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The Book of 1 Peter - Summary

1 Peter is a letter in the Bible's New Testament. The author of the letter is Peter. Peter was a disciple (student) of Jesus. And Peter became a leader in the first Christian church, in Jerusalem.

Peter wrote his letter to Christians who were suffering great troubles. Peter wanted them to trust God more. Their troubles would test them. But they were joyful, even when they suffered. They were joyful, because they trusted God's promises. And they were joyful, because Jesus died for them.

So, Peter encouraged them to be holy. Their troubles would last for a short time. But God's word lasts always. And they will always live with God in heaven. There, they will not suffer.

God chose them to be his people (1 Peter 2:10). So, they were special people. They did not belong to this world (1 Peter 2:11). They belonged in heaven.

Jesus suffered many terrible things, too. But he did not reply when people insulted him. He did not complain. He trusted God. And when Jesus died, he suffered the punishment for our evil deeds. This was how he made us into the people of God (1 Peter 2:21-25).

We should copy Jesus, even when we suffer. We should respect our husbands and wives (1 Peter 3:1-7). We should respect our employers (1 Peter 2:18-21). And we should even respect rulers and governments (1 Peter 2:13-17). They might be evil. But we should still be good. We should tell them gently about Jesus (1 Peter 3:15).

We might suffer because we are Christians. But even if this happens, we should be glad. And we should praise God that we are Christians (1 Peter 4:12-19).

Peter advised these Christians to love each other (1 Peter 4:8). And, he had special advice for the church leaders (1 Peter 5:1-4).
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-outline/1-peter-summary.htm

 

Listen Download Introduction to Book of 1Peter
Listen Download Chapter 1 Greeting; A Living Hope; A Call to Holy Living.
Listen Download Chapter 2 The Living Stone and a Holy People; A Call to Good Works; Submission of Slaves to Masters.
Listen Download Chapter 3 Wives and Husbands; Undeserved Suffering.
Listen Download Chapter 4 Following Christ; End-Time Ethics; Christian Suffering.
Listen Download Chapter 5 About the Elders.

Book of 1Peter Outlines by J.Vernon McGee PDF format <Link>

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http://www.easyenglish.info/english-learners-bible/1peter-taw.htm

About Peter’s first letter

Peter was one of the 12 men that Jesus chose to be his special workers. (See Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 13:13-19; Luke 6:2-16.) Peter’s name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter. (See John 1:42.) ‘Peter’ means ‘a rock’ or ‘a stone’.

Peter wrote this letter to groups of Christians in several different places. All of those places were in the country that we call Turkey now. We think that he wrote it about the year *AD 65. That was about 35 years after Jesus died. Peter may have been in Rome city when he wrote it. (See chapter 5:13.)

At that time, enemies were causing a lot of trouble and pain for Christians. These enemies were killing many Christians. So it was not easy to be a Christian then, and many Christians were afraid. Peter wrote to them because he wanted to help them. He wanted them to be brave. He wanted them to continue believing Jesus strongly.

In his letter, Peter describes the great things that God has done on our behalf. He says that, as Christians, we will have trouble and pain during our lives on this earth. But we must remember that God knows about all our troubles. And he lets us have troubles sometimes because he wants to make us like Jesus. Jesus had much trouble and pain on our behalf, but he never stopped obeying God. Also, Peter says that all Christians should obey people with authority. And Christians should always do what is right and good.

Chapter 1

God has given us a new life because of Christ

v1 This letter is from me, Peter. Jesus Christ sent me to be a special worker and teacher on his behalf. I am writing to you, God’s people, who are living in many different places. You are living in places in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. You are living there as strangers because you are away from your true home. God has chosen you to be his people. v2 A long, long time ago, God, the Father, had already decided that you should be his people. By his Spirit, God has made you his own, separate people so that you would obey Jesus Christ. He made you his people so that Jesus Christ’s blood could make you really clean inside yourselves.

I want you to know more and more how very kind God is to you. And I pray that he will cause you to be without trouble inside yourselves more and more.

