1–Peter
Introduction to the book of 1–Peter
First–Peter is about maintaining hope in the midst of suffering. Because Jesus Himself suffered, and because God can be trusted to put all things right, Peter counsels believers to maintain their faith in Jesus. Believers should do so even when they are being persecuted, mocked, and misunderstood; they should also imitate Jesus by enduring unjust suffering with grace. Hardships are bound to come in this life, but they do not have the last word. First–Peter has the single focus of encouraging Christians to exhibit faithfulness under the pressure arising from persecution. The believers to whom Peter wrote were in the midst of such “fiery trials.” The culture in which they lived scorned their faith, criticized their morality, and mocked their hope. Peter calls on readers to respond to this pressure with a renewed commitment to live out the grace of God, both to please God and to bear witness to his grace. First–Peter provided encouragement to suffering believers living in northern Asia Minor who faced intense persecution. The letter encourages faithfulness while under oppression. Specifically, God’s holy people should lead distinctive lifestyles as temporary residents in a foreign land. Although they will suffer for Christ while in this non-Christian world, they should remember that heaven is their future homeland. Theme & Overview
Peter gives instructions on holy living for those suffering persecution. Those who persevere in faith while suffering persecution should be full of hope, for they will certainly enjoy end-time salvation since they are already enjoying God’s saving promises here and now through the death and resurrection of Christ. First Peter teaches that God can use difficulties to strengthen Christians and their witness. Knowing this can bring hope. The “NIV Quest Study Bible” encourages you to read 1 Peter to discover how faith, refined by suffering, can help you see the Lord more clearly. It gives valuable advice for holding firm in difficult times. The apostle Peter saw that increasing hardship and persecution had scattered believers, which spread their witness but caused some to wonder if God had abandoned them. Peter wrote to encourage them, offering them hope and meaning in the midst of their suffering. The thanksgiving section of 1 Peter (1:3–12) sets a tone of encouragement that runs throughout the letter. The readers are meant to see their difficult circumstances through a lens of hope, looking to Christ for strength. Peter knows that those who choose to follow Christ are no longer completely at home in this world. They are foreigners—not yet out of this world, but not fully part of it any longer (2:11). They are set apart as God’s holy priesthood, part of the temple that has been built on Christ the cornerstone (2:4–5). As such, they should not be surprised if the world does not understand them—or in some circumstances even persecutes them. But Peter’s solution is not for Christians to remove themselves from the world. Instead, they are to follow Jesus’ example by enduring persecution without protesting (2:19–21). Not only that, but the patient endurance of opposition and mocking might cause the persecutors to see Christian faith in a new light (2:12, 15). The believers are to show faithfulness and courage by remaining within the world that doesn’t understand them, not by seeking to resolve that tension by running away. Christians can place their faith in God, who will restore them in the end (5:10). Just as Jesus suffered and then triumphed, so Christians are to persevere, knowing that they have a living hope that will be made visible when Jesus returns (1:3–7). Followers of Jesus should expect to feel like strangers on this earth—and precisely within their hostile environment, they are called to embrace every opportunity to speak and act in honor of Christ, the one who, by His suffering, reconciled all people to God.Author
The apostle Peter. Simon Peter, known as a leader among the twelve apostles. Though he denied Jesus three times the night He was betrayed, Jesus restored Peter to leadership. Peter was the main speaker at Pentecost (Acts 2), suffered for his faith, and fled Jerusalem after a miraculous escape from Herod around AD 42 (Acts 12). Little is known of his ministry after this time, though he was at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) and in Antioch with Paul near this time (Galatians 2:11–14). Peter likely ministered among the areas mentioned in the first verse. Tradition notes that Peter died as a martyr under Nero in Rome around AD 65.Recipients
