Chapter 1: 1 He extolleth God’s mercy showed in Christ, which we lay hold on by faith, and possess through hope:  10 whereof the Prophets foretold. 13 He exhorteth  15 to renounce the world, 23 and their former life, and so wholly yield themselves to God.

1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the Elect strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 

2 ^1,2Called according to the ³foreknowledge of God the Father, through ⁴sanctification of the Spirit, unto ⁵obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a ¹living hope ²by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

4 ¹To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 

5 ¹,²Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation which is prepared to be revealed in the ¹last time. 

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 

7 That the trial of your faith, ¹being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the ²appearing of Jesus Christ: 

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

9 Receiving the ¹end of your faith, even the ²salvation of your souls. 

10 ¹Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 

11 Searching when, or what manner of time the ¹Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached unto you the gospel by the Holy Ghost ¹sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to behold. 

13 ¹Wherefore ²,³gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, ⁴and trust ⁵perfectly on ⁶that grace that is brought unto you, ⁷in the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

14 ¹As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 

16 ¹Because it is written, ²Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

17 ¹And if ye ²call Him Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

18 ¹Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

20 ¹,²Who verily was foreordained before the ²foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

21 ¹Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

22 ¹And having purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another with a pure heart fervently: 

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

24 ¹For all ¹flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word of the gospel which is preached among you. 