Verse 1 Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia were all parts of the country that we call Turkey now. ‘Your true home’ really means heaven (God’s home beyond the earth). All Christians are strangers in this world, because really they belong in heaven.

v3 We should thank God, who is the Father of our *Lord Jesus Christ! We should say how very great he is! God is so very kind that he has caused us to be born again. He has given us a new life. This is possible because God raised Jesus Christ. God raised Jesus so that he became alive again after his death. And because of this new life, we continue to hope certainly for good things. We are sure that we will live with God always. v4 Also, we wait to receive all the good things that God has prepared for his children. Nobody can ever destroy those things. They will never become dirty. They will never become old or less beautiful. God is keeping those good things in *heaven for you. v5 God is powerful and he is keeping you safe. He is keeping you safe because you believe him. He will keep you safe until the last day, when Christ will return. Then everyone will see that God has prepared to save you completely.

v6 These things which God has done make you very happy. But now, for a short time, different kinds of troubles and difficulties may make you sad. v7 The purpose of these troubles is to show certainly whether you really believe God. It is very, very important that you continue to believe him. People put gold into a fire to make it completely clean. The fire burns everything that is not gold. So the fire shows certainly what is gold. But gold belongs only to this world, so it will come to an end. When you believe God, that is worth much more even than gold. If you continue to believe God, he will be very happy because of you. As a result, he will say very good things about you on the day when Jesus Christ comes again. And you will show everyone how very great God is.

v8 You have never seen Jesus, but still you love him. You do not see him now, but you believe him. And so, you are very, very happy. There are no words to describe how happy you are. v9 You are happy now because you are sure. You are believing God. And God will give to you that which you hope for. He will save you from all the troubles and pain that you have now. You are sure about that.

v10 Many years ago, the prophets (people who told God’s messages) spoke about this. They spoke about how God would be so very kind to you. They wanted to know about how God would save people. They studied carefully. And they asked many questions because they wanted to understand about it. v11 Christ’s Spirit was in those prophets and he was showing them about future events. The Spirit was showing them that Christ must have much trouble and pain. Then, after that trouble, great and good things would happen to him. The prophets were trying to discover when and how all these things would happen. v12 God showed the prophets that his messages about these things were not for themselves, but for you. Now you know the good news about Jesus Christ. God’s Spirit, that he has sent from *heaven, has helped people to tell the good news to you. Even the *angels want very much to understand about these things.

Christians should do what is good

v13 So, because of everything that God has done on your behalf, you must be ready to obey him. Get your mind ready to obey. Think seriously and clearly. Always continue to hope completely for the good things that you will receive from God. You will receive those things when Jesus Christ comes again. v14 Always obey God, like good children who obey their father. Before you knew Christ, you wanted to do bad things. Do not let yourselves do those bad things any more. Do not let them rule you. v15 God, who has chosen you to be his people, is completely good. So, whatever things you do, you must be completely good also. v16 The Bible says: ‘Be completely good, because I (God) am completely good.’

Verse 16 In the book of Leviticus, God says 5 times that we should be completely good, like him. (See Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7, 26.)

v17 When you pray to God, you call him Father. God decides about every person because of what that person has done. God decides what should happen to every person. And God is always fair when he decides about people. He is never kinder to one person than he is to another person. So always obey God, your Father, while you live as strangers here on earth. Always remember how great and powerful God is. v18 Your parents and the people who lived before you taught you to do certain things. Those things were worth nothing to God. But now God has saved you from doing things like that. You know that he has bought you for himself. He did not buy you with things like silver (a valuable metal) or gold, which will come to an end. v19 Instead, he bought you with Christ’s own blood, which is worth very, very much to God. Christ was like a lamb (young sheep) that had nothing wrong with it.

Verse 19 Many years ago, God told Israel’s people to kill lambs (and other animals) and offer them to him as gifts. The animals had to have nothing wrong with them. Those gifts to God showed that the people were sorry. They were sorry because of the wrong things that they had done. They offered animals to God so that he would choose not to remember those wrong things. So then he would not *punish them.

