1 Peter 1:2

The foreknowledge of God] cp. 1 Peter 1:20 RV. The whole course of events which are gradually revealed to man is known to God from everlasting: cp. Romans 4:17 and Romans 8:29; Hebrews 11:40; (RM) Revelation 4:11; (RV). Through sanctification] RV 'in sanctification.' God's chosen people are surrounded by the influences of the Holy Spirit. By these they are brought to consecration and guided afterwards to more and more perfect obedience.

Sprinkling of the blood] Sacrificial sprinkling is meant: cp. Hebrews 9:13; Hebrews 9:19; Hebrews 9:21; Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 12:24. The expression is peculiar to these two Epistles, and the reference in both is to the sacrifices at the giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 24:3), where sprinkling with the blood of slain victims was the means of purifying and consecrating the people for entering on the divine covenant, in which they were, on the one hand, accepted as Jehovah's people, on the other, obliged to obedience. So God's foreknowledge, working in the Spirit's sanctification, has chosen a people to be consecrated to fellowship and obedience in the new covenant. But the sprinkling with this Blood is no mere symbol; the blood is the life which has been made perfect by death (cp. Leviticus 17:11), and when the Christian is sprinkled with Christ's Blood, he is made to share His life, and, at the same time, consecrated to an obedience which may have to be unto death. Grace.. and peace] An apostolic salutation, perhaps suggested by the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:22. In the word 'grace' is gathered up 'all that may be supposed to be expressed in the smile of a heavenly King looking down upon His people' (Hort).

In this greeting we have, as it were, the ends of the threads which are presently interwoven to make the texture of the Epistle. 'Elect who are sojourners' sums up in an epigram the contrast between the outward uncertainty which was the occasion, and the inward assurance of peace and duty which is the teaching of the whole Epistle. Thus the doctrine of the Holy Trinity on which the greeting is based, becomes the text of the Apostle's exhortations. From 1 Peter 1:3 to 1 Peter 2:10 the sanctification of the Spirit issuing in the Christian life of faith and obedience is the main theme. From 1 Peter 2:11 to 1 Peter 4:11 the sufferings of Christ are presented as the example and purification of those whose ordinary lot is to suffer. From 1 Peter 4:12 to 1 Peter 5:11 the special and fiercer trial which is about to begin is shown to be part of the foreknowledge and counsel of God.

1 Peter 1:3 to 1 Peter 2:10. The first division of the letter:

A (i), 1 Peter 1:3, the faith of Christians, (ii), 1 Peter 1:10, its connexion with the faith of ancient Israel; B (i), 1 Peter 1:13, the life of obedience to which their faith devotes them is (ii), 1 Peter 1:22, a new life, (iii), 1 Peter 2:1, which is nevertheless the fulfilment of the ideal of the Jewish Church.

A (i). 1 Peter 1:3. 'Blessed be God who has begotten us to a living hope through the Resurrection. Laying hold of this hope by faith, you know that you are being kept safe, though trials beset you. These trials but purify your faith, enriching it with joyful love for Jesus Christ, the earnest of the perfect salvation, which shall be revealed when He is revealed.'

The sincere milk of the word] RV 'The spiritual milk which is without guile.' Grow thereby] RV adds 'unto salvation,' which was omitted in the MSS which the AV translators followed.