(1 Pet 1:1 NASB) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
(1 Pet 1:2 NASB) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.
1 Pet 1:2: The term “aliens” in the Greek is the word “parepidemos” G3927. parepidemos, par-ep-id’-ay-mos; from G3844 and the base of G1927; an alien alongside, i.e. a resident foreigner:–pilgrim, stranger. It is the same Hebrew word for “ger” in the Tanakh.
It refers to one who is not a blood relative, but is one who wishes to be an Israelite.
Peter tells us that this letter is for those who are “chosen” (Deut 7:6, Isa. 65:9, John 15:16-19)
(1 Pet 1:3 NASB) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(1 Pet 1:4 NASB) to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Pet 1:4: Peter, like Paul, was teaching the resurrection of the dead and the inheritance. He also cites Yeshua as proof of the resurrection.
What does Peter mean by “an inheritance?” He means the land which is where we will be at the resurrection (Ex. 15:17, Deut 4:21, 38, Psalm 74:2, 79:1, Ezek. 47:13-14). Peter knew that the inheritance is the land of Israel which will be given to His people forever.
(1 Pet 1:5 NASB) who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(1 Pet 1:6 NASB) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
(1 Pet 1:7 NASB) that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Pet 1:7: Peter acknowledges that His people have been through various trials. “Faith” used here is the Greek word pistis. It is much better translated as “faithfulness.”
He states that their faithfulness to Torah is more precious than gold which is purified by fire. This is a fact of the Tanakh (Job 28:12-17, Psalm 19:7-11, 119:72, 127).
(1 Pet 1:8 NASB) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
(1 Pet 1:9 NASB) obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
(1 Pet 1:10 NASB) As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry,
1 Pet 1:10: The prophets knew of the grace and salvation that would come to us (Dan. 2:44, Gen. 49:10).
(1 Pet 1:11 NASB) seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
(1 Pet 1:12 NASB) It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven– things into which angels long to look.
1 Pet 1:12: The prophets knew they were not serving themselves, but were serving those who were not even yet born. The testimony of the visions of the prophets speaks of this.
(1 Pet 1:13 NASB) Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 1:13: Based upon our new birth, we should be led to practical obedience and growth in holiness. Peter speaks more of this:
(1 Pet 1:14 NASB) As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
(1 Pet 1:15 NASB) but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
(1 Pet 1:16 NASB) because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
1 Pet 1:16: We are to be set-apart in ALL our behavior. Peter is quoting the part of Torah that pertains to the Levitical diet among a few others (Lev. 11:44-45).
(1 Pet 1:17 NASB) And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth;
(1 Pet 1:18 NASB) knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
(1 Pet 1:19 NASB) but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1 Pet 1:19: We are no longer redeemed with the 1/2 shekel that was to be given to the Temple for atonement (Ex. 30:13-16). We are redeemed with the precious blood of Messiah. Therefore, we are to act like it.
(1 Pet 1:20 NASB) For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you
(1 Pet 1:21 NASB) who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Pet 1:21: Our faithfulness isn’t from our own work, but it is from Elohim through the death and resurrection of the Messiah.
(1 Pet 1:22 NASB) Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
(1 Pet 1:23 NASB) for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.
1 Pet 1:23: Our souls are purified through obedience to Torah (Acts 6:7, Romans 1:4-5, Heb. 5:9).
(1 Pet 1:24 NASB) For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
(1 Pet 1:25 NASB) BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ABIDES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
1 Pet 1:25: Peter reminds us that we are to be in obedience to the Word of Elohim and His Torah in everything we do. The word of Yahweh abides forever. This is a quote from Isa. 40:7-8. But the fact that the Word of the Father is forever is spoken of many times in Scripture (Psalm 119:89, 142, 144, 152, 160, Luke 16:17).
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas