1 Peter 1:13-25 draws of the consequences of the preceding verses (vv. 3-12) to the life-style of the Christian community. Christians have been given a new birth (v. 3) into a heavenly inheritance (v. 4) through the gospel proclaimed to them (v. 12). For a little while they will be in the midst of diverse tribulations, but they are preserved by God until the moment when Christ is revealed. So now they are exhorted to have their minds prepared with hopes perfectly fixed "on the grace offered" to them until the manifestation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-12 is the opening berakah of the epistle. A berakah is a blessing addressed to God . In 1 Peter, it sets the theological motive for the rest of the epistle which has three main parts (Dalton, "First Epistle of Peter" in NJBC) : The Dignity of the Christian Vocation and its Responsibilities (1:3-2:10), The Witness of Christian Life (2:11-3:12), and The Christian and Persecution (3:13-5:11). The sub-section constituted by 1:3-12 is set apart from 1:13 by the word Dio, (dio) "therefore", which begins another sub-section on the vocation to holiness (1:13-2:10).

The early Christians thought of the coming of the Lord as something that will happen in their generation. It was an awaited event that gave rise to a lot of expectations (good for those who believe, bad for the wicked) and understandably to a lifestyle that was forged according to the requirements of that event. But the "parousia" seemed to delay. Days and months and years came and went by but the awaited Day of Vindication and Judgment did not. There were groups who began to feel disappointed; others even began to feel disappointment. "Where is His promised Advent?" they said. And others: "No, the changes we expect will not come." Out of this disappointment, even bitterness, Christians began to backslide. Faith began to cool down. It is in the light of this situation that 2 Peter 3:8-14 is to be understood.