality as children of God.
Chosen and Blessed (1:1-2)
Peter begins by addressing his audience as "elect exiles" (1_Peter 1:1). This seemingly contradictory phrase encapsulates their situation: chosen by God, yet living as strangers in a foreign land. This echoes the experience of their Jewish forefathers and foremothers, chosen to be a light to the Gentiles. Peter emphasizes that this election is according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, a sovereign act of grace initiating their salvation.
Their salvation is not merely a decree, but a process involving the entire Trinity. It is "through the sanctification of the Spirit" (1_Peter 1:2), a work of inner transformation that sets them apart for God. This sanctification leads to obedience and being "sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ" (1_Peter 1:2), symbolizing cleansing from sin and entrance into a covenant relationship with God.
Peter's greeting concludes with a prayer: "May grace and peace be multiplied to you" (1_Peter 1:2). He desires that they would increasingly experience God's unmerited favor and the tranquility that comes from a right relationship with Him, drawing upon the spiritual resources God has generously provided.
A Living Hope (1:3-5)
Peter bursts forth in praise to "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1_Peter 1:3). He emphasizes that their salvation is not based on their own merit, but on God's "great mercy" (1_Peter 1:3). This salvation brings about a "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1_Peter 1:3). This hope is not a wishful thought, but a confident expectation rooted in the reality of Jesus' resurrection. Just as Jesus was raised to new life, so too will believers share in His victory over death. Through being "born again" (see John 3:1-8), we have a better future on the horizon. Jesus's resurrection guarantees our own (see 1 Cor 15:30-32).
This living hope is tied to an "inheritance" (1_Peter 1:4) that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. This inheritance encompasses not only eternal life but also the rewards for faithfulness and fidelity to Christ and His kingdom. Peter assures them that this inheritance is secure, untouched by the decay and corruption of this world.
Furthermore, believers are "being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1_Peter 1:5). God Himself is their protector, ensuring that they will persevere until the full realization of their salvation. If you are truly born again, you’re not going anywhere—not because of your power to hold on to God, but because God has an omnipotent grip on you (see John 10:27-29). And He won’t let go.
Rejoicing in Suffering (1:6-9)
Peter acknowledges that believers will inevitably experience "various trials" (1_Peter 1:6) that cause grief and sorrow. Yet, he urges them to "rejoice" (1_Peter 1:6) in the midst of these trials, knowing that they serve a purpose. Nothing should produce greater joy than knowing your security in Christ.
These trials test the genuineness of their faith, refining it like gold in a fire. As a result, their faith "may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1_Peter 1:7). All trials are designed to prove your faith, develop your faith, and glorify your Savior. You never know what you believe until you face a test. The heavenly goldsmith wants to refine your character.
Even though they have not seen Jesus, they love Him, believe in Him, and "rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (1_Peter 1:8). This joy stems from the fact that they are "receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1_Peter 1:9). This is not a reference to eternal salvation; the first readers already had it (1:4). It’s about the future rewards that await us.
A Mystery Revealed (1:10-12)
Peter highlights the profound significance of their salvation by noting that even the prophets of old "searched and inquired carefully" (1_Peter 1:10) about the grace that would come to them. They prophesied about Christ's sufferings and the subsequent glory, but they did not fully understand the details.
The prophets knew that they were not serving themselves, but future generations, by proclaiming these truths. Now, through the preaching of the gospel, this good news has been revealed to believers. The gospel is so incredible that even angels long to catch a glimpse of these things (1_Peter 1:2). They are observing the church to try and understand God’s amazing grace.
A Call to Holy Living (1:13-21)
Having established the foundation of their salvation, Peter calls believers to action. He urges them to "prepare your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1_Peter 1:13). If you don’t want to live a defeated life, you must roll up the sleeves of your mind and determine to focus on Christ. God won’t make up your mind for you.
They are to live as obedient children, not conforming to their former desires when they were ignorant of God. Instead, they are to be holy in all their conduct, reflecting the holiness of God Himself. Peter quotes God who said, Be holy, because I am holy (1_Peter 1:16; see Lev 11:44-45).
God is holy, which means, “separate” or “set apart.” He is distinct from His creation, unstained by sin, and is the standard of righteousness. Holiness is central to who God is. He is never described in the Bible as “love, love, love” or “sovereign, sovereign, sovereign.” But the angelic beings emphasize that he is “holy, holy, holy” (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8). Therefore, His love is a holy love; His sovereignty is a holy sovereignty. God’s perfect holiness is at the heart of His other attributes. Everything about Him is in a class by itself. And He calls His people to pursue holiness by seeking to please Him in every dimension of their lives.
