The epistle of Peter was written by the apostle Peter, known to Jesus as Cephas, where he stated that upon this rock, I will build my Church. Peter was an important figure in the early church; “his fiery temperament, his quick resoluteness, his fearless courage, and his unreserved candor, were to be purified, glorified and confirmed by his love of Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Ghost[1]” The first epistle of Peter was written around 62-63 A.D., most likely from Rome during the reign of Nero.[2]
Peter is writing about a vast area in Asia Minor filled with converted Christians who have undergone great persecution and suffering. Peter “wants to shape their behavior in such a way as to overcome prejudice against them.[3]” He exhorts the faithful to stay steadfast in their belief and duties, knowing that Jesus Christ will reward them with “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5).[4] Like many of the other epistles written by Paul and James, Peter is comforting the believers to persevere through prejudice, by obedience to God; “ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1:14-16)
Although this letter is fairly short, it highlights many different themes that extol the virtues of God’s Kingdom. First, those who suffer as faithful followers of Christ will be proven worthy when Christ returns; (1:6-9; 2:18-25; 3:13-22; 4:12-19). Second, Christ died as a substitute for the fallen man. His death and resurrection are the basis for their new life; (1:17-21; 2:24; 3:13-22). Thirdly, Christians should live righteously in their domiciles and society, based on a new life in Christ with love and holiness; (2:11-3:7; 1:3; 1:13-2:3).[5]
Peter writes about the character of God and Jesus Christ. He regularly refers to Christ’s suffering and ties that into the life of the believer; “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” (3:18) He binds suffering with righteousness (3:8), and suffering as a Christian (4:12). This gives a certain nobility to suffering, as we can honor Christ, by suffering for his sake, as he suffered for our salvation.
Peter also writes about the caring nature of God, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (5:6-7). God, will reward those faithful in his service, restoring all to his eternal glory. This juxtaposition of God, the redeemer, and Christ, who suffered for our sins, is intentional on behalf of Peter to the disheartened. By interweaving the faithful, with Christ and Abba, Peter encourages the Church to stay sober-minded and joyful in their good works, that they too, are fulfilling the will of God, through tribulation, as Christ did.
The underlying message of this letter is aimed toward the mission of the Church. The people targeted in this letter were specifically getting persecuted because their sacrificial lifestyle, as practicing Christians, was setting them apart from local community interaction. “Sacrificial systems provide a way of effecting reconciliation as the cost is symbolically paid by the offending party and symbolically accepted by the other side.[6]” This was setting them up as outsiders and causing many (in the faith) to shadow back into obscurity.[7] Peter is standardizing the Church, calling them to stand firm in the face of opposition, and not allow themselves to muddy the waters with ignorance or debased behavior; “ For the past time suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. Concerning this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you, but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (4:3-5).
“Luther justly designates the Epistle of St. Peter as one of the most noble of the New Testament. It exhibits a wealth of thought, dignity, fervor, humility, love, a believing hope, and a readiness for the advent of Christ, in exact harmony with the individuality of the Apostle.[8]” First Peter is a wonderful kaleidoscope of struggle, grace, and duty. I appreciate Peter’s linkage of the Christian plight with that of the suffering servant. His passion for stewardship of God’s grace is poignant and naturally flows into living an exemplary life of obedience to God in the face of opposition. He lines out a life lived, with honor, while the world casts us out, for our belief. This is a great book for the Christian pariah, or outcast, as a philosophical treatise for those who feel that the Church is on the fringe. In this way, it relates to our twenty-first-century world of YouTube, Hollywood, and the twenty-four-hour news cycle. When we feel like society hedging out faith-based communities, we can turn to 1 Peter for guidance.
Bibliography
Childs, Brevard S. Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments: Theological Reflection on the Christian Bible. Fortress Press, 2011.
Desilva, David A. An Introduction to the New Testament: Context, Methods and Ministry Formation. InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Grudem, Wayne A. ESV Student Study Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway, 2017.
Marshall, I. Howard. New Testament Interpretation: Essays on Principles and Methods. Wipf & Stock, 2006.
“Peter and John.” MIN7012 W9 L2. New Testament Context and Theology, Mar. 2018, Warrensville, South University.
Schaff, P., et al. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: 1 Peter. Logos Bible Software, 2008.
Footnotes:
[1]P. Schaff et al., A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: 1 Peter (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008), 3.
[2] Introduction commentary, Wayne A. Grudem, ESV Student Study Bible: English Standard Version(Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017), 1669.
[3] David A. Desilva, An Introduction to the New Testament: Context, Methods and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2004), 841.
[4] All biblical scripture is quoted from the English Standard Version.
[5] Key Themes commentary, Wayne A. Grudem, ESV Student Study Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017), 1669.
[6] I. Howard. Marshall, New Testament Interpretation: Essays on Principles and Methods (Eugene, Or.: Wipf & Stock, 2006), 358.
[7] P. Schaff et al., A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: 1 Peter (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008), 6.
[8] Ibid, 6.
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