Notes from Reading 1 Peter 1:1-9

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

I memorized 1 Peter decades ago and recently reread chapter 1 during my 5:30 a.m. Bible reading time. Below are some notes I made…

Note #1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1, ESV, emphasis added).

Peter mentions the “dispersion” or the Jews scattered throughout the Roman Empire after Roman general Titus conquered and obliterated not only Jerusalem, but all of first-century Israel. The land was unlivable. 

This exile of the Jews forms the background of Peter’s writing in his first epistle.

Note #2

According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood (1 Peter 1:2).

Fascinating that the dispersal ( think total upending of Jewish culture) was according to the foreknowledge of God for their holiness in the Spirit, so that ultimately, they could obey Jesus.

First Peter, written primarily to the scattered Jews, relates to the church throughout history (consisting of Jews and Gentiles) for times when our lives don’t work out, we experience loss, or we endure grief.

During trials, we will be “sprinkled with His blood,” washing away our sins, fear, anxieties, and disappointment. So that nothing will hinder our joy, let’s accept, not resist His grace and peace.

Note #3

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3b-5).

Everything in this world is perishable, becoming defiled, fading away, and will soon be lost — and yet we continue to grasp what cannot be held. Everything we own or brings pride will be lost. We need to learn this early in life so that we live for what is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

I like that it’s kept in heaven for us — so we can’t mess it up.

Note #4

Though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).

If you invested $1000 in gold 10 years ago, it would be worth about $3,600 today. Not bad. I wish I had invested $1000 10 years ago. How about you? But what’s more precious than gold? 

The answer: Faith tested by fire.  

That’s kingdom-of-God economics, not lauding the value of gold while uplifting those who stay faithful in difficulties. Many of the Jews reading this passage had just lost their country, culture, jobs, and perhaps family members, and yet this investment in endurance would be rewarded with a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ.

Note #5

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).

Christian hope plays the long game, focusing on eternity instead of immediate concerns or gratification. In heaven, hope as we know it today won’t exist, because what we want, need, and deserve will be with us always! 

In heaven, there’s no waiting. Why? Because what is not clearly seen now will be fully revealed and experienced when we meet Jesus in heaven!

Notes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 — what I thought as I recently reread 1 Peter 1:1-9.