Peter emphasizes the cost of their redemption. They were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold, but with "the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot" (1_Peter 1:19). To redeem is to pay a price to set someone free.
What did it cost to free you from slavery to sin? Not silver or gold but something much more valuable: the precious blood of Christ (1_Peter 1:18-19). Why? Well, if you and I are both stuck in a ditch, we can’t help each other. We need someone who’s not in the ditch. Sinners can’t redeem other sinners. Under Israel’s sacrificial system, to atone for sin you had to offer an unblemished and spotless lamb (1:19). But that was not a once-and-for-all offering. Jesus Christ, however, is the perfect Lamb of God (see John 1:29). He was without sin (see 1 Pet 2:22), so he could serve as a perfect Savior.
This redemption was planned before the foundation of the world. God redeemed sinners through Christ, raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory. We have been transferred from slavery to the glorious kingdom of Christ, so our faith and hope are in God (1_Peter 1:21). He will keep His word to deliver and reward His people.
Born Again to Love (1:22-25)
Peter concludes this chapter by urging believers to "love one another earnestly from a pure heart" (1_Peter 1:22). How can those who were formerly slaves to sin be holy, fear the Lord, and love others? Because they have been born again. If you have believed in Jesus Christ, you received a seed (i.e., the divine nature; see 2 Pet 1:4) that is imperishable (which means believers cannot lose their salvation). God sparked life in you where once there was death, and he did it through the living and enduring word (1_Peter 1:23).
This love is a consequence of their new birth, a transformation brought about by the "living and abiding word of God" (1_Peter 1:23). As Isaiah said, the grass withers and dies, but the word of the Lord endures forever (1:24-25; see Isa 40:6-8). This word, the gospel, is the foundation of their faith and the source of their ongoing spiritual growth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This opening chapter of I Peter is a powerful and comforting message to Christians facing hardship. Peter, a key disciple of Jesus, writes to believers scattered throughout various regions, reminding them of their identity in Christ and the incredible blessings they possess, even amidst suffering. He lays a foundation of hope, holiness, and love, urging them to live lives that reflect their new reality as children of God.
Chosen and Blessed (1:1-2)
Peter begins by addressing his audience as "elect exiles" (1_Peter 1:1). This seemingly contradictory phrase encapsulates their situation: chosen by God, yet living as strangers in a foreign land. This echoes the experience of their Jewish forefathers and foremothers, chosen to be a light to the Gentiles. Peter emphasizes that this election is according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, a sovereign act of grace initiating their salvation.
Their salvation is not merely a decree, but a process involving the entire Trinity. It is "through the sanctification of the Spirit" (1_Peter 1:2), a work of inner transformation that sets them apart for God. This sanctification leads to obedience and being "sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ" (1_Peter 1:2), symbolizing cleansing from sin and entrance into a covenant relationship with God.
Peter's greeting concludes with a prayer: "May grace and peace be multiplied to you" (1_Peter 1:2). He desires that they would increasingly experience God's unmerited favor and the tranquility that comes from a right relationship with Him, drawing upon the spiritual resources God has generously provided.
A Living Hope (1:3-5)
Peter bursts forth in praise to "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1_Peter 1:3). He emphasizes that their salvation is not based on their own merit, but on God's "great mercy" (1_Peter 1:3). This salvation brings about a "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1_Peter 1:3). This hope is not a wishful thought, but a confident expectation rooted in the reality of Jesus' resurrection. Just as Jesus was raised to new life, so too will believers share in His victory over death. Through being "born again" (see John 3:1-8), we have a better future on the horizon. Jesus's resurrection guarantees our own (see 1 Cor 15:30-32).
This living hope is tied to an "inheritance" (1_Peter 1:4) that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. This inheritance encompasses not only eternal life but also the rewards for faithfulness and fidelity to Christ and His kingdom. Peter assures them that this inheritance is secure, untouched by the decay and corruption of this world.
Furthermore, believers are "being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1_Peter 1:5). God Himself is their protector, ensuring that they will persevere until the full realization of their salvation. If you are truly born again, you’re not going anywhere—not because of your power to hold on to God, but because God has an omnipotent grip on you (see John 10:27-29). And He won’t let go.
