Reference: Peter, First Epistle of
Easton
This epistle is addressed to "the strangers scattered abroad", i.e., to the Jews of the Dispersion (the Diaspora).
Its object is to confirm its readers in the doctrines they had been already taught. Peter has been called "the apostle of hope," because this epistle abounds with words of comfort and encouragement fitted to sustain a "lively hope." It contains about thirty-five references to the Old Testament.
It was written from Babylon, on the Euphrates, which was at this time one of the chief seats of Jewish learning, and a fitting centre for labour among the Jews. It has been noticed that in the beginning of his epistle Peter names the provinces of Asia Minor in the order in which they would naturally occur to one writing from Babylon. He counsels (1) to steadfastness and perseverance under persecution (1-2:10); (2) to the practical duties of a holy life (2:11-3:13); (3) he adduces the example of Christ and other motives to patience and holiness (3:14-4:19); and (4) concludes with counsels to pastors and people (ch. 5).
Hastings
No Epistle of the NT has caught more of the spirit of Jesus than 1Peter . Imbued with a strong love for the risen Christ, and a profound conviction of the truth of the gospel as established in the world by the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, the author delineates a rich Christian life on the basis of these evangelical facts.
1. Contents.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Blessed are those who suffer persecution for being and doing right, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. "Blessed are you when people abuse you, and persecute you, and keep on falsely telling all sorts of evil against you for my sake.
Let your light shine before people in such a way that they may see your good deeds, and praise your Father in heaven.
So I tell you, stop worrying about your life, as to what you will have to eat or drink, or about your body, as to what you will have to wear. Is not life worth more than food and the body worth more than clothes?
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Some scribes were sitting there arguing and saying to themselves, read more. "Why is He talking this way? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Now Jesus at once felt in His spirit that they were arguing about this, and said, "Why are you arguing to yourselves about this? Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say to him, 'Get up, pick up your pallet and start walking!" But to show you that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth," turning to the paralyzed man He said,
Then He began to speak to them in stories. "A man once planted a vineyard and fenced it in and hewed out a wine-vat and built a watchtower; then he rented it to tenant farmers, and went abroad. At the proper time he sent a slave to the tenants to collect his part of the grape crop. read more. But they took him and beat him and sent him back empty-handed. And again he sent another slave to them, and they beat his head and treated him shamefully. Then he sent a third one, and they killed him, and many others, some of whom they beat, some they killed. He had one more to send, his dearly loved son; at last he sent him to them, for he said to himself, 'They will surely respect my son.' But those tenants said among themselves, 'This is his heir; come on, let us kill him, and all that is coming to him will be ours.' So they took him and killed him, and threw his body outside the vineyard. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come back and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you never read this passage of Scripture: "'That stone which the builders threw away has now become the cornerstone; This is the work of the Lord, and seems wonderful to us'?" Then they were trying to have Him arrested, but they were afraid of the people, for they knew that He aimed this story at them. And so they left Him and went away.
this very Jesus, I say, after He was betrayed, in accordance with the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you had wicked men kill by nailing Him to a cross;
So He has been exalted to God's right hand and has received from His Father, as promised, and poured out upon us the Holy Spirit, as you see and hear.
But in this way God fulfilled what He by the lips of all the prophets foretold, that the Christ should suffer. So now repent and turn to Him, to have your sins wiped out, that times of revival may come from the presence of the Lord, read more. and He may send back Jesus, the Christ who long ago was appointed for you. Yet heaven must retain Him till the time for the universal restoration of which God in the early ages spoke through the lips of His holy prophets.
The God of our forefathers raised Jesus to life after you had hanged Him on a cross and killed Him. God has exalted to His right hand this very One as our Leader and Saviour, in order to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
He also ordered us to proclaim to the people and solemnly to testify that this is the One whom God has appointed to be the Judge of the living and the dead. To this very One all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him is to receive the forgiveness of sins through His name."
Just as He says in Hosea: "I will call a people that was not mine, my people, and her who was not beloved, my beloved,
Why? Because they did not try through faith but through what they could do. They have stumbled over the stone that causes people to stumble,
Why? Because they did not try through faith but through what they could do. They have stumbled over the stone that causes people to stumble, as the Scripture says: "See, I put on Zion a stone for causing people to stumble, a rock to trip them on, but no one who puts his faith in it will ever be put to shame."
