1 Peter 1

The letter was written in or soon after A.D. 64, when the persecutions under Nero had begun, persecutions in which St. Peter himself was so soon to suffer martyrdom.

“If any one were tempted to doubt the historicity of the New Testament and wanted to find some solid historical footing on which to begin rebuilding his faith, it might be no bad plan for him to make a start with the Apostle Peter. . . . Peter in the Fourth Gospel is quite demonstrably the same person who makes so many characteristic appearances in the other three. . . . When one turns to the Epistle, one must beware of too easy reference of this phrase or that to suit a Gospel incident . . . yet one may claim, without straining the testimony, that the authentic Peter is recognisable here. . . . We seem to see over and over again the Peter whom we have met so often elsewhere” (J. M. E. Ross in Devotional Commentary).

1 to the strangers, etc. Lit., “to the elect sojourners of the Dispersion.” This phrase is usually applied to the scattered Jews, but is evidently here applied also to Christians, whether Jew or Gentile, as being now the chosen people of God: see ii. 5-10; Eph. ii. 11-12; cp. note on James i. 1.

Pontus, etc. The different countries here named are the provinces of Asia Minor. Aquila was a Jewish native of Pontus (Acts xviii. 2). There were Jews from this region as well as from “Cappadocia” in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts ii. 9). For Paul’s thwarted purpose to visit “Bithynia,” see Acts xvi. 7. The verse indicates many triumphs of the gospel unrecorded in the history.

Asia. Proconsular Asia: see note on Acts ii. 9.

2 through sanctification. Rather, “in sanctification.” The believer’s sanctification, necessarily leading “to obedience” (cp. ver. 14), and so to the enjoyment of all the privileges of the covenant which the blood of Christ has ratified, is an essential element in the Divine purpose. The union of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the work of salvation is here expressively indicated.

3 a lively hope. Rather, “a living hope”: so called as being real, joyous, energetic, and abiding. “Hope” thus sums up the Christian life.

4 an inheritance incorruptible. The destined blessedness of God’s children. This has no tendency to decay, nor any susceptibility of pollution; nor can it even lose the bloom and freshness of its joy: for it is “laid up safe in heaven”; whilst you, amidst all enemies are “guarded as in the fortress of God’s power” on earth. The Greek word for “kept” is that used in 2 Cor. xi. 32; Gal. iii. 23; Phil. iv. 7. Dr. Hort’s translation suggests that the inheritance is not only future but present: “An inheritance which hath been kept in the heavens unto you who in the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in a season of extremity.”

5 salvation ready to be revealed. This salvation is so complete that it will be found “ready to be revealed” when God’s time to manifest it comes.

6 for a season. Properly, “for a little while”: cp. 2 Cor. iv. 17.

manifold temptations. That is, many kinds of trials: cp. James i. 2.

7 the trial of your faith, etc. See James i. 3. “The result of the testing” is more precious than gold (not “than of gold”), which is perishable, even though it stands the test of fire; for it will be “found,” etc.

praise. The reward of grace to be received at Christ’s coming consists of “praise” for fidelity (Matt. xxv. 21; 1 Cor. iv. 5; Rom. ii. 7, 10; 2 Thess. i. 5); of “honour” which Christ promises to His faithful servants (John xii. 26, etc.); and of a participation in the “glory” which the Father has given to Christ (vers. 11, 21; iv. 13; v. 1; John xvii. 24).

9 the end of your faith. Salvation, the object and result of faith, is received here, to the joy of believers, and will be completed hereafter.

10. Of which salvation (the) prophets have inquired, etc. Another reason for prizing the gospel.

11 what (time) or what manner of time, etc. Desiring to know the time of Messiah’s coming, and by what sort of events it would be distinguished.

when it testified beforehand. Properly, “testifying beforehand the sufferings in store for Christ, and the glories after these” sufferings: cp. Isa. liii.-lv., and notes.

12 desire to look into. The term here used means to “bend aside,” in order to look at what cannot easily be seen. Angelic spirits gaze wistfully into all that concerns the great work of redemption.

13 gird up the loins of your mind, etc. If the blessings given to you excited the desires of prophets, and fix the attention of angels, surely you should vigorously lay hold of them, and “hope perfectly,” without wavering, for the “grace that is to be brought unto you” at your Lord’s coming.

14 obedient children. Lit., “children of obedience”: cp. Eph. ii. 2, 3; v. 6, 8.

15 conversation. Rather, “manner of life”: see note on Psa. xxxvii. 14.

16. Be ye holy. “Ye shall be holy” (R.V.); as in Lev. xi. 44, etc.; where ceremonial purity is enjoined, the outward type of purity of heart (Matt. v. 8, 48). “We are often surprised, in reading the New Testament, to think that it should be necessary to warn Christian people against so many of the coarser vices and the more obvious sins. Yet the very warnings remind us how great was the moral need of the world when Christianity began its work” (J. M. E. Ross in Devotional Commentary).

17. If ye call, etc. Meaning, “Since ye call on Him as Father.” “The necessity of holiness is here grounded on three considerations: (1) the character of God; (2) the reality of judgement, and (3) the costliness of redemption” (Carrie Martin in Peake’s Commentary).

In fear. A child’s fear of grieving a Father who has given such costly proof of love to him (18-21).

18 your vain conversation. i.e., your foolish (or useless) manner of life, whether Pagan or Pharisaic.

19 precious. The order is, as R.V., “with precious blood, as of a lamb, without blemish and without spot, [even the blood] of Christ.” “Precious” as compared with “silver and gold”; but chiefly in itself; for it is the blood of a spotless Victim, of God’s Anointed, of Him whose manifestation in our world was purposed in eternity, and prepared for in all the preceding “times” (20)—of Him who is to us the only medium of faith and hope in God (21). All this is included in the idea of “the precious blood,” and more also, when we think of its “power to save.”

a lamb. See note on John i. 29. The words were spoken by the Baptist in the course of these teachings which led to Peter being brought to Jesus.

22. Seeing you have purified your souls, etc. One of the results of obeying the truth is sincere brotherly love.

with a pure heart fervently. Rather (omitting the words a pure), “intensely, from the heart.”

23 being born again. Rather, as R.V., “having been begotten again.”

which liveth and abideth (omit for ever). This describes “the word.”

24. All flesh is as grass, etc. See notes on Isa. xl. 6-8.

25 which by the gospel is preached unto you. Or, “which was preached as good tidings unto you.”