1 Peter 
Chapter One
Lesson One

Commentary notes by

Dr. Paul Dodson

Read 1 Peter chapter one

1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 

(This verse, nor does any verse in the Bible teach that God does the "choosing" of who is saved and not.  God's "foreknowledge" simple refers to the fact that God knows who will trust Jesus as savior and those who do, are chosen or "elected" to receive salvation.)

Born again to a living hope

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

("Grace" is the act in which God extends favors to us that we do not deserve. "Mercy" is the act in which God withholds judgment that we do deserve. With that in mind, and comparing Ephesians 2:8, we see that God's Grace and Mercy works hand in hand. If God did not withhold His Judgement on us, His Grace would do no good, and, if He did not extend His Grace, withholding, Mercy would have no effect.)

1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

(There are those who would like to teach that we are saved by God's grace through Jesus Christ, But, after that, we must work to "keep" our salvation. According to this verse, and many others, we are kept in God's grace by "the power of God".)

1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

("gird up the loins of your mind"... means to "strengthen the inner parts of your mind". "Be sober" means to be of sound mind, and "Hope to the end" literally means "to expect or have confidence in the end"

1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

(The word "holy" in verses 15 and 16 refers to being physically, Morally, and Spiritual pure)

1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

(Judging works in this verse, or for that matter, any verse in the Bible, has nothing to do with salvation, but how we live "holy" as a child of God)

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

(This verse is talking about Jesus Christ being "foreordained"...not us)

1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.

1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.