I beg you, therefore, brothers, through these mercies God has shown you, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies as a living sacrifice, devoted and well-pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. Stop living in accordance with the customs of this world, but by the new ideals that mold your minds continue to transform yourselves, so as to find and follow God's will; that is, what is good, well-pleasing to Him, and perfect. read more. Now through the unmerited favor God has shown me I would say to every one of you not to estimate himself above his real value, but to make a sober rating of himself, in accordance with the degree of faith which God has apportioned to him.
As we have gifts that differ in accordance with the favor God has shown us, if it is that of preaching, let it be done in proportion to our faith;
Your love must be true. You must always turn in horror from what is wrong, but keep on holding to what is right.
Keep on thinking in harmony with one another. Stop being high-minded but keep on associating with lowly people. Stop being conceited.
Everybody must obey the civil authorities that are over him, for no authority exists except by God's permission; the existing authorities have been established by Him,
For the civil authorities are God's servants to do you good. But if you practice doing wrong, you should dread them, for they do not wield the sword for nothing. Indeed, they are God's servants to inflict punishment upon people who do wrong.
Pay all of them what is due them -- tribute to the officer to receive it, taxes to the officer to receive them, respect to the man entitled to it, and honor to the man entitled to it. Stop owing anybody anything, except the obligation to love one another, for whoever practices loving others has perfectly satisfied the law.
and because they recognized the favor God had shown me, James, Cephas, and John, the so-called pillar apostles, gave Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, with the understanding that we should go to the heathen and they to the Jews.
Now when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not heathen sinners, and yet, because we know that a man does not come into right standing with God by doing what the law commands, but by simple trust in Christ, we too have trusted in Christ Jesus, in order to come into right standing with God by simple trust in Christ and not by doing what the law commands, because by doing what the law commands no man can come into right standing with God. read more. Now if, in our efforts to come into right standing with God through union with Christ, we have proved ourselves to be sinners like the heathen themselves, does that make Christ a party to our sin? Of course not.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who through Christ has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm. Through Him He picked us out before the creation of the world, to be consecrated and above reproach in His sight in love. read more. He foreordained us to become His sons by adoption through Christ Jesus, to carry out the happy choice of His will, so that we might praise the splendid favor which He has shown us in His beloved Son. It is through union with Him that we have redemption by His blood and the forgiveness of our shortcomings, in accordance with the generosity of His unmerited favor which He lavished upon us. Through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight He has made known to us the secret of His will, which is in accordance with His purpose which He planned in Christ, so that, at the coming of the climax of the ages, everything in heaven and on earth should be unified through Christ, in union with whom we were made God's portion, since we had been foreordained in accordance with the purpose of Him who in everything carries out the plan of His will, that we who had first put our hope in Christ might praise His glory. You too, as you have heard the message of the truth, the good news that means your salvation, and as you have trusted in Him too, have been stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the first installment of our inheritance, so that we may finally come into full possession of the prize of redemption, and praise His glory for it.
when He raised Christ from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in heaven, far above every other government, authority, power, and dominion, yea, far above every other title that can be conferred, not only in this world but in the world to come. read more. And so He has put all things under His feet and made Him the supreme Head of the church,
for it is by Him through one Spirit that both of us now have an introduction to the Father. So you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are fellow-citizens of God's people and members of His family; read more. for you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself the cornerstone. In union with Him the whole building is harmoniously fitted together and continues to grow into a temple, sacred through its union with the Lord, and you yourselves, in union with Him, in fellowship with one another, are being built up into a dwelling for God through the Spirit.
which in the earlier ages, so different from the present, was not made known to mankind as fully as now, but through the Spirit it has been revealed to His Holy apostles and prophets --
so that the many phases of God's wisdom may now through the church be made known to the rulers and authorities in heaven,
Concerning this the Scripture says: "He led a host of captives, when He went up on high, and granted gifts to men." What does "He went up" mean, except that He had first gone down into the lower regions of the earth? read more. The very One that went down has gone up, too, far above all the heavens, to fill the universe. And He has given some men to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers, for the immediate equipment of God's people for the work of service, for the ultimate building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to unity in faith and to perfect knowledge of the Son of God, namely, to a mature manhood and to a perfect measure of Christ's moral stature; so that we may not be babies any longer, or like sailors tossed about and driven around by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men through their cunning in inventing new methods of error. But, on the other hand, we shall go on holding to the truth and in love growing up into perfect union with Him, that is, Christ Himself who is the Head. For it is under His direction that the whole body is perfectly adjusted and united by every joint that furnishes its supplies; and by the proper functioning of each particular part there is brought about the growing of the body for its building up in love. So I mean this and now testify to it in the name of the Lord: You must now stop living as the heathen usually do, in the frivolity of their minds, with darkened understanding, estranged from the life of God because of the ignorance that exists among them and because of the stubbornness of their hearts; for in their recklessness they have abandoned themselves to sensuality which leads to excessive practices of all sorts of immorality.
