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1 Peter

1 Peter front

Introduction to 1 Peter

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of 1 Peter
  1. Introduction (1:1-2)
  2. Praise for God’s salvation of the believers (1:3-2:10)
  3. Christian living (2:11-4:11)
  4. Encouragement to persevere when suffering (4:12-5:11)
  5. Closing (5:12-14)
Who wrote the Book of 1 Peter?

The Book of 1 Peter was written by the Apostle Peter. He wrote the letter to Gentile Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor.

What is the Book of 1 Peter about?

Peter stated that he wrote this letter for the purpose of “encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God” (5:12). He encouraged Christians to continue obeying God even when they are suffering. He told them to do this because Jesus will return soon. Peter also gave instructions about Christians submitting to persons in authority.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title “1 Peter” or “First Peter.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “The First Letter from Peter” or “The First Letter Peter Wrote.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

How were Christians treated in Rome?

Peter probably was in Rome when he wrote this letter. He gave Rome the symbolic name of “Babylon” (5:13). It appears that when Peter wrote this letter, Romans were badly persecuting Christians.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

Singular and plural “you”

In this book, the word “I” refers to Peter, except for two places: 1 Peter 1:16 and 1 Peter 2:6. The word “you” is always plural and refers to Peter’s audience. (See: Forms of You)

What are the major issues in the text of the Book of 1 Peter?
  • “You made your souls pure by obedience to the truth. This was for the purpose of sincere brotherly love; so love one another earnestly from the heart” (1:22). The ULT, UST, and most other modern versions read this way. Some older versions read, “You made your souls pure by obedience to the truth through the Spirit for the purpose of sincere brotherly love, so love one another earnestly from the heart.”

If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.

(See: Textual Variants)

1 Peter 1

1 Peter 01 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Peter formally introduces this letter in verses 1-2. Writers often began letters in this way in the ancient Near East.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in 1:24-25.

Special concepts in this chapter

What God reveals

When Jesus comes again, everyone will see how good God’s people were to have faith in Jesus. Then God’s people will see how gracious God has been to them, and all people will praise both God and his people.

Holiness

God wants his people to be holy because God is holy. (See: holy, holiness, unholy, sacred)

Eternity

Peter tells Christians to live for things that will last forever and not to live for the things of this world, which will end. (See: eternity, everlasting, eternal, forever)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Paradox

A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. Peter writes that his readers are glad and sad at the same time (1 Peter 1:6). He can say this because they are sad because they are suffering, but they are glad because they know that God will save them “in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5)

1 Peter 1:1

Peter identifies himself as the writer and identifies and greets the believers to whom he is writing.

παρεπιδήμοις διασπορᾶς

Peter speaks of his readers as people who live away from their homes in many different countries. (See: Metaphor)

Καππαδοκίας…Βιθυνίας

Along with the other places that Peter mentions, “Cappadocia” and “Bithynia” were Roman provinces located in what is now the country of Turkey.

ἐκλεκτοῖς

“the ones whom God the Father has chosen.” God has chosen them according to his own foreknowledge.

1 Peter 1:2

κατὰ πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός

“according to his own foreknowledge”

πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός

The abstract noun “foreknowledge” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Possible meanings are (1) God had determined what would happen ahead of time. Alternate translation: “what God the Father decided previously” or (2) God knew what would happen ahead of time. Alternate translation: “what God the Father knew beforehand” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Here “the blood” refers to the death of Jesus. Just as Moses sprinkled blood on the people of Israel to symbolize their covenant with God, believers are in covenant with God because of Jesus’ death. (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

This passage speaks of grace as if it were an object that believers could possess, and of peace as if it were something that could increase in amount. Of course, grace is in reality the kind way God acts toward believers, and peace is how believers live in safety and joy with God. (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:3

Peter begins to talk about the believers’ salvation and faith. Here he elaborates on a metaphor in which what God promises to do for all believers is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that he passes on to them.

τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ…ἀναγεννήσας ἡμᾶς

The words “our” and “us” refer to Peter and those to whom he is writing. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

ἀναγεννήσας ἡμᾶς

“he has caused us to be born again”

1 Peter 1:4

εἰς κληρονομίαν

You can translate this using a verb. Alternate translation: “We confidently expect to receive an inheritance” (See: Abstract Nouns)

κληρονομίαν

Receiving what God has promised believers is spoken of as if it were inheriting property and wealth from a family member. (See: Metaphor)

ἄφθαρτον, καὶ ἀμίαντον, καὶ ἀμάραντον

Peter uses three similar phrases to describe the inheritance as something that is perfect and eternal. (See: Metaphor)

τετηρημένην ἐν οὐρανοῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God is reserving it in heaven for you” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:5

τοὺς ἐν δυνάμει Θεοῦ φρουρουμένους

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God is protecting you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν δυνάμει Θεοῦ

Here “power” is a way of saying that God is strong and able to protect believers. (See: Abstract Nouns)

διὰ πίστεως

Here “faith” refers to the fact that the believers trust in Christ. Alternate translation: “because of your faith” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἑτοίμην ἀποκαλυφθῆναι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that God is ready to reveal” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:6

ἐν ᾧ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε

The word “this” refers to all the blessings that Peter mentions in the previous verses.

1 Peter 1:7

ἵνα τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως

In the same way in which fire refines gold, hardships test how well believers trust in Christ. (See: Metaphor)

τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως

God wishes to test how well believers trust in Christ.

τῆς πίστεως πολυτιμότερον χρυσίου τοῦ ἀπολλυμένου, διὰ πυρὸς…δοκιμαζομένου

Faith is more valuable than gold, because gold does not last forever, even if it is refined in fire.

εὑρεθῇ εἰς ἔπαινον, καὶ δόξαν, καὶ τιμὴν

Possible meanings are (1) that “God will honor you very highly” because of your faith or (2) that “your faith will bring praise, glory, and honor” to God.

ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

“when Jesus Christ is revealed.” This refers to the return of Christ. This can also be expressed with an active form. Alternate translation: “when Jesus Christ appears to all people” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:8

χαρᾷ ἀνεκλαλήτῳ καὶ δεδοξασμένῃ

“wonderful joy that words cannot describe”

1 Peter 1:9

σωτηρίαν ψυχῶν

Here the word “souls” refers to the whole person. The abstract noun “salvation” can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: “your salvation” or “God saving you” (See: Synecdoche and Abstract Nouns)

σωτηρίαν

This words presents the idea as if it were an object. In reality, “salvation” refers to the action of God saving us, or to what happens as a result.

1 Peter 1:10

σωτηρίας…χάριτος

These words present two ideas as if they were things or objects. In reality, “salvation” refers to the action of God saving us, or to what happens as a result. Similarly, “grace” refers to the kind way in which God deals with believers.

ἐξεζήτησαν καὶ ἐξηραύνησαν

The words “inquired carefully” mean basically the same thing as “searched.” Together these words emphasize how hard the prophets tried to understand this salvation. Alternate translation: “examined very carefully” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 1:11

Peter continues talking about the prophets’ search for salvation.

ἐραυνῶντες

“They tried to determine”

τὸ…Πνεῦμα Χριστοῦ

This is a reference to the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:12

οἷς ἀπεκαλύφθη

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God revealed to the prophets” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς ἃ ἐπιθυμοῦσιν ἄγγελοι παρακύψαι

“that angels want to understand”

1 Peter 1:13

διὸ ἀναζωσάμενοι

“Because of this, gird.” Peter uses the word “So” here to refer back to everything he has said about salvation, their faith, and the Spirit of Christ giving revelations to the prophets.

ἀναζωσάμενοι τὰς ὀσφύας τῆς διανοίας ὑμῶν

Girding up the loins refers to preparing to work hard. It comes from the custom of tucking the bottom of one’s robe into a belt around the waist in order to move with ease. Alternate translation: “get your minds ready” (See: Idiom)

νήφοντες

Here the word “sober” refers to mental clarity and alertness. Alternate translation: “Control your thoughts” or “Be careful about what you think” (See: Idiom)

τὴν φερομένην ὑμῖν χάριν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the grace that God will bring to you” (See: Active or Passive)

τὴν φερομένην ὑμῖν χάριν

Here God’s way of dealing kindly with believers is spoken of as if it were an object that he will bring to them. (See: Metaphor)

ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

This refers to when Christ returns. This can also be expressed with an active form. See how you translated this in 1 Peter 1:7. Alternate translation: “when Jesus Christ appears to all people” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:14

μὴ συνσχηματιζόμενοι ταῖς…ἐπιθυμίαις

“do not desire the same things” Alternate translation: “do not live to gratify the desires” (See: Idiom)

1 Peter 1:16

διότι γέγραπται

This refers to God’s message in the scripture. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For as God said” (See: Active or Passive)

ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιος

Here the word “I” refers to God.

1 Peter 1:17

τὸν τῆς παροικίας ὑμῶν χρόνον ἀναστράφητε

Peter speaks of his readers as if they were people living in a foreign land away from their home. Alternate translation: “use the time you are living away from your true home” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 1:18

ἐλυτρώθητε

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has redeemed you” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:19

τιμίῳ αἵματι…Χριστοῦ

Here “blood” stands for Christ’s death on the cross. (See: Metonymy)

ὡς ἀμνοῦ ἀμώμου καὶ ἀσπίλου

Jesus died as a sacrifice so that God would forgive people’s sins. Alternate translation: “like the lambs without blemish or spot that the Jewish priests sacrificed” (See: Simile)

ἀμώμου καὶ ἀσπίλου

Peter expresses the same idea in two different ways to emphasize Christ’s purity. Alternate translation: “with no imperfections” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 1:20

προεγνωσμένου

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God chose Christ” (See: Active or Passive)

πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου

You can translate this with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “before God created the world” (See: Abstract Nouns)

φανερωθέντος…δι’ ὑμᾶς

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has revealed him to you” (See: Active or Passive)

φανερωθέντος…δι’ ὑμᾶς

Peter does not mean that his readers actually saw Christ, but that they learned the truth about him. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 1:21

τὸν ἐγείραντα αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν

Here to raise up is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. Alternate translation: “who caused him to live again so that he was no longer among the dead”

καὶ δόξαν αὐτῷ δόντα

“and glorified him” or “and showed that he is glorious” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:22

τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν ἡγνικότες

Here the word “soul” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “You made yourselves pure” (See: Synecdoche)

ἡγνικότες

Here the idea of cleanliness refers to being acceptable to God. (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῇ ὑπακοῇ τῆς ἀληθείας

You can translate this using a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “by obeying the truth” (See: Abstract Nouns)

φιλαδελφίαν

This refers to love between fellow believers.

ἐκ…καρδίας, ἀλλήλους ἀγαπήσατε ἐκτενῶς

Here “heart” is a metonym for a person’s thoughts or emotions. To love someone “from the heart” means to love some one completely with total commitment. Alternate translation: “love one another earnestly and completely” (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 1:23

ἀναγεγεννημένοι, οὐκ ἐκ σπορᾶς φθαρτῆς, ἀλλὰ ἀφθάρτου

Possible meanings are that Peter speaks of the word of God either (1) as the seed of a plant that grows and produces new life in believers or (2) as the tiny cells inside a man or woman that combine to cause a baby to grow inside the woman. (See: Metaphor)

ἀφθάρτου

seed that will not rot or dry up or die

διὰ λόγου ζῶντος Θεοῦ, καὶ μένοντος

Peter speaks of God’s word as if it were alive forever. In reality, it is God who lives forever, and whose instructions and promises last eternally. (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 1:24

In these verses Peter quotes a passage from the prophet Isaiah relating to what he has just said about them being born of imperishable seed.

