Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 in the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ: may grace and peace be yours in abundance. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you 5 who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. 6 In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it, 11 investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you [through] the holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look.
Peter begins his letter to the Christian converts living as foreigners or exiles in various regions of Asia Minor by stating that he is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Peter is writing to them because they were facing persecution and trials on account of their faith in Jesus Christ. He stresses the importance of the Trinity in salvation emphasizing God's foreknowledge, the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctifying believers, and the cleansing power of the sacrificial blood of Christ. He ends his greeting with a blessing.
Peter praises God for His abundant mercy to Christians and for bestowing upon them a new life of hope in an imperishable, pure, and enduring inheritance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:3-8; Titus 3:5). Believers are given divine protection against trials and temptation through faith, and the fullness of salvation will be revealed at the second coming of Christ. Trials, to which God allows Christians to be subjected, refine and prove the genuineness of faith, similar to the purification process of gold tested by fire. Genuine faith, when tested and proven enduring, brings praise, glory, and honor to God when Christ is revealed.
Peter acknowledges the faith of the Christians to whom he is writing. They love Christ because they have accepted the gift of faith and find joy in their belief even though they have not seen him. This joy is rooted in their assurance of salvation which is the ultimate goal of their faith. Peter states that the prophets spoke about and tried to understand the grace that would come to those who believe in Christ. The prophets were guided by the Spirit of Christ and testified to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. The revelation of this salvation now preached by the apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is a fulfillment of the prophets' hopes which the angels longed to perceive.
Almighty God, grant us the grace to persevere through trials, knowing that our faith, tested like gold, brings glory to your name. We live in the hope of our imperishable inheritance and with the joy of salvation assured through our faith. 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.
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