1 Peter 1

This is the first chapter of 1 Peter. Along with its greeting, it introduces the themes that run through the entire letter: hope held fast in the midst of suffering, and holy living.

Outline

• Verses 1-2 The apostle Peter greets the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, that is, the elect.
• Verses 3-5 He praises God that believers have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Christ and will receive an incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven.
• Verses 6-9 He says that although believers are in heaviness for a season through manifold temptations, they rejoice in the trial of their faith, which is more precious than gold tried with fire.
• Verses 10-12 He declares that the salvation into which the prophets searched diligently, and which the angels desire to look into, has now been proclaimed through the gospel.
• Verses 13-16 He exhorts readers to gird up the loins of their minds, to be sober, and to be holy in all manner of conversation.
• Verses 17-21 Because they were redeemed not with silver or gold but with the blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, they are to pass the time of their sojourning in fear.
• Verses 22-25 Because they have been born again of incorruptible seed, that is, by the living word, they are urged to love one another fervently. Using the images of grass and flowers, he then affirms that the word endures forever.

Key Verses

• 1 Peter 1:3 "hath begotten us again unto a lively hope": Hope grounded in the resurrection is the starting point of the letter.
• 1 Peter 1:16 "Be ye holy; for I am holy": The Old Testament call to holiness is applied to the life of the believer.
• 1 Peter 1:18-19 "But with the precious blood of Christ": Frequently cited in explanations of the atonement.

People and Places

• Peter: Identifies himself as the sender of the letter.
• Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: Regions of northern and central Asia Minor, in present-day Türkiye, where the recipients were dispersed.
• Prophets and angels: Mentioned as those who inquired beforehand into the work of salvation.

Points for Reflection

• The phrase "Elect according to the foreknowledge" in verse 2 is read differently across denominations. The Reformed tradition (including Presbyterians) reads it as God's sovereign election. The Arminian and Wesleyan traditions (including Methodists and Holiness churches) connect it to God's foreknowledge of human faith. For details, see the article on predestination.
• Verse 2 mentions the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus Christ together, so the verse is often cited in explanations of the Trinity.
• Verse 16 quotes Leviticus 19 and other passages, and verses 24-25 quote Isaiah 40. The lamb in verse 19 is read in connection with the Passover lamb and the expression Lamb of God.
• There are two views of the "strangers scattered" in verse 1. One identifies them as believers of Jewish background; the other takes the phrase as a designation of all believers, including Gentiles, as spiritual sojourners.
• Traditionally, Peter has been accepted as the author of this letter. Some scholars suggest that it may have been written by a later disciple.

In the Korean Church

• "All flesh is as grass" from verses 24-25 is often quoted at funeral services and memorial services.
• Verses 15-16 serve as texts for sermons on sanctification and holiness.