You married women must continue to live in subordination to your husbands, as you do to the Lord, for a husband is the head of his wife, just as Christ is the Head of the church, His body, and Saviour of it. read more. Just as the church is subject to Christ, so the married women in everything must be subject to their husbands. You married men must love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, to consecrate her, after cleansing her through His word, as pictured in the water bath, that He might present the church to Himself as a splendid bride without a blot or wrinkle or anything like it, but to be consecrated and faultless. This is the way married men ought to love their wives, as they do their own bodies. The married man who loves his wife is really loving himself, for no one ever hates his own physical person, but he feeds and fosters it, just as Christ does the church; because we are parts of His body. Therefore, a man must leave his father and mother and so perfectly unite himself to his wife that the two shall be one. This is a great secret; I mean this about Christ and the church. But each one of you married men must love his wife as he loves himself, and the married woman, too, must respect her husband.
You slaves must practice obedience to your earthly masters, with reverence and awe, with sincerity of heart, as you would obey Christ,
for, if that had been the case, He would have had to suffer over and over again, ever since the creation of the world. But, as it is, once at the close of the ages He has appeared, to put away sin by His sacrifice.
and thought the reproach endured for the Christ was greater wealth than all the treasures in Egypt, for he kept his eye upon the reward.
Therefore, as we have so vast a crowd of spectators in the grandstands, let us throw off every impediment and the sin that easily entangles our feet, and run with endurance the race for which we are entered, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the perfect leader and example of faith, who, instead of the joy which lay before Him, endured the cross with no regard for its shame, and since has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. read more. Yes, to keep from growing weary and fainthearted, just think of the examples set by Him who has endured so great opposition aimed at Him by sinful men!
Let us, therefore, go to Him outside the camp, enduring the reproach that He endured;
perfectly fit you to do His will, He Himself, through Jesus Christ, accomplishing through you what is pleasing to Him. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
perfectly fit you to do His will, He Himself, through Jesus Christ, accomplishing through you what is pleasing to Him. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sends greetings to the twelve tribes that are scattered over the world. You must consider it the purest joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials,
For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, and its flowers wither, and its beauty fades away; so will rich men fade away in their pursuits. Blessed is the person who endures trial, for when he stands the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. read more. No one must say, when he is tempted to do evil, "I have a temptation from God to do evil," for God cannot be tempted to do evil, and He never tempts anyone to do so. But anyone is tempted to do evil when he is allured by his own evil desire and enticed by a bait. Then evil desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin is completed, it brings forth death. You must avoid being misled, my dearly loved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect boon is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or changing shadow. In accordance with His will He made us His children by the message of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. You must understand this, my dearly loved brothers. Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to get angry; for a man's anger does not produce the uprightness that God requires. So strip yourselves of everything impure and all the evils prevailing around you, and in humble spirit welcome the message which when rooted in your hearts is able to save your souls. Keep on obeying this message; do not merely listen to it, and so deceive yourselves.
But He gives a greater spiritual blessing. He says, "God opposes haughty people but blesses humble people."
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you high.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the foreign-born Jews who are scattered over Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, the people chosen in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the consecration of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: spiritual blessing and peace to you in increasing abundance.
the people chosen in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the consecration of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: spiritual blessing and peace to you in increasing abundance.
the people chosen in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the consecration of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: spiritual blessing and peace to you in increasing abundance. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In accordance with His great mercy He has begotten us anew to an ever living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In accordance with His great mercy He has begotten us anew to an ever living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In accordance with His great mercy He has begotten us anew to an ever living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In accordance with His great mercy He has begotten us anew to an ever living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; yes, to an inheritance that is imperishable, unsullied, and unfading, which is kept in heaven for you
yes, to an inheritance that is imperishable, unsullied, and unfading, which is kept in heaven for you
yes, to an inheritance that is imperishable, unsullied, and unfading, which is kept in heaven for you who are always guarded by the power of God through faith, in order that you may receive that final salvation which will be ready to be uncovered for you at the last time.