Chapter 1 Footnotes:
¹1 Peter 1:2 Peter purposing to speak of the duties of a Christian life, reasoneth first of the principles and beginning of all Christian actions, rising far higher than nature, and carrying us also far above the same. For he showeth that we which are otherwise of nature sinners, were through the free mercy of God the Father first chosen from everlasting: then according to that everlasting decree were by a certain second creation made his sons in Christ his only begotten, by whose Spirit we are inwardly changed, and by whose blood we also are reconciled, to the end, that as Christ himself rose again from the dead, we also might be received into that same heavenly and everlasting glory.
²1 Peter 1:2 Here we have the first cause of our salvation, the foreknowledge of God; the application of our salvation unto our persons, the sanctification of the Spirit; and the meritorious ground of our salvation which is the obedience and propitiation of Christ.
³1 Peter 1:2 Or according to the purpose of God, who never altereth nor changeth the same.
⁴1 Peter 1:2 That being set apart from the rest of the wicked world, through the working of the holy Ghost, they should be consecrate to God, Eph. 1:5.
⁵1 Peter 1:2 “obedience and sprinkling” We are regenerated and sanctified unto obedience to God’s law, see Eph. 1:4, which obedience being imperfect is in need of Christ’s blood to cleanse and purify. As Calvin notes, repentance is the whole Christian life.
¹1 Peter 1:3 Everlasting hope, begun in regeneration, see John 3:16.
²1 Peter 1:3 The work of the Spirit is immediately referenced with the resurrection of Christ through whose merits we are born again.
¹1 Peter 1:4 The end of our hope is glorification.
¹1 Peter 1:5 All believers are kept from falling away by the power of God through faith.
²1 Peter 1:5 Now he showeth by what way we come unto that glory, to wit, through all kinds of afflictions, wherein notwithstanding faith maketh us so secure, that we are not only not overcome with sorrow, but also through the beholding of God himself (who otherwise is invisible) with the eyes of faith are unspeakably joyful: because all such things, as they are but for a time, so are they not applied unto us to destroy us, but as it were by fire to purge us, and to make us perfect, that at the length we may obtain salvation.
²1 Peter 1:5 This is that time which Daniel calleth the time of the end, when as that great restoring of all things shall be, which all creatures look for. Rom. 8:19.
¹1 Peter 1:7 He showeth here what God thinketh of our faith when it is so tried and tested in the fire, and made to be more pure, for it is precious in His sight, and He doth not deal harshly with us without a cause. Lam. 3:33
²1 Peter 1:7 He speaketh of the second coming of Christ.
¹1 Peter 1:9 Or, reward.
²1 Peter 1:9 Which was purchased for us in full by Christ, and applied to us by the Spirit working faith in us.
¹1 Peter 1:10 He putteth a difference between true faith, that is to say, that faith which only hath an eye to the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, and false faith: Afterward he maketh two degrees of one and the selfsame faith, according to the manner of the divers revelations, when as indeed it is but one only faith: Thirdly, he saith, that the preaching of the Apostles is the fulfilling of the preaching of the Prophets, although the latter end of it be as yet looked for of the very Angels.
¹1 Peter 1:11 Testifying that the same gospel and the same doctrine of Christ was preached by the prophets of old.
¹1 Peter 1:12 He alludeth to the prophecy of Joel, which was exhibited upon the day of Pentecost, in the Apostles, as it were in the firstfruits of the holy Ghost, which this same our Peter declareth, Acts 2:6.
¹1 Peter 1:13 He goeth from faith to hope, which is indeed a companion that cannot be sundered from faith: and he useth an argument taken of comparison: We ought not to be wearied in looking for so excellent a thing, which the very Angels wait for with great desire.
²1 Peter 1:13 He here exhorteth us to diligently and constantly study the doctrine of the gospel, and keep the grace of God pure and undefiled in our minds.
³1 Peter 1:13 This is a borrowed speech, taken of a common usage amongst them: for by reason that they wore long garments, they could not travel unless they girded up themselves: and hence it is that Christ said, Let your loins be girded up.
⁴1 Peter 1:13 He setteth forth very briefly, what manner of hope ours ought to be, to wit, continual, until we enjoy the thing we hope for: then, what we have to hope for, to wit, grace (that is, free salvation) revealed to us in the Gospel, and not that, that men do rashly and fondly promise to themselves.
⁵1 Peter 1:13 Soundly and sincerely. see Matt. 6:22
⁶1 Peter 1:13 An argument to stir up our minds, seeing that God doth not wait till we seek him, but causeth so great a benefit to be brought even unto us.
⁷1 Peter 1:13 He setteth out the end of faith, lest any man should promise himself, either sooner or later that full salvation, to wit, the later coming of Christ: and therewithal warneth us, not to measure the dignity of the Gospel according to the present state, seeing that that which we are now, is not yet revealed.
¹1 Peter 1:14 He passeth from faith and hope, to the fruits of them both, which are understood in the name of obedience: And it consisteth in two things, in renouncing our lusts, and living godly: which lusts have their beginning of that blindness and error wherein all men are born: but holiness proceedeth from the grace and favor of GOD, which adopteth us, and therefore regenerateth us, teaching us correct doctrine, that the father and the children may be of one disposition.
¹1 Peter 1:16 He showeth that sanctification doth necessarily follow adoption.
²1 Peter 1:16 The principle of sanctification: God is holy and hath made us holy by regeneration. Therefore we are called to be holy as He is and as we are through partaking of His divine nature.
¹1 Peter 1:17 As before he distinguished true faith and hope from false, so doth he now obedience, setting the quick and sharp sight of God, against an outward mask, and earnest reverence against vain severity.
²1 Peter 1:17 If you will be called the sons of that Father.
¹1 Peter 1:18 An exhortation, wherein he setteth forth the excellency and greatness of the benefit of God the Father, in sanctifying us by the death of his own Son. And he partly setteth the purifyings of the Law against the thing itself, that is, against the blood of Christ, and partly also men’s traditions which he condemneth as utterly vain and superstitious, be they never so old and ancient.
¹1 Peter 1:20 The taking away of an objection: what was done to the world before that Christ was sent into the world? was there no holiness before, and was there no Church? The Apostle answereth, that Christ was ordained and appointed to redeem and deliver mankind, before that mankind was: much less was there any Church without him before his coming into the flesh: yet we are happiest above the rest, to whom Christ was exhibited indeed, in this that he having suffered and overcome death for us, doth now most effectually work in us by the virtue of his Spirit, to create in us faith, hope, and charity.
²1 Peter 1:20 Which passage declares plainly that the Son of God was appointed to die before the creation of the world, which overthroweth the infralapsarian view that God’s decree to permit the fall preceded his plan of salvation.
³1 Peter 1:20 From everlasting.
¹1 Peter 1:21 He attributeth the whole to the power of Christ who works faith in us by His Spirit, uniting us to Himself, and making us partakers of His benefits which He hath effectually purchased for us by His death and resurrection. Therefore our faith comes from God and looks to God. see Heb. 12:2
¹1 Peter 1:22 He commendeth the practice of obedience, that is, charity: earnestly beating into their heads again, that he speaketh not of any common charity, and such as proceedeth from that our corrupt nature, but of that whose beginning is the Spirit of God, which purifieth our souls through the word laid hold on by faith, and engendereth also in us a spiritually and everlasting life, as God is most pure and truly living.
¹1 Peter 1:24 A reason why we have need of this heavenly generation, to wit, because that men, be their glory never so great, are of nature void of all true and sound goodness.
²1 Peter 1:24 The word (flesh) showeth the weakness of our nature, which is chiefly to be considered in the flesh itself.
¹1 Peter 1:25 Again, lest any man should seek that spiritual force and virtue in fained imaginations, the Apostle calleth us back to the word of God: teaching us furthermore, that there is no other word of the Lord to be looked for, than this which is preached, in which only we must trust.

Chapter 2: He exhorteth the newborn in faith, to lead their lives answerable to the same: 6 and lest their faith should stagger, he bringeth in that which was foretold touching Christ. 11 Then he willeth them to be obedient to Magistrates, 21 and that they patiently bear adversity after Christ’s example.

1 Wherefore ¹laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, 

2 ¹As ²newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 

3 ¹If so be ye ²have tasted that the Lord is ³gracious. 

4 ¹To whom coming, as unto a living stone, ²rejected indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 

5 Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, ¹an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

6 ¹Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 

7 ¹Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner, 

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: ¹unto which they were even ordained. 

9 ¹But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people of His own possession; that ye should shew forth the virtues of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have received mercy. 

11 ¹Dearly beloved, ²I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, ³abstain from fleshly lusts, ⁴which war against the soul; 

12 ¹Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they ²may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of ³visitation. 

13 ¹Submit yourselves to ²every ordinance of man ³for the Lord’s sake: ⁴whether it be to the king, as supreme; 

14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him ¹for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 

15 ¹For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

17 ¹,²Honor all men. Love ³brotherly fellowship. ⁴Fear God. Honor the king. 

