Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
What does 1 Peter 1:3 mean?
This epistle is addressed to believers in general, who are strangers in every city or country where they live, and are scattered through the nations.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside 1 Peter 1:3-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on 1 Peter 1:3
Which according to His abundant mercy - Margin, as in the Greek, "much." The idea is, that there was great mercy shown them in the fact that they were renewed. They had no claim to the favor, and the favor was great. People are not begotten to the hope of heaven because they have any claim on God, or because it would not be right for him to withhold the favor. See the notes at Ephesians 2:4 . Hath begotten us again - The meaning is, that as God is the Author of our life in a natural sense, so he is the Author of our second life by regeneration.
Key words
- begotten again
-
begotten again.
- unto a lively hope
-
unto a lively hope. ...
- begotten again
-
begotten again.
- unto a lively hope
-
unto a lively hope.
Context in 1 Peter 1
Show chapter context
1 Peter 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as new birth and holy identity. First Peter calls believers a holy people in exile, formed by Christ’s suffering and destined for glory. Read this chapter with the wider themes of exile, hope, and holiness in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.
Central passages for Easter services, cards, and devotions — verses on the crucifixion, resurrection, and what they mean for Christian faith.
Bible verses about suffering and trials
Key passages on grief, endurance, lament, divine mystery, and the Christian claim that suffering is neither final nor meaningless.
Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Bible verses about eternal life
Core passages on everlasting life, union with Christ, resurrection hope, judgment, and the promise of life beyond death.