About the Book of 1 Peter
The Book of 1 Peter is a letter found in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is attributed to the Apostle Peter, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. The letter is addressed to a group of scattered Christians residing in various regions, offering them encouragement and guidance in the face of persecution and trials.
The letter begins with Peter identifying himself as the author and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He addresses the recipients as "God's elect" and emphasizes their identity as chosen and beloved in God's sight. Peter praises God for the living hope that believers have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which grants them an inheritance that is imperishable and secure.
Peter then addresses the suffering and trials that the recipients are enduring. He encourages them to rejoice in their sufferings, as it refines their faith and brings about greater glory. He emphasizes that their faith, tested like gold in a fire, will result in praise, honour, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Throughout the letter, Peter provides practical instructions on how believers should live in light of their faith and in the midst of persecution. He encourages them to exhibit godly behaviour and to live as obedient citizens, honouring authority while remaining faithful to God. Peter highlights the importance of loving one another, showing hospitality, and using their spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ.
Peter also addresses relationships within households, emphasizing mutual submission and respect between husbands and wives, and advising husbands to honour and understand their wives. He encourages humility, harmony, and mutual care within the Christian community.
The letter further addresses the believers' response to persecution and mistreatment. Peter reminds them to remain steadfast in their faith and to respond with gentleness and respect, following the example of Christ. He encourages them to entrust themselves to God, who is the ultimate judge and who will bring justice in due time.
Peter concludes the letter by offering final exhortations and greetings. He sends greetings from those who are with him and exhorts the recipients to stand firm in their faith. Peter assures them of the true grace of God and sends them his love and peace.
The Book of 1 Peter serves as a source of encouragement and guidance for believers facing persecution and trials. It emphasizes the hope found in Christ, the importance of holy living, and the need to trust in God's sovereignty in the midst of suffering. The letter encourages believers to persevere, to love one another, and to place their hope and faith in God's eternal promises.
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Greeting to the Chosen Ones
[1:1] 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,
[2] 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.
More Precious than Gold that Perishes
[3] 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,
[4] to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,
[5] who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
[6] Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,
[7] 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 honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
[8] whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—
[9] receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
[10] Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
[11] 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.
[12] To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered 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.
Set Your Hope Fully on Grace
[13] 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—
[14] as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,
[15] but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behaviour;
[16] because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”
[17] 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:
[18] knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,
[19] but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ;
[20] who was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest (revealed) in this last age for your sake,
[21] 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.
Lord’s Word Endures Forever
[22] Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another with a pure heart fervently:
[23] having been born from above [also means born again or born anew], not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.
[24] 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;
[25] but the Lord’s word endures forever.”
This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.
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The Lord is Gracious
[2:1] Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
[2] as newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,
[3] if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:
Living Stones are Built Up as a Spiritual House
[4] coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
[5] You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
[6] Because it is contained in Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone,
elect, and precious:
He who believes in him will not be confounded.”
[7] For you who believe therefore is the honour, but for those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected,
has become the chief cornerstone,”
[8] and,
“a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
[9] But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special (peculiar) people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;
[10] who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
War Against the Soul
[11] Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
[12] having good behaviour among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Subject Yourself to Government and Authority
[13] Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
[14] or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.
[15] For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
[16] as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
[17] Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Submit Yourself to Your Masters
[18] Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
[19] For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
[20] For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.
[21] For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
[22] who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
[23] Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.
[24] He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
[25] For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer (Bishop) of your souls.
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Wives
[3:1] In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behaviour of their wives without a word;
[2] seeing your pure behaviour in fear.
[3] Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;
[4] but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.
[5] For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
[6] as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.
Husbands
[7] You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honour to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.
All Believers
[8] Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tender hearted, courteous,
[9] not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
[10] For,
“He who would love life,
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil,
and his lips from speaking deceit.
[11] Let him turn away from evil, and do good.
Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears open to their prayer;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Become Imitators of What is Good
[13] Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good?
[14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”
[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:
[16] having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.
[17] For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.
The Righteous for the Unrighteous
[18] Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
[19] in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison,
[20] who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
[21] This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
[22] who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
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Live as to God in the Spirit
[4:1] Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
[2] that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
[3] For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.
[4] They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming:
[5] who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
[6] For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.
Be Good Managers of the Grace of God
[7] But the end of all things is near. Therefore, be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
[8] And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
[9] Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
[10] As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
[11] If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Don’t Be Astonished at Fiery Trials
[12] Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
[13] But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
[14] If you are insulted (reproached) for the name of Christ, happy (blessed) are you; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part He is evil (blasphemed) spoken of, but on your part, He is glorified.
[15] For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.
[16] But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.
[17] For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God?
[18] “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?”
[19] Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
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Elders
[5:1] Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.
[2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
[3] neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
[4] When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
God Resists the Proud, but Gives Grace to the Humble
[5] Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time;
[7] casting all your care (worries) on Him, because He cares for you.
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
[9] Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
[10] But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
[11] To him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter’s Farewell
[12] Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
[13] She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you; and so does Mark, my son.
[14] Greet one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
