1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2Elect 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.

3Blessed 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,

4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7That 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:

8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11Searching 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.

12Unto 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.

13Wherefore 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;

14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

17And 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:

18Forasmuch 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;

19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21Who 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.

22Seeing 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:

23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

24For 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:

25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Peter

Date Penned: (62-64 AD)

Overview: Peter Encourages Suffering Christians (c 1-5)

Theme: God's Great Blessing to His People (c 1-2)

Message: Peter Expounds on Christian Living (v 1-25)

1 Peter 1 Commentary

(1:1-2) Greetings from Peter - The apostle Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers who would likely face trials and persecution under Emperor Nero. During most of the first century, Christians were not hunted down and killed throughout the Roman Empire. They could, however, expect social and economic persecution from three main sources: the Romans, the Jews, and their own families. All Christians would very likely be misunderstood; some would be harassed; a few would be tortured and even put to death. Peter may have been writing especially for new Christians and those planning to be baptized. He wanted to warn them about what lay ahead—they needed his encouraging words to help them face opposition.

(1:3-12) The Hope of Eternal Life - Even as these believers faced persecution, they could remember God’s grace and continue to live as God desired. Not all believers are persecuted for their faith, but everyone faces times of stress, discouragement, or despair. This section introduces the blessings of salvation (1:3-12). Peter’s words echo through the centuries, reminding us of God’s grace and sovereignty over all of life, encouraging us to glorify and live for him.

(1:13-25) A Call to Holy Living - Peter gave a bold challenge. The next section details the ethical responsibilities of those who have experienced the blessings of salvation described in 1:3-12. The promises God makes to believers and the hope we have should motivate us to holy living. This means being mentally alert, morally disciplined, and spiritually focused. This is hard work. Are you ready to meet Christ?

LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we start the book of 1 Peter with Chapter 1 and in our text we see Peter expounding on the hope of eternal life and a call to Holy Living as he reminds us that we are redeemed by the blood of Christ through the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever. In making application we see that as Christians we are called to be holy for He is holy. Our lives should be lived in submission and obedience to the Lord who gave His life for our souls. How about you? Are you living for the Lord? Let us learn from our text today and the reminder from Peter that our Hope and Salvation is from the Lord which should motivate to live lives of obedience to our savior as we submit to Him and be Holy as He is Holy.