This epistle is written to believing Jews in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. In these districts were several of the churches that had been visited by Paul, to some of which he also wrote epistles.
This first epistle is founded on the doctrine of the heavenly calling, in contrast to the earthly portion of the Jews. Believers are contemplated as strangers and pilgrims, salvation being regarded as future, though soul salvation was already possessed. (1 Peter 1:9.) The “house” is referred to, but not the “body”, nor union with Christ.
The epistle contains important moral principles, which are true at all times, and are unaffected by dispensational changes.
The trials of the saints have here a large place. In 1 Peter 1. it is from God; in 1 Peter 2. from unrighteousness; in 1 Peter 3. for righteousness' sake; in 1 Peter 4. for Christ's sake; and in 1 Peter 5. directly from Satan.
The government of God in favor of the saints is seen in this epistle (cf. 1 Peter 3:10-13); and respecting the wicked in the 2 Peter.
It was apparently sent from Babylon on the Euphrates, where many Jews were located at that time. There is nothing that fixes the date. It is generally placed at A.D. 60 to 63.
1 Peter 1
Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners of the dispersion (cf. John 7:35)—elect (not as a nation here, but as individuals, and not by God as Jehovah, or as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: but) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by sanctification of the Spirit, unto the obedience, and sprinkling of the blood, of Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead, to an inheritance reserved in the heavens (in contrast to the earthly inheritance, which was defiled and forfeited by their fathers).
They greatly rejoiced, though put to grief by trials, that the proving of their faith might be found to praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Whom, having not seen, they loved (in contrast with the remnant by and by, who will love and believe when they see their Messiah) and exulted with joy unspeakable and were filled with glory, receiving the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls (in contrast to the many national but temporary deliverances wrought by Jehovah for Israel).
Concerning which salvation the prophets searched, as to the sufferings and the glories of Christ. To whom it was revealed that the things they ministered were not unto themselves, but unto them that now believe: and which things angels desire to look into.
1 Peter 1:13-16. Exhortations follow.
If ye invoke as Father, Him who judges according to the work of each, pass your time in fear (of displeasing Him): knowing that ye are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who (as the Passover lamb was laid up from the tenth to the fourteenth day) was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the (varied, preceding) times for your sakes, who by Him do believe in God, who raised Him from the dead.
They had purified themselves from their old associations through obeying the truth, now they were to love one another as brethren—Christians—for they were not connected with those born of Abraham, but of God, by the incorruptible seed of the word.
1 Peter 2
Laying aside therefore all evil, as new-born babes desire earnestly the pure mental milk of the word, that ye may by it grow up to salvation.
Ye have come to a living stone, cast away by men, but with God chosen, precious-yourselves also as living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
To you therefore who believe is the preciousness; but to the disobedient the stone, which the rulers of Israel cast away as worthless, is become a stone of offense.
Ye are a chosen race, a kingly priesthood (in the Melchisedec character here-royal, and imparting blessings to others), a holy nation, a people for a possession (cf. Ex. 19:6), to set forth the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness to His wonderful light: who once were not a people, but are now God's people; who were not enjoying mercy, but now have found mercy (cf. Hos. 2:1,23).
Exhortations follow.—As strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts; and let your manner of life be honest, that the Gentiles may glorify God in a day of visitation. (See Isa. 10:3)
Peter 2:18-25. Exhortations to household servants.
He bore our sins that, being dead to sins, we might live to righteousness. (“Dead to sins” here is in respect to practice, not as in Paul, 'dead to sin,' the principle.)
As sheep ye “went astray; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
1 Peter 3:1-6.
Exhortations to wives.
1 Peter 3:7. Exhortations to husbands.
1 Peter 3:8-22. Exhortations to all: principles of God's government. None should have to suffer for unrighteousness; for Christ has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust to bring us to God, having been put to death in flesh, but made alive in [the] Spirit, in which also going he preached to the spirits in prison, who were disobedient in the days of Noah (He preached by Noah to those now in prison: cf. 1 Peter 1:11; Gen. 6:3; 2 Peter 2:5,9).
Eight souls were saved through water: which figure also now saves, even baptism, the demand (or question) as before God of a good conscience, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (this meeting all a conscience can desire).
1 Peter 4
As Christ has suffered for us in flesh, and thus died to sin and to the course of human life down here, now to live in spirit, so arm yourselves with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh (by resisting evil, and refusing to do the will of the flesh) has done with sin (practically, cf. Rom. 6), living to God's will the rest of his time. Not as formerly according to the will of the Gentiles, who shall render account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For to this end had the glad tidings been preached to the dead also (those now dead: cf. 1 Peter 3:19, 20), that they might be judged, as regards men, after [the] flesh, but (rather that they should) live, as regards God, after [the] Spirit.
Let each according as he has received a gift so minister it, as good stewards of the various grace of God. If any one speaks (in the assembly) let it be as oracles of God; if any one ministers, let it be in God s strength; that God in all things may be glorified.
Think it not strange concerning the fiery persecution for your trial, but as ye have share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that in the revelation of His glory also ye may rejoice with exultation.
If ye are reproached in the name of Christ, blessed are ye; for the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you.
Let none suffer as an evil-doer, but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but glorify God in this name.
For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God. And if the righteous be difficultly saved (through evils and persecutions), where shall the impious and the sinner appear?
Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator.
1 Peter 5
Peter, an elder, and witness of the sufferings of the Christ and partaker of the glory about to be revealed, exhorts the elders to shepherd the flock (cf. John 21:15-17), exercising oversight—being models for the flock. And when the chief Shepherd comes they shall receive the unfailing crown of glory.
Let the younger be subject to the elder.
The God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered for a little while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, ground you: to Him be the glory and the might for the ages of the ages. Amen.
Salutations follow, and the benediction.