---
title: 1 Peter 1:2
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/1-peter-1-2/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/1-peter-1-2.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: 1 Peter 1:2
testament: NT
section: Letters
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# 1 Peter 1:2

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood:  Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "to those chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, with sanctification by the spirit, for the purpose of being obedient and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to you."

## JW Usage

Read as describing Jehovah's foreknowledge, the operation of his active force in setting people apart, and the value of Christ's ransom — three elements of one arrangement rather than three persons. The Watchtower would note that the verse distinguishes the Father from Jesus, which it takes as evidence against the Trinity.

## Protestant Usage

Nobody claims a single verse proves the Trinity, and it is worth saying so before using this one. The doctrine is the summary of three things Scripture teaches separately — that there is one God, that Father, Son and Spirit are each called God, and that they are personally distinct. What this verse contributes is the last of those, in a form Peter clearly did not invent for the occasion. Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, sanctified by the spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling with his blood. Three named parties, each with a distinct role, in a greeting written without argument or defence. That triadic shape recurs where nobody is arguing about it: Matthew 28:19 with one name for three; 2 Corinthians 13:14 with grace, love and fellowship; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 with the same spirit, the same Lord, the same God. The point is that the pattern predates any council. Christians did not deduce the Trinity from philosophy and read it back in; they found these three named together as a matter of course, and eventually had to say why. Compare 1 Corinthians 12:4, John 15:26.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [We Didn't Invent the Trinity — We Summarised What God Revealed](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/trinity-from-revelation-not-deduction.md) — A summary of three biblical revelations, not a philosophical speculation [Deity of Christ]