General Information | |
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| Name | This is the first letter written by Peter. |
| Author and Date | 1:1 identifies the author as “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ”. Aside from this, there is strong evidence internally that Peter is the author. The language of the letter shows someone who was intimately familiar with Jesus’ words, indicating the author was an apostle who was taught by Jesus. Externally, 1 Peter was accepted early and almost universally in the early church. Clement (ca A.D. 96) referred to the letter 15 times. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, quoted 1 Peter as well. Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian quote it as well, often by name. The authorship of 1 Peter was not questioned until modern times. Some scholars think Peter’s teachings are too close to Paul’s and that the persecutions mentioned came too late to be spoken of by Peter. They also questioned whether an “unlearned” Galilean Jew could have written this letter. However, that two authors of letters in the New Testament taught similar things is understandable, if not expected. Also, although widespread persecution began by Domitian around A.D. 95, Christians were persecuted locally in the Roman empire from the very beginning of the Church. Finally, while it is true Peter was not a schooled man, he almost certainly spoke Greek. Moreover, it is likely he used an amanuensis who would have been trained in the Greek, so the language of the letter is not a problem. Paul doesn’t mention Peter being in Rome when Paul was writing his letters from there between 60-62. Neither does Peter mention Paul being with him in his letters, so it is probable the letters were written after 62. Moreover, according to tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome in A.D. 67, so the letter must have been written before that time. Some think Peter’s admonition to obey government authorities (2:13-15) means he wrote the letter before Nero’s official persecutions began in 64. Thus, the date for the writing of the letter is probably sometime from A.D. 62-64. |
| Audience | Peter addresses his first letter to “the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1:1). The word translated “dispersion” is literally “diaspora.” Even at this time, this term was used to describe Jews who lived outside of Israel. However, the word “pilgrims” is literally “sojourners,” a term used to describe all Christians. Peter used many allusions and quotations from the Old Testament (cf. 1:16; 24-25; 2:6-8; 22; 3:10-12; 5:5), assuming his readers were familiar with it. Peter also seems to indicate that some of those in his audience were saved out of paganism (1:14, 18; 2:9-10; 4:1-4). Taking all this into consideration, it seems Peter was writing to all Christians in the provinces he mentions, which basically cover all of eastern and northern Asia Minor. |
| Message and Occasion | 1 Peter is written as a message of hope and an encouragement to stand firm in the face of suffering and persecution. Peter reminds his audience that the current sufferings are temporary and pale in comparison to the joys of the next life. Christians at this time were often the objects of derision and even violence. Gentile Christians were considered to have abandoned the true gods and were responsible for their wrath, in the form of plagues, droughts, earthquakes, and all manner of other disasters. Jewish Christians were considered to have abandoned the faith of their fathers and were cast out of the synagogue community. Christians were often poor, if not slaves and had no legal recourse for this persecution. They would not have been blamed for being discouraged and even doubtful of their new faith. |
Key Information | |
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| Key Verses | 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 2:20-25 “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 3:15-16 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” 5:8-11 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” |
Important Theology in 1 Peter | |
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| Salvation | Peter reminds his audience that Jesus came to endure the suffering on the cross to save them from their slavery to sin. (3:18; 4:1) They are “not redeemed with corruptible things” but “with the blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1:18-19). |
| Assurance | Peter taught that Christians have been “born again” (1:23) to a “living hope” to an “inheritance” of eternal life that is “incorruptible and undefiled that does not fade away.” (1:3-5) |
| Election | Peter reassures his audience that they are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God” (1:2), that God “called” them (1:15), that they are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” and “the people of God.” (2:9-10). They are “called” to “eternal glory by Jesus Christ” (5:10) |
General Outline | |
Greetings (1:1-2) | |
Used by permission. ©2017 H. Wayne House, Charting the New Testament. All Rights Reserved.