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1Pe 1:1. Πέτρος, Peter) There is a wonderful weightiness and liveliness in the style of Peter, which most agreeably arrests the attention of the reader. The design of each Epistle is, to stir up by way of remembrance the pure mind of the faithful, 2Pe 3:1, and to guard them not only against error, but even against doubt, ch. 1Pe 5:12. This he does by reminding them of that Gospel grace, by which believers, being anointed, are inflamed to bring forth the fruits of faith, hope, love, and patience, in every duty and affliction. The first Epistle contains three parts.
I. The Inscription, 1Pe 1:1-2.
II. The stirring up of a pure feeling. He excites the elect-
a) As those Born again of God. Here he mentions as well the benefits of GOD towards believers, as also the duties of believers towards God; and he interweaves these things one with another, by three powerful motives, to which weight is added from the mystery of CHRIST.
A) God has regenerated us to a lively HOPE, to an inheritance of glory and salvation, 1Pe 1:3-12.
Therefore HOPE “to the end” (perfectly), 1Pe 1:13.
B) As obedient sons, bring forth to your heavenly Father the fruit of FAITH, 1Pe 1:14-21.
C) Being PURIFIED by the Spirit, LOVE with a PURE heart, without fault, 1Pe 1:22; 1Pe 2:10.
b) As strangers in the world, he calls upon them to ABSTAIN from fleshly lusts, 1Pe 2:11, and to maintain-
A) A good CONVERSATION, 1Pe 2:12.
1) In particular,
1. Subjects, 1Pe 2:13-17.
2. Servants, after the example of Christ, 1Pe 2:18-25.
3. Wives, 1Pe 3:1-6,
4. Husbands, 1Pe 3:7.
2) In general, all, 1Pe 3:8-15.
B) A good PROFESSION:
1. By their readiness to defend their faith, and by shunning evil company, 1Pe 3:15-22; 1Pe 4:1-6.
(The whole course of Christ, from His passion to His coming to judgment, gives weight to this part.)
2. By their virtues, and a good administration of their gifts, 1Pe 4:7-11.
c) As fellow-partakers of future glory, he calls upon them to SUSTAIN adversity. Let every one do this-
1. In general, as a Christian, 1Pe 4:12-19.
2. In his own particular condition, 1Pe 5:1-11.
(The title ἀγαπητοὶ, beloved, twice made use of, separates the second part from the first, 1Pe 2:11, and the third part from the second, 1Pe 4:12. The state even of the elders is looked upon as a state full of troubles in this life, and there ought to be a wholesome looking forward from it to glory, 1Pe 5:1-4; and the word, submit yourselves, 1Pe 5:5, also introduces suffering and endurance notwithstanding; and this seems to be the particular reason why the apostle separates these two conditions, 1Pe 5:1-11, from those which he mentions 1Pe 2:12 and following verses.)
III. The Conclusion
-Ἐκλεκτοῖς, elect) in heaven; elect out of the whole people, out of mankind. Comp. this and 1Pe 1:5, with Mat 24:24.-παρεπιδήμοις, strangers) on the earth, [with reference to their heavenly country.-V. g.]-διασπορᾶς Πόντου, of the dispersion of Pontus) He addresses the dispersed Jews, Jam 1:1; although he afterwards addresses believers of the Gentiles, who are mixed with them, ch. 1Pe 2:10, note, 1Pe 4:3. He mentions five provinces in the order in which they presented themselves to him, writing from the East: ch. 1Pe 5:13. Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, is the order in which they are mentioned, Act 2:9. The Epistles of Peter were formerly placed before those of John, James, and Jude: and from this circumstance all of them appear to have been called “Catholic” (General) Epistles, because that title is especially applicable to the first. It is not agreed upon whether Peter first sent this Epistle into Pontus, or to Jerusalem, where the Jews flocked together.