πᾶσα σὰρξ ὡς χόρτος, καὶ πᾶσα…αὐτῆς

The word “flesh” refers to humanity. The prophet Isaiah compares humanity to grass that grows and dies quickly. Alternate translation: “All people will die like grass dies, and all their” (See: Metonymy and Simile)

δόξα…ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου

Here the word “glory” refers to beauty or goodness. Isaiah compares the things that people consider to be good or beautiful about humanity to flowers that die quickly. Alternate translation: “goodness soon stops, just as flowers soon die” (See: Simile)

1 Peter 1:25

τὸ…ῥῆμα Κυρίου

“the message that comes from the Lord”

τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the gospel that we proclaimed” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 2

1 Peter 02 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in 2:6, 7, 8, and 22.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 2:10.

Special concepts in this chapter

Stones

The Bible uses a building made of large stones as a metaphor for the church. Jesus is the cornerstone, the most important stone. The apostles and prophets are the foundation, the part of the building on which all the other stones rest. In this chapter, Christians are the stones that make up the walls of the building. (See: Metaphor and cornerstone and found, founder, foundation)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Milk and babies

When Peter tells his readers to “long for pure spiritual milk,” he is using the metaphor of a baby craving his mother’s milk. Peter wants Christians to crave God’s word the same way a baby craves milk. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:1

Peter continues teaching his readers about holiness and obedience.

ἀποθέμενοι οὖν πᾶσαν κακίαν, καὶ πάντα δόλον, καὶ ὑποκρίσεις, καὶ φθόνους, καὶ πάσας καταλαλιάς

These sinful actions are spoken of as if they were objects that people could throw away. The word “Therefore” here refers back to everything that Peter has said about being holy and obedient. Alternate translation: “So then, get rid of everything that is evil, and hypocrisy, and envy, and all slander” or “So then, stop being evil, or being deceptive, or being hypocritical, or envying, or slandering” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:2

ὡς ἀρτιγέννητα βρέφη τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα ἐπιποθήσατε

Peter speaks of his readers as if they were babies. Babies requires very pure food, which they can digest easily. In the same way, believers need pure teaching from God’s word. Alternate translation: “Just as babies long for their mother’s breast milk, so you must yearn for pure spiritual milk” (See: Metaphor)

ἐπιποθήσατε

“desire intensely” or “yearn for”

τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα

Peter speaks of the word of God as if it were spiritual milk that nourished children. (See: Metaphor)

αὐξηθῆτε εἰς σωτηρίαν

Here the word “salvation” refers to when God brings the salvation of his people to completion when Jesus returns (see 1 Peter 1:5). They were to increasingly act in ways that were consistent with this salvation. You can translate this with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “you may grow up spiritually until God saves you completely” (See: Abstract Nouns and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

αὐξηθῆτε

Peter speaks of believers advancing in knowledge of God and faithfulness to him as if they were children growing up. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:3

εἰ ἐγεύσασθε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ Κύριος

Here to taste means to experience something personally. Alternate translation: “if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness toward you” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:4

Peter begins to tell a metaphor about Jesus and the believers being living stones. (See: Metaphor)

πρὸς ὃν προσερχόμενοι λίθον ζῶντα

Peter speaks of Jesus as if he were a stone in a building. Alternate translation: “Come to him who is like a stone in a building, but alive, not a dead stone” (See: Metaphor)

ὃν…λίθον ζῶντα

Possible meanings are (1) “who is a stone that is alive” or (2) “who is a stone that gives life.”

ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπων μὲν ἀποδεδοκιμασμένον

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that people have rejected” (See: Active or Passive)

παρὰ δὲ Θεῷ ἐκλεκτὸν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “but that God has chosen” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 2:5

καὶ αὐτοὶ…οἰκοδομεῖσθε, οἶκος πνευματικὸς

Just as people used stones to build the temple in the Old Testament, believers are the materials that God is using to build a house in which he will live. (See: Metaphor)

καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡς λίθοι ζῶντες

Peter compares his readers to stones that are alive. (See: Simile)

οἰκοδομεῖσθε, οἶκος πνευματικὸς

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that God is building into a spiritual house” (See: Active or Passive)

ἱεράτευμα ἅγιον ἀνενέγκαι πνευματικὰς θυσίας

Here the position of priesthood stands for the priests who fulfill its duties. (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 2:6

διότι περιέχει ἐν Γραφῇ

The scriptures are spoken of as if they were a container. This passage refers to the words that a person reads in scripture. Alternate translation: “This is what a prophet wrote in the scriptures long ago” (See: Metaphor)

ἰδοὺ

The word “see” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

λίθον, ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον

God is the one who chose the stone. Alternate translation: “a most important cornerstone, which I have chosen” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

λίθον, ἀκρογωνιαῖον

The prophet speaks of the Messiah as the most important stone in a building. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:7

Peter continues quoting from the scriptures.

λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν…ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας

This is a metaphor that means people, like builders, rejected Jesus, but God has made him the most important stone in a building. (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the stone that the builders rejected” (See: Active or Passive)

κεφαλὴν γωνίας

This refers to the most important stone in a building and means basically the same thing as “cornerstone” in 1 Peter 2:6.

1 Peter 2:8

λίθος προσκόμματος, καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου

These two phrases share similar meanings. Together they emphasize that people will take offense at this “stone,” which refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “a stone or a rock over which people will stumble” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Parallelism and Metaphor)

προσκόπτουσιν τῷ λόγῳ ἀπειθοῦντες

Here “the word” refers to the gospel message. To disobey means that they do not believe. “stumble because they are not believing the message about Jesus”

εἰς ὃ…ἐτέθησαν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for which God also appointed them” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 2:9

In verse 10 Peter quotes a verse from the prophet Hosea. Some modern versions do not format this as a quote, which is also acceptable.