General Epistles are also known as "catholic epistles," meaning they are written to a general audience, rather than to a specific person or church. Peter was written to "those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (1 Peter 1:1). These probably included both Gentile and Jewish believers, though Peter's ministry focused primarily on Jews. Peter had probably traveled to at least some of these locations and was now writing to encourage and instruct the believers there who faced various challenges and persecutions.Date
Tradition teaches that Peter ministered in Rome during the AD 60s. In addition, the theme of suffering is strong, indicating the letter may have been written from Rome under Nero's persecution in AD 64 or 65. Since Peter died during this persecution around AD 65, the letter was written by this time.Background
The author of 1 Peter identifies himself as the Apostle Peter and a witness of the sufferings and resurrection of Christ (1 Pet 1:1; 5:1). The early church widely accepted this view. However, there is some modern discussion about whether the letter’s content reflects a later period; this would indicate that one of Peter’s associates compiled the letter based on his teachings. The recipients of 1 Peter are identified as God’s people scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1:1)—all regions of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The letter seems to have been written to encourage Christians in these regions as they faced localized ostracism and persecution in reaction to their distinctively Christian perspective on social relationships and ethics. The letter probably was written from Rome. First Peter 5:13 conveys a greeting from Babylon—a metaphorical reference to the capital city of the Roman Empire (see Rev 17:5, 9). If Peter was the author, the letter must have been written sometime before the mid-60s AD. According to tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome around that time, during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Nero.Key Verses (ESV)
1 Peter 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."1 Peter 2:24: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."1 Peter 5:8–9: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."Key Passages (NLT)
1 Pe 1:1–7, “This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a…”1 Pe 2:5–12, “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and….”1 Pe 3:14–4:3, “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and….”1 Pe 4:11–5:1, “Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever….”1 Pe 5:9–13, “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while,….”Structure
Like other ancient letters, 1 Peter includes a formal greeting (1 Pet 1:1–2) and closing (5:12–14) that frame the main message. Immediately after the greeting, Peter thanks God for the salvation and hope that He has provided (1:3–12). Peter then urges readers to be holy in everything they do (1:13–2:10). The next section gives practical advice about living as Christians, particularly when it comes to navigating authority (2:11–3:12). Peter also addresses the hardships of his readers, saying that they are to follow Christ’s example in endurance of suffering (3:13–4:19). The main part of the letter concludes by encouraging believers’ conduct to model humble obedience to Christ (5:1–11). This is followed by some closing remarks.Outline 1
• Salutation and thanksgiving (1:1–12) • Exhortation to holiness (1:13–2:10) • Living as Christians in the world (2:11–3:12) • Living with persecution (3:13–4:19) • Appeal to elders and final greetings (5:1–14)Outline 2
The book's five chapters cover three main themes. The first section focuses on salvation (1 Peter 1:1—2:11). Believers are saved and preserved by God's power (1 Peter 1:3–5). God is with us despite persecution as predicted by past prophets (1 Peter 1:6–12). Believers therefore persevere by hope (1 Peter 1:13–21) through the love and power of Christ (1 Peter 1:22—2:10).The second section discusses Christian living before others (1 Peter 2:11—4:6). This includes a variety of unbelievers such as governing authorities (1 Peter 2:11–17), masters (1 Peter 2:18–25), and family members (1 Peter 3:1–7). Believers are also called to live well among other believers (1 Peter 3:8–12). Suffering poses much difficulty for believers, yet those who follow Jesus must face it well (1 Peter 3:13—4:6).The third section discusses the future and how Christians are called to live in light of it (1 Peter 4:7—5:11). Since Jesus could return at any time, believers are to live responsibly, not be surprised at trials, and "entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good" (1 Peter 4:7–19). Leaders are specifically addressed (1 Peter 5:1–4). Peter concludes the letter with exhortations for humility, reminders of God's care, and a call to be cautious of Satan's schemes and stand firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:5–9). Peter emphasizes the future triumph of believers through God's restoration (1 Peter 5:10–11) and ends with final greetings (1 Peter 5:12–14).