What does this Bible passage say?

Read the whole letter of 1 Peter to get a feel for its content and flow.

• What do you think is the main theme of the letter?

Read 1 Peter 1:1-2 from your own Bible and from the Study Text provided on this web page.

You may also find reading from other translations helpful, such as these available on the Blue Letter Bible website:

• Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)
• New Living Translation (NLT)

These two verses reveal two important points about the people Peter wrote to that are keys to understanding and applying the whole letter.  Can you find them?

Bible Study Passage

¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

to the people,

living as refugees,

scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

chosen  

² in accordance with the pre-planned purpose of God the Father,

set apart by His Spirit,

to obey Jesus Christ and be purified by his blood.

May grace and peace multiply to you.

(Learn about them, then)

(Learn for us, now)

Peter wrote to believers in Jesus who he said were living temporarily as aliens or refugees in various parts of five Roman provinces in the area we now know as northwestern Turkey.  

• By calling them refugees, Peter is pointing out that they are fundamentally different from the people they are living among. 
• What would it be like to live in a foreign country?

He also told them they have been chosen according to the pre-planned purpose of God the Father and set apart by Holy Spirit to be obedient to Jesus, having been saved by His blood.

• By telling them they have been chosen by God, Peter is explaining why they are different from the people they live among. The difference is not a matter of geography or culture, but is spiritual. Their values, convictions and even their life purposes are different.

These two facts are the key themes of the whole letter, which was intended to help them understand their circumstances and know how to live as followers of Jesus.

Believers in Jesus today are also aliens in this world, fundamentally different from the people we are living among.

Like the readers of Peter’s letter, we have been:

• chosen by God the Father,
• set apart by Holy Spirit,
• purified by the blood of Jesus,
• and are to obey Jesus.

Therefore, we too need to:

• Understand our circumstances in this world, 
• and learn how to live as followers of Jesus.

► How would you describe your spiritual circumstances in this world?

► What are some differences between your values, convictions and purpose in life compared to unbelievers you live among?