I. Introduction 1:1-2
II. The identity of Christians 1:3-2:10
A. Our great salvation 1:3-12
1. The hope of our salvation 1:3-5
2. The joy of our salvation 1:6-9
3. The witnesses of our salvation 1:10-12
B. Our new way of life 1:13-25
1. A life of holiness 1:13-16
2. A life of reverence 1:17-21
3. A life of love 1:22-25
C. Our priestly calling 2:1-10
1. Listening to God 2:1-3
2. Growing in God 2:4-5
3. Building on Christ 2:6-8
4. Summary affirmation of our identity 2:9-10
III. The responsibilities of Christians individually 2:11-4:11
A. Our mission in the world 2:11-12
B. Respect for others 2:13-3:12
1. Respect for everyone 2:13-17
2. Slaves' respect for their masters 2:18-25
3. Wives' respect for their husbands 3:1-6
4. Husbands' respect for their wives 3:7
5. The importance of loving enemies 3:8-12
C. Eventual vindication 3:13-4:6
1. Suffering for doing good 3:13-17
2. The vindication of Christ 3:18-22
3. Living with the promise in view 4:1-6
D. The importance of mutual love in end-times living 4:7-11
IV. The responsibilities of Christians corporately 4:12-5:11
A. The fiery trial 4:12-19
1. Suffering and glory 4:12-14
2. Suffering as Christians 4:15-19
B. The church under trial 5:1-11
1. The responsibilities of the elders 5:1-4
2. The responsibilities of the others 5:5
3. The importance of humility and trust in God 5:6-7
4. The importance of resisting the devil 5:8-11
VII. Conclusion 5:12-14
Note the essentially chiastic structure of thought in the letter, excluding the introduction and conclusion.
