FocusFaith 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 1:6
KJVWherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Read it in context
Thanksgiving for a living hope
Start reading at 1 Peter 1:1 (1 Peter 1:1 to 1 Peter 1:12).
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.
The resurrection hope frames the readers' present trials and the preciousness of the salvation proclaimed to them.
- 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
- 1:2 Elect 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.
- 1:3 Blessed 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,
- 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
- 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
- 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
- 1:7 That 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:
- 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
- 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
- 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
- 1:11 Searching 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.
- 1:12 Unto 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.
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? Thanksgiving for a living hope. Read 1 Peter 1:1 through 1 Peter 1:12 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The resurrection hope frames the readers' present trials and the preciousness of the salvation proclaimed to them. 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 Thanksgiving for a living hope (1 Peter 1:1 to 1 Peter 1:12). Start reading at 1 Peter 1:1. 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 1:1, 1 Peter 1:12, 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
- ye greatly 1 Pet 1:8 1 Pet 4:13 1 Sam 2:1 Ps 9:14 Ps 35:10 Ps 95:1 Isa 12:2-3 Isa 61:3,10
- for 1 Pet 4:7 1 Pet 5:10 2 Cor 4:17
- if 1 Pet 1:7 Ps 119:75 Lam 3:32-33 Heb 12:7-11
- ye are Job 9:27-28 Ps 69:20 Ps 119:28 Isa 61:3 Matt 11:28 Matt 26:37 Rom 9:2 Phil 2:26
- manifold Ps 34:19 John 16:33 Acts 14:22 1 Cor 4:9-13 2 Cor 4:7-11 2 Cor 11:23-27 Heb 11:35-38 Jas 1:2
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
Be holy and fear God
1 Peter 1:13–21FocusHope 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
FocusResurrection and salvation
Connection to the wholeThanksgiving places the readers' present trials within their hope and the salvation announced to them.
interpretation A holy and built-together people
1 Peter 1:13–2:10FocusNew 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.