ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Peter 1

1 Pet. 1:1–2 Opening. Peter identifies himself as the author. The readers are identified as “elect exiles” and their salvation is credited to the work of the Father, Spirit, and Son.

1 Pet. 1:1 Peter calls himself an apostle, an authoritative messenger of Jesus Christ (see note on Rom. 1:1). The people receiving his letter are elect exiles of the Dispersion. Peter is not speaking of a literal exile (compare 1 Pet. 1:17; 2:11). Believers long for their true home in the new world that is coming and for their end-time inheritance. Thus, they do not conform to the values and worldviews of this present evil age. Believers, both Jews and Gentiles, are God’s “elect exiles.” They are his chosen people, just as Israel was God’s chosen people in the OT (Deut. 7:6–8; Ps. 106:5; Isa. 45:4).

1 Pet. 1:2 Foreknowledge does not merely refer to God’s knowing ahead of time that his people would belong to him. It also means that he chose them (compare Rom. 8:29). in the sanctification of the Spirit. Either conversion or gradual progress in the Christian life, or possibly both. The Spirit sets apart God’s people. Believers are now holy and righteous in their standing before God. They also live in ways that show they are increasingly dedicated to God. For obedience to Jesus Christ may refer to conversion, when Christians confessed Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9), or to God’s purpose for their lives, that they obey Christ. For sprinkling with his blood refers to Christ’s atoning work on the cross. There all the believers’ sins were washed away. Peter may be referring to believers’ entrance into a covenant with God (similar to Ex. 24:3–8), to their growth in holiness, or possibly to both (similar to Lev. 14:6–7; compare Ps. 51:7; 1 John 1:7).

1 Pet. 1:3–2:10 Called to Salvation as Exiles. Believers must praise God for his promised salvation and live out that salvation daily.

1 Pet. 1:3 caused us to be born again. Peter may be connecting “born again” to through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The new birth was possible because God caused believers in Christ to be united to him in his resurrection (compare Rom. 6:4; Eph. 2:5–6; Col. 3:1). Or Peter may be linking the resurrection to the living hope of believers. The hope of Christians is that Christ’s resurrection is a promise of their own future resurrection.

1 Pet. 1:4 The “hope” of v. 3 is now described as an inheritance. This word often describes the Promised Land and Israel’s place in it (Num. 32:19; Deut. 25:19; Josh. 11:23; Ps. 105:11). The OT inheritance points to an even greater inheritance reserved in heaven for the new covenant people.

1 Pet. 1:5 Salvation in this context is a further description of the inheritance in v. 4 and the hope in v. 3.

1 Pet. 1:6–7 Little while covers all their earthly life before they inherit future salvation. if necessary. Their sufferings are God’s will. He wants their faith to be purified and shown to be real. revelation of Jesus Christ. Christ’s return.

1 Pet. 1:10–11 The OT prophets did not know when their prophecies would come true, but they did foretell that Christ would suffer and then be glorified. See Overview of the Bible. The Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit, who was speaking through the prophets.

1 Pet. 1:12 you. That is, NT believers. Angels long to understand fully what has been accomplished. Christians have heard this good news in the gospel proclaimed to them.

1 Pet. 1:13–21 The inheritance promised to followers of Christ should motivate them to set their hope entirely on their future reward (vv. 13–16) and to live in fear of the God who redeemed them at the cost of his own Son (vv. 17–21).

1 Pet. 1:14–15 Christians are to be holy (see Lev. 18:2–4), because God is holy and has called believers to be like him.

1 Pet. 1:17 Who judges impartially may refer only to the final judgment, when believers will be judged according to their deeds (compare Rom. 2:6; 2 Cor. 5:10). More likely, Peter has in mind both this present life and the last day. fear. Of God’s discipline and fatherly displeasure. exile. Compare 1 Pet. 1:1.

1 Pet. 1:18–19 you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers. “Ransom” recalls Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Deut. 15:15). Believers are delivered from a life of futility and meaninglessness to one of great significance. lamb without blemish or spot. This image points to the OT sacrifices. It especially refers to Christ as the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) and the servant of the Lord (compare “lamb,” Isa. 53:7). As the perfect sacrifice, Christ atoned for the sins of the unrighteous (compare John 1:29; 1 Pet. 3:18).

1 Pet. 1:20–21 God planned when he would send Christ (Christ was foreknown, compare v. 2). He chose to reveal him at the time in history when these believers lived (for the sake of you).

1 Pet. 1:22–2:10 Since Christians have been given new life by the Word of God, they are to love one another fervently (1:22–25). They are to long for God’s Word so that they will continue to grow in faith (2:1–3). They are like living stones which together build up a spiritual house, with Jesus as the cornerstone (2:4–8). They are chosen by God to be his people (2:9–10).

1 Pet. 1:22 purified. See note on v. 2. truth. That is, the gospel.

1 Pet. 1:23 living and abiding word of God. All written Scripture (see v. 25), but especially the gospel.

1 Pet. 1:24–25 Peter cites Isa. 40:6, 8 to contrast the weakness of human flesh with the power of the word of the Lord.