The Bible — World English Bible

1 Peter 1

In brief

Peter writes to scattered Christians, foreigners where they live. He blesses God who has caused them to be born again into a living hope, founded on the resurrection of Jesus and turned toward an inheritance that does not decay. He compares faith that has been tested to gold passed through fire, then calls them to hope and holiness, because believers were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. The chapter ends on brotherly love and on the word of God that endures.

The chapter in 5 parts

  1. v. 1-2Greeting: chosen, foreigners and scattered
  2. v. 3-9A living hope, a guarded inheritance and a tested faith
  3. v. 10-12A salvation announced by the prophets that angels long to look into
  4. v. 13-21Be holy: redeemed by the precious blood of Christ
  5. v. 22-25Love one another fervently, born of a word that endures

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 grieved 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 him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is 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. They 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 they served not to themselves, but to you, in 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.

Key verses

Verse 3
Blessed 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,

Peter opens with praise: God has caused believers to be born again into a living hope. It is living because it rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Verse 7
that 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—

The testing of faith is compared to fire that tests gold, but faith is more precious than gold. Peter does not deny suffering, he gives it meaning.

Verse 15-16
but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”

The call to holiness rests on the character of God: be holy because he is holy. It is about a whole way of living, not a mere appearance.

Verse 18-19
knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ,

Redemption was not paid with gold or silver but with the precious blood of Christ. This verse grounds the believer's identity in what God has given, not in what he produces.

Verse 23
having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.

Believers are born of an imperishable seed, the living word of God. This image prepares the teaching of the next chapter on the desire for the Word.

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What the sermons say

Frequently asked questions about 1 Peter 1

What does “a living hope” mean in 1 Peter 1:3?

Peter says that God, in his great mercy, has caused believers to be born again into a living hope. It is living because it rests on the resurrection of Jesus, and not on circumstances that change. It looks toward an inheritance kept in heaven.

Why does Peter compare faith to gold tested by fire?

Gold is purified by fire, and Peter says that tested faith is worth even more. He acknowledges that trials bring grief, but he affirms that they have a purpose: that faith be found solid when Jesus appears.

What does “be holy, for I am holy” mean?

Peter quotes the book of Leviticus. Being holy means being set apart for God and resembling him in all one's conduct. The call follows the reminder of grace: believers have been redeemed, and they live out their holiness in response.

Who is Peter writing to in 1 Peter 1?

He addresses Christians scattered across several regions of Asia Minor, described as foreigners. They are going through trials, and Peter encourages them by reminding them of their identity as chosen ones and of their hope.

Articles quoting 1 Peter 1

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World English Bible translation — public domain.