The Bullet Point Bible

1 Peter 1

Greeting and Chosen Identity

1 From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ's blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!

  • The author identifies himself as Peter, a prominent apostle of Jesus Christ, establishing authority.
  • The recipients are described as "elect exiles" or "temporary residents," highlighting their dual identity: chosen by God yet living as foreigners in the Roman provinces of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
  • This status as "exiles" likely refers to both their social alienation as Christians in a pagan society and their spiritual status as citizens of heaven awaiting their true home.
  • Peter emphasizes the Trinitarian nature of salvation: chosen by the Father's foreknowledge, sanctified (set apart) by the Holy Spirit, leading to obedience to Christ and cleansing by His blood.
  • "Sprinkling with Jesus Christ's blood" evokes Old Testament covenant imagery (Exodus 24:8), signifying initiation into the new covenant and purification from sin through Christ's sacrifice.
  • The greeting "Grace and peace be yours in abundance" is a standard Christian blessing, wishing God's unmerited favor and holistic well-being upon the readers.
  • The letter addresses believers facing hardship and social pressure due to their faith.
  • The concept of God's foreknowledge underscores divine sovereignty in salvation without negating human responsibility ("obedience").
Additional Content

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you,5 who by God's power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.6 This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.7 Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold-gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away -and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.8 You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,9 because you are attaining the goal of your faith-the salvation of your souls.10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully.11 They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory.12 They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things angels long to catch a glimpse of.13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance,15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct,16 for it is written, " You shall be holy, because I am holy ."17 And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one's work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence.18 You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed-not by perishable things like silver or gold,19 but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake.21 Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.22 You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.24 For24 all fleshis like grass24 and all its glory like the flower of the grass;24 the grass withers and the flower falls off,25 but the word of the Lord endures forever .

The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® https://netbible.org copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved

To see the NET Bible® study tool go to https://netbible.org.