Thanksgiving for a living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusFaith tried amid suffering
Connection to the wholeThe resurrection hope frames the readers' present trials and the preciousness of the salvation proclaimed to them.
interpretation 1 Peter 1:22
KJVSeeing 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:
Read it in context
Exhortation to Holiness and Love
Start reading at 1 Peter 1:1 (1 Peter 1:1 to 1 Peter 1:25).
The entire first chapter serves as an introductory exhortation, establishing the foundation for Christian living based on salvation, hope, and the call to holiness, culminating in the command to love.
- 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
- 1:2 Elect 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.
- 1:3 Blessed 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,
- 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
- 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
- 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
- 1:7 That 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:
- 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
- 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
- 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
- 1:11 Searching 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.
- 1:12 Unto 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.
- 1:13 Wherefore 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;
- 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
- 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
- 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
- 1:17 And 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:
- 1:18 Forasmuch 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;
- 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
- 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
- 1:21 Who 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.
- 1:22 Seeing 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:
- 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
- 1:24 For 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:
- 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Peter the apostle is the named author. Silvanus is associated with the letter's delivery or composition in the closing statement; his precise role is not fully explained. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Peter 1:1–2:25): Peter addresses scattered believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia about identity, holiness, and conduct among outsiders; servants receive specific instruction. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The elect strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: Christian communities facing suffering in Asia Minor. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 4:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main theme is an exhortation to love one another fervently with a pure heart, based on the purification of souls through obeying the truth by the Spirit, leading to unfeigned love of the brethren.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing that spiritual purification and obedience to the truth, enabled by the Spirit, should manifest in sincere and fervent love among believers.
- What is the literary style? The literary style is an epistle, which is a formal letter.
When
- When was it written? The epistle was written around A.D. 62 to 64.
- When does the event take place? The exhortation to love is for the present time of the readers, following their purification and new birth. The events of Christ's redemption, which enable this, took place prior to the writing of the letter.
Where
- Where did it happen? The exhortation is directed to believers scattered throughout various regions of Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia).
- Where was the author located? The author, Peter, was located in Rome, which he refers to as Babylon.
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Exhortation to Holiness and Love (1 Peter 1:1 to 1 Peter 1:25). Start reading at 1 Peter 1:1. The entire first chapter serves as an introductory exhortation, establishing the foundation for Christian living based on salvation, hope, and the call to holiness, culminating in the command to love.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse serves as a direct command and application flowing from the preceding discussion of the believers' salvation, their lively hope through Christ's resurrection, their call to holiness, and their redemption by the precious blood of Christ. It emphasizes that the result of their spiritual transformation should be fervent brotherly love. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? The purification of souls and the ability to love fervently are directly linked to the work of Christ. Believers are redeemed by the 'precious blood of Christ' (1 Peter 1:19) and believe in God 'by him' (1 Peter 1:21), who raised Christ from the dead. This redemption and new birth (1 Peter 1:23) enable the obedience to truth through the Spirit, leading to the commanded love. stated in the text
- How do I apply it today? Today, believers are called to actively demonstrate sincere and fervent love for one another. This love is not merely an emotion but an outcome of having one's soul purified through obedience to God's truth by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the new life received through the word of God. interpretation
Cited: 1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 Peter 1:21, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 1:23
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and mentions Silvanus as the one who wrote it.
1 Peter 1:11 Peter 5:12
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Peter.
What is debatedSome critical scholars question the polished Greek, though the letter itself credits Silvanus.
Related passages
- ye have John 15:3 John 17:17,19 Acts 15:9 Rom 6:16-17 2 Thess 2:13 Jas 4:8
- in 1 Pet 3:1 1 Pet 4:17 Acts 6:7 Rom 1:5 Rom 2:8 Gal 3:1 Gal 5:7 Heb 5:9
- through Rom 8:13 Gal 5:5 2 Tim 1:14 Heb 9:14
- unto 1 Pet 2:17 1 Pet 3:8 1 Pet 4:8 John 13:34-35 John 15:17 Rom 12:9-10 2 Cor 6:6 Eph 4:3
- see Phil 1:9 1 Thess 3:12 2 Thess 1:3 Rev 2:4
- a pure 1 Tim 1:3 1 Tim 4:12 1 Tim 5:2
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Peter 1
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
Be holy and fear God
1 Peter 1:13–21FocusHope expressed in conduct
Connection to the wholePeter draws an ethical conclusion from the hope, grounding reverent holiness in the costly redemption through Christ.
interpretation FocusObedience and the enduring word
Connection to the wholeThe appeal to sincere love is linked to purification through obeying the truth and new birth through God's enduring word.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Peter
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
A living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusResurrection and salvation
Connection to the wholeThanksgiving places the readers' present trials within their hope and the salvation announced to them.
interpretation FocusNew birth, obedience, and identity
Connection to the wholeThe hope leads into holiness, love, and the image of believers coming to Christ as living stones.
interpretation Honourable conduct
1 Peter 2:11–3:12FocusLife among others and within households
Connection to the wholePeter applies the calling to public conduct, service, marriage, and the community's manner toward one another.
interpretation Suffering with faithfulness
1 Peter 3:13–4:19FocusChrist's example and God's judgment
Connection to the wholeThe letter addresses opposition by directing believers toward Christ and toward continued doing of good under trial.
interpretation Shepherding and steadfastness
1 Peter 5:1–14FocusHumility, vigilance, and grace
Connection to the wholeFinal instructions to elders and the church join mutual humility with watchfulness and steadfast resistance to the adversary.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.