γένος ἐκλεκτόν

You can clarify that God is the one who has chosen them. Alternate translation: “a people whom God has chosen” (See: Active or Passive)

βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα

Possible meanings are (1) “a group of kings and a group of priests” or (2) “a group of priests who serve the king.”

λαὸς εἰς περιποίησιν

“a people who belong to God”

ἐκ…ὑμᾶς καλέσαντος

“who called you to come out”

ἐκ σκότους…εἰς τὸ θαυμαστὸν αὐτοῦ φῶς

Here “darkness” refers to their condition as sinful people who did not know God, and “light” refers to their condition as people who do know God and practice righteousness. Alternate translation: “from a life of sin and ignorance of God to a life of knowing and pleasing him” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:11

Peter begins to talk about how to live Christian lives.

παροίκους καὶ παρεπιδήμους

These two words mean basically the same thing. Peter speaks of his readers as people who are living in foreign lands away from their home. See how you translated “foreigners” in 1 Peter 1:1. (See: Doublet and Metaphor)

ἀπέχεσθαι τῶν σαρκικῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν

Here the idea of flesh refers to the sinful nature of humanity in this fallen world. Alternate translation: “to not to give in to sinful desires” (See: Metaphor)

στρατεύονται κατὰ τῆς ψυχῆς

Here the word “soul” refers to a person’s spiritual life. Peter speaks of sinful desires as soldiers that are trying to destroy the spiritual life of believers. Alternate translation: “seek to destroy your spiritual life” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:12

τὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν…ἔχοντες καλήν

The abstract noun “behavior” can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: “You should behave well” or “You should behave in a good way” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν ᾧ καταλαλοῦσιν ὑμῶν ὡς

“if they accuse you of”

ἐκ τῶν καλῶν ἔργων ἐποπτεύοντες

The abstract noun “works” can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: “they may observe the good things that you do” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπισκοπῆς

“on the day when he comes.” This refers to the day when God will judge all people. Alternate translation: “when he comes to judge everyone” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 2:13

διὰ τὸν Κύριον

Possible meanings are (1) that by obeying human authorities, they are obeying the Lord who established those authorities or (2) that by obeying human authorities, they will honor Jesus who also obeyed human authorities.

βασιλεῖ ὡς ὑπερέχοντι

“the king as the highest human authority”

1 Peter 2:14

δι’ αὐτοῦ πεμπομένοις, εἰς ἐκδίκησιν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom the king has sent to punish” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 2:15

ἀγαθοποιοῦντας φιμοῦν τὴν τῶν ἀφρόνων ἀνθρώπων ἀγνωσίαν

“by doing good you stop foolish people from speaking about things that they do not know”

1 Peter 2:16

ὡς ἐπικάλυμμα…τῆς κακίας

Peter speaks of their condition as free people as something that they should not use to hide sinful behavior. Alternate translation: “as an excuse to do wicked things” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:17

τὴν ἀδελφότητα

This refers to all Christian believers.

1 Peter 2:18

Peter begins to speak specifically to people who are servants in people’s houses.

τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς καὶ ἐπιεικέσιν

Here the words “good” and “gentle” share similar meanings and emphasize that such masters treat their servants kindly. Alternate translation: “the very kind masters” (See: Doublet)

τοῖς σκολιοῖς

“the cruel ones” or “the mean ones”

1 Peter 2:19

τοῦτο…χάρις

“it is deserving of praise” or “it is pleasing to God”

διὰ συνείδησιν Θεοῦ, ὑποφέρει…λύπας

Possible meanings of the original passage are (1) that this person accepts suffering because he knows he is obeying God or (2) that this person is able to endure unjust punishment because he knows that God knows how he is suffering.

1 Peter 2:20

ποῖον γὰρ κλέος, εἰ ἁμαρτάνοντες καὶ κολαφιζόμενοι ὑπομενεῖτε

Peter asks this question to emphasize that there is nothing praiseworthy about suffering for doing something wrong. Alternate translation: “For there is no credit…while being punished.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

κολαφιζόμενοι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “while someone punishes you” (See: Active or Passive)

πάσχοντες ὑπομενεῖτε

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you suffer while someone punishes you” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 2:21

Peter continues speaking to people who are servants in people’s houses.

εἰς τοῦτο…ἐκλήθητε

Here the word “this” refers to believers enduring while suffering for doing good, as Peter has just described. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has called you to this” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑμῖν…ἵνα ἐπακολουθήσητε τοῖς ἴχνεσιν αὐτοῦ

“so that you would follow his footprints.” Peter speaks of following Jesus’ example in the way that they suffer as if one were walking on the same path that Jesus had taken. Alternate translation: “so that you would imitate his behavior” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:22

οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “neither did anyone find deceit in his mouth” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ

Here “deceit” refers to words that a person speaks that are intended to deceive other people. Alternate translation: “neither did he speak any lies” (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 2:23

ὃς λοιδορούμενος, οὐκ ἀντελοιδόρει

To “revile” someone is to speak abusively to another person. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “When people insulted him, he did not insult them back” (See: Active or Passive)

παρεδίδου…τῷ κρίνοντι δικαίως

“he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.” This means that he trusted God to take away his shame, which had been put on him by those who treated him harshly.

1 Peter 2:24

Peter continues talking about Jesus Christ. He is still speaking to people who are servants.

ὃς…αὐτὸς

This refers to Jesus, with emphasis. (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν…ἀνήνεγκεν ἐν τῷ σώματι αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον

Here “carried our sins” means he suffered the punishment for our sins. Alternate translation: “suffered the punishment for our sins in his body on the tree” (See: Metonymy)

τὸ ξύλον

This is a reference to the cross on which Jesus died, which was made of wood. (See: Metonymy)

οὗ τῷ μώλωπι ἰάθητε

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has healed you because people bruised him” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 2:25

ἦτε…ὡς πρόβατα πλανώμενοι

Peter speaks about his readers before they believed in Christ as if they had been similar to lost sheep wandering around aimlessly. (See: Simile)

τὸν ποιμένα καὶ ἐπίσκοπον τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν

Peter speaks of Jesus as if he were a shepherd. Just as a shepherd protects his sheep, Jesus protects those who trust in him. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3

1 Peter 03 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in 3:10-12.

Special concepts in this chapter

“Outward ornaments”

Most people want to look good so other people will like them and think they are good people. Women are especially careful to look good by wearing nice clothes and jewels. Peter is saying that what a woman thinks and says and does are more important to God than how she looks.

