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Introduction 1 Peter and Some Thoughts
I've talked about 1 Peter before in our sermon series on suffering. This book has a lot do say about suffering and is very important in that regard. Right from the beginning Peter gives us the framework by which to understand both this book and our lives as Christians. We are saints (the elect) and strangers. We must always live with the tension that we are in this world, but it is ultimately not our home. As he continues on in this chapter, he tells us how to make it through suffering: hold on to the hope of our inheritance - that we will one day be with God and be fully sons and daughters. There is much more to say, but not enough time to say it. Enjoy the chapter!
Here's some introductory material on this book:
"AUTHORSHIP
A. Internal evidence for the Apostle Peter’s authorship
1. specifically stated in 1:1
2. allusions to the words and life experiences of Jesus and the Twelve
a. examples taken from E. G. Selwyn’s The First Epistle of St. Peter, 1946
(1) 1:3-John 21:27
(2) 1:7–9-Luke 22:31; Mark 8:29
(3) 1:10–12- Luke 24:25ff; Acts 15:14ff
(4) 3:15 -Mark 14:29, 71
(5) 5:2-John 21:15ff
b. examples taken from Alan Stibbbs’ The First Epistle General of Peter, 1971
(1) 1:16-Matt. 5:48
(2) 1:17-Matt. 22:16
(3) 1:18-Mark 10:45
(4) 1:22-John 15:12
(5) 2:4-Matt. 21:42ff
(6) 2:19-Luke 6:32; Matt. 5:39
(7) 3:9-Matt. 5:39
(8) 3:14-Matt. 5:10
(9) 3:16-Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28
(10) 3:20-Matt. 24:37–38
(10) 4:11-Matt. 5:16
(12) 4:13-Matt. 5:10ff
(13) 4:18-Matt. 24:22
(14) 5:3-Matt. 20:25
(15) 5:7-Matt. 6:25ff
3. words and phrases similar to Peter’s sermons in Acts
a. 1:20-Acts 2:23
b. 2:7–8-Acts 4:10–11
c. 2:24-Acts 5:30; 10:39 (esp. use of the Greek term xylon for cross)
d. 4:5-Acts 10:45
4. contemporary first century missionary comparisons
a. Silvanus (Silas)-5:12
b. Mark (John Mark)-5:13
RECIPIENTS
A. Typical of first century letters, the recipients are noted in 1:1 as “those who reside as aliens scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” These Roman provinces (assuming Galatia is northern ethnic Galatia) are located in northern modern Turkey. These areas are apparently places that Paul did not evangelize (cf. Acts 16:6) nor did Peter (cf. 1:12). Possibly these churches originated from Jewish converts who returned home after Pentecost (cf. Acts 2:9–11).
B. Although these churches may have originally been started by Jewish believers at the time of Peter’s writing, they were mostly Gentile
1. formerly ignorant of God (1:14)
2. futile ways of life inherited from their forefathers (1:18)
3. now God’s people (2:9–10, a play on Hosea 1:9–10; 2:23)
4. among the Gentiles (2:12)
5. lists of Gentile vices (4:3–4)
C. The book does contain Jewish elements
1. the use of the terms “aliens” and “diaspora” reflect a Jewish setting (cf. John 7:35; Acts 7:6)
2. the use of OT Scriptures
a. Exodus 19 (cf. 2:5, 9)
b. Isaiah 53 (cf. 1:19; 2:22, 24, 25)
However, these examples do not necessarily reflect a Jewish church, but
1. the transfer of OT titles from Israel to the church (i.e. “a kingdom of priests”)
a. 2:5
b. 2:9
2. a church training document (i.e. catechism materials for new believers), which employed OT Messianic texts
a. 1:19–Isaiah 53:7 (i.e. Lamb)
b. 2:22–Isaiah 53:5
c. 2:24–Isaiah 53:4, 5, 11, 12
d. 2:25–Isaiah 53:6
D. Although Peter was called specifically to minister to Jews (cf. Gal. 2:8), he, like Paul, worked with both Jews and Gentiles (cf. Acts 10). Cornelius’ conversion showed Peter the radical inclusiveness of the gospel! I Peter reflects this new realization.
PURPOSE
A. I Peter has both a doctrinal and practical aspect. However, as Paul divided his letters into a beginning section on doctrine and a concluding section on application, Peter merges the two. His book is much more difficult to outline. In many ways it reflects a sermon more than a letter.
B. The major issue discussed is suffering and persecution. This is done in two ways.
1. Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of suffering and rejection (cf. 1:11; 2:21, 23; 3:18; 4:1, 13; 5:1).
