1 Peter

No. 52 1 Peter 4:1-6
First Peter is written to Christians scattered across what is now Turkey, living as a suspect minority. The letter's steady theme is how to suffer without being deformed by it, and this passage gives the...
No. 278 1 Peter 1:1-9
Peter writes to Christians scattered as strangers across the provinces of Asia Minor, people under real pressure and far from any home they knew. His opening is a burst of hope, and the striking thing is that...
No. 317 1 Peter 2:13-17
Peter is writing to Christians who are a suspect minority under the Roman Empire, and he gives them counsel on how to live under authority that is not their own. Submit to the human institutions, he says, to...
No. 677 1 Peter 5:8-14
First Peter is a letter to Christians scattered across Asia Minor and taking abuse for their faith, and this is its close. The warning is stark. Be sober, be watchful, because your adversary the devil prowls...
No. 937 1 Peter 4:7-11
Peter is writing to Christians under pressure, and he frames everything with a horizon: the end of all things is near. But the conclusions he draws from that are surprisingly practical and communal. Be...
No. 1782 1 Peter 1:10-16
Peter reflects on the greatness of the salvation his readers have received. The prophets who foretold it, he says, searched and inquired carefully, straining to understand the grace that was coming, the...
No. 1885 1 Peter 2:1-6
Peter urges his readers to put away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, and then gives a vivid image for growth: like newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow,...
No. 1937 1 Peter 2:7-12
Peter describes the identity of those who believe in Christ, the rejected stone who became the cornerstone. You, he says, are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own...
No. 2396 1 Peter 2:18-25
Peter writes to servants under masters, some kind and some cruel, and tells them there is no credit in patiently taking a beating you deserved, but real grace in enduring unjust suffering with a clear...
No. 3275 1 Peter 3:13-22
Peter writes to believers who are being spoken against for their faith. Do not fear what they fear, he says; instead, honor Christ as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who...
No. 3640 1 Peter 4:12-19
Peter writes to believers under persecution and tells them not to be surprised at the fiery trial that has come to test them, as though something strange were happening. Suffering for Christ is not a sign that...
No. 3666 1 Peter 1:17-25
Peter reminds believers of the immense cost of their redemption: you were ransomed from the futile ways of your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ,...
No. 4117 1 Peter 5:1-7
Peter, writing to a church facing suffering, gives instructions about humility and trust. He tells elders to shepherd God's flock willingly and as examples, not lording it over people; and then he calls all of...
No. 4151 1 Peter 3:7-12
Peter gives a striking instruction for how believers are to treat others, especially those who wrong them: do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were...
No. 4155 1 Peter 3:1-6
In a passage of instruction to wives, Peter draws a contrast that speaks a truth for everyone. He points away from outward adornment, elaborate hairstyles, gold jewelry, fine clothes, toward something deeper:...