1 Peter 1:1-9

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


The author of this letter is Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. He wrote to the exiles of the Dispersion. These were Jewish believers who had been chosen (elect) to be temporary residents in Gentile countries outside Judea. Their movement abroad into Gentile nations wasn’t random but was done with the foreknowledge of God the Father with the Spirit’s sanctification. Obedience to Jesus is the goal of the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification in a believer’s life. The sprinkling of Jesus’ blood looks to the atoning work of Jesus on the Cross that cleanses us in the same way blood was sprinkled in the cleansing of the template, inaugurating the Law, and ordaining Aaron to the priesthood. In the same way, Jesus’ blood cleanses us and restores us to fellowship with God day by day (1 John 1:7,9). Note that all the Persons of the Trinity are mentioned in this verse. Peter closes his greeting expressing a desire that grace and peace would not just be experienced but be multiplied to his readers.

According to God the Father’s great mercy, He has given us a living hope through our rebirth in Jesus that was made possible by His death and resurrection. Referring to them as born again tells us that Peter is writing to believers. Biblical hope is not a wish but a certainty based on God’s promises yet to be fulfilled. Our hope is for an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Our hope is permanent, it cannot waste away or be lost. Our hope is unstained by sin. And our hope does not lose its luster or desirability. This hope is reserved for us in heaven by God. Our hope does not rest in our own ability to stay the course but in an inheritance that is already ours and is being protected by God and His faithfulness. The salvation Peter is talking about is our future destiny in heaven which will be fully revealed when we appear before Him.

We can rejoice in this sure hope even though we might find ourselves grieved as we face various trials. The word Peter uses for trials covers both negative experiences like sickness, accidents, and war along with persecution for their faith. As a Christian, your joy should be independent of your circumstances. Trails themselves should even be considered reasons for joy (James 1:2). Though they bring temporary pain, they don’t change the living hope we have in Christ Jesus. The various trials we face serve to strengthen our faith and show its genuineness. Genuine faith is more precious than gold which eventually perishes. Genuine faith will result in a commendation, the “well done” that will be given by the Father (Matt 25:21) when Jesus is revealed at His second coming. Peter reminds these believers that while they were not eyewitnesses of Jesus, they still believe (John 20:29). Our faith should be based in the person of Jesus and that should result in an inexpressible joy as we focus on the end result of our faith—eternal life with Him.

Do you have joy in your life that is independent of your circumstances? What have you been focussing on that is robbing you of the joy that is yours in Jesus Christ? Do you need to remind yourself of the living hope you have in Jesus so you can inflame that joy again?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Coming Judgement on Israel: Micah 1-2