1 Peter 1 Study Notes

1:1-2 Peter identified himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. The apostles were Christ’s divinely ordained, directly commissioned, authoritative representatives in the early church. The recipients to whom Peter wrote were living as exiles dispersed abroad. The term exiles (v. 1; 2:11) refers to people living in a region that is not their permanent place of residence—in this case, the five Roman provinces located in what is now modern Turkey. Heaven is the true home of believers. “Dispersed” means a “scattering” and usually refers to God’s people scattered outside of their homeland. Divine foreknowledge is the basis on which a believer is chosen (i.e., “elect”). It is more than just God’s prior knowledge of everything; it also includes his predetermination. Through the sanctifying work of the Spirit is the means by which being “chosen” is made a reality. The phrase to be obedient and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ describes the aim and purpose of election (Ex 24:3-8). Christians were chosen by God to have a covenant relationship with him that is characterized by obedience; Christ’s blood brings believers into this relationship.

1:3-12 This section begins with praise to God for the privileges he has bestowed on believers. Peter encouraged his readers by reminding them that through the resurrection of Christ, God had caused them to be born again. The result of this new birth is that they have acquired an eternal inheritance reserved in heaven. Believers will be delivered to heaven, their eternal home, through their faith in the gospel.

1:3-5 Peter informed his readers that God had given them new birth into an inheritance that will never perish, be defiled, or fade—indeed a sure salvation. That salvation is to be revealed in the last time reminds us of the future aspect of salvation (Rm 13:11; Php 3:20-21; Heb 9:28).

1:6-9 Peter further encouraged his readers with the fact that Christians can rejoice in this imperishable inheritance and sure salvation, though they are tested by persecution and suffering while in this world.

1:10-12 The OT people of God did not specifically know Christ or the gospel, but they did believe the promises of God that pointed to Christ (Heb 11:13). The good news of salvation that the prophets sought and looked forward to had now been revealed. Salvation in Christ is so great and the blessings so tremendous that angels long to catch a glimpse of these things. The gospel excites their interest so much that they want to study it intently.

1:13-2:10 In this section Peter informed his readers that they were always to fix their hope on the grace that would be theirs at the second coming of Christ.

1:13-21 As resident aliens sojourning in this world, Christians are to live distinctively as those who belong to God.

1:13 The grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ refers to the culmination of God’s redemptive activity in Jesus that will occur at his return (v. 5).

1:14 The phrase former ignorance means “without knowledge of God” and suggests that the recipients of this letter were mostly Gentiles who, before coming to Christ, practiced pagan religions.

1:15-16 God is the Christian’s standard for holy living (Lv 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7).

1:17 As Thomas R. Schreiner notes (1, 2 Peter, Jude), “God’s tenderness and love as Father is mingled with his judgment and the fear that should mark Christians in this world.” Thus, believers should live with a healthy reverence in all their conduct in the world.

1:18-19 The metaphor of an unblemished and spotless lamb points to Christ’s sinlessness (Lv 22:19-25). He is the sacrificial Lamb of God (Jn 1:29; Rv 5).

1:20 The plan for Christ’s sacrifice on behalf of sinners was fixed in eternity past, a sure reality set to unfold at a divinely appointed time in history (Gl 4:4).

1:21 Believers have faith because of the work of Jesus Christ.

1:22-25 Peter exhorted his readers to show sincere brotherly love for each other (i.e., other believers; v. 22) as those who are born again through the living and enduring word of God, the gospel.