18 ¹Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 

19 ¹For this is thankworthy, if a man for ²conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 

20 For what praise is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 

21 ¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an ²example, that ye should follow his steps: 

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but ¹committed it to him ²that judgeth righteously: 

24 ¹Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, ²that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

25 ¹For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 

Chapter 2 Footnotes:

¹1 Peter 2:1 Having laid for the foundation the Spirit of God effectually working by the word, and having built thereupon three virtues which are the grounds of all Christian actions, to wit, faith, hope, and charity: now he proceedeth to a general exhortation, the first member whereof is, that we flee all show, both of secret and also open malice.
¹1 Peter 2:2 The second is, that being newly begotten and born of the new seed of the incorrupt word drawing and sucking greedily the same word as milk, we should more and more as it were grow up in that spiritual life. And he calleth it, Sincere, not only because it is a most pure thing, but also that we should take heed of them which corrupt it.
²1 Peter 2:2 As becometh new men.
¹1 Peter 2:3 He commendeth that spiritual nourishment for the sweetness and profit of it.
²1 Peter 2:3 Or, do taste.
³1 Peter 2:3 As in other places of the word, the scriptures are presented as the object of faith, so here they are set forth as the object of delight. To see is to believe, so here to taste is to enjoy. A Christian takes the doctrine of grace set forth in the word as his chief delight and sucks honey out of each living principle flowing therefrom.
¹1 Peter 2:4 He goeth on forward in the same exhortation, and useth another kind of borrowed speech, alluding to the Temple. Therefore he saith, that the company of the faithful is as it were a certain holy and spiritual building, built of lively stones, the foundation whereof is Christ, as a lively stone sustaining all that are joined unto him with his living virtue, and knitting them together with himself, although this so great a treasure be neglected of men.
²1 Peter 2:4 As hypocrites are wont to profess that they have accepted Christ due to some innate ability in them to receive the truth, yet the scripture here plainly declares that Christ who is the substance of the word is indeed rejected by men.
¹1 Peter 2:5 Going forward in the same similitude, he compareth us now to Priests placed to this end in that spiritual temple, that we should serve him with spiritual worship, that is, with holiness and righteousness: but as the temple, so is the Priesthood built upon Christ, in whom only all our spiritual offerings are accepted.
¹1 Peter 2:6 He proveth it by the testimony of the Prophet Isaiah.
¹1 Peter 2:7 By setting the most blessed condition of the believers, and the most miserable of the rebellious one against another, he pricketh forward the believers, and triumpheth over the others: and also preventeth an offense which ariseth hereof, that none do more resist this doctrine of the Gospel, than they which are chiefest amongst the people of God, as were at that time that Peter wrote these things, the Priests and Elders, and Scribes. Therefore he answereth first of all that there is no cause why any man should be astonished at this their stubbornness, as though it were a strange matter, seeing that we have been forewarned so long before, that it should so come to pass: and moreover, that it pleased God to create and make certain to this selfsame purpose, that the Son of God might be glorified in their just condemnation. Thirdly, for that the glory of Christ is hereby set forth greatly, whereas notwithstanding Christ remaineth the sure head of his Church, and they that stumble at him, cast down and overthrow themselves, and not Christ. Fourthly, although they be created to this end and purpose, yet their fall and decay is not to be attributed to God, but to their own obstinate stubbornness which cometh between God’s decree, and the execution thereof or their condemnation, and is the true and proper cause of their destruction.
¹1 Peter 2:8 God chooses their delusions and sends to them His word, not so that they might be saved thereby, but by it rather to stumble over into hell.
¹1 Peter 2:9 The contrary member, to wit, he describeth the singular excellency of the elect: and also lest any man should doubt whether he be chosen or not, the Apostle calleth us back to the effectual calling, that is, to the voice of the Gospel sounding both in our ears and minds by the outward preaching and Sacraments, whereby we may certainly understand that everlasting decree of our salvation, (which otherwise is most secret and hidden) and that through the only mercy of God, who freely chooseth and calleth us. Therefore this only remaineth, sayeth he, that by all means possible we set forth so great goodness of the most mighty God.
¹1 Peter 2:11 He returneth to that general exhortation.
²1 Peter 2:11 A reason why we ought to live holily, to wit, because we are citizens of heaven, and therefore we ought to live according to the Laws not of this world, which is most corrupt, but of the heavenly city, although we be strangers in the world.
³1 Peter 2:11 Another argument: The children of God live not according to the flesh, that is, according to that corrupt nature, but according to the spirit. Therefore fleshly motions ought not to bear rule in us.
⁴1 Peter 2:11 The third argument: for although those lusts flatter us, yet they cease not to fight against our salvation.
¹1 Peter 2:12 The fourth argument, taken of the profit of so doing: for by this means also we provide for our good name and estimation, whilest we compel them at length to change their minds, which speak evil of us.
²1 Peter 2:12 The fifth argument, which also is of great force: Because the glory of God is greatly set forth by that means, whilst by example of our honest life, even the most profane men are brought unto God, and submit themselves unto him.
³1 Peter 2:12 When God shall also have mercy on them.
¹1 Peter 2:13 That which he spoke generally, he now expoundeth by parts, describing severally every man’s duty. And first of all he speaketh of obedience which is due both to the Laws, and also to the Magistrates both higher and lower.
²1 Peter 2:13 By ordinance, is meant the framing and ordering of civil government: which he calleth ordinance of man, not because man invented it, but because it is proper to men.
³1 Peter 2:13 The first argument: because the Lord is the author and revenger of this policy of men, that is, which is set amongst men: and therefore the true servants of the Lord must above all others be diligent observers of this order.
⁴1 Peter 2:13 He preventeth a cavil which is made by some, that say they will obey Kings and the higher magistrates, and yet contemn their ministers: as though their ministers were not armed with their authority which sent them.
¹1 Peter 2:14 The second argument taken of the end of this order, which is not only most profitable, but also very necessary: seeing that by this means virtue is rewarded, and vice punished: wherein the quietness and happiness of this life consisteth.
¹1 Peter 2:15 He declareth the first argument more amply, showing that Christian liberty doth amongst all things least, or not at all consist herein, to wit, to cast off the bridle of Laws, (as at that time some altogether unskillful in the kingdom of God reported) but rather in this, that living holily according to the will of God, we should make manifest to all men, that the Gospel is not a cloak for sin and wickedness, seeing we are in such sort free, that yet we are still the servants of God, and not of sin.
¹1 Peter 2:17 He divideth the civil life of man, by occasion of those things of which he spake into two general parts: to wit, into those duties which private men owe to private men, and especially the faithful to the faithful, and into that subjection whereby inferiors are bound to their superiors: but so, that Kings be not made equal to God, seeing that fear is due to God, and honor to Kings.
²1 Peter 2:17 Be charitable and dutiful towards all men.
³1 Peter 2:17 The assembly and fellowship of the brethren, as Zech. 11:14.
⁴1 Peter 2:17 Though we are to fear, and obey magistrates as respects their office and duty, yet seeing that their power cometh from God, we are not to adhere to them insofar as they promote that which is evil. Moreover our fear is ultimately to respect God only and His laws and judgment, insofar that our fear of magistrates must flow therefrom, in order that we do not pay undue homage to men, or be tempted to discouragement when they commit wickedness in the world by public policy or persecuting the church.
¹1 Peter 2:18 He goeth to the duty of servants towards their masters, which he describeth with these bounds, that servants submit themselves willingly and not by constraint, not only to the good and courteous, but also to the froward and sharp masters.
¹1 Peter 2:19 The taking away of an objection: Indeed the condition of servants is hard, especially if they have froward masters: but this their subjection shall be so much the more acceptable to God, if his will prevails more with servants, than the masters’ injuries.
²1 Peter 2:19 Because he maketh a conscience of it to offered God, by whose good will and appointment, he knoweth this burden is laid upon him.
¹1 Peter 2:21 He mitigateth the grievousness of servitude, while he showeth plainly that Christ died also for servants, that they should bear so much the more patiently this inequality betwixt men which are of one selfsame nature, moreover setting before them Christ that Lord of Lords for an ensample, he signifieth that they cannot but seem too delicate, which show themselves more grieved in bearing of injuries, than Christ himself who was most just, and most sharply of all afflicted, and yet was most patient.
²1 Peter 2:21 A borrowed kind of speech taken of painters and schoolmasters.
¹1 Peter 2:23 He showeth them a remedy against injuries, to wit, that they commend their cause to God, by the ensample of Christ.
²1 Peter 2:23 He seemeth now to turn his speech to masters, which have also themselves a master and judge in heaven: who will justly revenge the injuries that are done to servants without any respect of persons.
¹1 Peter 2:24 He calleth the servants back from the consideration of the injuries which they are constrained to bear, to think upon the greatness, and the end of the benefit received of Christ.
²1 Peter 2:24 He demonstrateth the efficacy of Christ’s blood and merit for that He purchased for us righteousness and life. Righteousness being pardon and justification before God, and life being renewal and reconciliation towards God.
¹1 Peter 2:25 He describeth the elect as lost sheep, whom the Good Shepherd leadeth and guideth into life everlasting, while the reprobate were never lost, but belonging to their master Satan have their portion and belongings in this world, and in the life to come everlasting torment.

