60 - 1 Peter

TLDR: To exiles scattered abroad: you are chosen, born again to a living hope. Suffer well; live as strangers and aliens in reverent fear. "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation."

Overarching Storyline

Blessing; living hope (ch. 1). Holy; living stones; royal priesthood (ch. 2). Wives and husbands; suffering (ch. 3). Arm yourselves; shepherd the flock (ch. 4–5). Final greetings (ch. 5:12–14).

Bible Project: 1 Peter overview.

Pegs for Memorizing This Book

• Person: Peter; the scattered believers.
• Image: Living stone, strangers, fiery trial.
• Number: 5 (chapters).
• Phrase: "Living hope" (1:3); "Chosen people, royal priesthood" (2:9); "Cast all your anxiety on him" (5:7).

Highlights

• 1 Peter 1:3 — In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• 1 Peter 2:9 — You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.
• 1 Peter 5:7 — Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)

Before and After

• Before: James; 1 Peter addresses suffering and identity in Christ.
• After: 2 Peter; 1 Peter is hope in trial; 2 Peter is false teachers and the day of the Lord.

Place in the Overarching Biblical Story

Identity and suffering. You are God's people; live like it, even when slandered. The letter has comforted persecuted Christians and shaped ecclesiology (priesthood of believers).

Interesting Facts

• Babylon (5:13) — Likely Rome; Peter writes from there.
• Royal priesthood — Exodus 19:6 language applied to the church; worship and witness.