English: Easy to Read Version

[1] 1:1 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[2] 1:2 holy people Literally, "saints" or "holy ones," a term used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus Christ as God's special people. They are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and belong only to God.

[3] 1:2 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[4] 1:2 made clean . sacrifice Or "sprinkled with the blood," which probably compares the beginning of the new agreement by the blood sacrifice of Christ (Mk. 14:24) with Moses' sprinkling the blood of animal sacrifices on the people of Israel to seal the agreement God made with them (Ex. 24:3-8). See also Heb. 9:15-26.

[5] 1:2 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[6] 1:7 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[7] 1:10 prophet A person who speaks a message from God. Many of the books in the Old Testament are messages spoken or written by "the prophets," who were some of those God chose to speak for him. God often used dreams or visions to tell or show his prophets what they should say.

[8] 1:10 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[9] 1:11 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[10] 1:12 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[11] 1:13 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[12] 1:15 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[13] 1:16 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[14] 1:16 Quote from Lev. 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7.

[15] 1:19 Lamb A symbolic name for Jesus Christ. It means that he was an offering for sin like the lambs that were offered as a sacrifice to God in the Old Testament.

[16] 1:23 message See "Good News."

[17] 1:24 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[18] 1:25 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[19] 2:4 stone The most important stone in God's spiritual temple or house (his people).

[20] 2:5 house God's house-the place where God's people worship him. Here, it means that believers are the spiritual building where God lives.

[21] 2:5 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[22] 2:5 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.

[23] 2:6 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[24] 2:6 cornerstone The first and most important stone of a building.

[25] 2:6 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.

[26] 2:10 In the past . his mercy See Hos. 2:23.

[27] 2:12 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[28] 2:13 people . authority Literally, "every human creation," meaning rulers, governors, presidents, or other government leaders.

[29] 3:5 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[30] 3:6 Abraham The most respected ancestor of the Jewish people. Through him God promised to make a great nation and bless all the people of the earth. Read Gen. 12:1-3.

[31] 3:7 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[32] 3:10 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[33] 3:14 Quote from Isa. 8:12.

[34] 3:21 baptism A Greek word usually referring to the act of dipping or "burying" a person briefly in water, connected with their decision to change their life and turn to God, trusting him to forgive their sins. For people coming to faith in Jesus Christ it was an expression of their trust in his death as the sacrifice God accepted to pay for their sins. Described as a sharing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, it marked the beginning of their new life in Christ as part of God's people. See Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3, 4; Gal. 3:26-28; Col. 2:12, 13.

[35] 4:6 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[36] 4:6 in the spirit Or "through the Spirit," meaning by the power of the Holy Spirit.

[37] 4:10 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[38] 4:11 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[39] 4:11 Amen A Hebrew word meaning "That's right," "True," or "Yes." It is used to express strong agreement with what has been said.

[40] 4:13 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[41] 4:17 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[42] 5:1 elders (New Testament) A group of men chosen to lead a church. Also called "overseers" and "pastors" (shepherds), they have the work of caring for God's people. See Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Eph. 4:11; Php. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-3.

[43] 5:1 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[44] 5:2 God's flock God's people. They are like a flock (group) of sheep that need to be cared for.

[45] 5:4 crown Literally, "wreath," a ring of leaves or branches that was placed on the head of the winners of athletic contests to honor them. It is a symbol of victory and reward.

[46] 5:5 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[47] 5:11 Amen A Hebrew word meaning "That's right," "True," or "Yes." It is used to express strong agreement with what has been said.

[48] 5:12 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[49] 5:13 The church in Babylon Literally, "She in Babylon."

[50] 5:14 special greeting Literally, "kiss."