1 Peter
The book of 1 Peter is a letter to scattered believers, reminding them of their salvation through Jesus Christ and their inheritance reserved in heaven. They are exhorted to live holy lives, laying aside malice and vices, and instead desiring the pure word of God to grow spiritually. Believers are called to live honest lives, submit to authority, and honor all people, with the example of Christ's suffering as a model to follow. The letter also provides guidance on relationships, including marriage, and encourages believers to live in harmony with one another, not rendering evil for evil. It reminds them that following what is good and suffering for righteousness' sake is considered happy, and that they should be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in them. The letter concludes with exhortations to elders to care for God's flock, to younger individuals to submit to their elders, and to all believers to cast their cares on God and resist the devil steadfastly in faith.
Chapter 1
Peter greets the scattered believers, stating they are chosen by God's foreknowledge and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ. They have been given a living hope through Jesus' resurrection and an inheritance reserved in heaven. Their faith is being tested and refined, but they can rejoice in their salvation, which was prophesied by the prophets and is now being preached to them by those who have received the Holy Spirit. Peter exhorts them to live holy lives, as they have been redeemed by Christ's precious blood and are called to love one another with a pure heart.
Chapter 2
Believers should lay aside malice, guile, and other vices, and instead desire the pure word of God to grow spiritually. They are chosen by God as a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices, and are called to show forth God's praises as a peculiar people. Believers are also exhorted to live honest lives among non-believers, submit to authority, and honor all people, including their masters if they are servants. The example of Christ's suffering is given as a model for believers to follow, and they are reminded that Christ bore their sins on the cross to bring them to righteousness.
Chapter 3
Wives are to be in subjection to their husbands, and their beauty should come from a meek and quiet spirit, not outward adornments. Husbands are to dwell with their wives according to knowledge, giving them honor as the weaker vessel. Believers are to live in harmony with one another, not rendering evil for evil, but instead blessing others and seeking peace. Those who follow what is good and suffer for righteousness' sake are considered happy, and they should be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in them. Christ's suffering for sins is an example of this, and through his resurrection, believers are saved and have a good conscience toward God.
Chapter 4
Christians should arm themselves with the same mindset as Christ, who suffered in the flesh and ceased from sin, and live the rest of their lives according to God's will. They should no longer live in sin and excess, but instead be sober, watchful in prayer, and have fervent charity among themselves. Those who suffer for being Christians should not be ashamed, but rather glorify God, and commit their souls to Him in well doing.
Chapter 5
Elders are exhorted to willingly and selflessly care for God's flock, setting an example for others, and to avoid lording over others. Younger individuals are instructed to submit to their elders and to be humble, as God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Believers are encouraged to cast their cares on God, be vigilant against the devil, and resist him steadfastly in faith. The chapter concludes with a statement of God's power to perfect and strengthen believers, and a greeting from the church at Babylon.
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