Unity

Peter wanted his readers to agree with each other. More importantly, he wanted them to love each other and be patient with each other.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

Peter quotes a psalm that describes God as if he were a person with eyes, ears, and a face. However, God is a spirit, so he does not have physical eyes or ears or a physical face. But he does know what people do, and he does act against wicked people. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:1

Peter begins to speak specifically to women who are wives.

ὁμοίως, γυναῖκες, ὑποτασσόμεναι τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν

Just as believers are to “Obey every human authority” (1 Peter 2:13) and servants are to “be subject” to their masters (1 Peter 2:18), wives are to submit to their husbands. The words “Obey,” “be subject,” and “submit” translate the same word.

τινες ἀπειθοῦσιν τῷ λόγῳ

Here “the word” refers to the gospel message. To disobey means that they do not believe. See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Peter 2:8. Alternate translation: “some men do not believe the message about Jesus” (See: Metonymy)

κερδηθήσονται

“they may be persuaded to believe in Christ.” This means that the unbelieving husbands will become believers. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they may become believers” (See: Idiom and Active or Passive)

ἄνευ λόγου

“without the wife saying a word.” Here “a word” refers to anything the wife might speak about Jesus. (See: Ellipsis)

1 Peter 3:2

ἐποπτεύσαντες τὴν ἐν φόβῳ ἁγνὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν

The abstract noun “behavior” can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: “they will have seen that you behave sincerely and respectfully” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὴν ἐν φόβῳ ἁγνὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν

Possible meanings are (1) “your sincere behavior toward them and the way that you honor them” or (2) “your pure behavior toward them and the way that you honor God.”

1 Peter 3:3

Peter continues speaking to women who are wives.

ἔστω

The word “it” refers to the wives’ submission to and conduct towards their husbands.

1 Peter 3:4

ὁ κρυπτὸς τῆς καρδίας ἄνθρωπος

Here the words “inner person” and “heart” refer to the inward character and personality of a person. Alternate translation: “what you really are on the inside” (See: Metonymy and Doublet)

τοῦ πραέως καὶ ἡσυχίου πνεύματος

“a gentle and peaceful attitude.” Here the word “quiet” means “peaceful” or “calm.” The word “spirit” refers to a person’s attitude or temperament.

ὅ ἐστιν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ πολυτελές

Peter speaks of God’s opinion of a person as if that person were standing directly in front of him. Alternate translation: “which God considers to be precious” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:6

κύριον, αὐτὸν καλοῦσα

said that he was her lord, that is, her master

ἧς ἐγενήθητε τέκνα

Peter says that believing women who act as Sarah acted can be thought of as if they were her actual children. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:7

Peter begins to speak specifically to men who are husbands.

ὁμοίως

This refers back to how Sarah and other godly women obeyed their husbands in 1 Peter 3:5 and 1 Peter 3:6.

συνοικοῦντες κατὰ γνῶσιν, ὡς ἀσθενεστέρῳ σκεύει τῷ γυναικείῳ

Peter speaks of women as if they were containers, as men are sometimes also spoken of. The abstract noun “understanding” can also be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “wives, understanding that the woman is the weaker partner” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

ἀπονέμοντες τιμήν ὡς…συνκληρονόμοις χάριτος ζωῆς

You can translate this using verbal phrases. Alternate translation: “honor them because they will also receive by grace the eternal life that God gives” (See: Abstract Nouns)

συνκληρονόμοις χάριτος ζωῆς

Eternal life is often spoken of as if it were something that people inherit. (See: Metaphor)

εἰς τὸ

Here “this” refers to the ways husbands should treat their wives. Alternate translation: “Live with your wives in this way” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς τὸ μὴ ἐνκόπτεσθαι τὰς προσευχὰς ὑμῶν

To “hinder” is to prevent something from happening. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” or “so that nothing will keep you from praying as you should” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 3:8

Peter begins to speak again to all of the believers.

ὁμόφρονες

“have the same opinion and be” or “have the same attitude and be”

εὔσπλαγχνοι

being gentle and compassionate towards others

1 Peter 3:9

μὴ ἀποδιδόντες κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ, ἢ λοιδορίαν ἀντὶ λοιδορίας

Peter speaks of responding to the actions of another person as remitting payment for those actions. Alternate translation: “Do not do evil to someone who does evil to you or insult someone who insults you” (See: Metaphor)

εὐλογοῦντες

You can clarify the object of blessing. Alternate translation: “continue to bless those who do evil to you or insult you” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς τοῦτο ἐκλήθητε

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God called you for this” (See: Active or Passive)

ἵνα εὐλογίαν κληρονομήσητε

Peter speaks of receiving God’s blessing as receiving an inheritance. Alternate translation: “that you might receive God’s blessing as your permanent possession” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:10

In these verses Peter quotes from the Psalms. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ζωὴν ἀγαπᾶν, καὶ ἰδεῖν ἡμέρας ἀγαθὰς

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the desire to have a good life. (See: Parallelism)

ἰδεῖν ἡμέρας ἀγαθὰς

Here experiencing good things is spoken of as seeing good things. The word “days” refers to one’s lifetime. Alternate translation: “experience good things during life” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

παυσάτω τὴν γλῶσσαν ἀπὸ κακοῦ, καὶ χείλη τοῦ μὴ λαλῆσαι δόλον

The words “tongue” and “lips” refer to the person who is speaking. These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the command not to lie. Alternate translation: “stop saying evil and deceitful things” (See: Parallelism and Synecdoche)

