“Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Peace to you all

Peter pronounced a blessing upon believers in Asia Minor. “Peace” generally carries the idea of the prosperity of the soul. This epistle began with an affirmation of peace (1 Pe 1:2), and now it closes with a declaration of peace. We never get away from our need for grace and peace.

who are in Christ Jesus

“In Christ Jesus” narrows the crowd down. There is a unique peace given to those who hold the same status that Jesus has before God. This standing in Christ is also the audience to whom Paul wrote in Romans and 2 Corinthians,

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Amen

“Amen” means so be it, or I believe this. Peter affirmed the principle of the believer’s standing “in Christ Jesus” by God’s grace. The grace of God will carry them through any suffering they might face (1 Peter 5:10).

PRINCIPLE:

We all need to look beyond our present difficulties to see God’s grace and peace in everything that comes our way.

APPLICATION:

Christians have hope because God is sovereign (1 Pe 1:3). We have a model in Christ for our suffering (1 Pe 2:2). If we understand and accept these two ideas, we will face adequately any heartache that may come our way.

If we view suffering in this way, our souls will prosper in God’s grace. We continuously need to acknowledge God’s grace if we are to have peace in our souls.

I hope that God blessed your hearts in the study of 1 Peter.