‘Christ’s blood’ means his death on the cross. Christ was completely good. He never did anything wrong. He died on our behalf. And he did much, much more than any dead animal could ever do. He took away all the wrong things that anyone has ever done.

v20 Before God made the world, he had chosen Christ already. God had decided already that Christ would save us. But now, during these last days, God has shown Christ to the world so that he could help you. v21 It is because of Christ that you believe God. God raised Christ, so that he became alive again after his death. Then, God showed how very great and powerful Christ is. That is why you believe God. You are sure about him. He will do what he has promised. You are sure about that.

v22 You have made yourselves really good and clean because you have obeyed God’s true message. As a result, now you can really love other Christians, who are like brothers and sisters to you. So, continue to love each other very much. Love each other as much as you can. v23 God’s message causes people to become alive. It will continue always and it will never change. You have been born again, into a new life, because of that message. It is not your human parents who caused you to be born into this new life. They must die. But it is God himself who has caused you to be born again. And he can never die. v24 The Bible says:

  ‘All people are like grass.

  Everything that is good or beautiful about people is only like the flowers in the fields.

  The grass becomes dry and it dies.

  Flowers fall off after a short time.

v25  But the message that the *Lord has spoken will continue always.’

  [Isaiah 40:6-8]

That message is the good news, which people have taught you.

Chapter 2

v1 So, you must refuse to do bad things. Always say only things that are true and right. Do not say one thing when really you mean something else. Do not want other people’s things so much that you stop being kind to those people. Do not say bad things about people. v2 Instead, you should want always to know God more and more. New babies always want their mothers’ milk, which makes them grow strong. Like them, you should want the true milk, which comes from God. Always want very much to know more about God’s message. That message is like good food that will make you strong in your *spirits. It will make you stronger and stronger, so that God will save you completely. v3 Already, you have begun to know how good the *Lord is. So, you should want to know him more and more.

Jesus is like the most important stone in God’s house

v4 So come to the *Lord Jesus. He is like a big stone that a builder uses to build a house. He is ‘the stone that is alive’. People decided that he was worth nothing to them. So they refused him. But God chose him. To God, Jesus is like a stone that is worth very, very much. v5 You yourselves also are like stones that are alive, because of Jesus Christ. God is using you, like stones, to build his *spiritual house. He has chosen you to work there as his priests (special servants who offer *sacrifices). As priests you will offer *spiritual *sacrifices to God. And God will be happy with what you offer him, because of Jesus Christ.

v6 In the Bible, God says this:

  ‘Look, I have chosen a stone that is worth very, very much.

  I have chosen this valuable stone as the most important stone,

  for the corner of my house.

  And I am putting that stone in *Zion.

  Any person who believes him will never be ashamed.

  That person will never be sorry that they believed him.’

  [Isaiah 28:16]

v7 This stone is worth very, very much to you who believe. But the Bible says this about the people who do not believe him:

  ‘The stone that the builders refused has become the most important stone.

  It has become the stone at the corner of the house.’

    [Psalm 118:22]

v8 The Bible says this also:

  ‘This is a stone that will cause people to knock their feet against it so that they fall.

  It is a rock that will make them fall down.’

  [Isaiah 8:14]

The reason why it causes people to fall is this. They fall because they refuse to obey God’s message. A long, long time ago, God decided that this would happen to them.

Verses 4-8 In verses 6-8, Peter includes words from the Old Testament. (That is the first part of the Bible, which describes events before Jesus’ life on earth.) Peter shows that these words are speaking about Jesus.

Many years before Jesus lived on the earth, Israel’s people built a special house for God. (See 1 Kings chapters 6-8.) The stone at the corner of the house was the most important stone. It made the whole building strong and safe. It was the first stone that the builders put into its place. Then they put other stones next to it and above it, to build the walls. It was a big, square stone with very straight sides. So it made all the walls of the house straight and strong. Jesus is like the stone at the corner of God’s house. God’s true house is a *spiritual house. God builds his true house with people who belong to Jesus Christ.