1 Peter 3:11

ἐκκλινάτω…ἀπὸ κακοῦ

Here “turn away” is a metaphor that means to stop doing something. Alternate translation: “Let him stop doing what is bad” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:12

ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου ἐπὶ δικαίους

The word “eyes” refers to the Lord’s ability to know things. The Lord’s approval of the righteous is spoken of as his seeing them. Alternate translation: “The Lord sees the righteous” or “The Lord approves of the righteous” (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

ὦτα αὐτοῦ εἰς δέησιν αὐτῶν

The word “ears” refers to the Lord’s awareness of what people say. That the Lord hears their requests implies that he also responds to them. Alternate translation: “he hears their requests” or “he grants their requests” (See: Synecdoche and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πρόσωπον…Κυρίου ἐπὶ

The word “face” refers to the Lord’s will to oppose his enemies. Opposing someone is spoken of as setting one’s face against that person. Alternate translation: “the Lord opposes” (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:13

Peter continues teaching the believers how to live Christian lives.

τίς ὁ κακώσων ὑμᾶς, ἐὰν τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ ζηλωταὶ γένησθε

Peter asks this question to emphasize that it is unlikely that someone would harm them if they do good things. Alternate translation: “No one will harm you if you do good things.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Peter 3:14

πάσχοιτε διὰ δικαιοσύνην

You can translate this with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “suffer because you do what is right” (See: Abstract Nouns)

μακάριοι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will bless you” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸν δὲ φόβον αὐτῶν, μὴ φοβηθῆτε μηδὲ ταραχθῆτε

These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize that believers should not be afraid of those who persecute them. Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid of what people might do to you” (See: Parallelism)

τὸν δὲ φόβον αὐτῶν

Here the word “they” refers to anyone who might try to harm those to whom Peter is writing.

1 Peter 3:15

δὲ…ἁγιάσατε

“Instead of being troubled, set apart”

Κύριον…τὸν Χριστὸν ἁγιάσατε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

The phrase “set apart the Lord Christ…as holy” is a metaphor for acknowledging Christ’s holiness. Here “hearts” is a metonym for the “inner person.” Alternate translation: “acknowledge within yourselves that the Lord Christ is holy” or “honor the Lord Christ as holy within yourselves” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

1 Peter 3:18

Peter explains how Christ suffered and what Christ accomplished by suffering.

ἵνα ὑμᾶς προσαγάγῃ τῷ Θεῷ

Peter probably means here that Christ died in order to create a close relationship between us and God. (See: Metaphor)

θανατωθεὶς…σαρκὶ

Here “flesh” refers to Christ’s body; Christ was physically put to death. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “People put Christ to death physically” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

ζῳοποιηθεὶς…Πνεύματι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Spirit made him alive” (See: Active or Passive)

Πνεύματι

Possible meanings are (1) by the Holy Spirit’s power or (2) in a spiritual existence.

1 Peter 3:19

ἐν ᾧ…πορευθεὶς

Possible meanings are (1) “By the Holy Spirit’s power, he went” or (2) “In his spiritual existence, he went.”

τοῖς ἐν φυλακῇ πνεύμασιν

Possible meanings of the word “spirits” are (1) “evil spirits” or (2) “spirits of the dead people.”

1 Peter 3:20

ὅτε ἀπεξεδέχετο ἡ τοῦ Θεοῦ μακροθυμία

The word “patience” is a metonym for God himself. Peter writes of God’s patience as if it is a person. Alternate translation: “when God was waiting patiently” (See: Personification and Metonymy)

ἐν ἡμέραις Νῶε, κατασκευαζομένης κιβωτοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “during the time of Noah, when he was building an ark” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 3:21

δι’ ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

“because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This phrase completes the thought, “This is a symbol of the baptism that saves you now.”

1 Peter 3:22

ὅς ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ Θεοῦ

To be at the “right hand of God” is a symbol that God has given Jesus greatest honor and authority over all others. Alternate translation: “Christ is beside God in the place of honor and authority” (See: Metonymy)

ὑποταγέντων αὐτῷ

“submit to Jesus Christ”

1 Peter 4

1 Peter 04 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in 4:18.

Special concepts in this chapter

Ungodly Gentiles

This passage uses the term “Gentiles” to refer to all ungodly people who are not Jews. It does not include Gentiles who have become Christians. “Sensuality, passion, drunkenness, carousings, wild parties, and disgusting acts of idolatry” were actions that characterized or typified the ungodly Gentiles. (See: godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness)

Martyrdom

It is apparent that Peter is speaking to many Christians who are experiencing great persecution and are facing death for their beliefs.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“Let it” and “Let none” and “Let him” and “Let those”

Peter uses these phrases to tell his readers what he wants them to do. They are like commands because he wants his readers to obey. But it is as if he is telling one person what he wants other people to do.

1 Peter 4:1

Peter continues to teach the believers about Christian living. He begins by giving a conclusion to his thoughts from the previous chapter about Christ’s sufferings.

σαρκὶ

“in his body”

ὑμεῖς τὴν αὐτὴν ἔννοιαν ὁπλίσασθε

The phrase “arm yourselves” makes readers think of soldiers who get their weapons ready for battle. It also pictures “the same intention” as a weapon or perhaps as a piece of armor. Here this metaphor means that believers should be determined in their mind to suffer as Jesus did. Alternate translation: “prepare yourselves with the same thoughts that Christ had” (See: Metaphor)

σαρκὶ

Here “flesh” means “body.” Alternate translation: “in his body” or “while here on earth”

πέπαυται ἁμαρτίας

“has stopped sinning”

1 Peter 4:2

ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαις

for the things that sinful people normally desire

1 Peter 4:3

κώμοις, πότοις

These terms refer to activities in which people gather to drink alcohol excessively and behave in a shameful manner.

1 Peter 4:4

τῆς ἀσωτίας ἀνάχυσιν

These examples of wild, boundless sin are spoken of as if they were great floods of water that sweep over people.

