1 Peter 1:1-2 (NKJV) To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
(Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary (7 Vols.))
OUTLINE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER
THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST’S SUFFERING AND GLORY
SALUTATION (1:1, 2).
THE CONFLICT OF HOPE AND SUFFERING (1:1-12).)
- The Living Hope Born of Christ’s Resurrection (1:3-5).
- Trials and Sufferings (1:6, 7).
- The Triumph of Hope (1:8-12).
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD AND A HOLY NATION (1:13-2:10).)
- The Call to Holiness (1:13-17).
- Christ’s Work of Redemption (1:18-21).
- The Believer’s Regeneration (1:22-2:3).
- The Stone Rejected by the Builders (2:4-8).
- The People of God (2:9, 10).
CHRIST’S UNPARALLELED EXAMPLE (2:11-4:19).)
- The Obligations of the Christian Life (2:11-20).
- The Example of Christ (2:21-25). (His sinlessness.)
- The Obligations of the Christian Life (3:1-17). (Mutual Forbearance of Wives and Husbands, Brotherly Love, Pity, Courtesy, overcoming Evil with Good.)
- The Example of Christ (3:18-22).
- The Obligations of the Christian Life (4). (Living to God, Watching, Praying, Hospitality, Suffering as a Christian.)
THE DIRECTION OF THE CHURCH (5:1-9).)
- Duties of Elders (5:1-4).
- Duties of Young Men (5:5-9).
CONCLUSION (5:10-14).
In the doctrinal portion of this letter (1:1-2:10), Peter teaches about the Lord Jesus, who redeemed us and gave us a way of life. It deals with His ministry, His salvation offered to us, our belief in Him, His rejection by some, and the hope we have because of His priestly ministry. In the practical portion of this letter, Peter writes more of the rules in the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). He writes of our obligations to live the Christian life, the example of Jesus, dealing with those closest to us (family) and those further away (society). He deals with our Christian life, our need to be alert instead of the silent, offering hospitality when needed, and suffering as Christians. He finally finishes with some duties for elders and the young men. Part of the motive for holiness is the imminency of Jesus’s return (Rapture) for we must be prepared at all times.
V1 “To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…” The readers of Peter’s first letter are mainly Jews who believe in Jesus and were scattered because of the persecution in Israel. The readers were living in many areas of modern day Turkey. Map: https://www.biblestudy.org/meaning-names/roman-provinces-asia-minor.jpg
V2 “…elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” The Greek word “elect” is (G1588) ἐκλεκτός eklektos, which means to make a selection according to preference. The preference is defined by context and there is a standard and criteria for what is best. It does not refer to a special limited group of humans who will be in heaven for eternity and a special large group in the Lake of Fire for eternity. Those who believe that call those special groups the elect and the reprobate. The truth of the matter is the Bible criteria for being a Christian is to believe God (John 3:14-18 and Galatians 3:24).
The people who are elect are: 1) Messiah Jesus (Luke 23:35 (chosen) and 1 Peter 2:4-6), 2) Christians in general (Romans 8:33), 3) individual Christians (Romans 16:13), 4) believers during the Tribulation (Mark 13:20-22), and 5) angels (1 Timothy 5:21 and Luke 9:26).
The Father elects according to His foreknowledge (foresight). The Holy Spirit, upon one’s believing sanctifies the heart. The Son is the Passover Lamb paying our punishment.
God initiates, the Holy Spirit illuminates and separates truth from error, and the blood of Jesus Christ brings salvation and justification.
Vincents’s Word Studies notes: “Note the three prepositions: according to (κατά) the foreknowledge; in (ἐν) sanctification; unto (εἰς) obedience. The ground, sphere, and end of spiritual sanctification.”
Unto means (Word Hippo): “Up to, indicating a motion towards a thing and then stopping at it.”
The life for the elect: holiness (Colossians 3;12 and 1 Timothy 5:21).
The Apostles’ goal for us (all church leaders and individuals): 1) to complete our Christian life in faithfulness and 2) for God’s glory which leads to eternal blessings for us (2 Timothy 2:10).
Choosing is not predestination. Choosing is a selection as when I go to a salad bar and select what I want on my salad. Predestination is the destiny of something, someone, etc. is determined before birth, the situation, etc. It is determined ahead of time. There is no human choice in predestination.
Predestination (Ephesians 1:5 and Ephesians 1:11) is the Greek word (G4309) προορίζω proorízō which means literally to define or specify something before the time. The Greek word is used 6 times: 1) the blueprint and plan for salvation (Jesus dying on the cross–Acts 4:28), 2) believers for living a Christian life (conformed to the image of Christ–Romans 8:29), 3) God’s wise choices for the universe (1 Corinthians 2:7), 4) adoption into God’s family (Ephesians 1:5), and 5) to receive an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:11).
The process of predestination (Romans 8:30) foreknowledge (foresight, knowing the future before hand (this is not decreeing the future) →predestination (the plan for believers to be conformed to the image of Christ)→the call (salvation initiated by the Holy Spirit–John 16:8) →justification (Romans 8:1 which is by faith alone (John 3:14-18 and Galatians 3:24)→glorification (being in heaven for eternity).
We learn:
- Election is not a choosing who goes to heaven or goes to hell
- Election is specific as shown
- The are conditions for God’s salvation
- Faith is the only condition we must meet to be saved
- Being part of the elect (only those God wants in heaven) is not a condition for salvation