who are always guarded by the power of God through faith, in order that you may receive that final salvation which will be ready to be uncovered for you at the last time.
who are always guarded by the power of God through faith, in order that you may receive that final salvation which will be ready to be uncovered for you at the last time.
who are always guarded by the power of God through faith, in order that you may receive that final salvation which will be ready to be uncovered for you at the last time. In such a hope keep on rejoicing, although for a little while you must be sorrow-stricken with various trials,
In such a hope keep on rejoicing, although for a little while you must be sorrow-stricken with various trials,
In such a hope keep on rejoicing, although for a little while you must be sorrow-stricken with various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even after it is shown by the test of fire to be genuine, may result in your praise and glory and honor at the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even after it is shown by the test of fire to be genuine, may result in your praise and glory and honor at the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even after it is shown by the test of fire to be genuine, may result in your praise and glory and honor at the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even after it is shown by the test of fire to be genuine, may result in your praise and glory and honor at the unveiling of Jesus Christ. You must continue to love Him, although you have never seen Him, but because you do believe in Him, although you do not now see Him, you must continue to rejoice with an unutterable and triumphant joy,
You must continue to love Him, although you have never seen Him, but because you do believe in Him, although you do not now see Him, you must continue to rejoice with an unutterable and triumphant joy,
You must continue to love Him, although you have never seen Him, but because you do believe in Him, although you do not now see Him, you must continue to rejoice with an unutterable and triumphant joy,
You must continue to love Him, although you have never seen Him, but because you do believe in Him, although you do not now see Him, you must continue to rejoice with an unutterable and triumphant joy,
You must continue to love Him, although you have never seen Him, but because you do believe in Him, although you do not now see Him, you must continue to rejoice with an unutterable and triumphant joy, because you will receive the goal of your faith, the ultimate salvation of your souls.
because you will receive the goal of your faith, the ultimate salvation of your souls.
because you will receive the goal of your faith, the ultimate salvation of your souls.
because you will receive the goal of your faith, the ultimate salvation of your souls. Even the prophets, who prophesied about the spiritual blessing meant for you, made careful investigations and persistent research about this salvation,
Even the prophets, who prophesied about the spiritual blessing meant for you, made careful investigations and persistent research about this salvation,
Even the prophets, who prophesied about the spiritual blessing meant for you, made careful investigations and persistent research about this salvation, earnestly trying to find out the time, and the nature of the times, which the Spirit of the Christ within them pointed to, in foretelling the sufferings of the Christ and the glory that should follow them.
earnestly trying to find out the time, and the nature of the times, which the Spirit of the Christ within them pointed to, in foretelling the sufferings of the Christ and the glory that should follow them.
earnestly trying to find out the time, and the nature of the times, which the Spirit of the Christ within them pointed to, in foretelling the sufferings of the Christ and the glory that should follow them.
earnestly trying to find out the time, and the nature of the times, which the Spirit of the Christ within them pointed to, in foretelling the sufferings of the Christ and the glory that should follow them. It was made known to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in their searching for these things that have already been told to you by those who through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news. The angels long to take a peep into these things.
It was made known to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in their searching for these things that have already been told to you by those who through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news. The angels long to take a peep into these things.
It was made known to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in their searching for these things that have already been told to you by those who through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news. The angels long to take a peep into these things.
It was made known to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in their searching for these things that have already been told to you by those who through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news. The angels long to take a peep into these things.
It was made known to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in their searching for these things that have already been told to you by those who through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news. The angels long to take a peep into these things. Therefore, as a means of spiritual preparation, tighten up the belt about your minds, keep perfectly calm, keep your hope on the spiritual blessing to be conferred upon you at the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as a means of spiritual preparation, tighten up the belt about your minds, keep perfectly calm, keep your hope on the spiritual blessing to be conferred upon you at the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as a means of spiritual preparation, tighten up the belt about your minds, keep perfectly calm, keep your hope on the spiritual blessing to be conferred upon you at the unveiling of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, stop molding your character by the evil desires you used to cherish when you did not know any better,
As obedient children, stop molding your character by the evil desires you used to cherish when you did not know any better, but in accordance with the Holy Being who has called you, you must prove to be holy too, read more. for the Scripture says: "You ought to be holy, because I am holy."
