I. Christian Identity and Salvation:;xNLx;;xNLx;Elect / Chosen (e.g., 1 Peter 1:1-2; 2:4, 6, 9; 5:13): Selected or chosen by God for salvation and His special purposes according to His foreknowledge and grace. This emphasizes God's initiative in salvation.;xNLx;Exiles / Sojourners / Pilgrims (Greek: parepidemos, paroikos) (1 Peter 1:1, 17; 2:11): Terms used to describe Christians whose true citizenship is in heaven and who are living as temporary residents or foreigners in this world. This identity often brought them into conflict with prevailing cultural norms and could lead to mistreatment.;xNLx;Dispersion / Diaspora (1 Peter 1:1): Refers to those who are scattered or living away from their homeland. Peter addresses believers "scattered throughout" various regions, highlighting their status as exiles in a spiritual sense.;xNLx;Foreknowledge (of God) (1 Peter 1:2, 20): God's prior knowing and purposeful choosing from eternity. Peter connects the election of believers and Christ's redemptive work to God's foreknowledge.;xNLx;Sanctification (by the Spirit) (1 Peter 1:2): The work of the Holy Spirit in setting believers apart for God, making them holy, and transforming them into Christ's likeness.;xNLx;Sprinkling with his blood (Jesus Christ's blood) (1 Peter 1:2): An allusion to Old Testament sacrificial rituals where blood was sprinkled to ratify a covenant or for purification. Here, it refers to believers being cleansed and brought into the New Covenant through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.;xNLx;Living hope (1 Peter 1:3): A dynamic, active, and certain expectation of future salvation and inheritance, secured through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.;xNLx;Inheritance (imperishable, undefiled, and unfading) (1 Peter 1:4): The eternal blessings, salvation, and glory reserved in heaven for believers, which cannot be corrupted or diminished.;xNLx;Salvation (e.g., 1 Peter 1:5, 9-10; 2:2): Deliverance from sin, death, and God's wrath, and the gift of eternal life and a restored relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Peter speaks of a salvation "ready to be revealed in the last time.";xNLx;Redeem / Ransomed (Greek: lytroo) (1 Peter 1:18): To set free from bondage or captivity by the payment of a price. Peter states that believers were ransomed not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, freeing them from the "futile ways inherited from your forefathers.";xNLx;Born again / New birth (1 Peter 1:3, 23): The spiritual regeneration and transformation brought about by God through His mercy and the living word of God, resulting in a new life and relationship with Him.;xNLx;Holy / Holiness (e.g., 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:5, 9; 3:5, 11, 15): Set apart for God, morally pure, and reflecting God's character. Believers are called to be holy in all their conduct because God is holy.;xNLx;A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession (1 Peter 2:9): Corporate titles applied to the church, drawing on Old Testament descriptions of Israel, to emphasize the privileged identity, purpose, and status of believers in Christ.;xNLx;Royal priesthood: Believers are both royal (sharing in Christ's kingly status) and priestly (having direct access to God and offering spiritual sacrifices).;xNLx;People for his own possession: Believers belong to God in a special way, acquired by Him.;xNLx;Spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5): Offerings acceptable to God made by believers as a "holy priesthood," not animal sacrifices, but rather good deeds, praise, thanksgiving, and lives lived in obedience to God.;xNLx;Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6-7): A title for Jesus Christ, referring to the foundational stone of a building. He is the chosen and precious cornerstone of God's spiritual house (the church). Those who believe in Him will not be put to shame, but to unbelievers, He is a stone of stumbling.;xNLx;Stone of stumbling / Rock of offense (1 Peter 2:7-8): For those who reject Him, Jesus Christ and His message become a cause for them to stumble, fall, or be offended, leading to their disobedience and judgment.;xNLx;Baptism (1 Peter 3:21): Peter refers to baptism not as the removal of dirt from the body but as "an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." He connects it symbolically to Noah's salvation through water, signifying salvation and a new beginning for believers.   ;xNLx;II. Suffering, Persecution, and Christian Response:;xNLx;;xNLx;Trials / Fiery trial / Various trials (e.g., 1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:12-13): Difficult circumstances, hardships, suffering, and persecution that test and refine the faith of believers. The "fiery trial" is an intense period of suffering.;xNLx;Suffer / Suffering (e.g., 1 Peter 1:6, 11; 2:19-23; 3:9, 13-14, 16-18; 4:1, 12-16, 19; 5:1, 9-10): A prominent theme. Peter addresses believers who are suffering for their faith, encouraging them to endure by following Christ's example of suffering unjustly and entrusting themselves to God. Suffering for doing good is considered a blessing.;xNLx;Gentiles / Pagans (1 Peter 2:12; 4:3): Non-Jewish people or, more broadly in this context, unbelievers among whom Christians live and whose slander or mistreatment they might endure. Believers are called to live honorably among them.;xNLx;Slander / Malign / Revile (e.g., 1 Peter 2:12, 23; 3:9, 16; 4:4, 14): To speak falsely or maliciously about someone, defaming their character. Christians were often slandered for their faith and way of life.;xNLx;Fear God / Fear (in a reverent sense) (1 Peter 1:17; 2:17-18; 3:2, 6 [not being overcome by fear], 14-16):;xNLx;Fear God (1:17; 2:17): Reverence, awe, and profound respect for God's holiness, power, and judgment, leading to a life of obedience and holiness during their time as sojourners.;xNLx;Fear (as a human emotion vs. godly fear): Peter encourages believers not to fear the intimidation of their persecutors (3:14, 6) but to sanctify Christ as Lord and to fear God.;xNLx;Submission / Be subject to (e.g., 1 Peter 2:13, 18; 3:1, 5, 22 [angels, authorities, powers]; 5:5): To place oneself under the authority or leadership of another, in a spirit of respect and cooperation. Peter applies this to civil authorities, household servants to masters, wives to husbands, and younger members to elders.;xNLx;Will of God (e.g., 1 Peter 2:15; 3:17; 4:2, 19): God's purpose, plan, and desire. Suffering according to God's will is a key theme.;xNLx;Conscience (1 Peter 2:19; 3:16, 21): An inner moral awareness or sense of right and wrong. Acting with a good conscience before God is important, even when suffering unjustly.;xNLx;Devil / Adversary (1 Peter 5:8): Satan, the chief enemy of God and believers, who "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Peter calls for watchfulness and resistance.;xNLx;III. Church Leadership and Community Life:;xNLx;;xNLx;Elders (Greek: presbyteroi) (1 Peter 5:1, 5): Leaders in the local churches responsible for shepherding (pastoring), overseeing, and setting an example for the flock of God. Peter, as a "fellow elder," exhorts them.;xNLx;Shepherd the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2): The pastoral duty of elders to care for, guide, protect, and nourish the congregation (God's people).;xNLx;Oversee / Exercising oversight (Greek: episkopeo) (1 Peter 5:2): The act of watching over, superintending, or managing the affairs of the church, a key responsibility of elders.;xNLx;Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4): A title for Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate model and head of all shepherds (pastors/elders) of God's flock.;xNLx;Crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4): The unfading reward that will be given by the Chief Shepherd to faithful elders when He appears.;xNLx;Hospitality / Hospitable (1 Peter 4:9): Showing kindness, generosity, and welcome to guests and strangers, especially fellow believers, without grumbling.;xNLx;Spiritual gifts / Gift (Greek: charisma) (1 Peter 4:10): Divine enablements given by God to each believer to be used in serving others and stewarding God's grace.;xNLx;Steward (of God's varied grace) (1 Peter 4:10): One who manages or administers something entrusted to them on behalf of another. Believers are to be good stewards of the spiritual gifts they have received.;xNLx;Oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11): Divine utterances or messages from God. Whoever speaks in the church should do so as if speaking the very words of God, with faithfulness and authority.;xNLx;Love (one another earnestly) (e.g., 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 4:8): A foundational Christian virtue, emphasizing fervent, sincere, and active care and affection among believers. "Love covers a multitude of sins" (4:8).;xNLx;IV. Other Notable Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Last times / End of the ages (1 Peter 1:5, 20; 4:7): Refers to the eschatological period inaugurated by Christ's first coming and looking forward to His return and the full realization of God's saving purposes.;xNLx;"Spirits in prison" (1 Peter 3:19): A much-debated passage referring to Christ, after His death but before His resurrection (or after His resurrection), proclaiming His victory to certain spirits (possibly fallen angels or disobedient human spirits from Noah's time).;xNLx;"Flesh" (as in "suffered in the flesh," "living in the flesh," "destruction of all flesh") (1 Peter 3:18; 4:1-2, 6):;xNLx;Physical human body/nature (3:18; 4:1, 6): Christ suffered in His physical body. Believers are to live the rest of their time in the flesh not for human passions but for the will of God. The gospel was preached even to those who are dead in the flesh (referring to their physical death).;xNLx;The sphere of sinful human desire (4:2): Contrasted with the will of God.;xNLx;Sincere faith (1 Peter 1:22 [ESV "sincere love of the brothers" from a pure heart]): Genuine, unfeigned, and heartfelt.;xNLx;Obedience (1 Peter 1:2, 14, 22): Submission to God's will and commands, particularly to the truth of the gospel.;xNLx;This list is intended to provide clarity on some of the key terms encountered in the First Letter of Peter (ESV). Understanding these within their original context will help the reader appreciate Peter's encouragement to live holy and hopeful lives as God's chosen people, even in the midst of suffering.