Verse 5 In God’s house in Jerusalem, Israel’s priests (God’s special servants) offered *sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. The *sacrifices were special gifts to thank God, or to show that the people were sorry. They were sorry about the wrong things that they had done. We offer ‘*spiritual *sacrifices’ to God when we obey him completely. We choose always to believe God. We thank him. We do good things, to help other people. These are the kind of ‘*spiritual *sacrifices’ that we offer.

Verse 6 *Zion is another name for Jerusalem city, either on earth or in *heaven. Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, was the place where Israel’s people built God’s house.

v9 But you are the people that God has chosen. You are a group of priests who are servants of God, the King. You are God’s own special people, who obey only him. You belong to God. He has taken you out of the dark and he has brought you into his great light. He has chosen you so that you can tell people how great he is. v10 In past times, you were not God’s people. But now you are God’s people. In past times, you did not know how very kind God is. But now you know how very kind he is.

v11 My friends, that I love, you live as strangers in this world. You are like visitors, who are staying in this world only for a short time. So I ask you strongly not to do those bad things that your bodies may want to do. Keep away from things like that, because they are like enemies to you. They fight against what is good for you. They stop you from doing good things. v12 You are living among people who do not know God. So be careful that you do good and right things always. Sometimes these people may say that you do bad things. But you should continue to do good things. And then they will see that you are good. So, on the day when God visits us, they may thank God because of you. And they will say how great God is.

Obey people who have authority over you

v13 Obey all people who have authority in this world. Obey them, because that will make the *Lord happy. Obey the king, who rules everyone. v14 Also obey those officers of the government that the king has chosen to rule you. They *punish people who do wrong things. And they say good words about people who do right things. v15 God wants you to do what is right. Then you will stop silly people, who do not know anything, from saying bad things about you. v16 You are people who are free. But do not think, because of that, that you have the chance to do bad things. Do not think that God will excuse you for bad things. Instead, do those things that God’s servants should do. v17 Always do what is right and proper to all people. Love all those people who are like brothers and sisters to you. They are like your brothers and sisters because, like you, they believe Christ. Always remember how great and powerful God is. Always remember to obey the king.

v18 You servants must obey your masters. You must always remember that they are important. You must obey not only masters who are good and kind. You must obey also masters who are cruel and not fair. v19 Sometimes a person may have trouble and pain when he has done nothing wrong. But if that person really wants to obey God, he should continue to be patient and brave. That is a good thing and it will make God happy. v20 If you do something wrong, then people ought to *punish you. They might hit you. And you might be patient when they hit you. But that is no reason why anyone should say good things about you. But you may have trouble and pain because you have done good things. If you are patient during that trouble, then God will be happy about you. v21 God has chosen that you should be patient like this. Christ had trouble and pain on your behalf. And he is the person that you should copy. So you should do the same kind of things as Christ did. v22 The Bible says this:

  ‘He never did anything that was wrong.

  He never said anything that was not true.’

  [Isaiah 53:9]

v23 People said bad things about Christ, but he did not say bad things back to them. People did bad things to him and they caused him trouble and pain. But he never said that he would do bad things to them. Instead, Christ continued to believe that God would help him. God always decides only what is right and fair. v24 Christ himself took away all the wrong things that we have done. He took them in his own body to the cross. He did this so that we should not continue to do wrong things. So we can be like people who are dead to wrong things. We are dead to them because those things do not rule us any more. Instead, now we can do the right things that God wants us to do. People hurt Christ’s body, but, because of that, you have become well. v25 Before, you were like sheep that were going the wrong way. But now you have returned to Christ, your *Shepherd, who keeps all of you safe.

Verse 24 ‘Well’ means ‘well in our *spirits’. We were dead in our *spirits, because of our old nature. But Christ took away everything that made us dead. He took it away when he died on the cross. So now we can really be alive and we can know God.