Chapter 3: 1 That Christian women should not contemn their husbands, though they be infidels. 6 He bringeth in examples of godly Women. 8 General exhortations, 14 patiently to bear persecutions, 15 and boldly to yield a reason of their faith. 18 Christ’s example.

1 Likewise, ¹let the wives be in subjection to their own husbands; ²that even they which obey not the word, may without the word be won by the ³conversation of the wives; 

2 While they behold your pure conversation, which is with fear. 

3 ¹Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 

4 But let it be the ¹hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the ²sight of God of great price. 

5 ¹For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, while ye do well, and are ¹not afraid with any terror. 

7 ¹Likewise, ye husbands, ²dwell with them as men of ³knowledge, ⁴giving ⁵honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker ⁶vessel, even as they which are heirs together of the ⁷grace of life; ⁸that your prayers be not hindered. 

8 ¹Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be tenderhearted, be courteous: 

9 ¹Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; ²knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 

10 ¹For he that will love life, and ²see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 

11 Let him ¹eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and follow after it. 

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the ¹face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 

13 ¹And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 

14 Notwithstanding blessed are ye, if ye suffer for righteousnes sake. ¹Yea, ²fear not their ³fear, neither be troubled. 

15 But ¹sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: ¹and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 

17 ¹For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 

18 ¹For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, ²the just for the unjust, ³that he might bring us to God, ⁴being put to death in the ⁵flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 

19 ¹By ²which also he went and preached unto the ³spirits ⁴now in prison; 

20 ¹Which ²formerly were disobedient, when ³once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight ⁴souls were saved by water. 

21 ¹Whereof the baptism that now is, ²answering that figure, (which is not a putting away of the filth of the flesh, but a confident demanding which a good conscience maketh to ³God) saveth us also ⁴by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 