for the Scripture says: "You ought to be holy, because I am holy." And if you address as Father, Him who judges everyone impartially in accordance with what he does, you must live reverently all your fleeting stay on earth,
And if you address as Father, Him who judges everyone impartially in accordance with what he does, you must live reverently all your fleeting stay on earth, because you know that you have not been ransomed with things that perish as silver or gold, from the futile way of living taught by your fathers,
because you know that you have not been ransomed with things that perish as silver or gold, from the futile way of living taught by your fathers,
because you know that you have not been ransomed with things that perish as silver or gold, from the futile way of living taught by your fathers,
because you know that you have not been ransomed with things that perish as silver or gold, from the futile way of living taught by your fathers,
because you know that you have not been ransomed with things that perish as silver or gold, from the futile way of living taught by your fathers,
because you know that you have not been ransomed with things that perish as silver or gold, from the futile way of living taught by your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without a blemish or a blot,
but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without a blemish or a blot,
but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without a blemish or a blot,
but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without a blemish or a blot, who was foreordained for it before the foundation of the world but was brought out to public view at the end of the ages, for the sake of you
who was foreordained for it before the foundation of the world but was brought out to public view at the end of the ages, for the sake of you
who was foreordained for it before the foundation of the world but was brought out to public view at the end of the ages, for the sake of you
who was foreordained for it before the foundation of the world but was brought out to public view at the end of the ages, for the sake of you who through Him trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope may rest in God.
who through Him trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope may rest in God. Since you have purified your souls by obeying the truth, in sincere love for the brotherhood you must love one another heartily and fervently, read more. because you have been born anew, not from a germ that perishes but from one that does not perish, by the word of the living and everlasting God.
because you have been born anew, not from a germ that perishes but from one that does not perish, by the word of the living and everlasting God.
So once for all get rid of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all sorts of slander,
It must be so, because the Scriptures say: "Here now I lay in Zion a chosen stone, a costly cornerstone, And not a single one who puts his trust in Him will ever be put to shame."
It must be so, because the Scriptures say: "Here now I lay in Zion a chosen stone, a costly cornerstone, And not a single one who puts his trust in Him will ever be put to shame."
and: "A stone for them to stumble over and a rock to trip them up." They keep on stumbling over the message, because they are disobedient to it, and this is their appointed doom.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once His mercy had not been shown you, but now it has.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once His mercy had not been shown you, but now it has.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once His mercy had not been shown you, but now it has.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once His mercy had not been shown you, but now it has. Dearly beloved, I beg you as aliens and exiles to keep on abstaining from the evil desires of your lower nature, because they are always at war with the soul.
Dearly beloved, I beg you as aliens and exiles to keep on abstaining from the evil desires of your lower nature, because they are always at war with the soul. Keep on living upright lives among the heathen, so that, when they slander you as evildoers, by what they see of your good deeds they may come to praise God on the judgment day.
Keep on living upright lives among the heathen, so that, when they slander you as evildoers, by what they see of your good deeds they may come to praise God on the judgment day.
Keep on living upright lives among the heathen, so that, when they slander you as evildoers, by what they see of your good deeds they may come to praise God on the judgment day.
Keep on living upright lives among the heathen, so that, when they slander you as evildoers, by what they see of your good deeds they may come to praise God on the judgment day. For the Lord's sake submit to all human authority; to the emperor as supreme,
For the Lord's sake submit to all human authority; to the emperor as supreme, and to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to reward those who do right.
and to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to reward those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live like free men, only do not make your freedom a pretext for doing evil, but live like slaves of God.
Live like free men, only do not make your freedom a pretext for doing evil, but live like slaves of God. Show honor to everyone. Practice love for the brotherhood; practice reverence to God and honor to the Emperor.
Show honor to everyone. Practice love for the brotherhood; practice reverence to God and honor to the Emperor. You house-servants must be submissive to your masters and show them perfect respect, not only to those who are kind and fair but also to those who are cruel. read more. For it is pleasing in the sight of God for one to bear his sorrows though suffering innocently. For what credit is it to bear it patiently, if you do wrong and are beaten for it? But if you do right and patiently suffer for it, it is pleasing in the sight of God. Indeed, it was to this kind of living that you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you might follow His footsteps. He never committed a sin, and deceit was never found on His lips.