Chapter 3

Wives and husbands

v1 You wives, each of you also should obey your own husband. There may be some husbands who do not believe God’s message. But if their wives obey them, those husbands may turn to God. They may decide to believe God, even if their wives have said nothing to them about God’s message. v2 Those husbands will see that you wives do only good things. They will see that you really obey God.

v3 Do not be trying always to make your bodies beautiful. You do not need to prepare your hair in an expensive way. You do not need to wear gold or expensive clothes. v4 Instead, be beautiful because of what you are really like inside yourselves, in your *spirits. Be patient and quiet, and do not become angry easily. Do not want to show everyone how important you are. Then you will never stop being beautiful. If you are beautiful in your *spirits like this, it is worth very much to God. v5 This was how, many years ago, good women made themselves beautiful. They believed God. God would do what he had promised. They believed that. And so, because they were God’s servants, they obeyed their own husbands. v6 They did the same as Sarah. She obeyed her husband, Abraham, and she called him, ‘My master’. You wives also should do what is right. You should not let anything make you afraid. Then you will be like true daughters of Sarah.

Verse 6 Abraham was the grandfather of Israel’s people. Sarah was his wife. (See Genesis 11:27-23:20.)

v7 Also, each of you husbands must live properly with your own wife. You should understand properly what she needs. She is not as strong as you are. So, you should remember that and you should be kind to her. Remember that God has promised the same thing to both her and you together. He has promised that you will live with him always. So, you must be kind to your wife. And then nothing will stop God from answering what you pray.

Christians must be ready to have trouble, even when they do good things

v8 Now I want to say this to you. All of you should agree with each other so that you do not argue. You should try to understand how other people are feeling. Love each other as brothers and sisters, because all of you belong to Christ. Be kind to each other. Do not want to be more important than anyone else. v9 If people do bad things to you, you must not do anything bad to them. If people say bad things against you, you must not say bad things back to them. Instead, you should pray that God will be good to those people. This is what God wants you to do. He has chosen you yourselves because he wants to be good to you. v10 The Bible says this:

  ‘If a person wants to enjoy his life and to have good days,

  he must be careful not to say bad things.

  And he must stop saying things that are not true.

v11  He must stop doing what is bad.

  Instead, he must do what is good.

  He must try very much always to be friendly with people.

  He must try always not to argue with them or to cause trouble.

v12  Because the *Lord is watching over those people who obey him.

  All the time, he is listening to what those people pray.

  But the *Lord turns away from people who do bad things.’

  [Psalm 34:12-16]

v13 If you are trying always to do good things, then nobody can really hurt you. v14 People may cause you trouble and pain, even when you do right things. But God will be good to you. So, do not let anyone make you afraid. v15 Instead, always remember that only Christ is your *Lord. And always let him rule you, deep inside yourselves. People may ask you to explain why you hope certainly for good things because of Christ. Always be ready to answer anyone who asks you that. v16 Be kind and polite when you answer them. You know the difference between what is right or wrong. So, always do what is right. Then the people who say bad things about you Christians will be ashamed. They will see that you do good things. You do the good things that Christ’s people should do. So, they will be ashamed.

v17 Sometimes God may let you have trouble and pain even when you have done good things. But that is better than to have trouble and pain because you have done bad things. v18 Even Christ himself, who never did anything wrong, died on our behalf. He died to take away all the wrong things that we have done. He died once, for all time. He died to bring you to God. People killed his body, but God’s Spirit made him alive again.

v19 Then, as a *spirit, he went to the *spirits who were in prison. And he told his great news to them. v20 A long time ago, those *spirits had refused to obey God. God waited patiently for them at that time when Noah was building that big boat. But only a few people, only 8 people, went into that boat so that God could save them. God saved them when they went through the water. v21 That water is like a picture of *baptism, which now saves you also. *Baptism does not mean that the water washes dirt off a person’s body. It means that a person has decided always to obey God. God has made that person really good and clean inside. And so that person is choosing always to do what is right. *Baptism saves you because Jesus Christ rose, to become alive again after his death. v22 Jesus has gone into *heaven now and he is sitting at God’s right side. He rules over *angels and over all other *spirits that have authority or power.