22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 

Chapter 3 Footnotes:
¹1 Peter 3:1 In the third place he setteth forth the wives’ duty to their husbands, commanding them to be obedient.
²1 Peter 3:1 He speaketh namely of them which had husbands that were not Christians, which ought so much the more be subject to their husbands, that by their honest and chaste conversation they may give them to the Lord.
³1 Peter 3:1 or pious conduct.
¹1 Peter 3:3 He condemneth the riot and excess of women and setteth forth their true appareling such as is precious before God: to wit, the inward and incorruptible which consisteth in a meek and quiet spirit.
¹1 Peter 3:4 Who hath his seat fastened in the heart: so that the hid man is set against the outward decking of the body.
²1 Peter 3:4 Precious indeed, and so taken of God.
¹1 Peter 3:5 An argument taken of the example of women, and especially of Sarah who was the mother of all believers.
¹1 Peter 3:6 Because women are of nature fearful, he giveth them to understand, that he requireth of them that subjection in body and spirit, in all marital performances, which is not wrung out of them either by force or fear.
¹1 Peter 3:7 He teacheth husbands also their duties, to wit, that the more understanding and wisdom they have, the more wisely and circumspectly they behave themselves.
²1 Peter 3:7 Do all the duties of wedlock.
³1 Peter 3:7 The more wisdom the husband hath, the more circumspectly he must behave himself in bearing those commodities, which through the woman’s weakness ofttimes cause trouble both to the husband and the wife.
⁴1 Peter 3:7 The second argument, because the wife notwithstanding that she is weaker by nature than the man, is an excellent instrument of the man made to far most excellent uses: whereupon it followeth that she is not therefore to be neglected because she is weak, but on the contrary part she ought to be so much the more cared for.
⁵1 Peter 3:7 Having an honest care of her.
⁶1 Peter 3:7 The woman is called a vessel after the manner of the Hebrews, because the husband useth her as his fellow and helper to live faithfully before God.
⁷1 Peter 3:7 The third argument: for that they are equal in that which is the chiefest (that is to say, in the benefit of eternal life) which otherwise are unequal as touching the governance and conversation at home, and therefore they are not to be despised although they be weak.
⁸1 Peter 3:7 Of that gracious and free benefit whereby we have everlasting life given us.
⁹1 Peter 3:7 The fourth argument: All brawlings and chidings must be eschewed, because they hinder prayers and the whole service of God whereunto both the husband and wife are equally called.
¹1 Peter 3:8 He returneth to common exhortations and commendeth concord and whatsoever things pertain to the maintenance of peace and mutual love.
¹1 Peter 3:9 We must not only not recompense injury for injury, but we must also recompense them with benefits.
²1 Peter 3:9 An argument taken of comparison: Seeing that we ourselves are called of God whom we offend so often, to so great a benefit (so far is he from revenging the injuries which we do unto him) shall we rather make ourselves unworthy of so great bountifulness, than forgive one another’s faults? And from this verse to the end of the chapter, there is a digression or going from the matter he is in hand with, to exhort us valiantly to bear afflictions.
¹1 Peter 3:10 A secret objection: But this our patience shall be nothing else but a fleshing and hardening of the wicked in their wickedness, to make them to set upon us more boldly, and to destroy us. (Nay saith the Apostle by the words of David) to live without doing hurt, and to follow after peace when it fleeth away, is the way to the happy and quiet peace. And if so be any man be afflicted for doing justly, the Lord maketh all things, and will in his time deliver the godly, which cry unto him, and will destroy the wicked.
²1 Peter 3:10 Lead a blessed and happy life.
¹1 Peter 3:11 Utterly to denounce and abstain from.
¹1 Peter 3:12 This word (Face) after the manner of the Hebrews, is taken for (anger.)
¹1 Peter 3:13 The second argument: when the wicked are provoked, they are more wayward: therefore they must rather be overcome with good turns: And if they cannot be gotten by that means also, yet notwithstanding we shall be blessed, if we suffer for righteousness’ sake.
¹1 Peter 3:14 A most certain counsel in afflictions, be they never so terrible, to be of a constant mind, and to stand fast. But how shall we attain unto it? If we sanctify God in our minds and hearts, that is to say, if we rest upon him, as one that is Almighty, that loveth mankind, that is good and true indeed.
²1 Peter 3:14 see Isa. 8:11-13
³1 Peter 3:14 Be not dismayed as they are, nor be dismayed by their threats.
¹1 Peter 3:15 Give him all praise and glory, and hang only on him.
²1 Peter 3:15 He will have us when we are afflicted for righteousness’ sake, to be careful not for redeeming of our life, either with denying, or renouncing the truth, or with like violence, or any such means: but rather to give an account of our faith boldly, and yet with a meek spirit, and full to godly reverence, that the enemies may not have anything justly to object, but may rather be ashamed of themselves.
¹1 Peter 3:17 A reason which standeth upon two general rules of Christianity, which notwithstanding all men allow not of. The one is, if we must needs suffer afflictions, it is better to suffer wrongfully than rightfully: the other is this, because we are so afflicted, not by hap, but by the will of our God.
¹1 Peter 3:18 A proof of either of the rules, by the example of Christ himself our chief pattern who was afflicted, not for his own sins (which were none) but for ours, and that according to his Father’s decree.
