1 Peter
"A living hope"
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What does it say?
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Peter wrote to Christians who were insulted and suffering for their faith. He told them God had given them new birth into a living hope through Jesus's resurrection, and that they were redeemed not with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ. They were living stones in God's house, "a chosen people, a royal priesthood." Jesus suffered unjustly too, and by his wounds we are healed. "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you," and after a little while the God of all grace will restore you.
Where it is in the Bible: 1 Peter 1 to 5
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A Living Hope | 1:3-9 | God gave us new birth through Jesus's resurrection |
| 2. Bought With Precious Blood | 1:17-23 | Not with silver or gold |
| 3. Living Stones | 2:2-10 | You are God's chosen people |
| 4. The Shepherd of Your Souls | 2:19-25 | By his wounds you are healed |
| 5. The Reason for Your Hope | 3:13-22 | Be ready to explain your hope |
| 6. Cast Your Cares on Him | 4:12-14, 5:6-11 | God cares for you and will restore you |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Peter, the fisherman who became one of Jesus's closest followers (1:1). He wrote from "Babylon," likely a code name for Rome (5:13).
Who it was for. Christians scattered across what is now Turkey. Many were new believers, and their neighbors looked down on them, insulted them, and sometimes worse (4:4, 4:14).
What this letter is. A letter of hope for people who are suffering. Peter, who once denied Jesus, now tells others how to stand firm. He keeps coming back to Jesus's resurrection, baptism, and the hope it gives.
How to read it. This page walks through the whole short letter, picking up the passages read in church, especially in the Easter season.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 6A Living Hope
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1:3).
God is keeping an inheritance for us in heaven that can never spoil or fade.
For now, we may suffer trials. Like gold tested in fire, faith is proven true.
"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1:8).
Inexpressible means too great for words.
Section 2 of 6Bought With Precious Blood
Live with reverence while you're here, like foreigners passing through.
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed" (1:18).
It was "with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot" (1:19).
So love one another deeply, from the heart.
"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (1:23).
Section 3 of 6Living Stones
"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" (2:2).
Jesus is the living stone. People rejected him, but God chose him.
"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house" (2:5).
Jesus is the cornerstone, the stone the builders rejected.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (2:9).
"Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy" (2:10).
Section 4 of 6The Shepherd of Your Souls
Peter writes to people, including slaves, who suffered unfairly.
Jesus also suffered unfairly. When people insulted him, he didn't fight back. He trusted God, who judges fairly.
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness" (2:24).
"By His stripes you are healed" (2:24). Stripes are the wounds from a whip.
You were like sheep going astray, but now you have come back "to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (2:25).
Section 5 of 6The Reason for Your Hope
Even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Don't be afraid.
"Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect" (3:15).
"For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (3:18).
Peter remembers Noah. In the ark, eight people were saved through water.
"And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also" (3:21).
It saves through the resurrection of Jesus, who now reigns at God's right hand.
Section 6 of 6Cast Your Cares on Him
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you" (4:12).
When you suffer for Jesus, you share in his sufferings, and the Spirit of glory rests on you.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you" (5:6).
"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (5:7).
Stay alert. The devil prowls like a roaring lion. Stand firm. You are not the only one suffering.
"And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you" (5:10).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "A living hope" (1:3) | Our hope is alive because Jesus is alive. |
| "The precious blood of Christ" (1:19) | Jesus paid for us with his own life. |
| "Like living stones" (2:5) | Each believer is part of God's house. |
| "A royal priesthood" (2:9) | All believers can come to God and pray for others. |
| "By His stripes you are healed" (2:24) | Jesus's wounds bring us healing and forgiveness. |
| "The reason for the hope that is in you" (3:15) | Be ready to explain why you trust Jesus. |
| "Baptism that now saves you" (3:21) | God saves through baptism, because Jesus rose. |
| "Cast all your anxiety on Him" (5:7) | Hand your worries to God. |
Back Then
Christians were outsiders. They didn't join in the worship of local gods or wild parties, so neighbors thought they were strange (4:3-4).
Many early Christians were slaves. Peter speaks to them directly and points to Jesus, who also suffered unjustly.
Peter quotes Isaiah 53 (2:22-25), the song of the Suffering Servant.
Literal Reader Alert
Does Peter say slaves should accept abuse? Peter speaks to people who had no power to change their situation and gives them dignity: God sees, Jesus suffered too, and God judges justly. He isn't saying slavery is good.
Does God want me to suffer? No. Peter says that when suffering comes, God hasn't left you. Jesus suffered too, and God will restore you.
What does "preached to the spirits in prison" mean? It's one of the hardest verses in the Bible. Christians have understood it in different ways. Lutherans have often seen it as Christ announcing his victory.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Believers | Joyful | They have a living hope (1:8) |
| Believers | Grieving | They suffer trials (1:6) |
| Believers | Anxious | Peter tells them to cast their worry on God (5:7) |
| Believers | Insulted | For the name of Christ (4:14) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What are you carrying today? Tap one.
Worry
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
Feeling like an outsider
You are a chosen people, God's own.
Suffering
God will restore you, strengthen you, and establish you.
Questions about my faith
Your hope is alive because Jesus is alive.
You Might Have Heard
"If you're suffering, you must have done something wrong."
What's true: Sometimes our choices do bring trouble.
What the passage is mainly about: Peter says believers often suffer for doing good. "Do not be surprised at the fiery trial" (4:12). Jesus suffered unfairly, and he is with you in it.
Where Jesus is: He bore our sins, he is the Shepherd of our souls, and he rose to give us a living hope.
Good News
Your hope isn't a wish. It's alive.
"By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1:3).
You were bought with Jesus's blood. You belong to God's people. And God cares for you.
God gave us new birth into a living hope through Jesus's resurrection. We are his chosen people, and after we suffer a little while, the God of all grace will restore us.
Big Idea
God has given us new birth into a living hope through Jesus's resurrection. Bought with his precious blood, we are his chosen people, and we cast all our cares on him, because he cares for us.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther used 1 Peter 2:9 to teach that all baptized Christians are priests. Every believer can come to God directly and pray for others.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads through 1 Peter on the Sundays of Easter, from the Second Sunday of Easter to the Seventh. In Year B, it reads 1 Peter 3:18-22 on the First Sunday in Lent.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- First Sunday in Lent Year BSecond reading, 1 Peter 3:18-22
- Second Sunday of Easter Year ASecond reading, 1 Peter 1:3-9
- Third Sunday of Easter Year ASecond reading, 1 Peter 1:17-23
- Fourth Sunday of Easter Year ASecond reading, 1 Peter 2:19-25
- Fifth Sunday of Easter Year ASecond reading, 1 Peter 2:2-10
- Sixth Sunday of Easter Year ASecond reading, 1 Peter 3:13-22
- Seventh Sunday of Easter Year ASecond reading, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
For a newsletter or sermon notes
1 Peter, explained in plain words. Peter writes to Christians who are suffering: you have a living hope, and God cares for you. About 11 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/1-peter/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church