Peter compares what people were like before and after they accepted Jesus. The words of this verse come from Hosea 2:23 (Paul gives a fuller explanation in Romans 9:22-26). The *prophet Hosea had two children. God called Hosea’s daughter ‘Lo-Ruhamah’, which means ‘no *mercy’. God called Hosea’s son ‘Lo-Ammi’, which means ‘not my people’ (Hosea 1:6-9). When people accept Jesus, they receive God’s *mercy. Then they become ‘his people’, the people who belong to him. In the *Old Testament, God promised many good things to the *Jews. In verses 4-10, Peter says that God has now given these good things to the church.

In 1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter has been teaching about *salvation; what Jesus has done for people. Now he writes in a more practical way about how to live as a Christian.

Live good lives


v11
Dear Christian friends, you are like foreigners who do not belong to this world. I urge you not to give in to evil desires that fight against your spirit.

v12 Live very good lives among people who are not Christians. Sometimes they will wrongly accuse you. They will say that you do bad things. But let them see your good behaviour. Then they will have to give honour to God when he comes to judge the world.

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