He never committed a sin, and deceit was never found on His lips. Although He was abused, He never retorted; although He continued to suffer, He never threatened, but committed His case to Him who judges justly.
Although He was abused, He never retorted; although He continued to suffer, He never threatened, but committed His case to Him who judges justly. He bore our sins in His own body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to uprightness. By His wounds you have been healed,
He bore our sins in His own body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to uprightness. By His wounds you have been healed, for once you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of Your souls.
You married women, in the same way, must be submissive to your husbands, so that, if any of them do not believe the message, they may be won over without a word through the living of the wives, when they see how chaste and respectful you are. read more. Your adornments must be not of an external nature, with braids of hair or ornaments of gold, or changes of dress, but they must be of an internal nature, the character concealed in the heart, in the imperishable quality of a quiet and gentle spirit, which is of great value in the sight of God. For this is the way the pious women of olden times, who set their hope on God, used to adorn themselves. They were submissive to their husbands, as Sarah, for example, obeyed Abraham and called him master. You have become true daughters of hers, if you practice doing right and cease from every fear. You married men, in the same way, must live with your wives in an intelligent consideration of them; you must show them deference, too, as the weaker sex, as they share with you the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. Finally, you must all live in harmony, be sympathetic, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, humble, never returning evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but blessing instead, because it was for this that you were called, to obtain the blessing of heirs. For "Whoever wants to enjoy life and see delightful days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
For "Whoever wants to enjoy life and see delightful days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
For "Whoever wants to enjoy life and see delightful days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn, too, away from evil and do right; He must seek peace and follow it, read more. Because the eyes of the Lord are on upright men, and His ears listen to their pleading cries, but His face is against them that do wrong."
Because the eyes of the Lord are on upright men, and His ears listen to their pleading cries, but His face is against them that do wrong." And who is it that will harm you if you are enthusiastic to do right?
And who is it that will harm you if you are enthusiastic to do right?
And who is it that will harm you if you are enthusiastic to do right?
And who is it that will harm you if you are enthusiastic to do right? Instead, you are happy, even if you should suffer for doing right. Never be afraid of their threats, and never be disturbed,
Instead, you are happy, even if you should suffer for doing right. Never be afraid of their threats, and never be disturbed,
Instead, you are happy, even if you should suffer for doing right. Never be afraid of their threats, and never be disturbed, but in your hearts be consecrated to Christ as Lord, and always be ready to make your defense to anyone who asks a reason for the hope you have. But you must do it in gentleness and reverence,
but in your hearts be consecrated to Christ as Lord, and always be ready to make your defense to anyone who asks a reason for the hope you have. But you must do it in gentleness and reverence, and keep your conscience clear, so that those who bitterly abuse your excellent conduct as Christians may be ashamed of slandering you.
and keep your conscience clear, so that those who bitterly abuse your excellent conduct as Christians may be ashamed of slandering you.
and keep your conscience clear, so that those who bitterly abuse your excellent conduct as Christians may be ashamed of slandering you. For it is better, if the will of God should plan it so, to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
For it is better, if the will of God should plan it so, to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong. For Christ Himself, once for all, died for our sins, the Innocent for the guilty to bring us to God, being put to death in physical form but made alive in the Spirit,
For Christ Himself, once for all, died for our sins, the Innocent for the guilty to bring us to God, being put to death in physical form but made alive in the Spirit,
For Christ Himself, once for all, died for our sins, the Innocent for the guilty to bring us to God, being put to death in physical form but made alive in the Spirit, in which He went and preached to the spirits in prison,
in which He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient, while God's patience was awaiting in the days when Noah was preparing an ark, in which a few people-- eight, to be exact -- were brought safely through the water.
who had once been disobedient, while God's patience was awaiting in the days when Noah was preparing an ark, in which a few people-- eight, to be exact -- were brought safely through the water.
who had once been disobedient, while God's patience was awaiting in the days when Noah was preparing an ark, in which a few people-- eight, to be exact -- were brought safely through the water. Baptism, which corresponds to this figure, now saves you, too -- I do not mean the mere removal of physical stains, but the craving for a clear conscience toward God -- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, read more. who has gone to heaven and is now at God's right hand, with angels, heavenly authorities and powers made subject to Him.
who has gone to heaven and is now at God's right hand, with angels, heavenly authorities and powers made subject to Him.
