1 Peter — Chapter 1
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1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen
2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
5who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
8Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
9now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully,
11trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
13Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.
15But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
17Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.
18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
20He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.
21Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God.
22Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
24For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2Elect 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.
3Blessed 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,
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7That 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:
8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11Searching 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.
12Unto 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.
13Wherefore 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;
14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17And 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:
18Forasmuch 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;
19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21Who 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.
22Seeing 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:
23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24For 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:
25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
3Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,
7that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
8whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.
10Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that [should come] unto you:
11searching what [time] or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.
12To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angel desire to look into.
13Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in [the time of] your ignorance:
15but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;
16because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
17And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man`s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:
18knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;
19but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, [even the blood] of Christ:
20who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake,
21who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
22Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
23having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
24For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
25But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you.
1From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen
2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you,
5who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.
7Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
8You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
9because you are attaining the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully.
11They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory.
12They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things angels long to catch a glimpse of.
13Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
14Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance,
15but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct,
16for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.”
17And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence.
18You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold,
19but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.
20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake.
21Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
23You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
24Forall flesh is like grassand all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls off,
25but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,
5who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,
7that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
8whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—
9receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
11searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.
12To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
13Therefore prepare your minds for action, be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
14as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,
15but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;
16because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”
17If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:
18knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,
19but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ;
20who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake,
21who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
22Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:
23having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.
24For, “All flesh is like grass, and all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls;
25but the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.
Summary
Peter writes to elect exiles scattered across Asia Minor, blessing God for the living hope believers have through Jesus' resurrection and for an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven for them (vv. 1-5). He explains that present trials refine genuine faith the way fire refines gold, producing praise and honor when Jesus is revealed (vv. 6-9). The prophets who foretold this salvation searched carefully to understand what the Spirit of Christ was indicating, even though the message was ultimately for a later generation, and angels themselves long to look into it (vv. 10-12). Peter calls his readers to holy conduct and reverent living, reminding them they were ransomed not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ (vv. 13-21), and closes by urging sincere love for one another since they have been born again through the living and enduring word of God (vv. 22-25).
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Galatia (v.1): Region in central Asia Minor; Paul wrote to churches there.
Places on this map
- Galatiacentral TurkeyThe high inland plateau of Asia Minor, named for Gallic settlers and organized by Rome as a province stretching south to Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Whether Paul wrote to the northern tribes or the southern cities he planted is a long-running question. Wikipedia
- Asia MinorTurkeyThe peninsula between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, a high dry plateau ringed by mountains with the Greek cities on its western coast. Roman Asia, the province Paul worked from Ephesus, was only its western end. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the living hope, the imperishable inheritance, faith tested by fire, the call to holiness, and redemption by blood.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of 1 Peter -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Living Hope Through the Resurrection (v.3) — Peter says believers have been born again to a hope that's alive, grounded in Christ's resurrection rather than wishful thinking. Is your hope alive and active, or has it gone stale and merely theoretical?
- An Imperishable Inheritance (v.4) — Believers are promised an inheritance in heaven that can never perish, spoil, or fade. How would remembering that inheritance change the way you handle today's losses or disappointments?
- Faith Refined Like Gold (vv.6-7) — Trials test and purify faith the way fire refines gold, producing something more valuable than what existed before. Can you see God using your current hardship to refine rather than ruin your faith?
- Loving the Unseen Christ (v.8) — Peter commends believers who love and rejoice in Jesus even though they have never seen him. Is your love for Christ growing, or has it cooled into routine?
- Called to Holiness (vv.15-16) — Because God who called you is holy, you're called to reflect that holiness in every area of life. Where is there the widest gap between your daily conduct and God's character?
- Redeemed by Precious Blood (vv.18-19) — Peter reminds readers they were ransomed not with money but with the precious blood of a spotless Christ. Does the cost of your redemption shape how seriously you take your new life?