THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE.
A  1:1,2. Epistolary.
 B  1:3-12. Introduction. Thanksgiving; Foreshadowing the Subject of the Epistle.
  C  D  1:13-2:10. Exhortations [General] in view of the End.
      E  2:11-4:6. Exhortations [Particular] as to Sufferings and Glory.
  C  D  4:7-19. Exhortations [General] in view of the End.
      E  5:1-9. Exhortations [Particular] as to Sufferings and Glory.
 B  5:10,11. Conclusion. Prayer; Embodying the Object of the Epistle.
A  5:12-14. Epistolary.

  1. The writer is unquestionably the apostle whose the Epistle bears. "Simon, son of Jona", was on of the earliest disciples, of whom all that we know is furnished by the Gospels and Acts, apart from the incidents recorded in Gal. 1 and 2. His surname [Cephas] occurs 4 times in the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians. The apostle of "the circumcision" Gal. 2:7]; yet through him "at the first" [Acts 15:14] the door was opened to the Gentiles. Nothing certain is known of him after the Council of the apostles at Jerusalem [Acts 15], and there is not the least proof that he ever visited Rome, much less that he was "bishop" there. We know that he was imprisoned in Jerusalem [Acts 12] 44 A.D.; in 51 A.D. he was at the Council Acts 15; in 52 A.D. he joined Paul at Antioch [Gal. 2]; in in 58 A.D. Paul, writing to Romans, and at the meetings with Peter, although he greets many others; in 61 A.D. Paul was sent a prisoner to Rome, and at the meetings with brethren and others Peter's name is not once mentioned; at Rome were written by the apostle of the Gentiles the letters to Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, yet Peter is never referred to; finally, Paul's latest letter was written from Rome, and in it we read, "Only Luke is with me" [2 Tim. 4:11]. We have no record of Peter's death, but our Lord's words [John 21:18,19] plainly indicate death by martyrdom. It is noteworthy that never in the least degree does Peter claim pre-eminence over the other apostles, but writes as a fellow-worker, e.g. 1 Pet. 5:1.

  2. Written to "the elect sojourners of the dispersion" [see John 7:35. Jas. 1:1] of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia". These were Christian Judeans of the dispersion.

  3. Teaching. The practical character of the Epistle is marked, and is illustrated by reference to the Divine dealings recorded in the Old Testament. Admonition, exhortation, and encouragement, for all circumstances, show how faithfully the apostle obeyed his Lord's command to feed the flock of God. In 5:12 he refers to his brief epistle as "exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand". So far as is known, he had never seen those to whom he wrote, nor does he make reference to a single one of those "strangers" who had doubtless been taught by Paul and his fellow-workers in their "journeyings often". Thus the teaching delivered to them by "our beloved brother Paul" is that to which Peter refers to as "the true grace of God wherein you stand" [cp. 1 Cor. 15:1].

  The time of the writing was probably about 60 A.D., and the Epistle was written from Babylon [5:13.

THE 1ST EPISTLE OF

PETER.

Peter = Petros = a rock
1 Peter 1)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus (Gr. Iesous is the same Hebrew Yahshua, and means [the] Salvation of Yahaveh, or Yahaveh [the] Savior) Christ (Gr. Christos, from chrio, to anoint, corresponds with Heb. Messiah), to the elect strangers (see 2:11 and Heb. 11:13) of the dispersion (John 7:35. James 1:1) of Pontus, Galatia (see Acts 16:6; 18:23. Gal. 1:2), Cappadocia, Asia, (see Acts 2:9) and Bithynia, (See Acts 16:7.)
2 According to the foreknowledge (see Acts 2:23) of God (Gr. Theos., corresponds with the Heb. Elohim, denoting Creator) the Father (Gr. Pater), through sanctification of the Spirit (see 2 Thess. 2:13), to obedience and sprinkling (see Heb. 12:24) of the blood of Jesus Christ (blood put for death, and death for the redemption it brings): Grace to you, and peace, be multiplied. (A great deal is said in this one verse. God knew the elect before this 2nd earth age. He sanctified them because they stood against Satan at his rebellion. And even now, the elect have the blood of Jesus Christ that wipes our sins away. Does that make the elect special? No, we have a lot of responsibility in this generation.)