2. Jesus’ followers are called on to emulate His pattern and attitude (cf. 1:6–7; 2:19; 3:13–17; 4:1, 12–19; 5:9–10).
C. In light of the suffering and persecutions so common in the early years of Christianity, it is not surprising how often the Second Coming is mentioned. This book, like most NT writings, is thoroughly eschatological." [1]
Introduction 1 Peter and Some Thoughts
I've talked about 1 Peter before in our sermon series on suffering. This book has a lot do say about suffering and is very important in that regard. Right from the beginning Peter gives us the framework by which to understand both this book and our lives as Christians. We are saints (the elect) and strangers. We must always live with the tension that we are in this world, but it is ultimately not our home. As he continues on in this chapter, he tells us how to make it through suffering: hold on to the hope of our inheritance - that we will one day be with God and be fully sons and daughters. There is much more to say, but not enough time to say it. Enjoy the chapter!
Here's some introductory material on this book:
"AUTHORSHIP
A. Internal evidence for the Apostle Peter’s authorship
1. specifically stated in 1:1
2. allusions to the words and life experiences of Jesus and the Twelve
a. examples taken from E. G. Selwyn’s The First Epistle of St. Peter, 1946
(1) 1:3-John 21:27
(2) 1:7–9-Luke 22:31; Mark 8:29
(3) 1:10–12- Luke 24:25ff; Acts 15:14ff
(4) 3:15 -Mark 14:29, 71
(5) 5:2-John 21:15ff
b. examples taken from Alan Stibbbs’ The First Epistle General of Peter, 1971
(1) 1:16-Matt. 5:48
(2) 1:17-Matt. 22:16
(3) 1:18-Mark 10:45
(4) 1:22-John 15:12
(5) 2:4-Matt. 21:42ff
(6) 2:19-Luke 6:32; Matt. 5:39
(7) 3:9-Matt. 5:39
(8) 3:14-Matt. 5:10
(9) 3:16-Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28
(10) 3:20-Matt. 24:37–38
(10) 4:11-Matt. 5:16
(12) 4:13-Matt. 5:10ff
(13) 4:18-Matt. 24:22
(14) 5:3-Matt. 20:25
(15) 5:7-Matt. 6:25ff
3. words and phrases similar to Peter’s sermons in Acts
a. 1:20-Acts 2:23
b. 2:7–8-Acts 4:10–11
c. 2:24-Acts 5:30; 10:39 (esp. use of the Greek term xylon for cross)
d. 4:5-Acts 10:45
4. contemporary first century missionary comparisons
a. Silvanus (Silas)-5:12
b. Mark (John Mark)-5:13
RECIPIENTS
A. Typical of first century letters, the recipients are noted in 1:1 as “those who reside as aliens scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” These Roman provinces (assuming Galatia is northern ethnic Galatia) are located in northern modern Turkey. These areas are apparently places that Paul did not evangelize (cf. Acts 16:6) nor did Peter (cf. 1:12). Possibly these churches originated from Jewish converts who returned home after Pentecost (cf. Acts 2:9–11).
B. Although these churches may have originally been started by Jewish believers at the time of Peter’s writing, they were mostly Gentile
1. formerly ignorant of God (1:14)
2. futile ways of life inherited from their forefathers (1:18)
3. now God’s people (2:9–10, a play on Hosea 1:9–10; 2:23)
4. among the Gentiles (2:12)
5. lists of Gentile vices (4:3–4)
C. The book does contain Jewish elements
1. the use of the terms “aliens” and “diaspora” reflect a Jewish setting (cf. John 7:35; Acts 7:6)
2. the use of OT Scriptures
a. Exodus 19 (cf. 2:5, 9)
b. Isaiah 53 (cf. 1:19; 2:22, 24, 25)
However, these examples do not necessarily reflect a Jewish church, but
1. the transfer of OT titles from Israel to the church (i.e. “a kingdom of priests”)
a. 2:5
b. 2:9
2. a church training document (i.e. catechism materials for new believers), which employed OT Messianic texts
a. 1:19–Isaiah 53:7 (i.e. Lamb)
b. 2:22–Isaiah 53:5
c. 2:24–Isaiah 53:4, 5, 11, 12
d. 2:25–Isaiah 53:6
D. Although Peter was called specifically to minister to Jews (cf. Gal. 2:8), he, like Paul, worked with both Jews and Gentiles (cf. Acts 10). Cornelius’ conversion showed Peter the radical inclusiveness of the gospel! I Peter reflects this new realization.
PURPOSE
A. I Peter has both a doctrinal and practical aspect. However, as Paul divided his letters into a beginning section on doctrine and a concluding section on application, Peter merges the two. His book is much more difficult to outline. In many ways it reflects a sermon more than a letter.
B. The major issue discussed is suffering and persecution. This is done in two ways.
1. Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of suffering and rejection (cf. 1:11; 2:21, 23; 3:18; 4:1, 13; 5:1).
2. Jesus’ followers are called on to emulate His pattern and attitude (cf. 1:6–7; 2:19; 3:13–17; 4:1, 12–19; 5:9–10).
C. In light of the suffering and persecutions so common in the early years of Christianity, it is not surprising how often the Second Coming is mentioned. This book, like most NT writings, is thoroughly eschatological." [1]
[1] Robert James Dr. Utley, vol. Volume 2, The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International, 2000), 206-09.
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