1 Peter 1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

according 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.

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,

to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,

who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials,

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—

whom, 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,

receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently. They prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

searching 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.

To them it was revealed that they served not themselves, but 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.

Therefore 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—

as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,

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.”

If 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,

knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things like 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,

who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake,

who 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.

Seeing 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,

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

For, “All flesh is like grass, and all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls;

but the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter opens the letter with a rich theological affirmation of the believers’ identity and hope, grounding their present trials in the grand narrative of redemption. Peter addresses scattered exiles, reminding them that their faith is no accident but part of God’s eternal purpose, secured by Christ’s resurrection and destined for future glory. He calls them to holy living in light of this salvation, energized by the imperishable word of God.

Flow.

Begins with a greeting that identifies believers as elect exiles, chosen by the Trinity’s saving work (vv. 1–2).
Celebrates the new birth into a living hope through Christ’s resurrection and a future inheritance kept in heaven (vv. 3–5).
Reframes present suffering as a refining test of faith that leads to praise at Christ’s return (vv. 6–9).
Points to the prophetic and angelic interest in this salvation, now revealed through the gospel (vv. 10–12).
Shifts to exhortation: calls for moral readiness, holiness, reverent living, and love rooted in the enduring word of God (vv. 13–25).

Connections.
Following chapter 5 of the previous book (likely Acts or a gospel), which often closes with the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles and the hope of resurrection, this first chapter of 1 Peter takes up that hope as foundational for scattered believers. It establishes their identity not by geography but by election and new birth, preparing the way for chapter 2, which will expand on their calling as a holy people and living stones in God’s house, built on the same enduring word introduced here.

What it teaches.
The chapter teaches that believers are elect according to the Father’s foreknowledge, sanctified by the Spirit, and sprinkled with Christ’s blood (WCF 10.1). Their salvation is grounded in the resurrection, securing a heavenly inheritance (WCF 18.1), and they are kept by God’s power through faith (WCF 17.1). Holiness is required because God is holy (Lev. 11:44; cited in ), and the moral law remains binding on those called to reflect God’s character (HC LD 46). Redemption was accomplished by Christ’s blood, foreknown before creation (WCF 3.7), and faith rests not on human tradition but on the living and abiding word of God (WCF 1.7). Angels and prophets marveled at this plan, now revealed (WCF 7.5), showing the gospel’s eternal significance.

Apply.
Live with your hope fully set on the grace that will be revealed when Jesus comes again.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.