Peter Exhorts the Christian Converts in Asia Minor to Live in Reverent Obedience and Love (1 Pt. 1:13-25)

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance 15 but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, 16 for it is written, “Be holy because I [am] holy. 17 Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, 18 realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold 19 but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. 20 He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, 21 who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  22 Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a [pure] heart. 23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God, 24 for: “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

Peter tells his audience to be spiritually vigilant and prepared in anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ.  They should be clear-headed, exhibit self-control, and put their hope in the grace promised at the revelation of Christ.  They have been called to holiness and should live as obedient children of God and not act profanely as they did in their past lives of ignorance and disobedience.  They must be holy in all aspects of their life as God who called them is holy (Lev. 11:44).  

God judges impartially based on each person’s deeds (Acts 10:34-35) and if they call Him their Father they should act with reverence because of the transitory nature of their earthly existence.  They should live with awe and respect for God’s sovereignty and judgment.  Peter emphasizes that their redemption was not paid for with perishable items like silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7), the pure and spotless Lamb (Ex. 12:5), sacrificed as an expiation for their sins (Jn. 1:29).  God’s plan of salvation through Christ who always existed was ordained from eternity but revealed in human history through his incarnation.  Through Christ and his resurrection, believers now have a relationship with God and the hope of salvation and glorification.  

Believers must be obedient to the truth of the Gospel and demonstrate selfless, sacrificial love towards each other.  The life-giving word of God imparts a new imperishable life in Christ to believers.  Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8 to contrast the fleeting nature of human existence with the enduring truth of God's word.  Peter concludes the passage by reaffirming that the word proclaimed to believers is enduring and is the source of salvation and transformation.

Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to live in holiness and obedience to your truth and be mentally prepared and spiritually vigilant as we await your coming.  Help us to always remember the price of our redemption paid for with the precious blood of Christ.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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Sources:

• Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
• Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
• Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.