THE BOOK OF 1 PETER, Chapter 1, A Living Hope and a Sure Salvation

 

The Book of First Peter, Chapter 1

A Living Hope and a Sure Salvation,

Peter gives instructions on holy living for those suffering persecution, and teaches that God can use difficulties to strengthen Christians and their witness. Knowing this can bring hope. The Book of First Peter helps us discover how faith, refined by suffering, can help us see the Lord more clearly. It gives valuable advice for holding firm in difficult times. The apostle Peter saw that increasing hardship and persecution had scattered believers, which spread their witness but caused some to wonder if God had abandoned them. Peter wrote to encourage them, offering them hope and meaning in the midst of their suffering.

We are perhaps better able to see, as time has passed, that the coming persecution (the fifth tribulation seal of birth pains) which Jesus warned about before His ascension, was already coming upon the Church.

First Peter provides us, The Christian, with a paradigm that we of the twenty-first century seldom take seriously. Peter describes Christians as “resident strangers, foreigner and sojourners”, scattered about the major population centers of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, which were the established Jewish communities and growing Gentile churches. These represent the “diaspora”. Peter calls them “elect exiles” or “strangers scattered” from the Greek word diaspora, which echoes Jewish dispersion language. (Some recipients were likely Jewish Christians dispersed outside Israel. Many were Gentile believers who now shared in Israel’s spiritual identity (1 Peter 2:9–10)). This is a description that we twenty-first century Christians should understand and embrace.

These provinces were firmly under Roman governance. Christians there were:

• Socially marginalized
• Viewed with suspicion
• Facing increasing hostility

Peter’s letter prepares them for suffering (1 Peter 4:12–16). The mention of these provinces situates the letter in a real political and cultural environment where loyalty to Christ conflicted with loyalty to Caesar. And it is not just reasonable, but is justifiable that current day Christian should assume the same mindset and posture in our political and cultural environs.

By naming a broad arc of territories, Peter emphasizes:

• Believers are scattered but united.
• They are temporary residents in earthly regions.
• Their true citizenship is heavenly (1 Peter 1:3–5).

The same is true today. A geographic spread mirrors the spiritual theme: “God’s chosen people are dispersed in the world but belong to another kingdom”.

The big picture significance is that the regions of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia highlight:

1. The wide expansion of Christianity.
2. The fulfillment of the Great Commission beyond Israel.
3. The reality of suffering among dispersed believers.
4. The identity of Christians as elect exiles awaiting future glory.

Now I encourage you to pray and prepare your heart and mind as we enter an emotionally charged, a theologically packed and a spiritually challenging word – and you will be challenged.

A Living Hope and a Sure Salvation

1 Peter 1:1, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen (elect), verse 2, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

(Commentary Break): It would be good. First, to define certain words for our understanding and personal application.

(1). “The chosen” or “the Elect” in verse1, aligns with the biblical theme of God’s election and predestination, as seen in Romans 8:29-30. I.e., the Elect being Christians, then, now and of all the ages. (Regardless of how your denomination views this doctrine, you can rest in this assurance).

(2). “According to the foreknowledge”, (from the Greek word, ‘prognōsis’, denoting the prior knowledge and purposeful awareness of God that undergirds His sovereign actions in history. More than mere foresight, it is the personal, relational knowing by which God sets His redemptive plan in motion and lovingly fixes His regard upon His people before their existence in time. Note: God does not need to have a thought or an idea, He is omniscient – all-knowing and He has always existed. There is no beginning and no end with God. It is difficult if not impossible for the human mind to grasp this reality, but that again is the mystery of God. Take great assurance that “He chose (you) in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him”. (Ephesians 1:4).

(3). “…by the sanctifying work of the Spirit”, from the Greek word ‘hagiasmos’, meaning a state of consecration brought about by God that issues in practical holiness of life. It embraces both the decisive setting-apart that occurs at conversion and the ongoing transformation that conforms believers to the image of Christ. Romans 6:19 and Romans 6:22 link

1. 1. 1. sanctification to freedom from sin’s dominion.
      2. Justification declares the believer righteous;
      3. sanctification makes that righteousness visible in conduct,

d, anticipating glorification.

1 Corinthians 1:30 sets sanctification alongside righteousness and redemption, showing that Christ Himself embodies and secures every stage of salvation.

Recap: Peter is telling you that, as a Christian, you are one of God’s Chosen, His Elect, and have been since before the beginning of time. Rejoice. And that it is and always has been the process of sanctifying, preparing you through all circumstances, freeing you from the power and the penalty of sin by the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, calling you and setting you aside for God’s special purpose. You are just and in right standing before God even before your righteousness is visible. All this glorifies God alone – and the benefits are yours! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, verse 4, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, verse 5, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

(Commentary Break): It is by God’s great mercy and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ alone, that we have received this inheritance, a Living Hope. Please take care to note that it is (1), imperishable, (2), undefiled and (3), will never fade away. This is made secure and certain as you and your inheritance are protected by the power of God through a faith which has been given you by Him in these last days.