τῆς ἀσωτίας

doing everything they can to satisfy the desires of their bodies

1 Peter 4:5

τῷ ἑτοίμως ἔχοντι κρῖναι

Possible meanings are (1) “God, who is ready to judge” or (2) “Christ, who is ready to judge”

ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς

This means all people, whether they are still alive or have died. Alternate translation: “every person” (See: Merism)

1 Peter 4:6

καὶ νεκροῖς εὐηγγελίσθη

Possible meanings are (1) “the gospel was preached also to people who had already died” or (2) “the gospel was preached also to those who were alive but are now dead”

εὐηγγελίσθη

This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are (1) Christ preached. Alternate translation: “Christ preached the gospel” or (2) men preached. Alternate translation: “men preached the gospel” (See: Active or Passive)

κριθῶσι…κατὰ ἀνθρώπους σαρκὶ

This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are (1) God judged them in this life on earth. Alternate translation: “God judged them in their bodies as humans” or (2) men judged them according to human standards. Alternate translation: “men judged them in their bodies as humans” (See: Active or Passive)

κριθῶσι…κατὰ ἀνθρώπους σαρκὶ

This is a reference to death as the ultimate form of judgment. (See: Euphemism)

ζῶσι…κατὰ Θεὸν πνεύματι

Possible meanings are (1) “live spiritually as God lives because the Holy Spirit will enable them to do so” or (2) “live according to God’s standards by the power of the Holy Spirit”

1 Peter 4:7

πάντων…τὸ τέλος

This refers to the end of the world at Christ’s second coming.

ἤγγικεν

The end that will happen soon is spoken of as if it is physically coming closer in distance. Alternate translation: “will soon happen” (See: Metaphor)

σωφρονήσατε…καὶ νήψατε

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Peter uses them to emphasize the need to think clearly about life since the end of the world is near. (See: Parallelism)

νήψατε

Here the word “sober” refers to mental clarity and alertness. See how you translated this in 1 Peter 1:13. Alternate translation: “control your thoughts” or “be careful about what you think” (See: Idiom)

1 Peter 4:8

πρὸ πάντων

“Most importantly of all”

ὅτι ἀγάπη καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν

Peter describes “love” as if it were a person who places a cover over the sins of others. Possible meanings are (1) “for a person who loves will not try to find out if another person has sinned” or (2) “for a person who loves will forgive the sins of other people, even if those sins are many” (See: Personification and Metaphor)

1 Peter 4:9

φιλόξενοι

Show kindness to and welcome guests and travelers

1 Peter 4:10

ἕκαστος καθὼς ἔλαβεν χάρισμα

This refers to special spiritual abilities that God gives to believers. Alternate translation: “Because each one of you has received a special spiritual ability as a gift from God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 4:11

ἵνα ἐν πᾶσιν δοξάζηται ὁ Θεὸς

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that in all ways you will glorify God” (See: Active or Passive)

δοξάζηται

praised, honored

1 Peter 4:12

τῇ ἐν ὑμῖν πυρώσει πρὸς πειρασμὸν ὑμῖν γινομένῃ

In the same way that fire refines gold, trials test and refine a person’s faith. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 4:13

χαρῆτε ἀγαλλιώμενοι

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of joy. Alternate translation: “rejoice even more” or “be very glad” (See: Doublet)

ἐν τῇ ἀποκαλύψει τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ

“when God reveals Christ’s glory”

1 Peter 4:14

εἰ ὀνειδίζεσθε ἐν ὀνόματι Χριστοῦ

Here the word “name” refers to Christ himself. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “If people insult you because you believe in Christ” (See: Active or Passive and Metonymy)

τὸ τῆς δόξης καὶ τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ Πνεῦμα

Both of these refer to the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: “the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God” or “the glorious Spirit of God” (See: Parallelism)

ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἀναπαύεται

is staying with you

1 Peter 4:15

ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος

This refers to a person who gets involved with the affairs of others without having a right to do so.

1 Peter 4:16

ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τούτῳ

“because he bears the name Christian” or “because people have recognized him as a Christian.” The words “that name” refer to the word “Christian.”

1 Peter 4:17

τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ

This phrase refers to believers, whom Peter speaks of as God’s family. (See: Metaphor)

εἰ δὲ πρῶτον ἀφ’ ἡμῶν, τί τὸ τέλος τῶν ἀπειθούντων τῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ εὐαγγελίῳ

Peter use this question to emphasize that God’s judgment will be more severe for people who reject the gospel than for believers. Alternate translation: “If it begins with us, the outcome for those who do not obey God’s gospel will be much worse.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τί τὸ τέλος τῶν ἀπειθούντων

“what will happen to those”

τῶν ἀπειθούντων τῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ εὐαγγελίῳ

“those who do not believe God’s gospel.” Here the word “obey” means to believe.

1 Peter 4:18

ὁ δίκαιος…ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς ποῦ φανεῖται

Peter use this question to emphasize that sinners will suffer much more than believers do. Alternate translation: “the righteous man…the outcome will be much worse for the ungodly and the sinner.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς ποῦ φανεῖται

“what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner”

εἰ ὁ δίκαιος μόλις σῴζεται

Here the word “saved” refers to final salvation when Christ returns. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “If the righteous person experiences many difficulties before God saves him” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς

The words “ungodly” and “sinner” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the wickedness of these people. Alternate translation: “ungodly sinners” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 4:19

παρατιθέσθωσαν τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν

Here the word “souls” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “entrust themselves” or “entrust their lives” (See: Synecdoche)

ἐν ἀγαθοποιΐᾳ

The abstract noun “well-doing” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “while they do good” or “while they live rightly” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 5

1 Peter 05 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Most people in the ancient Near East would end a letter the way Peter ends this one.