²1 Peter 3:18 An argument taken of comparison: Christ the just suffered for us that are unjust, and shall it grieve us who are unjust to suffer for the just’s cause?
³1 Peter 3:18 Another argument being partly taken of things coupled together, to wit, because Christ bringeth us to his Father that same way that he went himself, and partly from the cause efficient: to wit, because Christ is not only set before us for an example to follow, but also he holdeth us up by his virtue in all the difficulties of this life, until he bring us to his Father.
⁴1 Peter 3:18 Another argument taken of the happy end of these afflictions, wherein also Christ goeth before us both in example and virtues, as one who suffered most grievous torments even unto death, although but in one part only of him, to wit, in the flesh or man’s nature, but yet became conqueror by virtue of his divinity.
⁵1 Peter 3:18 As touching his manhood, for his body was dead, and his soul felt the sorrows of death.
¹1 Peter 3:19 A secret objection: Christ indeed might do this, but what is that to us? yet (saith the Apostle) for Christ hath showed forth this virtue in all ages both to the preservation of the godly, were they never so few and miserable, and to revenge the rebellion of his enemies, as it appeareth by the history of the flood: for Christ is he which in those days (when God through his patience appointed a time of repentance to the world) was present not in corporal presence, but by his divine virtue, preaching repentance even by the mouth of Noah himself who then prepared the Ark, to those disobedient spirits which are now in prison waiting for the full recompence of their rebellion, and saved those few (that is, eight only persons) in the water.
²1 Peter 3:19 By the virtue of which Spirit, that is to say of the divinity: therefore this word, Spirit, cannot in this place be taken for the soul, unless we say, that Christ was raised up again, and quickened by the virute of his soul.
³1 Peter 3:19 He calleth them Spirits, in respect of his time, not in respect of the time that they were in the flesh.
⁴1 Peter 3:19 The souls now tormented under chains of darkness in the eternal prison of God’s displeasure.
¹1 Peter 3:20 Calvin: “After having then said that Christ was manifested to the dead, he immediately adds, When there were formerly unbelievers; by which he intimated, that it was no injury to the holy fathers that they were almost hidden through the vast number of the ungodly. For he meets, as I think, a doubt, which might have harassed the faithful of that day. They saw almost the whole world filled with unbelievers, that they enjoyed all authority, and that life was in their power. This trial might have shaken the confidence of those who were shut up, as it were, under the sentence of death. Therefore Peter reminds them, that the condition of the fathers was not different, and that though the multitude of the ungodly then covered the whole earth, their life was yet preserved in safety by the power of God. He then comforted the godly, lest they should be cast down and destroyed because they were so few; and he chose an example the most remarkable in antiquity, even that of the world drowned by the deluge; for then in the common ruin of mankind, the family of Noah alone escaped. And he points out the manner, and says that it was a kind of baptism. There is then in this respect also nothing unsuitable.The sum of what is said is this, that the world has always been full of unbelievers, but that the godly ought not to be terrified by their vast number; for though Noah was surrounded on every side by the ungodly, and had very few as his friends, he was not yet drawn aside from the right course of his faith.”
²1 Peter 3:20 Showing that those who live disobediently in this life shall receive the wages of unrighteousness in the life to come.
³1 Peter 3:20 This word (once) showeth that there was a furthermost day appointed, and if that were once past, there should be no more.
⁴1 Peter 3:20 Men.
¹1 Peter 3:21 A proportional applying of the former example to the times which followed the coming of Christ: for that preservation of Noah in the waters was a figure of our Baptism, not as though that material water of Baptism saveth us, as those waters which bare up the Ark saved Noah, but because Christ with his inward virtue, which the outward Baptism shadoweth, preserveth us being washed, so that we may call upon God with a good conscience.
²1 Peter 3:21 Calvin: The meaning, however, is not ambiguous, that Noah, saved by water, had a sort of baptism. And this the Apostle mentions, that the likeness between him and us might appear more evident. It has already been said that the design of this clause is to shew that we ought not to be led away by wicked examples from the fear of God, and the right way of salvation, and to mix with the world. This is made evident in baptism, in which we are buried together with Christ, so that, being dead to the world, and to the flesh, we may live to God. On this account, he says that our baptism is an antitype ( ἀντίτυπον) to the baptism of Noah. As Noah, then, obtained life through death, when in the ark, he was enclosed not otherwise than as it were in the grave, and when the whole world perished, he was preserved together with his small family; so at this day, the death which is set forth in baptism, is to us an entrance into life, nor can salvation be hoped for, except we be separated from the world.
³1 Peter 3:21 The conscience being sanctified may freely call upon God.
⁴1 Peter 3:21 That selfsame virtue, whereby Christ rose again, and now being carried into heaven, hath received all power, doth at this day defend and preserve us.

