1 Peter
1 Peter
1 Peter
64-67 AD
@2011
Peter lived in Capernaum and there is a belief you can see his
home today (NW edge at the Sea of Galilee). Peter is also known
as Simon Peter and Cephas.
Peter’s own brother Andrew brought him to the Lord (John 1).
David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him
from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: "The
LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in
whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my
stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent men you save me. – 2
Samuel 22:1-4.
The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!
– 2 Samuel 22:47.
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1 Peter
Table of Contents
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1 Peter 1
Greeting, Born Again to a Living Hope, Called to Be Holy
Peter starts by saying that 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. As Christians, we need to have the
mentality of being “born-again”. Peter continues, in this you
rejoice, through now for a little while, if necessary, you have
proven to be grieved by various trials, so that the tested
genuineness of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes
thought tested by its 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 see him now,
you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible
and filled with glory. Therefore, preparing your minds for
action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace
that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of
your former ignorance, but he who called you is holy, you also
be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, you shall be
holy, for I am holy. Peter than adds how Christ was foreknown
before the foundation of the world. Peter adds, having purified
your souls by obedience for the truth for a sincere brotherly
love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you
have been born again, not of perishable seed but of
imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. Peter
closes on the point that all flesh is like the grass but grass
withers and the word of the Lord remains forever.
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 – 1 Peter 1:3-4
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. – 1 Peter 1:6-8
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere
brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you
have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable,
through the living and abiding word of God; -1 Peter 1:22-23
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1 Peter 2
A Living Stone and Holy People, Submission to Authority
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Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
– 1 Peter 2:17
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the
good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing,
when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure?
But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious
thing in the sight of God. – 1 Peter 2:18-20
1 Peter 3
Wives and Husbands, Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake
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whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his
tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn
away from evil an do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For
the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open
to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who
do evil. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for
what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’
sake, you will be blessed. But in our hearts honor Christ as
Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone
who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it
with gentleness and respect. This is a basis for apologetics. We
should have our homework done when someone questions our faith
and we should know beforehand on how we will articulate our
faith. A person does not become an atheist or agnostic because
of his intellect. What stands between an atheist and belief is
their accountability for sin and they may not realize that. It’s
a spiritual battle and a supernatural issue. Peter continues,
for it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be
God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once
for his sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might
bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive
in the spirit.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to
their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." – 1
Peter 3:12
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be
blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts
honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a
defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in
you; yet do it with gentleness and respect – 1 Peter 3:14-15
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1 Peter 4
Stewards of God’s Grace, Suffering as a Christian
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to
do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking
parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised
when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they
malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge
the living and the dead. – 1 Peter 4:4-5
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you
to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But
rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also
rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. – 1 Peter 4:12-13
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because
the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. – 1 Peter 4:14
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let
him glorify God in that name. – 1 Peter 4:16
1 Peter 5
Shepherd the Flock of God, Final Greetings
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the
same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood
throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the
God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will
himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. – 1 Peter 5:8-
10
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