Read & explore together
A Greeting from Peter
These opening lines greet the readers and quickly show who Peter is, who the letter is for, and how God is at work among them. Even this short greeting teaches about identity, sanctification, obedience to Jesus Christ, and peace.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage opens the letter. Peter names himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ and addresses chosen people living as foreigners in several regions. He describes them in relation to God the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus Christ, then speaks a blessing of grace and peace.
1 Peter 1:1–2Main takeaway
This greeting teaches that the readers are chosen, are in the Spirit’s sanctification, are directed toward obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling with his blood, and are greeted with multiplied grace and peace.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Peter names himself and his rolePeter begins by naming himself and calling himself “an apostle of Jesus Christ”. From that title, readers can see that he presents himself with a recognised role connected to Jesus Christ.
Explanation
Peter begins by naming himself and calling himself “an apostle of Jesus Christ”. From that title, readers can see that he presents himself with a recognised role connected to Jesus Christ. The greeting starts by making clear who is writing before it turns to the people receiving the letter.
02Chosen ones living as foreignersPeter writes to “the chosen ones” who are “living as foreigners in the Dispersion”. He holds those descriptions together in one greeting.
Explanation
Peter writes to “the chosen ones” who are “living as foreigners in the Dispersion”. He holds those descriptions together in one greeting. The readers are chosen, and they are also living as foreigners. Peter then names the places where they are found: Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
03According to the Father and in the SpiritVerse 2 explains their situation further. Peter says this is “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” and “in sanctification of the Spirit”.
Explanation
Verse 2 explains their situation further. Peter says this is “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” and “in sanctification of the Spirit”. The verse does not expand those phrases here, but it clearly places the readers within the Father’s foreknowledge and the Spirit’s sanctifying work.
04Toward obedience to Jesus ChristPeter adds a purpose with the words “that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood”.
Explanation
Peter adds a purpose with the words “that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood”. The greeting points the readers toward obedience to Jesus Christ. It also includes the phrase about being sprinkled with his blood, which Peter states as part of this purpose without further explanation here.
05Grace and peace multipliedThe greeting ends with a blessing: “Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” This is more than simply naming the readers.
Explanation
The greeting ends with a blessing: “Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” This is more than simply naming the readers. Peter speaks grace and peace over them and asks for these to increase. The letter opens, then, with both careful description and a warm blessing.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which words in verse 1 describe the readers, and what do those words show about their situation?
Notice that Peter calls the same people both “chosen ones” and people “living as foreigners”, then observe the named regions where they are living.
02How does verse 2 speak about God the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus Christ?
List the exact phrases linked with each: the Father’s foreknowledge, the Spirit’s sanctification, and obedience to Jesus Christ with sprinkling by his blood.
03What blessing does Peter give at the end of the greeting?
Look at the final words of verse 2 and identify the two things Peter says should be multiplied.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Peter 1:1–2
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.