1st Peter
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Situation
These Christians were facing imminent persecution under Roman emperor Nero, and Peter is writing to encourage them and prepare them for what is coming.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (1 Pet. 4:12-14 NASB95)
Notice as you read through Peter, that he says the same things that Paul does, and that John does, though in different words. It is the same Holy Spirit who speaks through all of them.
But even more, like James, Peter echos the teachings of his Master
Author and Audience and Date
Author: Peter, with Silvanus as amanuensis (secretary)
Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. (1 Pet. 5:12 NASB95)
- this accounts for why the style of 2nd Peter is so much different than 1st Peter, which fairly good Greek
And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. (Matt. 16:17-18 NASB95)
- He denies the Lord 3 times, and is graciously restored by Him in a 3-fold way, complete with a charcoal fire (healing the memory)
- God saves and uses the worst sinners - Paul and Peter are great examples of this.
Audience: Gentile Christians in Asia Minor
They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; (Acts 16:6-7 NASB95)
- Paul and his companions were prohibited by the Holy Spirit to go into these regions
- Apparently this work was reserved for Peter
Date: c. AD 62, from Rome, during the reign of Nero, by whom Peter would later be martyred.
She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. (1 Pet. 5:13 NASB95)
Outline
- Greeting and Blessing (1 Peter 1.1-2 NASB95)
- The Blessings of our Salvation (1 Peter 1.3-12 NASB95)
- The Implications of our Salvation (1 Peter 1.13-2.10 NASB95)
- Instructions and Exhortations (1 Peter 2.11-4.11 NASB95)
- Responding to Suffering (1 Peter 4.12-5.11 NASB95)
- Final Greetings (1 Peter 5.12-14 NASB95)
The Greeting
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. (1 Pet. 1:1-2 NASB95)
What stands out to you in this greeting?
- we are all stranger and pilgrims
- “scattered” = διασπορά “scattered as seed”
-
consider the original persecution that arose after Stephen’s death. God sent the word out.
- Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Grace and Peace - this is the Gospel. Peter is speaking the Gospel over them. “I just want to speak the name of Jesus”
Themes
Peter gives the summary of what he has written in this letter as he concludes:
I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! (1 Pet. 5:12 NASB95)
- The true grace of God
- Stand firm in it!
Standing Firm
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 1:13 NASB95)
like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. (1 Pet. 2:2-3 NASB95)
- In other words, don’t lose your first love!
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Pet. 2:12 NASB95)
Knowing
What is the first thing Peter does to encourage them?
- Focus off of me and my troubles, and onto God and His goodness to us!
- Rejoices with his readers in our glorious inheritance in Jesus
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet. 1:3-5 NASB95)
- Alliteration: ἄφθαρτον καὶ ἀμίαντον καὶ ἀμάραντον
- Contrasting our inheritance with the inheritance of Israel: imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9-10 NASB95)
- Reminding us of our IDENTITY in Christ.
- Knowing comes first, then doing
- Indicatives, then imperatives
Doing
The Character of Standing Firm
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Pet. 1:15-16 NASB95)
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. (1 Pet. 2:16-17 NASB95)
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; (1 Pet. 3:8 NASB95)
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. (1 Pet. 4:7-9 NASB95)
Suffering and Glory
if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so 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; (1 Pet. 1:6-7 NASB95)
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. (1 Pet. 1:10-11 NASB95)
- we follow in His steps: the cross first, and then the crown
- it was the Spirit of Christ who spoke through the prophets!
Highlights
Following Jesus
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. (1 Pet. 2:21-25 NASB95)
Commission
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. (1 Pet. 3:15-16 NASB95)
- Sanctify = to revere, regard as holy
- “make a defense” = give a reason
- “Always be ready” means that you must grow in the Word always longing for it “like newborn babes” (1 Peter 2.2 NASB95)
Assignment
Preparing
- Read 1st Peter
- Read chapter 21 of Introducing the New Testament (1st Peter)
- Watch The Bible Project 1st Peter
Always be ready!
