1 Peter

5 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1He comforteth them in their persecutions ( being now by Baptism made the children of God ) with the hope of their heavenly inheritance: 6 shewing how meritorious it is for them to be so constant in faith, 10 and confirming them therein with the authority of the Prophets and of the Holy Ghost. 15 Exhorting them to live also accordingly in all holiness, 15 considering the holiness of God, the uprightness of his judgement, the price of their redemption by Christ, 22 and the virtue of the seed in them ( Which is grace regeneration in Baptism ) foretold by the Prophet also.
2. 2Now after their Baptism, what must be their meat: 4 and being come to Christ, how happy they be above their incredulous brethren, according to the Scriptures also. 11 Whereupon he beseecheth them to shine in good life among the Heathen, so to procure their conversion: 13 to be obedient subjects to higher Powers ( howsoever some misconster Christian liberty ) 14 and servants to obey their Masters. 19 And so, doing well, though they suffer for it, it is very meritorious, 21 whereas Christ also not only gave them example, 24 but also by his death hath made them able to live justly.
3. 3The duty of women and husbands to each other. 9 None to do or speak evil by their persecutors, 13 but to answer them always with modesty, and specially with innocency, after the example of Christ most innocent: whose body though they killed, yet his soul lived and preached afterward to the souls in Hell ( namely to those in the time of Noe's flood being a figure of our Baptism ) rose again, and ascended.
4. 4That they arm themselves to sin no more after Baptism, against the tentations of the Heathen, considering that the general end now approacheth. 8 specially toward their even-Christians to shew their charity, hospitality, and grace, doing all to the glory of God. 12 And as for being persecuted because they are Christians, to rejoice, considering the reward that they shall have with Christ, and damnation that they avoid thereby.
5. 5He exhorteth Priests to feed their flocks, only for God's sake and reward of heaven, without all lordliness. the laity to obey: all to be humble one towards another. & to be constant in the Catholic faith, considering it is not man, but that lion the Devil that persecuteth them, as he doth the whole Church also, & that God will after a while make them secure in heaven.