AN ESCATALOGICAL NOTE: The phrase “the last time” as used in verse five, comes from the two Greek words, ‘eschatos’ for ‘last’, meaning the end of time. and ‘the end of days’; and the Greek word ‘kairos’, meaning a critical moment and an appointed time; i.e., The end of Days, The last Days, The end if this age. We are put on notice that this is indeed the period of the birth pains of the tribulation, which will be followed by the the Great and Terrible Day the Lord also known as the final seven years of the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb.

Peter is not only preparing us and instructing us he is informing us of the coming Day of the Lord and our need to stay ready, on the alert and sounding the shofar – the alarm – for this weary and waiting world! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 6. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, verse 7, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

(Commentary Break): Rejoicing in fiery trials seems to be counter-intuitive, and indeed it is. That is unless you are aware of the necessity and the purpose of these trials. They are the work of sanctification by the Holy Spirit in your life which gives you freedom from sin’s dominion, leading to a justification which declares you righteous before God; and sanctification makes that your righteousness visible in conduct resulting in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 8, and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, verse 9, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(Commentary Break): All this through the work of our God and Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, so we would obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Of course we would believe in Him, rejoicing! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 10. As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, verse 11, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. Verse 12. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

(Commentary Break): “It was revealed to them” – This phrase refers to the prophets of the Old Testament. God disclosed to them insights about the coming Messiah and the salvation He would bring. This revelation was not through human wisdom but divine insight, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in imparting knowledge of God’s plans.

“that they were not serving themselves, but you” – The prophets understood that their messages were intended for future generations. Their prophecies were not for their own benefit but for those who would come after, particularly the early Christians. This highlights the continuity of God’s plan across generations and the selfless nature of prophetic ministry.

“when they foretold the things now announced” The prophets spoke of the coming of Christ and the salvation He would bring. These prophecies were fulfilled in the New Testament era, as the apostles and early church leaders proclaimed the gospel. This connection between prophecy and fulfillment underscores the reliability of Scripture! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 13. Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Verse 14. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, verse 15, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; verse 16, because it is written: “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

(Commentary Break): Peter now calls us to alert. You and I are not wandering wayfarers. We are ambassadors for Christ. We are missionaries – each and every one of us – completing the mission and calling of Christ Jesus. We are agents of the kingdom of God. We are Holy Spirit influencers. We are God’s invading force, recapturing and reclaiming all that is His. He is taking His children back and out of this world of darkness and into His Light. We are told to be sober in spirit with our focus completely on the revelation of Jesus Christ. No looking around; no side glances at the lures of this world. We are to be holy as He is Holy. The war is begun. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 17. If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; verse 18, knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, verse 19, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. Verse 20. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you, verse 21, who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

(Commentary Break): We should pay particular attention to these verses, seventeen through twenty-one. Not only do they articulate God as our Father and our Judge, but causes us to question and to confirm our identity and relationship with Him. And if we are to rightly call ourselves a Christian, a child and son of the Most High God, and are to expect Him to judge us impartially according to our work, we are to conduct ourselves in fear, (from the Greek word phobos) meaning exceeding fear of judgment and reverence toward God during our brief stay on earth; knowing that we are redeemed from sin, darkness an hell by the most precious Blood of Christ Jesus – Who appeared IN THESE LAST (‘eschatos’, the last in place of time) TIMES (‘chronos’, an individual opportunity, a particular period of time) for our sake (see verse 20). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 22. Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart, verse 23, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. Verse 24. For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS,

AND ALL ITS GLORY IS LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.

THE GRASS WITHERS,

AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,

Verse 25, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”

And this is the word which was preached to you. (End Chapter One).

We are reminded that as Christians we are resident aliens of earth, citizens of the kingdom of God, here on mission, and that we should behave as such, and we should consider our many trials and suffering as the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Peter also gives us recurring themes that God is the Originator and Giver of life, of our faith, is our redeemer and the author of our salvation, our provider, and our Keeper.

And finally, we must not ignore that Peter clearly states that these are indeed The Last Days (which began at the time of Jesus’ birth) as “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times (i.e., the final days) for the sake of you”. Knowing this reminds us that in the grand scheme, time is short and being about our Father’s Work paramount to our success in His Calling and mission. (How close are we? Please also see The Fifth Tribulation Seal and When Does The Seven Years of Great Tribulation Begin?)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: (Coming Soon) THE BOOK OF FIRST Peter, Chapter 2, As Newborn Babes, As Living Stones, Christ is Our Example.

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