Chapter 4: 1 He bringeth in Christ’s example, and applieth it, 6 to the mortifying of the flesh, especially commending Charity: 12 And so entreateth of patience. 19 That it is necessary that correction begin at the Church.

1 Forasmuch ¹then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, ²arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 

2 That he hence forward should live (as much time as ¹remaineth in the flesh) not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God. 

3 ¹For it is sufficient for us that we have spent the time past of our life, after the lust ²of the Gentiles walking in wantonness, lusts, drunkenness, in gluttony, banquetings, and in ³abominable idolatries: 

4 ¹Wherein they think it ²strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 

5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

6 ¹For unto this purpose was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 

7 ¹Now the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 

8 ¹And above all things have fervent love among you: for love shall cover the multitude of sins. 

9 ¹Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 

10 ¹As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, ²as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

11 ¹If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

12 ¹Beloved, think it not ²strange ³concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

13 ¹But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

14 ¹If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; for the ²spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: which on their part is evil spoken of, but on your part is glorified. 

15 ¹But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 

17 ¹For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and ²if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

18 ¹And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

19 ¹Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Chapter 4 Footnotes:
¹1 Peter 4:1 Having ended his digression and sliding from his matter, now he returneth to the exhortation which he brake off, taking occasion by that which he said touching the death, and resurrection of Christ, so defining our sanctification, that to be sanctified, is all one as to suffer in the flesh, that is to say: to leave off from our wickedness and viciousness: and to rise again to God, that is to say, to be renewed, by the virtue of the holy Ghost, that we may lead the rest of our life which remaineth, after the will of God.
²1 Peter 4:1 For holy wisdom is as a weapon of war used against the devices of the enemy.
¹1 Peter 4:2 So much of this present life as remaineth yet to be passed over.
¹1 Peter 4:3 By putting us in mind of the dishonesty of our former life led in the filth of sin, he calleth us to earnest repentance.
¹1 Peter 4:3 Here the apostle heavily inveigheth against all excess and indulgence of the flesh and calleth immoderate appetite idolatry.
²1 Peter 4:3 Wickedly and licentiously after the manner of the Gentiles.
¹1 Peter 4:4 That we be not moved with the enemies’ perverse and slanderous judgments of us, we have to set against them that last judgment of God which remaineth for them, for none, whether they be then found living, or were dead before, shall escape it.
²1 Peter 4:4 They think it a new and strange matter. see 1 Cor. 2:15
¹1 Peter 4:6 A digression because he made mention of the last general judgement. And he preventeth an objection, that seeing Christ came very lately, they may seem to be excusable which died before. But this the Apostle denieth, for (saith he) this selfsame Gospel was preached unto them also: (for he speaketh unto the Jews) and that to the same end that I now preach it unto you, to wit, that the flesh being abolished and put away (that is to say, that wicked and naughty corruption which reigneth in men) they should suffer themselves to be governed by the virtue of the Spirit of God.
¹1 Peter 4:7 He returneth to his purpose, using an argument taken from the circumstance of the time, because the last end is at hand, and therefore we must so much the more diligently watch and pray with true sobriety of mind.
¹1 Peter 4:8 He commendeth charity of one toward another, because it doth as it were bury a multitude of sins, and therefore preserveth and maintaineth peace and concord: for they that love one another, do easily forgive one another their offense.
¹1 Peter 4:9 Of all the duties of charity, he commendeth one, namely, which was at that time most necessary, to wit, hospitality, which he will have to be voluntary and most courteous and bountiful.
¹1 Peter 4:10 He showeth the use of charity, to wit, that every man bestow that gift which he hath received to the profit of his neighbor.
²1 Peter 4:10 A reason, because that what gift soever we have we have received it of God upon this condition, to be his disposers and stewards.
¹1 Peter 4:11 He reckoneth up two kinds of these gifts as chief, to wit, the office of teaching in the Church, and the other Ecclesiastical functions, wherein two things specially are to be observed, to wit, that the pure word of God be taught, and whatsoever is done, be referred to the glory of God the Father, in Christ, as to the proper mark.
¹1 Peter 4:12 Because the cross is joined with the sincere profession of Religion, the Apostle fitly repeateth that which he touched before, warning us not to be troubled at persecutions and afflictions, as a new and strange thing.
²1 Peter 4:12 As though some new thing had befallen you, which you never thought of before.
³1 Peter 4:12 The first reason: Because the Lord meaneth not to consume us with this fire (as it were) but to purge us of our dross, and make us perfect.
¹1 Peter 4:13 Another reason: Because the afflictions of the godly and the wicked differ very much, and chiefly in three points. First, because the godly communicate with Christ in their afflictions, and therefore shall in their time be partakers also of his glory.
¹1 Peter 4:14 Secondly, because that although the infidels think far otherwise, who in afflicting the godly, blaspheme God, yet the godly in that they are so railed upon, are honored of God with the true spiritual glory, and their adoption sealed in them by the Spirit of God.
²1 Peter 4:14 By Spirit he meaneth the gifts of the Spirit.
¹1 Peter 4:15 The third difference: for the godly are not afflicted for their evil doings, but for righteousness’ sake as Christians: whereby it cometh to pass that the cross, seeing it is a testimony unto them of faith and righteousness, ministereth unto them not an occasion of sorrow, but of unspeakable joy: now the Apostle propoundeth the third difference under the form of an exhortation.
¹1 Peter 4:17 The third reason because the Lord of all the world being especially careful for them of his household, doth therefore chastise them first of all, yet so that he keepeth a measure in his greatest severity: And as he hath always used to do heretofore, so doth he now specially when as he exhibited himself in person to his Church.
²1 Peter 4:17 Lest the godly should be offended and stumble at that vain shadow of felicity of the wicked, as though God were not the governor of the world, for that the wicked are in good case, and the godly in evil, the Apostle teacheth by an argument of a comparison of them together, that God who spareth not his own, but nurtureth them under the cross, will at length in his time handle the rebellious and wicked far otherwise, whom he hath appointed to utter destruction.
¹1 Peter 4:18 If scarcely a truly righteous person is found in the visible church, how much less outside the covenant of promise. For verily, Ursinus says, “there is no salvation outside the church.”
¹1 Peter 4:19 The conclusion: Seeing the godly are not afflicted by chance, but by the will of God, they ought not to despair, but go forward, notwithstanding in the way of holiness and well doing, commending themselves to God their faithful Creator, that is to say, their Father.

