UTN uW Translation Notes:

1 Peter 1 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

1. Introduction (1:1–2)
2. Praise to God for saving the believers (1:3–12)
3. Command to be holy (1:13–21)
4. Command to love each other as a family (1:22–2:10)

Peter begins this letter in 1:1–2 by giving his name, identifying the people to whom he is writing, and offering a greeting. That was the way people typically began letters at that time.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in 1:24–25.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

What God reveals

When Jesus comes again, everyone will see how good God’s people were because they had faith in Jesus. Then God’s people will see how gracious God has been to them, and all people will praise both God and his people.

Holiness

God wants his people to be holy because God is holy (1:15). (See: holy)

Eternity

Peter tells Christians to live for things that will last forever and not to live for the things of this world, which will end. (See: eternity)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Paradox

A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. Peter writes that his readers are glad and sad at the same time (1:6). He can say this because they are sad because they are suffering, but they are also glad because they know that God will save them “in the last time” (1:5)