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

What is indicated by the verb's being in the passive?

1 Peter 1:2 (ESV)

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

The fact that the verb is in the passive mode (be multiplied) indicates that the multiplication of both grace and peace are gifts from another (God) as opposed to the result of the exiles’ own efforts. God would grant growth in grace and peace in part through the readers working with what Peter writes in this letter.