Chapter 5: 1 He warneth the Elders not to usurp authority over the Church, 5 willing the younger sort to be willing to be taught, and to be modest, 8 to be sober and watchful to resist the cruel adversary.

1 The ¹elders which are among you ²I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 

2 ^1,2Feed the flock of God ³which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, ⁴not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 

3 Neither as being lords over God’s ¹heritage, but being examples to the flock. 

4 ¹And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

5 ¹Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: ²for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 

6 Humble yourselves therefore ¹under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

8 ¹Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, ¹knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your ²brethren that are in the world. 

10 ¹But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 

11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

12 ¹By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying how that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 

13 ¹The church that is at ²Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 

14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Chapter 5 Footnotes:
¹1 Peter 5:1 He describeth peculiarly the office of the Elders, that is to say, of them that have the care of the Church.
²1 Peter 5:1 He useth a preface touching the circumstance of his own person: to wit, that he as their companion, communeth with them not of matters which he knoweth not, but wherein he is as well experienced as any, and propoundeth unto them no other condition but that which he himself hath sustained before them, and doth still take the same pains, and also hath one selfsame hope together with them.
¹1 Peter 5:2 The first rule: He that is a shepherd, let him feed the flock.
²1 Peter 5:2 He saith not, Offer for the quick and dead, and sing patched shreds in a strange tongue, but (Feed.)
³1 Peter 5:2 The second: Let the shepherd consider, that the flock is not his, but God’s.
⁴1 Peter 5:2 The third: Let not the shepherds invade other men’s flocks, but let them feed that which God hath committed unto them.
⁵1 Peter 5:2 Let the shepherds govern the Church with the word and example of godly and unblamable life, not by constraint but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, not as Lords over God’s portion and heritage, but as his ministers.
¹1 Peter 5:3 Which is the Christian people.
¹1 Peter 5:4 That the shepherds’ minds be not overcome either with the wickedness of men, or their cruelty, he warneth them to cast their eyes continually upon that chief Shepherd, and the crown which is laid up for them in heaven.
¹1 Peter 5:5 He commendeth many peculiar Christian virtues, and especially modesty: which admonition all of us stand in need of, but especially the younger sort, by reason of the outwardness and pride of that age.
²1 Peter 5:5 Because pride seemeth to many, to be the way unto the glory of this life, the Apostle witnesseth on the contrary side, that ignominy and shame is the reward of pride, and glory the reward of modesty.
¹1 Peter 5:6 Because those proud and lofty spirits threaten the modest and humble, the Apostle warneth us to set the power of God against the vanity of proud men, and to hang wholly upon his providence.
¹1 Peter 5:8 The cruelty of Satan, who seeketh by all means to devour us, is overcome by watchfulness and faith.
¹1 Peter 5:9 The persecutions which Satan stirreth up are neither new nor proper to any one man, but from old and ancient time common to the whole Church, and therefore we must suffer that patiently wherein we have such and so many fellows of our conflicts and combats.
²1 Peter 5:9 Amongst your brethren which are dispersed throughout the world.
¹1 Peter 5:10 He sealeth up as it were with a seal the former exhortation with a solemn prayer, again willing them to ask increase of strength at his hands of whom they had the beginning, and hope to have the accomplishment, to wit, of God the Father in Jesus Christ in whom we are sure of the glory of eternal life.
¹1 Peter 5:12 Continuance and perseverance in the doctrine of the Apostles, is the only ground and foundation of Christian strength: Now the sum of the Apostles’ doctrine, is salvation freely given of God.
¹1 Peter 5:13 Familiar salutations.
²1 Peter 5:13 In that famous city of Assyria, where Peter the Apostle of the circumcision then was.