Read & explore together
A Living Hope
Peter praises God for giving believers new life and a living hope. These verses explain how Jesus’ resurrection, future salvation, present trials, and the message of the prophets belong together.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of the letter is written as praise and teaching. It speaks about God’s mercy, an inheritance kept in heaven, faith tested by trials, joy in believing Christ without seeing him, and salvation announced beforehand through the prophets and the good news.
1 Peter 1:3–12Main takeaway
God’s mercy gives believers a living hope through Jesus’ resurrection, sustaining joy and faith as they await the salvation he has promised.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Mercy and living hopeThe passage begins with praise to God the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason is God’s great mercy.
Explanation
The passage begins with praise to God the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason is God’s great mercy. Peter says believers are born again to a living hope, and he ties that hope directly to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
02An inheritance kept by GodThis hope looks towards an inheritance described as incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading.
Explanation
This hope looks towards an inheritance described as incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven. Peter also says believers are guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
03Joy in the middle of trialsPeter does not ignore present sorrow. He says believers may be grieved by various trials for a little while, yet still greatly rejoice.
Explanation
Peter does not ignore present sorrow. He says believers may be grieved by various trials for a little while, yet still greatly rejoice. These trials test faith, and tested faith is more precious than gold, leading to praise, glory, and honour at Jesus Christ’s revelation.
04Believing now, promised long agoThese believers love Jesus without having seen him, and by believing in him they rejoice and receive the salvation of their souls.
Explanation
These believers love Jesus without having seen him, and by believing in him they rejoice and receive the salvation of their souls. Peter then says the prophets searched carefully about this salvation, and that it has now been announced through the preached good news by the Holy Spirit.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Peter say is the source of living hope?
Look at the opening praise and notice both God’s mercy and Jesus’ resurrection.
02How does the passage describe what believers are waiting for?
Collect the words used for the inheritance and the salvation still to be revealed.
03What two things are held together in these verses about Christian life now?
Notice that Peter speaks about grief in trials and also about rejoicing in believing Christ.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Peter 1:3–12
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,
5who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials,
7that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
8whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,
9receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently. They prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
11searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them pointed to when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow them.
12To them it was revealed that they served not themselves, but you, in these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.