So then, since Christ has suffered in our physical form, you too must arm yourselves with the same determination. For whoever suffers in his physical form has done with sin,
So then, since Christ has suffered in our physical form, you too must arm yourselves with the same determination. For whoever suffers in his physical form has done with sin, so that he no longer can spend the rest of his earthly life in harmony with human desires but in accordance with God's will.
so that he no longer can spend the rest of his earthly life in harmony with human desires but in accordance with God's will. For the time that is past is enough for you to have accomplished what the heathen like to do, leading lives that are steeped in sensuality, lustful desires, drunkenness, carousing, revelry, dissipation, and idolatry that leads to lawlessness,
For the time that is past is enough for you to have accomplished what the heathen like to do, leading lives that are steeped in sensuality, lustful desires, drunkenness, carousing, revelry, dissipation, and idolatry that leads to lawlessness, They are astonished that you are not still rushing hand in hand with them into the same excesses of profligate living, and they abuse you for it;
They are astonished that you are not still rushing hand in hand with them into the same excesses of profligate living, and they abuse you for it; but they will have to give account for it to Him who is ready to judge living and dead. read more. This is why the good news was preached to the dead too, that they may be judged in their physical nature as men are, but live in the Spirit as God does. But the end of everything on earth is near. So be serious and sober minded, that you may give yourselves to prayer.
But the end of everything on earth is near. So be serious and sober minded, that you may give yourselves to prayer.
But the end of everything on earth is near. So be serious and sober minded, that you may give yourselves to prayer. Above everything else keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers up a multitude of sins. read more. Be ungrudgingly hospitable to one another. As all of you have received your spiritual talents, you must keep on using them in serving one another, as good trustees of God's many-sided favor. If anyone is preaching, let him do it as one who utters the oracles of God; if anyone is rendering any service to others, let him do it with all the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Dearly beloved, do not be astonished that a test by fire is coming upon you, as though something strange were happening to you,
Dearly beloved, do not be astonished that a test by fire is coming upon you, as though something strange were happening to you, but so far as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that at the uncovering of His glory you may rejoice triumphantly. read more. If you are suffering abuse because you bear the name of Christ, you are happy, because the glorious Spirit of God is resting upon you.
If you are suffering abuse because you bear the name of Christ, you are happy, because the glorious Spirit of God is resting upon you.
If you are suffering abuse because you bear the name of Christ, you are happy, because the glorious Spirit of God is resting upon you.
If you are suffering abuse because you bear the name of Christ, you are happy, because the glorious Spirit of God is resting upon you. For not one of you should suffer as a murderer or as a thief or any sort of criminal, or as a meddler in other people's business,
For not one of you should suffer as a murderer or as a thief or any sort of criminal, or as a meddler in other people's business,
For not one of you should suffer as a murderer or as a thief or any sort of criminal, or as a meddler in other people's business, but if anyone suffers for being a Christian, he must not be ashamed of it, but should keep on praising God for bearing this name.
but if anyone suffers for being a Christian, he must not be ashamed of it, but should keep on praising God for bearing this name. Because the time has come for judgment to begin at the household of God, and if it begins with us, what will the end be of those who are rejecting God's good news? read more. And if it is hard for the upright man to be saved, what will become of the godless and sinful? Therefore, those who suffer in accordance with God's will must also, in doing right, entrust their souls to the Creator who is faithful.
Therefore, those who suffer in accordance with God's will must also, in doing right, entrust their souls to the Creator who is faithful.
Therefore, those who suffer in accordance with God's will must also, in doing right, entrust their souls to the Creator who is faithful.
Therefore, those who suffer in accordance with God's will must also, in doing right, entrust their souls to the Creator who is faithful.
So, as a joint-elder with them, a witness of the suffering borne by Christ, and a sharer of the glory that is to be uncovered, I beg the elders among you,
So, as a joint-elder with them, a witness of the suffering borne by Christ, and a sharer of the glory that is to be uncovered, I beg the elders among you, be shepherds of the flock of God that is among you, not as though you had to but of your own free will, not from the motive of personal profit but freely, read more. and not as domineering over those in your charge but proving yourselves models for the flock to imitate; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious crown that never fades. You younger men, on your part, must be submissive to the elders. And you must all put on the servant's apron of humility to one another, because God opposes the haughty but bestows His unmerited favor on the humble.
You younger men, on your part, must be submissive to the elders. And you must all put on the servant's apron of humility to one another, because God opposes the haughty but bestows His unmerited favor on the humble. Therefore humbly submit to God's strong hand, so that at the proper time He may exalt you.