Special concepts in this chapter

Crowns

The crown that the Chief Shepherd will give is a reward, something that people who do something especially good receive. (See: reward, prize, deserve,)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Lion

All animals are afraid of lions because they are fast and strong, and they eat almost every other kind of animal. They also eat people. Satan wants to make God’s people afraid, so Peter uses the simile of a lion to teach his readers that Satan can harm their bodies, but if they trust in God and obey him, they will always be God’s people, and God will care for them. (See: Simile)

Babylon

Babylon was the evil nation that in Old Testament times had destroyed Jerusalem, taken the Jews away from their homes, and ruled over them. Peter uses Babylon as a metaphor for the nation that was persecuting the Christians he was writing to. He could have been referring to Jerusalem because the Jews were persecuting the Christians. Or he could have been referring to Rome because the Romans were persecuting the Christians. (See: evil, wicked, unpleasant and Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:1

Peter speaks specifically to men who are elders.

τῆς μελλούσης ἀποκαλύπτεσθαι δόξης

This is a reference to Christ’s second coming. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the glory of Christ that God will reveal” (See: Active or Passive and Metonymy)

1 Peter 5:2

ποιμάνατε τὸ…ποίμνιον τοῦ Θεοῦ

Peter speaks of the believers as a flock of sheep and the elders as the shepherds who care for them. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:3

μηδ’ ὡς κατακυριεύοντες τῶν κλήρων, ἀλλὰ τύποι γινόμενοι

Elders are to lead by example and not act toward the people as a harsh master would toward his servants. (See: Metaphor)

τῶν κλήρων

You can translate this using a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “whom God has placed in your care” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 5:4

καὶ φανερωθέντος τοῦ ἀρχιποίμενος

Peter speaks of Jesus as if he were a shepherd who had authority over all other shepherds. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “When Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, appears” or “When God reveals Jesus, the Chief Shepherd” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

τὸν ἀμαράντινον τῆς δόξης στέφανον

Here the word “crown” represents the reward that someone receives as a symbol of victory. The word “unfading” means that it is eternal. Alternate translation: “a glorious prize that will last forever” (See: Metaphor)

τῆς δόξης

glorious

1 Peter 5:5

Peter gives an instruction specifically to younger men and then continues to instruct all of the believers.

ὁμοίως

This refers back to the way the elders were to submit to the Chief Shepherd as Peter described in 1 Peter 5:1 through 1 Peter 5:4.

πάντες

This refers to all believers, not just the younger men.

τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε

Peter speaks of having the moral quality of humility as putting on a piece of clothing. Alternate translation: “act humbly toward each other” or “act with humility” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:6

ὑπὸ τὴν κραταιὰν χεῖρα τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἵνα

Here the word “hand” refers to God’s power to save the humble and punish the proud. Alternate translation: “under God’s great power so” or “before God, realizing that he has great power, so” (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 5:7

πᾶσαν τὴν μέριμναν ὑμῶν ἐπιρίψαντες ἐπ’ αὐτόν

Peter speaks of anxiety as if it were a heavy burden that a person places on God, rather than carrying it himself. Alternate translation: “Trust him with everything that worries you” or “Let him take care of all the things that trouble you” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:8

νήψατε

Here the word “sober” refers to mental clarity and alertness. See how you translated this in 1 Peter 1:13. Alternate translation: “Control your thoughts” or “Be careful about what you think” (See: Idiom)

διάβολος, ὡς λέων ὠρυόμενος περιπατεῖ, ζητῶν τινα καταπιεῖν

Peter compares the devil to a roaring lion. Just as a hungry lion completely devours its prey, the devil is seeking to completely destroy the faith of believers. (See: Simile)

περιπατεῖ

“walking about” or “walking about and hunting”

1 Peter 5:9

ᾧ ἀντίστητε

Standing is a metonym for fighting. Alternate translation: “Fight against him” (See: Metonymy)

ὑμῶν ἀδελφότητι

Peter speaks of fellow believers as members of the same community. Alternate translation: “your fellow believers” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ

“in various places throughout the world”

1 Peter 5:10

This is the end of Peter’s letter. Here he gives his final remarks about his letter and his closing greetings.

ὀλίγον

“for a short time”

ὁ…Θεὸς πάσης χάριτος

Here the word “grace” may refer either to the things that God gives or to God’s character. Possible meanings are (1) “the God who always gives us what we need” or (2) “the God who is always gracious.”

ὁ καλέσας ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον αὐτοῦ δόξαν ἐν Χριστῷ

“who chose you to share his eternal glory in heaven because you are joined to Christ”

καταρτίσει

“make you perfect” or “restore you” or “make you well again”

σθενώσει, θεμελιώσει

These two expressions have similar meanings, that is, that God will enable the believers to trust in him and to obey him regardless of any suffering they may experience. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:12

διὰ Σιλουανοῦ, ὑμῖν…δι’ ὀλίγων ἔγραψα

Silvanus wrote the words that Peter told him to write in the letter.

ταύτην εἶναι ἀληθῆ χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ

“I have written about the true grace of God.” Here the word “grace” refers to the gospel message, which tells of the kind things that God has done for believers. (See: Metonymy)

εἰς ἣν στῆτε

The word “it” refers to “the true grace of God.” Being strongly committed to this grace is spoken of as standing firmly in one place, refusing to move. Alternate translation: “Remain strongly committed to it” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:13

ἡ ἐν Βαβυλῶνι

Here “The woman” probably refers to the group of believers who live in “Babylon.” Possible meanings for “Babylon” are (1) it is a symbol for the city of Rome, (2) it is a symbol for anywhere that Christians are suffering, or (3) it refers literally to the city of Babylon. It most likely refers to the city of Rome. (See: Symbolic Language)

συνεκλεκτὴ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God has chosen as he has chosen you” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ υἱός μου

Peter speaks of Mark as if he is his spiritual son. Alternate translation: “my spiritual son” or “who is like a son to me” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:14

φιλήματι ἀγάπης

“a loving kiss” or “a kiss to show your love for each other”