Verses 19-20 The story about Noah and the big boat is in Genesis 6:1-9:17. The ‘*spirits who were in prison’ may mean all the people who drowned in the water. Or it may mean *angels who did not obey God. (See Genesis 6:2.)

Verse 21 Baptism is when they put a believer into water. (Or sometimes they put water on the believer.) That shows everyone that the person believes Christ.

Verse 22 Jesus ‘sits at God’s right side’. The right side or right hand means the most important place. It shows that Jesus has the same authority as his Father.

Chapter 4

v1 Christ had trouble and pain while he lived in his body. So, you should think like he thought. You should be ready to have trouble and pain while you live in your bodies too. If you think like that, you will make yourselves strong. Anyone who has had trouble and pain in his body has stopped wanting to do wrong things. v2 As a result, that person will obey God during all the time that he continues to live in his body. He will not want to do the bad things that people often want to do. He will not let those bad things rule him. Instead, that person will do what God wants him to do.

v3 The people who do not know God want to do bad things. And, in past times, you did those bad things too. But now you have wasted enough time doing those bad things. You did wrong things that people should not do. The things that your bodies wanted to do ruled you. You had sex with people who were not your wife or your husband. You were drunks. You went to many bad parties and you drank too much alcohol. Also, you *worshipped false gods, which is something that God hates.

Verse 3 To worship means to be a servant to someone or something, and to love them or it. To hate means not to like something strongly or completely. When you hate, it is the opposite of when you love something or someone. God hates it when people worship false gods. He hates it because only he himself is really God. Only he can really help those people and be good to them.

v4 The people who do not know God continue to do many, very wrong things. But now, you do not want to do wrong things any more as they do. So, those people are very surprised because of you, and they say bad things about you. v5 But those people will have to explain to God what they have done. He is ready to decide what should happen to every person. He will decide about all people, whether they are alive or dead. v6 This is why even the dead people heard the good news about Christ. Their bodies had to die, as all people must die. But they heard the good news so that their *spirits could live. Their *spirits could live as God wants them to live.

Verse 6 The ‘dead people’ may mean all the believers who had died during the time that the New Testament describes. (The New Testament is the second part of the Bible, which describes Jesus’ life on earth and his work.) Or, the ‘dead people’ may mean all the people who died before Christ. Many people had died before Christ came to live on earth. They had no chance to hear the good news about Christ while they lived on earth. So, this may mean that Christ went to the dead people. He went to tell them about what he had done on their behalf. Then they had the chance to believe him, as we do.

We must use God’s gifts properly

v7 The end of all things is near. So, think seriously and clearly. And rule yourselves properly so that you can pray. v8 Continue to love each other very much. This is more important than anything else. If you love people, then you will always want to be kind to them. You will always be ready to forgive (choose to forget) any wrong things that they have done. v9 Always be happy when other Christians visit your homes. Say ‘welcome’ to them and be kind to them.

v10 God has been good to each of you in different ways. He has given a gift to each of you, so that you are able to do certain things well. So, each of you should use your gift so that you can help other people. Then you will be God’s good servants because you will be using his gifts properly. v11 If you have a gift as a speaker, speak only God’s messages. If you have a gift to help other people, let God make you strong to help them. Do everything so that people will thank God. They should say how great and good God is because of Jesus Christ. He will have all authority and power always. And everyone should always say how great he is! This is true!

