1 Peter 1

Living hope through the resurrection; the call to holiness.

Peter writes to "pilgrims of the Dispersion" — Christians scattered across five Roman provinces. He opens with one of the most jubilant doxologies in the New Testament: God has begotten us again "to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" and to an inheritance reserved in heaven. Present sufferings are temporary; faith, tested by fire, is more precious than gold. Believers love Christ whom they have not seen, and rejoice with joy inexpressible. The prophets searched diligently to understand the salvation now revealed. Peter calls his readers to be holy as God is holy, to conduct themselves in reverent fear, and to love one another fervently with a pure heart — for they have been born again of incorruptible seed, the word of God which lives and abides forever.