Thanksgiving for a living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusFaith tried amid suffering
Connection to the wholeThe resurrection hope frames the readers' present trials and the preciousness of the salvation proclaimed to them.
interpretation 1 Peter 1:13
KJVWherefore 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;
Read it in context
Be holy and fear God
Start reading at 1 Peter 1:13 (1 Peter 1:13 to 1 Peter 1:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Peter draws an ethical conclusion from the hope, grounding reverent holiness in the costly redemption through Christ.
- 1:13 Wherefore 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;
- 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
- 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
- 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
- 1:17 And 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:
- 1:18 Forasmuch 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;
- 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
- 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
- 1:21 Who 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Peter the apostle is the named author. Silvanus is associated with the letter's delivery or composition in the closing statement; his precise role is not fully explained. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Peter 1:1–2:25): Peter addresses scattered believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia about identity, holiness, and conduct among outsiders; servants receive specific instruction. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The elect strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: Christian communities facing suffering in Asia Minor. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 4:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Be holy and fear God. Read 1 Peter 1:13 through 1 Peter 1:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Peter draws an ethical conclusion from the hope, grounding reverent holiness in the costly redemption through Christ. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter addresses believers facing trials and speaks of Christ's revelation as their hope. It gives no calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The opening names regions of dispersion. The greeting from Babylon should be reported as written; identifying it with another city is an interpretation. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Be holy and fear God (1 Peter 1:13 to 1 Peter 1:21). Start reading at 1 Peter 1:13. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Christ's suffering, resurrection, and example ground the exhortation. The baptism statement in chapter 3 should be read with its own qualification and its reference to Jesus' resurrection. See 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Live faithfully and do good under pressure, entrusting judgment to God. Instructions about suffering do not make wrongdoing by those who cause it righteous. interpretation
Cited: 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 1:21, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and mentions Silvanus as the one who wrote it.
1 Peter 1:11 Peter 5:12
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Peter.
What is debatedSome critical scholars question the polished Greek, though the letter itself credits Silvanus.
Related passages
- gird Exod 12:11 Luke 12:35 Jer 1:17 Luke 17:8 Eph 6:14 1 Kgs 18:46 2 Kgs 4:29 Job 38:3
- be sober 1 Pet 4:7 1 Pet 5:8 Luke 21:34-35 Rom 13:13 1 Thess 5:6-7
- hope 1 Pet 1:3-5 1 Pet 3:15 Rom 15:4-13 1 Cor 13:13 1 Thess 5:8 Heb 3:6 Heb 6:19 1 John 3:3
- the grace 1 Pet 1:4-9 Luke 17:30 1 Cor 1:7 2 Thess 1:7 2 Tim 4:8 Titus 2:11-13 Heb 9:28 Heb 10:35
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Peter 1
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
FocusHope expressed in conduct
Connection to the wholePeter draws an ethical conclusion from the hope, grounding reverent holiness in the costly redemption through Christ.
interpretation Love one another fervently
1 Peter 1:22–25FocusObedience and the enduring word
Connection to the wholeThe appeal to sincere love is linked to purification through obeying the truth and new birth through God's enduring word.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Peter
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
A living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusResurrection and salvation
Connection to the wholeThanksgiving places the readers' present trials within their hope and the salvation announced to them.
interpretation FocusNew birth, obedience, and identity
Connection to the wholeThe hope leads into holiness, love, and the image of believers coming to Christ as living stones.
interpretation Honourable conduct
1 Peter 2:11–3:12FocusLife among others and within households
Connection to the wholePeter applies the calling to public conduct, service, marriage, and the community's manner toward one another.
interpretation Suffering with faithfulness
1 Peter 3:13–4:19FocusChrist's example and God's judgment
Connection to the wholeThe letter addresses opposition by directing believers toward Christ and toward continued doing of good under trial.
interpretation Shepherding and steadfastness
1 Peter 5:1–14FocusHumility, vigilance, and grace
Connection to the wholeFinal instructions to elders and the church join mutual humility with watchfulness and steadfast resistance to the adversary.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.