Therefore humbly submit to God's strong hand, so that at the proper time He may exalt you.
Therefore humbly submit to God's strong hand, so that at the proper time He may exalt you.
Therefore humbly submit to God's strong hand, so that at the proper time He may exalt you.
Therefore humbly submit to God's strong hand, so that at the proper time He may exalt you. Cast every worry you have upon Him, because He cares for you.
Cast every worry you have upon Him, because He cares for you. Be calm and alert. Your opponent the devil is always prowling about like a roaring lion, trying to devour you.
Be calm and alert. Your opponent the devil is always prowling about like a roaring lion, trying to devour you.
Be calm and alert. Your opponent the devil is always prowling about like a roaring lion, trying to devour you. Resist him and be strong in faith, because you know that your brotherhood all over the world is experiencing the same sort of sufferings.
Resist him and be strong in faith, because you know that your brotherhood all over the world is experiencing the same sort of sufferings.
Resist him and be strong in faith, because you know that your brotherhood all over the world is experiencing the same sort of sufferings.
Resist him and be strong in faith, because you know that your brotherhood all over the world is experiencing the same sort of sufferings. And God, the giver of every spiritual blessing, who through your union with Christ has called you to His eternal glory, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself make you perfect, firm, and strong,
And God, the giver of every spiritual blessing, who through your union with Christ has called you to His eternal glory, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself make you perfect, firm, and strong,
And God, the giver of every spiritual blessing, who through your union with Christ has called you to His eternal glory, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself make you perfect, firm, and strong, To Him be dominion forever. Amen.
To Him be dominion forever. Amen. By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I regard him, I have written you this short letter, to encourage you and to testify that this is the true, unmerited favor of God. Stand firm in it. read more. Your sister-church in Babylon, chosen along with you, and Mark my son, wish to be remembered to you. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in union with Christ.
Morish
This was addressed to believing Jews dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. It was apparently sent from Babylon on the Euphrates, where many Jews were located. There is nothing in the epistle itself that fixes its date: but it is generally dated A.D. 60 to 63. The teaching of the epistle is based upon a living hope by the resurrection of Christ, in contrast to the portion of the Jews on earth. Believers are contemplated as strangers and pilgrims, salvation being regarded in its completeness as future, soul salvation being the point of consequence in the present, in contrast to temporal deliverances. The thought of a 'spiritual house' composed of living stones, in 1 Peter 2 connects the epistle with the revelation given to Peter in Matt. 16
Smith
Peter, First Epistle of,
The external evidence of authenticity of this epistle is of the strongest kind and the internal is equally strong. It was addressed to the churches of Asia Minor which had for the most part been founded by Paul and his companions, Supposing it to have been written at Babylon,
it ia a probable conjecture that Silvanus, By whom it was transmitted to those churches, had joined Peter after a tour of visitation, and that his account of the condition of the Christians in those districts determined the apostle to write the epistle. (On the question of this epistle having been written at Babylon commentators differ. "Some refer it to the famous Babylon in Asia, which after its destruction was still inhabited by a Jewish colony; others refer it to Babylon in Egypt, now called Old Cairo; still others understand it mystically of heathen Rome, in which sense 'Babylon' is certainly used in the Apocalypse of John." --Schaff.) The objects of the epistle were --
1. To comfort and strengthen the Christians in a season of severe trial.
2. To enforce the practical and spiritual duties involved in their calling
3. To warn them against special temptations attached to their position.
4. To remove all doubt as to the soundness and completeness of the religious system which they had already received. Such an attestation was especially needed by the Hebrew Christians, who were to appeal from Paul's authority to that of the elder apostles, and above all to that of Peter. The last, which is perhaps the very principal object, is kept in view throughout the epistle, and is distinctly stated
The harmony of such teaching with that of Paul is sufficiently obvious. Peter belongs to the school, or to speak more correctly, is the leader of the school, which at once vindicates the unity of the law and the gospel, and puts the superiority of the latter on its true basis-that of spiritual development. The date of this epistle is uncertain, but Alford believes it to have been written between A.D. 63 and 67.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I regard him, I have written you this short letter, to encourage you and to testify that this is the true, unmerited favor of God. Stand firm in it. Your sister-church in Babylon, chosen along with you, and Mark my son, wish to be remembered to you.