Overview of 1 Peter for New Testament Reading
Alienated,
torn apart, devastated, and overwhelmed— these feelings that can wash over us
when something bad happens in our lives. Suffering takes many forms—physical
abuse, debilitating disease, social ostracism, intense persecution for doing
the right thing. The pain and anguish are the enemy’s attempts to turn us back
from the Lord, to give up, to give in and surrender to this world’s ways.
Many
followers of Christ in the first century no doubt had these feelings of anguish
and suffering as they were abused and persecuted for believing in and obeying
Jesus Christ, the risen Savior. At the hands of Jewish brothers they were
tormented and ostracized to the point of fleeing for their very existence on
the earth. They were scattered like nomads without homes or property. As they
went forth with the eternal hope but no earthly possessions they found that the
Gentile world was just as cruel and unbelieving, hence persecution followed
them wherever they went, but also the joy of Christ and eternal salvation. They
would not bow the knee to Caesar.
Peter knew
all too well this torment as he wrote his letter of encouragement to these
suffering Christians around the years of 62-64 AD. He probably wrote from Rome
as the great persecution under Emperor Nero began, which would soon take
Peter’s earthly life from him. Tradition holds that he was crucified upside
down in Rome for His Savior. He had previously been beaten and jailed, threatened
often with attacks from those opposed to Christ and His message. But, nothing
on this earth could shake the faith of this great man of God who was one of
Jesus’ closest disciples during His earthly ministry.
So Peter
offers comfort, hope, and abiding joy through Christ as he urged continued
loyalty to the Lord even in desperate times.
Major Themes:
Salvation- This
gracious gift of God is emphasized over and over in the letter. God chose us
out of His great love and Jesus is clearly marked as the One who died to pay
the penalty of our sin, was buried and resurrected (made alive) for our
benefit. The Holy Spirit cleanses us from sin through the blood of Christ’s
work when we believe. Eternal life is the wonderful gift for those who trust in
the Savior. Our safety and security are in God. Our hope is fixed completely on
Him (1 Peter 1:13). This should motivate us to greater commitment and Christian
fever.
Persecution- We
should expect ridicule, rejection, and suffering when we are in Christ.
Persecution makes us stronger because it refines our faith. We can face
persecution victoriously, as Christ did, if we rely on Him in distress. Don’t
let persecution terrify you and hold you back. Eternal life in Christ is given
to us, which instills confidence, patience, and hope to stand firm as good
soldiers of the cross.
God’s Family- We
have a special privilege as God’s chosen people adopted into His eternal
family. This community has Christ as its founder and foundation. Everyone in
this family is related—brothers and sisters, loved equally by God. We must
accept the challenge to live differently from the society around us in this
brotherhood of love.
Family Life- Peter
encouraged the wives of unbelievers to submit to their husbands’ authority as a
means of winning them to Christ. He urged husbands to honor their wives and
lead as Christ leads the church. He urged all family members to treat others
with sympathy, love, compassion, and humility.
Judgment- God will
judge everyone with perfect justice. We will all face God one day. He will
punish evildoers and those who persecute God’s people. Those who love Him will
be rewarded with life forever in His presence. Because all are accountable to
God, we can leave judgment of others to Him. We must not hate or resent those
who persecute us. We should realize that we will be held responsible for how we
live each day.
Structure:
Peter begins by thanking God for
salvation (1:2-6). He explains to his readers that trials will refine their
faith (1:7-9). They should believe is spite of their circumstances; for many in
past ages believed in God’s plan of salvation, even the prophets of old who
wrote about it but didn’t understand it completely. But now salvation has been
revealed in Christ Jesus (1:10-13).
In response to such a great
salvation, Peter commands them to live holy lives (1:14-16), to reverently fear
and trust God (1:17-21), to be honest and loving (2:1-3), and to become like
Christ (2:1-3).
Jesus Christ is the “living
cornerstone” upon whom the church is to be built (2:4, 6), but is also the
stone that was rejected, causing those who are disobedient to stumble and fall
(2:7-8). But the church, built upon this stone, is to be God’s holy priesthood
(2:9-10).
Next, Peter explains how believers
should live during difficult times (2:11-4:11). Christians should live above
reproach (2:12-17), imitating Christ in all their social roles—masters and
servants, husbands and wives, church members and neighbors (2:18-3:17). Christ
should be our model for obedience to God in the midst of great suffering
(3:18-4:11).
Peter then outlines the right
attitude to have about persecution: Expect it (4:12), be thankful for the
privilege to suffer for Christ (4:13-18), and trust God for deliverance (4:19).
Next, Peter gives some special instructions:
Elders should care for God’s flock (5:1-4), young men should be submissive to
those who are older (5:5-6), and everyone should trust God and resist Satan
(5:7-11). Peter concludes by introducing Silas and by sending personal
greetings, possibly from the church in Rome, and from Mark (5:12-14).
Key Verse:
1 Peter 1:7 that the proof of your faith, being more
precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be
found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ;
*Notes from this overview were aided by:
New American Standard
Bible: Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Mich.: 1995,
pgs. 2196-2197.
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