What does this Bible passage say?

The word “Therefore” in verse 13 acts as a bridge from the previous pericope^† to this pericope. 

The first half of verse 13 tells us the previous pericope prepared our minds for action and made us clear-headed about our salvation.

The second half of the verse instructs us to set our hopes on what is yet to come of the gracious gift of salvation. (See regarding our Hope and Faith HERE.)

The previous pericope was theological – it informed us about our experience of salvation.

This pericope is practical – it will transform us through our response to salvation.

Read 1 Peter 1:3-12 to refresh your memory about your experience of salvation.

Then, to learn about our proper response to salvation, read 1 Peter 1:13-25 slowly, thoughtfully and prayerfully from your own Bible and the Study Text provided on this web page.

► As you read, write down any instructions you find in the passage that teach us how we should respond to our salvation.

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

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

Outline:

Our Response to Salvation is marked by:

• Confident Hope (1-13)
• Uncompromising Holiness (14-16)
• Reverent Conduct (17-21)
• Fervent Love (22-25)

~~~^† In Bibles, a pericope is a set of verses that form one coherent unit of thought that may be related to but not dependent on the verses before or after it.  Pericopes are usually distinguished by a significant change in time, place, protagonist or topic. Each pericope is usually identified with a pericope title. Different Bibles will have different pericope titles and boundaries.

Bible Study Passage

¹³

Our Response to Salvation ^(1:13-25)

Confident Hope ^(1:13)

 Therefore,

having your minds prepared for action,

and being clear-headed,

set all your hopes on the gracious gift of salvation that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

¹⁴

Uncompromising Holiness ^(1:14-16)

 As obedient children,

do not be conformed to the evil desires of your former ignorance, 

¹⁵ but, just as He who called you is holy,

you also must be holy in all your conduct, 

¹⁶ because it has been written: “Be holy, because I am holy”. 

¹⁷

Reverent Conduct ^(1:17-21)

 And if you address as “Father” the one who impartially judges each person’s work,

then conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your temporary residence,

¹⁸ knowing that you were redeemed,

not with corruptible things like silver or gold,

nor from the futile behavior inherited from your ancestors, 

¹⁹ but with precious blood,

like that of an unblemished and unspotted lamb,

that is, the blood of Christ. 

²⁰ Jesus was foreknown and foreordained before the foundation of the world,

but has been revealed in these last days for the benefit of you 

²¹ who, through Him, believe in God,

who raised Him out from the dead

and gave glory to Him,

so that your faith and hope may be in God. 

²²

Fervent Love ^(1:22-25)

 Since obedience to the truth has purified your souls,

resulting in brotherly love for one another without hypocrisy,

constantly loving one another, fervently from the heart, 

²³ because you have been born again,

not out of corruptible seed, but incorruptible,

through the living and enduring word of God. 

²⁴ Look,

all flesh is like grass,

and all its glory like a flower;

the grass withers,

and the flower falls away, 

²⁵ but the word of the Lord remains forever.

This is the word of good news that was proclaimed to you.

What did this Bible passage mean
to the people of its day?

What is the message
of this Bible passage
for people today?

(Learn about them, then)

What did God want people to know, feel, think, say or do back when it was written?

Are there any principles^† that can be applied to different situations, not just those mentioned?

Why is this passage important for us to learn?

~~~

^† A principle is a guiding rule, standard, fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or reasoning, decisions, actions, or behavior.  Principles are often relate to core beliefs or ethical guidelines derived from sacred texts or teachings.

A principle is usually rooted in our hope and expressed through our faith. (See about our Hope and Faith HERE.)

(Learn for us, now)

(Proves our hope – 1 Timothy 4:10)

What does the study passage say about me?

What does God want or not want me to know, feel, think, say or do?
How can/should/must I do to participate with God according to this study passage?

(Click HERE for specific ways you can respond to God’s word.)