Christians must be ready to have trouble and pain

v12 My friends, that I love, do not be surprised by trouble and pain. People are causing you bad trouble and pain. But these things are happening to show whether you really believe God. So, do not think that something strange is happening to you. v13 Instead, be happy that you have trouble and pain, like Christ. So then, you will also be very, very happy when Christ comes again. You will be happy when he comes to show everyone how very great and powerful he is. v14 People may say bad things about you because you are Christ’s. But God will be good to you when that happens. It means that God’s Spirit is with you. God’s Spirit, who is so great and powerful, remains upon you.

v15 But if you do wrong things, then people ought to *punish you. They ought to cause you trouble and pain. So, be careful that none of you receives trouble and pain because of wrong things. You must not kill anyone. You must not rob anyone. You must not want to know more than you should know about other people’s lives. None of you should ever have to receive trouble and pain because you have done those things. v16 But if you have trouble and pain because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed. Instead, thank God that people call you by Christ’s name.


v17 The time has come that God should begin to decide about people. He will decide what should happen to them. And he will decide first about the people who belong to him. God will decide even about us, who are his own people. Then he will decide about the people who do not obey his good news. So, very bad things must happen to those people in the end. v18 The Bible says:

  ‘Even good people have many difficulties

  before God finishes saving them.

  So, think about the bad people who do not obey God.

  Very bad things must happen to those people!’

  [Proverbs 11:31]

v19 So then, people may cause you trouble and pain because God chooses that. But you should continue to believe God, who made you. God always does what he has promised. So, continue to believe that he will be good to you. And continue to do what is good.

Chapter 5

Peter writes to leaders and young men

v1 Now I want to say something strongly to the elders (leaders) who belong to your group. I say this because I am an elder also. I saw the trouble and pain that people caused Christ. And, like you, I will live always with Christ, who is so very great and powerful. When he comes again, everyone will see how great he is. I say this strongly to you. v2 Watch over the group of God’s people that God has given to you. Be like a *shepherd to them. Do this work because you want to do it. That is how God wants you to be. Do not do it just because you have to do it. Do not do this work because you want to receive money. Instead, do it because you want to help people.

v3 Do not try to rule over those people that God has given to you. Instead, do good things yourselves, so that they can copy you. Show them the right things that they should do. v4 As a result, Christ, who is the *Shepherd of all of us, will give a gift to you. He will give that gift to you when he comes again. He will give you a beautiful crown that will never become old or less beautiful.

Verse 4 A crown is a special hat that a winner gets. It shows that the winner has done well. This crown is like a picture of what God will give to each of us. He will cause us to live with him always.

v5 You younger men also must obey the elders (leaders). And all of you people must be ready to be like servants to each other. Because the Bible says:

  ‘Some people think that they are better and more important than other people.

  They think that they are always right.

  God is an enemy to people who think like that.

  But he is good to people who do not want to be very important.

  He is good to people who are ready to be like servants to other people.’

  [Proverbs 3:34]

v6 God is very powerful and strong to help you. So, be his servants, and let him rule you. Then he will cause you to be great and important at the right time. v7 Tell God about all the things that make you sad or afraid or angry. Give your thoughts about those things to him and let them remain with him. Do this, because you matter to him.

v8 Think seriously and watch carefully. Be ready, because your enemy, the *Devil, walks about like a lion (a big wild animal). He is like a lion that makes loud noises. He is looking for someone that he can eat. v9 Refuse to obey the *Devil. Instead, be strong against him because you choose to believe God strongly. Remember that, all over the world, Christians like you are having the same kind of troubles and pain.

v10 You will have trouble and pain for a short time. But after that, God, who is so completely kind, will make everything right. God has caused you to be united to Christ, so that you will live with him always. You will live with him in the beautiful place where he lives. And God will make you completely as you should be. He will make you strong, so that nothing can ever stop you believing him. v11 God will rule always! This is true.

Peter finishes his letter

v12 Silas, who is like our brother, has helped me to write this short letter to you. I know that he continues to believe Christ. And he continues to be Christ’s good servant. I have written because I want you to be brave and strong. And I want you to know certainly that God has really been good to us. So, always remember how good God is. And then you will continue to be strong. v13 God has chosen the Christians who are in Babylon city, as he has chosen you. They say ‘hello’ to you. Mark, who is like my son, says ‘hello’ also. v14 When you meet, kiss each other as Christian friends.

