First light over rolling hill country in Asia Minor, a dirt road winding between fields, one small traveler far off seen from behind.

The Book of

1 Peter 1

Believers scattered far from home, mocked by their neighbors, receive a letter from Peter. It begins with hope.

25 verses≈ 4 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2:10Living hopeBorn again to an inheritanceChapter 1
2:11–3:12Living as exilesGood lives among unbelievers
3:13–4:19Suffering wellDoing good, following Christ
5Stand firmHumble, alert, held by grace

A Greeting from Peter

From PeterTo the elect exiles of the Dispersion

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen

according 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.

1 Peter 1:1–2

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Travel-worn pilgrims from the east and from Asia Minor in a crowded Jerusalem street, with pack animals, in morning light.

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Rome to five provinces

Peter probably writes from Rome, which he calls ‘Babylon’ at the letter’s end. His readers live across the Roman provinces of Asia Minor, modern Turkey: “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” The order he names them may trace the route a courier would take, perhaps landing in Pontus and circling back to Bithynia.

A Living Hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Peter 1:3

and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Born again into…

Whiteboard

God gives new birth, and with it a hope that is alive because Jesus is alive. The inheritance is kept safe in heaven, and the heirs are kept safe on earth, “shielded by God’s power” until the salvation that is “ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, trying 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.

It 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.

1 Peter 1:12

Reflect

For a little while

Peter’s readers had never seen Jesus, yet he could say, “you love Him.” Their trials were real, but he calls them “for a little while,” and says they prove a faith “more precious than gold.” What trial are you carrying right now? How might God be using it to refine your faith?

A Call to Holiness

Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded.

Set your hope fully on the grace

1 Peter 1:13

As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.

Be holy, because I am holy.

1 Peter 1:15–16

Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.

A young unblemished white lamb standing alone in a stone sheepfold in early morning light.

For 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, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.

Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God.

0:28

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Question

Quick question

Peter reminds his readers of the price that set them free.

What does Peter say his readers were redeemed with?

The Enduring Word

Since 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.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

For,

“All flesh is like grass,

and all its glory like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of the Lord stands forever.”

And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

Pray

A living hope

Thank God for His great mercy, which gives new birth into a living hope. Ask Him to set your hope fully on His grace, to make you holy in all you do, and to fill you with a deep love for His people. And thank Him that while all flesh fades like grass, “the word of the Lord stands forever.”

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1 Peter 1

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A verse to carry with you

All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.

1 Peter 1:24–25

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