First Peter gives us a divine perspective on living as aliens and strangers in a world that is increasingly hostile to the gospel of Christ. Each of its five chapters alludes to suffering as a very real part of the Christian experience. This letter provides us with counsel and comfort in times of adversity and affliction by pointing us to the living hope we have in our relationship with Christ.
The resurrection transformed the life of Peter, and he played a key role in the formation of the early church and in the spread of the gospel from the Jews to both the Samaritans and the Gentiles. Peter apparently traveled extensively and ministered in various Roman provinces (1 Corinthians 9:5). According to tradition, he was crucified upside down in Rome prior to the death of Nero in AD 68, probably sometime in AD 64–66.
From Handbook to Scripture
Chapter 1
This epistle presents the grace of God in our salvation and uses this as the foundation for an attitude of submission in the context of suffering for Christ’s sake. It begins with a portrait of salvation in terms of the believer’s future hope of an imperishable inheritance (1:3–5), the joy that is available in spite of present trials (1:6–9), and the predictions of this salvation in the past (1:10–12).
From Handbook to Scripture
Chapter 2
In view of the gift of salvation, Peter urges believers to grow in holiness and to purify themselves in obedience to the truth (1:13–2:12). As “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (2:9), they should grow up in their salvation and manifest a new quality of life before a watching world. This gift of salvation is best expressed on a relational level by an attitude of submission and service to others (2:13–3:12). Believers should submit for the Lord’s sake to those in government and to those who personally have authority over them (2:13–20), and this attitude of submission to God’s purposes is best illustrated in the undeserved suffering of Christ (2:21–25) who suffered sinlessly, silently, and as a substitute for others.
From Handbook to Scripture
Chapter 3
Peter extends this theme of submission to the marital relationship (3:1–7) and to the pursuit of harmonious relationships with others (3:8–12). Submission to the Lordship of Christ may lead to suffering for His sake, and Peter encourages his readers to order their lives in such a way that those who slander them will be ashamed (3:13–17). Peter also points to the work of Christ in bringing about their salvation (3:18–22).
From Handbook to Scripture
Chapter 4
Peter urges his readers to live no longer in the lusts of the flesh, but in God’s power and in service to one another (4:1–11). If they suffer for the sake of Christ, they should commit themselves to the Lord and continue in His service (4:12–19).
From Handbook to Scripture
First Peter develops the theme of a biblical response to suffering in the lives of believers. Peter could anticipate a growing wave of persecution among those who follow Christ, and it appears that he wrote this epistle not long before Christianity was declared to be an illegal religion. He wanted his readers to be prepared to persevere under adversity and not to be surprised at the painful trial they were suffering, as though something strange were happening to them (4:12). Instead, they should rejoice that they are participating in the sufferings of Christ, because they will exult at the revelation of His glory (4:13).
Chapter 5
Peter exhorts the elders to serve as examples to their flocks and encourages all his readers to pursue a lifestyle of humility and hope. He reminds his readers that their brethren throughout the world were also undergoing the same kind of sufferings (5:9), and that they were not in a unique situation. Peter wanted to encourage them to submit to God and His loving purposes for their lives and to draw on His strength in the present while maintaining a clear hope of their heavenly future. Thus, the more they realize that they are strangers and aliens in the world, and that their true destiny and home is eternal glory in the presence of the Lord, the better they will be able to stand fast in the true grace of God (5:12).
From Handbook to Scripture