1 Peter 1
Verses 1-2
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood. Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Commentary
Verses 1-2
Peter identifies himself as the writer of this letter. He also identifies the recipients of the letter who have been scattered throughout the provinces. All three heads of the Trinity are mentioned:
---1. the foreknowledge of God the Father
---2. through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit
---3. being obedient to Jesus Christ
Then Peter blesses the recipients.
Verses 3-5
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Commentary
Verses 3-5
Peter praises God, the Father of Jesus Christ. God has given believers new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead as well as an inheritance.
Verses 6-9
6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Commentary
Verses 6-9
Peter advises his readers to rejoice even though they will have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials for a little while. The trials come to test faith which is greater than gold. Peter describes the joy that believers should have as "an inexpressible joy" and as "a glorious joy." Peter says the end result of their faith is the salvation of their souls.
Verses 10-12
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Commentary
Verses 10-12
Peter talks about Old Testament prophets and our salvation. He also says even angels long to have the things people have concerning salvation.
Verses 13-17
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
Commentary
Verses 13-17
Peter mentions how we are to respond to our salvation and what not to do. He gives a reason to be holy: because God is holy. He concludes in this section that people should live out their time as foreigners in reverent fear.
Verses 18-21
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Commentary
Verses 18-19
Peter reminds his readers they were not redeemed with perishable things, such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.
Verses 20-21
Peter turns his focus on who Jesus was.
Verses 22-25
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
Commentary
Verses 22-23
Peter outlined the status of the people.
Verses 24-25
This chapter ends with poetry. It contains similes by comparing things with the word "like" and contrasting something with the word "but." RE-READ Verses 24-25 to make sure you understand the verses.
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