1 Peter 1:2
What does 1 Peter 1:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 1:2 means
Peter deepens the greeting by showing salvation’s Trinitarian shape. Their status comes “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,” emphasizing God’s loving initiative. It is worked out “in sanctification of the Spirit,” who sets them apart unto God. Its goal is “unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ,” pointing to covenant cleansing and a life submitted to Christ. “Grace … and peace be multiplied” is more than a wish; it’s a prayer that God’s favor and wholeness abound. The verse reassures beleaguered believers that their faith rests on God’s eternal purpose, the Spirit’s ongoing work, and Jesus’ effective, cleansing sacrifice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who, through the purpose of God, have been made holy by the Spirit, disciples of Jesus, made clean by his blood: May you have grace and peace in full measure.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862according to a foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, unto the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace unto you and peace be multiplied.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890elect according to [the] foreknowledge ofGod [the] Father, by sanctification of [the] Spirit, unto [the] obedience and sprinkling of [the] blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
Context
Flowing from verse 1’s identity as elect sojourners, this line explains the divine source and means of that identity. It readies the reader for the doxology of verses 3–5, where Peter celebrates the new birth and secure inheritance. It also anticipates the call to obedience and holiness in verses 13–16, since the Spirit’s sanctifying work aims at practical obedience. The multiplied grace and peace prepares hearts to receive both comfort and command.
v.1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
v.2This passage
v.3Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 12:24
and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
- Hebrews 5:9
and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;
- Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
- Jude 1:2
Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied.
- 2 John 1:13
The children of thine elect sister salute thee.
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