Peter writes to the chosen ones living as foreigners in the Dispersion. He begins with praise. God, in his great mercy, caused believers to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Their inheritance is incorruptible and undefiled, and it doesn’t fade away. It is reserved in heaven for them, and they are guarded by God’s power.

They rejoice even though they are grieved in various trials for a little while. The proof of their faith is more precious than gold that perishes, even though gold is tested by fire. They love Jesus without having seen him. Long before, the prophets searched carefully to understand this salvation and the grace that would come.

So Peter tells them to set their hope fully on grace. Because the one who called them is holy, they should be holy in all their behavior. They were redeemed, not with silver or gold, but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish, the blood of Christ. Having been born again through the living word of God, they must love one another from the heart fervently.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, writes to chosen people scattered across Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. He calls them foreigners. They belong to God, so they are not fully at home in this world. He opens with praise: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Their inheritance is reserved in heaven, and they themselves are guarded by the power of God through faith.

This hope gives joy in trials. Peter says they rejoice, though now for a little while they have been grieved in various trials. Trials prove faith the way fire tests gold, and genuine faith will result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Peter adds that the prophets searched diligently concerning this salvation, and that angels desire to look into these things.

Hope must shape life. Prepare your minds for action, Peter says, and set your hope fully on the grace to come. As obedient children, they should be holy, because it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. They were redeemed from an empty way of life, not with corruptible things like silver or gold, but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ. Born again of incorruptible seed through the word of God, which lives and remains forever, they should love one another from the heart fervently. Peter ends with a contrast: all flesh is like grass, but the Lord’s word endures forever.