Rejoicing in Suffering (1:6-9)
Peter acknowledges that believers will inevitably experience "various trials" (1_Peter 1:6) that cause grief and sorrow. Yet, he urges them to "rejoice" (1_Peter 1:6) in the midst of these trials, knowing that they serve a purpose. Nothing should produce greater joy than knowing your security in Christ.
These trials test the genuineness of their faith, refining it like gold in a fire. As a result, their faith "may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1_Peter 1:7). All trials are designed to prove your faith, develop your faith, and glorify your Savior. You never know what you believe until you face a test. The heavenly goldsmith wants to refine your character.
Even though they have not seen Jesus, they love Him, believe in Him, and "rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (1_Peter 1:8). This joy stems from the fact that they are "receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1_Peter 1:9). This is not a reference to eternal salvation; the first readers already had it (1:4). It’s about the future rewards that await us.
A Mystery Revealed (1:10-12)
Peter highlights the profound significance of their salvation by noting that even the prophets of old "searched and inquired carefully" (1_Peter 1:10) about the grace that would come to them. They prophesied about Christ's sufferings and the subsequent glory, but they did not fully understand the details.
The prophets knew that they were not serving themselves, but future generations, by proclaiming these truths. Now, through the preaching of the gospel, this good news has been revealed to believers. The gospel is so incredible that even angels long to catch a glimpse of these things (1_Peter 1:2). They are observing the church to try and understand God’s amazing grace.
A Call to Holy Living (1:13-21)
Having established the foundation of their salvation, Peter calls believers to action. He urges them to "prepare your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1_Peter 1:13). If you don’t want to live a defeated life, you must roll up the sleeves of your mind and determine to focus on Christ. God won’t make up your mind for you.
They are to live as obedient children, not conforming to their former desires when they were ignorant of God. Instead, they are to be holy in all their conduct, reflecting the holiness of God Himself. Peter quotes God who said, Be holy, because I am holy (1_Peter 1:16; see Lev 11:44-45).
God is holy, which means, “separate” or “set apart.” He is distinct from His creation, unstained by sin, and is the standard of righteousness. Holiness is central to who God is. He is never described in the Bible as “love, love, love” or “sovereign, sovereign, sovereign.” But the angelic beings emphasize that he is “holy, holy, holy” (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8). Therefore, His love is a holy love; His sovereignty is a holy sovereignty. God’s perfect holiness is at the heart of His other attributes. Everything about Him is in a class by itself. And He calls His people to pursue holiness by seeking to please Him in every dimension of their lives.
Peter emphasizes the cost of their redemption. They were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold, but with "the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot" (1_Peter 1:19). To redeem is to pay a price to set someone free.
What did it cost to free you from slavery to sin? Not silver or gold but something much more valuable: the precious blood of Christ (1_Peter 1:18-19). Why? Well, if you and I are both stuck in a ditch, we can’t help each other. We need someone who’s not in the ditch. Sinners can’t redeem other sinners. Under Israel’s sacrificial system, to atone for sin you had to offer an unblemished and spotless lamb (1:19). But that was not a once-and-for-all offering. Jesus Christ, however, is the perfect Lamb of God (see John 1:29). He was without sin (see 1 Pet 2:22), so he could serve as a perfect Savior.
This redemption was planned before the foundation of the world. God redeemed sinners through Christ, raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory. We have been transferred from slavery to the glorious kingdom of Christ, so our faith and hope are in God (1_Peter 1:21). He will keep His word to deliver and reward His people.
Born Again to Love (1:22-25)
Peter concludes this chapter by urging believers to "love one another earnestly from a pure heart" (1_Peter 1:22). How can those who were formerly slaves to sin be holy, fear the Lord, and love others? Because they have been born again. If you have believed in Jesus Christ, you received a seed (i.e., the divine nature; see 2 Pet 1:4) that is imperishable (which means believers cannot lose their salvation). God sparked life in you where once there was death, and he did it through the living and enduring word (1_Peter 1:23).
This love is a consequence of their new birth, a transformation brought about by the "living and abiding word of God" (1_Peter 1:23). As Isaiah said, the grass withers and dies, but the word of the Lord endures forever (1:24-25; see Isa 40:6-8). This word, the gospel, is the foundation of their faith and the source of their ongoing spiritual growth.