I pray on behalf of all of you who are united to Christ. I pray that God will cause you to be without trouble inside yourselves.

Verse 12 Silas was a leader, with Peter, of the Christians who were at Jerusalem (the capital of Israel). See Acts 15:22.

Verse 13 We think that ‘Babylon’ means Rome city (the capital of Italy). At that time, the king of Rome ruled many countries. His soldiers were causing a lot of trouble for Christians. Many, many years earlier, people from Babylon had caused a lot of trouble for Israel’s people. So, the Christians used Babylon as a secret name for Rome.

Word List

AD ~ AD 50 means the year that was 50 years after Jesus came, and so on.

angel ~ *spirit being (person). Good angels come from God’s home above the earth. They are God’s servants and they bring messages from God to people. Bad angels are servants of God’s enemy.

baptism ~ Baptism is when they put a believer into water. (Or sometimes they put water on the believer.) That shows everyone that the person believes Christ.

Devil ~ the devil is the leader and the worst of the bad *angels. He is the worst enemy of God. He is also called Satan.

heaven ~ the place beyond the earth where God and Jesus Christ live.

Lord ~ master. Another name for God. It means that he is greater than everyone else.

punish ~ to hurt someone, or to cause trouble for them, because they have done bad things.

sacrifice ~ a special gift to thank God, or to show that Israel’s people were sorry. They were sorry about the wrong things that they had done.

shepherd ~ someone who feeds sheep and keeps them safe.

spirit ~ a being (person) that is always alive, even without a body. A person’s spirit is the part of them that will always be alive. It will be alive even after their body is dead. There are good spirits, like God’s Spirit and his *angels. And there are bad spirits, like Satan (God’s enemy) and his *angels.

spiritual ~ of the spirit.

worship ~ to be a servant to someone or something, and to love them or to love it.

Zion ~ another name for Jerusalem city; this could be either the Jerusalem on earth or the Jerusalem in *heaven.

Book List

Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene A. Nida ~ A Translator’s Handbook on the First Letter from Peter ~ United Bible Societies

A. Marshall ~ The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament

New Bible Commentary ~ IVP

Various Bible versions ==========================================================

Book 60 1 Peter
King James Version
001:001 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
001:002 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.
001:003 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,
001:004 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
001:005 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
001:006 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
001:007 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:
001:008 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:
001:009 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
001:010 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
001:011 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.
001:012 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.
001:013 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;
001:014 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
001:015 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
001:016 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
001:017 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:
001:018 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;
001:019 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
001:020 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
001:021 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.
001:022 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:
001:023 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
001:024 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:
001:025 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
 

002:001 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings,
002:002 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
002:003 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
002:004 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
002:005 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
002:006 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
002:007 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
002:008 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
002:009 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
002:010 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
002:011 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
002:012 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
002:013 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
002:014 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
002:015 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
002:016 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
002:017 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
002:018 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
002:019 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
002:020 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
002:021 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
002:022 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
002:023 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
002:024 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
002:025 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
 

003:001 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
003:002 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
003:003 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
003:004 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
003:005 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
003:006 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
003:007 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
003:008 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
003:009 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
003:010 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
003:011 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
003:012 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
003:013 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
003:014 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
003:015 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
003:016 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
003:017 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
003:018 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
003:019 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
003:020 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
003:021 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
003:022 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
 

004:001 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
004:002 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
004:003 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
004:004 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
004:005 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
004:006 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
004:007 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
004:008 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
004:009 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
004:010 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
004:011 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
004:012 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
004:013 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
004:014 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
004:015 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
004:016 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
004:017 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
004:018 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
004:019 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
 

005:001 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
005:002 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
005:003 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
005:004 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
005:005 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
005:006 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
005:007 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
005:008 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
005:009 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
005:010 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
005:011 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
005:012 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
005:013 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
005:014 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

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Note: Chapter topic headings from "The Holman Illustrated Study Bible"; Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. ISBN: 978-1-58640-275-4.
 
 
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