Because believers have been redeemed by Christ’s precious blood and born again through God’s enduring word, they must now live in a way that fits that salvation. Peter calls them to fix their hope on Christ’s return, pursue holiness in every area of life, walk before God with reverent fear, and love one another earnestly.

The word “therefore” shows that Peter is not offering random moral advice. He is drawing a conclusion from the salvation he has just described in verses 3–12. Since God has given His people new birth and a living hope, they are to live accordingly.

First, Peter tells them to prepare their minds for action, remain sober, and set their hope fully on the grace that will be brought to them when Jesus Christ is revealed. The picture is one of mental readiness and self-control. Their hope is not to be divided among many lesser things. It is to be fixed completely on the future grace they will receive at Christ’s return. This is not vague optimism, but a settled expectation that shapes present life.

Peter then describes what that life should look like. As obedient children, they must not return to the sinful desires that once ruled them when they lived in ignorance of God. Conversion means a real break with the old way of life. Instead of being shaped by former desires, they are to be holy in all their conduct. This reaches beyond outward religious activity to the whole pattern of daily life. Peter grounds this command in God’s own character by quoting Scripture: “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” The standard for holy living is not culture or personal preference, but the holiness of the God who called them.

In verse 17, Peter adds another reason for serious living. These believers call God their Father, and that is both true and precious. Yet God is also the One who judges each person impartially according to his work. Peter does not allow God’s fatherhood to be treated in a sentimental or casual way. Because the Father is also the impartial Judge, believers must live their time on earth in reverent fear. Peter describes this life as a time of temporary residence, using exile language. Christians live in this world as those who ultimately belong to God and await their true home. That identity should produce seriousness, not carelessness.

Peter next explains why this reverent holiness is fitting. They were ransomed from the empty way of life inherited from their ancestors. That former way of life was futile, unable to bring them to God. Their redemption was not purchased with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with something far more precious: the precious blood of Christ. Peter compares Christ to an unblemished and spotless lamb. The point is not merely a general image of innocence, but sacrificial fitness. Christ’s death was the truly costly and fitting sacrifice that accomplished redemption, and its cost shows the seriousness of both sin and salvation.

Peter goes on to say that Christ was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for their sake. His redeeming work was not an afterthought. It belonged to God’s eternal purpose and was made known in history at the appointed time. Through Christ, these believers now trust in God, who raised Jesus from the dead and gave Him glory. As a result, their faith and hope are in God. Christ’s work directs them Godward.

In verse 22, Peter brings the paragraph to a practical center. He says they have purified their souls by obeying the truth so that they may show sincere brotherly love. This obedience to the truth refers to their real response to the gospel and the ongoing life of obedience that flows from it. Peter is not saying they earned salvation by obedience. Rather, the truth they obeyed has had a real cleansing effect in their lives. And that purification is meant to lead to something visible and relational: sincere love for fellow believers. So Peter commands them to love one another earnestly from a pure heart. Holiness does not end with private morality. It must take shape in genuine, strong, persevering love within the church.

Peter then grounds this command in their new birth. They have been born again, not from perishable seed, but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. The seed image points to the source of life. Their new life did not come from anything temporary or mortal. It came through God’s word, which is living and lasting. To support this, Peter quotes Isaiah: all human flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like a flower that quickly fades. Human life and human glory are temporary, but the word of the Lord endures forever. That enduring word is the gospel that was preached to them. Because their new life comes from God’s permanent word, they must not live as though they still belong to a fading world ruled by old desires.

The flow of the whole passage is clear. Peter moves from salvation to obligation, from hope to holiness, from redemption to reverent living, and from purification to earnest mutual love. He does not present these commands as a way to earn God’s favor. He roots them in what God has already done through Christ and through the word. But because these saving realities are true, believers are responsible to live in a way that reflects them.

Key Truths: - Peter’s commands grow out of the salvation described earlier; this is not bare moralism. - Christian hope is to be fixed fully on the grace that will be revealed when Christ returns. - Holiness is practical and must shape all of life, not just religious activity. - Calling God “Father” must be joined with reverence, because He judges impartially. - Believers were redeemed not with perishable wealth, but with Christ’s precious blood. - Christ’s redemptive work was part of God’s purpose before the world began and was revealed in history for believers’ sake. - Obedience to the truth leads to purified lives that show themselves in sincere brotherly love. - New birth through God’s enduring word is the foundation for holy living and earnest love. - Human life and glory fade, but the word of the Lord endures forever.