Chapter 1

1:2 - We are all, according to Peter, predestined to be saved or damned. We have no say in the matter.

* This passage uses the word "foreknowledge" in both the English and the Greek.  This correlates with scriptures that reveal how God knows all things.

1:5,7,20 - Peter wrongly believed that he was living in the "last times."

* In these verses, Peter never said he was living in the "last times of Revelation."

* In 1 Peter 1:20, Peter says that "(Jesus) was manifest in these last times for you."  Therefore, Peter was considering his time the "last times" because Jesus had come and gone.  He doesn't say that the world would end soon.  

* Many scriptures (Matthew 24:36, Revelation 3:3, etc.) state the obvious and common theme that nobody knows the hour that Jesus Christ will return.

1:17 - Peter says that God respects no one, but other Bible verses say otherwise (Gen.4:4, Ex.2:25, Lev.26:9, 2 Kg.13:23, Ps.138:6).

* "Without respect of persons" is a phrase that refers to God's impartial judgment.  God does not favor people with titles, degrees, money, lots of clothes, etc.

1:17 - Peter says that we will be judged by our works, but Paul disagrees (Rom.3:20, 28, 4:4-6; Gal.2:16; Eph.2:8-9).

* Peter states that our deeds or works will come into judgment.  This correlates with other passages of scripture.  See Matthew 12:36, Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10, etc.

* Paul doesn't mention judgment in Romans 3:20.  This passage reads, "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

* Like Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28 is talking about justification.  It reads, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law."

* Romans 4:4-6 mentions justification and does not mention judgment.

* Galatians 2:16 mentions justification by faith and does not mention judgment.

* Ephesians 2:8-9 is addressing salvation through faith.

* Salvation is given to people who repent and believe and trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Believers are "justified" before God by their faith.  All people will have their works judged.  For unbelievers, this judgment will result in condemnation.  For believers, this judgment will result in heavenly rewards.

1:17 - What must you do to be saved? Do the right things.

* This verse doesn't mention anything about salvation.

Chapter 2

2:12 - Should we let others see our good works?

* Throughout the scriptures, doing good works is simply a heart issue. We aren't told to hide our good works because of fear or something. We are told to have a pure motive when we do good works and to avoid doing them just to get noticed.

2:13 - In this verse Peter says we should obey "every ordinance of man," but in Acts 5:29 he says "We ought to obey God rather than men."

* This verse corresponds with Acts 5:29 and Romans 13:1-7.  It is better understood, in context, with verse 14.  1 Peter 2:13 and 14 read, "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good."  These "ordinances of man" are the laws that don't contradict God's laws.

* Acts 5:29 highlights our purpose and lifts God's laws above man's laws.  Incidentally, Acts 5:28 clearly shows that the disciples were simply preaching Jesus Christ.  Our first responsibility is to obey God.

2:17 - According to Peter, kings reign by divine right and everyone, therefore, should "honor the king" and "fear God."

* 1 Peter 2:17 reads, "Honor all people.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the king."

2:18 - Peter says that all slaves should "be subject to [their] masters with all fear," to the bad and cruel as well as the "good and gentle." but Jesus said we should have no masters except him (Mt.4:10, 23:10).

* The word here, in all translations (even the Greek), is "servant" (not slave).  Peter is encouraging servants to be obedient to their masters, even when they aren't nice, because this will bring glory to God.

Chapter 3

3:1 - Peter order all wives to be "in subjection" to their husbands.

* This is true.  However, 1 Peter 3:7 clearly tells husbands to honor their wives or their prayers will be hindered.

3:2-6 - Wives are to use "chaste conversation, coupled with fear." They are not to braid their hair, wear gold, or put on any "apparel." They are to do these things in imitation of the "holy" women of the Old testament who were "in subjection to their won husbands: even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord."

* First, this passage was written to certain women who needed this exhortation.  They had forgotten to pursue an inner beauty and were causing problems with the way they were dressing.  They were told to look beautiful on the inside and not worry about the outward appearance.

3:7 - In relation to her husband, the wife is "the weaker vessel."

* This is true.  Not only are women physically weaker than men, but they are weaker on other levels.  Incidentally, God offers a solution for this.  This verse tells husbands to honor their wives because they are the weaker vessel.  This commentary is very misleading and deceptive because it only quotes three words from this verse.

3:13 - Do bad things happen to good people?

* This verse needs to be taken into context with 1 Peter 3:14-17.  In context, this passage is telling people to do good and obey God, even if bad things happen, and God will be glorified in their suffering.

3:15 - Peter says that Christians should be ready to explain why they believe what they do. This is a good verse to remember when Christians refuse to debate you.

* This verse does say that Christians should be ready to explain why they believe.  However, this verse doesn't say that Christians must always debate people.

3:18 - Deuteronomy (24:16) says that "every man shall be put to death for his own sin." Yet this verse says that Jesus was killed for our sins.

* This passage in Deuteronomy was written to the Israelites and was concerning their sins.  It is saying that parents would not be punished for their children's sin.  Innocent people have been killed and put to death and this passage does not address this issue.

3:20 - God drowned drowned everyone on earth except for Noah and his family.

* This is true and correlates with other passages of scripture.  See Genesis 7:13.

3:21-22 - Jesus is supposed to be sitting on "the right hand of God." But how can this be if Jesus is God?

* This scripture correlates with other scriptures.  See Hebrews 10:12, Colossians 3:1, Romans 8:34, etc.

* Jesus is part of the trinity (the triune God).  There is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 4

4:7, 13 - Peter mistakenly believes that "the end of all things is at hand."

* The phrase "the end of all things is at hand" can mean a number of things and isn't a specific statement.  It doesn't necessarily mean that Peter thinks it is the end of the world.  According to numerous Bible passages, the return of Christ will happen at an unknown hour.

4:15 - Don't murder, steal, do evil things, or interfere needlessly in the lives of others. I wish Christians would follow Peter's advice here, especially the "busybody" part, and stay out of the beliefs and sex lives of nonchristians.

* Everyone needs the advice in this passage; in addition to the commands in the entire Bible.

4:17-18 - Things may get rough for Christians, but it will really be hell for nonbelievers.

* This is a rough translation, but not a contradiction.

4:19 - God wants some people to suffer.

* God didn't give us the "Happy Spirit" to make us happy.  He gave us the "Holy Spirit" to make us holy.  Holiness should come from the refinement that suffering brings.  Is there anyone who has never suffered?  Suffering brings growth and dependence on God.

Chapter 5

5:4 - Peter believes that Jesus will return soon.

* This passage doesn't mention or indicate any timetable for Jesus' return.

5:8 - This verse says that the devil is free to roam about wherever he pleases. But 2 Pet.2:4 and Jude 6 say that the devil is chained down and cannot move.

* This passage correlates with other parts of scripture.  See Job 1:7.  Some angels were cast into Hell and some were allowed to roam the Earth. 

* 2 Peter 2:4 doesn't mention the Devil.

* Jude 1:6 doesn't mention the Devil.  However, it does mention some angels that were sent to Hell.