3 Blessed (see 2 Cor. 1:3. Eph. 1:3) be the God and Father of our Lord (Gr. Kurios, corresponds with Heb. Yehovah) Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (We don't deserve His mercy, but Father stands ready to forgive us, if we repent of our sins. Death was defeated for one and all times through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Remember, this is directed specifically addressed to the elect. Again, that doesn't make the elect special. We are here for those who are lost in sin. Even the angels in heaven rejoice when one of our lost brothers or sisters is found.)
4 To an inheritance incorruptible (see Rom. 1:23), and undefiled (see Heb. 7:26), and unfading, reserved in the heavens (see Matt. 6:9,10) for you, (Don't read over this verse. Our spiritual inheritance is eternal. That is quite a promise from your Father. Your inheritance is locked in. That is something to rejoice about. Things of this world are temporary. Which do you place more importance in? There is work to be done here, and God chose you because you have proven to Him that you are able to "cut it".)
5 Who are kept (see 2 Cor. 11:32) by the power of God through faith to salvation (cp. 1 Thess. 5:9,10) ready to be revealed in the last time. (Cp. Acts 2:17.)
6 In which [salvation] you greatly rejoice (see Matt. 5:12), though now for a season, if need be, you are grieved through manifold temptations: (See James 1:2. The flesh causes us to be tempted. We all fall short. It is God's will all will come to repentance [2 Pet. 3:9]. Father doesn't want to destroy any of His children. Does your heart leap for joy knowing that God has a place reserved for you? It should. Beware, God's elect will face temptations. That is our opportunity to show Satan and his what a real man, woman or child of God looks like. We don't find Satan at all tempting.)
7 In order that your tested faith (as in James 1:5), being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (The elect do not get a free ride. We will be tested. That is what the gospel armor is for. Satan loves to mess with God's elect. Stay focused and don't give him a chance. Use the power of the name of Jesus Christ. Again, we see the word "rejoice" connected with the appearance of Jesus Christ; however, you can feel the power of God and rejoice in that power even today. Those who are worshiping antichrist at the 2nd appearing of Jesus Christ certainly won't have any praise and honor coming their way.)
8 Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (Though you might have felt His touch, you haven't ever seen Him. That is faith. It is difficult find words to describe how we feel when we rejoice in Him. This is important to God. Your place in eternity depends on your belief.)
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets inquired (see Acts 15:17) and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come to you:
11 Searching what (see John 5:39), or to what manner of time the Spirit of which was in them did point to Christ, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory after these things. (The prophets sought the time the Messiah would come. This is very basic, but very important.)
12 To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they did minister the things, which are now reported to you by them that have preached the gospel to you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; into which things the angels desire stoop down [to look]. (See John 25. Even the angels crave the Word. Desire the Word!)

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, being sober (see 1 Thess. 5:6), and hope perfectly for the grace that is being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (Gird the truth in your mind. Hold on to the Word.)

1:13-2:10. EXHORTATION (GENERAL).
C  D  A  1:3. Exhortation to sobriety. [Positive.]
       B  1:14-17. Comparison, "obedient children".
        C  1:18-21. Reason. God's people, and redeemed by the blood of Christ [the Lamb].
         D  1:22-25. Result.
      A  2:1. Exhortation against malice. [Negative.]
       B  2:2,3. Comparison, "newborn babes".
        C  2:4-8. Reason. God's people, and built as "living stones" on Christ [the Stone].
         D  2:9,10. Result.

14 As children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (See Rom. 12:2.)
15 But as He which has called you is holy (holy - set apart. See Ex. 3:5), become yourselves holy also in all behavior; (See Gal. 1:13.)
16 Because it is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." (Quoted from Lev. 11:44. See also Lev. 19:2; 20:7. Our Father is holy, and we should do the best we can to follow His example. Always remember He sent His Son to the sinners. Don't be a holier than thou.)
17 And if you call on the Father, Who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in reverence: (see Acts 13:17. God knows your heart and mind. He shows no favoritism to one of His children over another. Spend your time in this temporary world reverencing God.)

18 Knowing that you were not redeemed (see Tit. 2:14) by corruptible things (see Rom 1:23), as silver and gold, from your vain conversation handed down from your fathers; (Money won't buy you salvation. Understanding and doing His Word will earn you salvation.)
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb (see John 1:29) without blemish (cp. Ex. 12:5) and without spot: (See 1 Tim. 6:14.)
20 Foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in the last of times for you, (This was God's plan from the beginning. It is made know to you through His Word in these last times.)
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.

22 Having purified (see Acts 21:24) your souls in the obedience of the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned (see Rom. 12:9) love of the brethren, see that you love one another (see Rom. 12:10) with a pure heart intently: (Don't pass up on your blessings. Put your faith and hope in God. Love the brethren with a pure heart.)
23 Having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, living and abiding for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass (see Jas. 1:10,11), and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withered, and the flower thereof falls away: (Do you want to take place in the eternity, or do you want to place your hopes in the flesh and the world?)
25 But the word of the Lord endures for ever. (Quoted from Isa. 40:6-8) And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you. (The Lord is forever, and His Word is forever. Place your faith and hope in God. Don't desire things of this world. Desire the Word!)

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