1. 1 Peter 1:4 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Is there any significance in Peter’s shift to the pronoun “you”?

1 Peter 1:4 (ESV)

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

The apostle had thus far in this letter used first-person plural pronouns “our” and “us” (1 Peter 1:3). At the end of 1 Peter 1:4 he shifts to second person plural, “you,” a shift he maintains throughout the rest of the letter. Peter had included himself when he spoke about being born again, but as he moves the discussion forward to the consequences of rebirth, he moves the spotlight to his readers alone without any reference to himself. By doing so he is able to lay greater emphasis on the responsibilities and privileges his readers have, as he will do in coming chapters.