There is a short introduction available for the book of 1 Peter. You can read it here.
Key Themes (1 Peter)
The book of 1 Peter, written by the Apostle Peter, is a letter addressed to Christians facing persecution and suffering. Peter encourages them to stand firm in their faith and live out their Christian identity despite the hardships they endure. The letter emphasizes hope, holiness, and perseverance in the face of trials. The key themes include:
- Suffering and Perseverance: A central theme in 1 Peter is the call to endure suffering with patience and perseverance. Peter encourages believers to see their trials as a test of faith that will result in praise and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed. This theme highlights the value of suffering as a means of spiritual growth and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith during difficult times.
- Hope and Salvation: Peter emphasizes the living hope that believers have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope is anchored in the promise of eternal life and the inheritance that is kept in heaven for them. This theme underscores the assurance of salvation and the hope of future glory, which empowers believers to endure present sufferings.
- Holiness and Christian Conduct: 1 Peter calls believers to live holy lives, reflecting the holiness of God. Peter urges them to abstain from sinful desires and to conduct themselves honorably among non-believers, so that their good deeds may glorify God. This theme emphasizes the importance of living a life that is set apart for God, characterized by moral integrity and good works.
- The Identity of Believers: Peter reminds Christians of their new identity in Christ, describing them as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession. This theme highlights the privileged status of believers as God’s people, who are called to declare His praises and live in a way that reflects their identity in Christ.
- Submission and Authority: Peter instructs believers to submit to human authorities, including government officials and employers, as a way of honoring God. He also addresses the relationship between husbands and wives, encouraging mutual respect and understanding. This theme emphasizes the importance of submission, not as a sign of weakness, but as an expression of faith and trust in God’s sovereignty.
- The Example of Christ’s Suffering: Peter points to Christ as the ultimate example of suffering and endurance. Jesus suffered unjustly, yet He did not retaliate or threaten, but entrusted Himself to God who judges justly. This theme encourages believers to follow Christ’s example in their own suffering, trusting that God will vindicate them in due time.
- The Role of Elders and Church Leadership: Peter addresses church leaders, urging them to shepherd the flock of God willingly and eagerly, not for personal gain but as examples to the believers. This theme highlights the responsibility of church leaders to care for the community with humility and integrity, serving as models of godly living.
- The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Peter warns believers to be alert and sober-minded, as the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. He encourages them to resist the devil by standing firm in their faith. This theme emphasizes the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for vigilance and resistance against the forces of evil.
- The Call to Mutual Love and Humility: Peter exhorts the Christian community to love one another deeply, to offer hospitality without grumbling, and to use their gifts to serve others. He also encourages humility, urging believers to humble themselves under God’s mighty hand. This theme underscores the importance of love, service, and humility in fostering a strong and supportive Christian community.
- God’s Faithfulness and Care: Throughout the letter, Peter reassures believers of God’s faithfulness and care for them, especially in times of suffering. He reminds them to cast all their anxieties on God, who cares for them and will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish them after they have suffered a little while. This theme emphasizes God’s unwavering support and the promise of His ultimate deliverance.
1 Peter is a letter of encouragement and exhortation, calling believers to stand firm in their faith amidst suffering and to live lives that reflect their identity in Christ. Through its themes of hope, holiness, submission, and the example of Christ’s suffering, Peter provides guidance for how to navigate the challenges of the Christian life, holding fast to the hope of eternal glory and trusting in God’s faithful care.
What I Noticed Today (1 Peter)
1 Peter 1
In verses 1-2, Peter opens the letter using the typical format: the author (Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ), the recipients (the dispersed Christians), and a greeting.
Note: Peter’s opening makes a point of reminding the readers they are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God and set apart by the Spirit (for service). The next phrase for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ describes the purpose of God’s election as a covenant relationship with man (Exodus 24:3-8), which comes through the blood of Christ.
In verses 3-12, Peter encourages the readers that it is through the resurrection of Christ that we have been born again:
- Praise God for He has given us a new birth into an inheritance that is imperishable through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- You are being protected by God’s power through faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed (in the rapture).
- You rejoice in this.
- You struggle in trials now, so the genuineness of your faith is refined and results in praise, glory, and honor at the return of Jesus.
- You love Him though you have not seen Him.
- You believe in Him and rejoice because you receive the goal of your faith; salvation.
- The message of grace given by the Old Testament prophets, has been revealed to you by those preaching the Gospel, directed by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.
In verses 13-25, Peter issues a call to the new believers to live a life of holiness befitting their new birth:
- Therefore (because these things have been revealed to you), prepare your minds and get serious about the grace brought to you by Jesus.
- Do not be conformed to the evil desires of the world.
- But be holy in all your conduct because the One who called you is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45).
- Conduct yourselves in reverent fear of God, who judges impartially.
- For you know, you were redeemed from an empty life by the precious blood of Christ.
- He (Jesus) was chosen before the foundation of the world to be made known to you, who, through believing in God who raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory, is your savior.
Note: The phrase “these last times” or “at the end of times” means these present times, whereas the phrase “the last time” refers to the coming age of Christ.
- Obedience to the truth should cause a sincere love for your brothers.
- Love one another earnestly since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God (Isaiah 40:6-8).
1 Peter 2
In verses 2-10, Peter calls on the believers to repent of their sins and live a holy life:
- Rid yourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
- Desire pure spiritual milk so that you may grow in your faith. (Psalm 34:8)
- You are living stones being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifice to God through Christ (Isaiah 28:16).
- Honor will come to you who believe.
- But those unbelievers will stumble because of their disobedience to God (rejection of God’s message) (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14).
- You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a possession of God (Deuteronomy 7:6, Exodus 19:6).
- Once you were not a people, but now you are.
- You had not received mercy, but now you have.
In verses 11-17, Peter urges the believers to live holy lives among Gentiles wherever they live and do good works, so your example will draw others to God.
- Avoid the fleshly desires that war against you.
- Conduct yourselves honorably so they will see your good works and glorify God.
- Submit to every human authority (obey the law) for the Lord’s sake.
- For it is God’s will that you silence foolish people by doing good.
Note: Apparently, Christians were being slandered, so Peter’s admonition is for them to obey the law and do good works to silence those who slandered them.
- As God’s slaves live as free people, but don’t use your freedom to conceal evil.
- Honor (respect) everyone, love Christian brothers, fear God, and honor (respect) the emperor.
In verses 18-25, Peter directed Christian slaves to submit to their masters:
- Household slaves submit to you masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.
Note: The Greek word translated “slaves” is not the word usually used for slaves, but the word meaning household servants.
- It brings favor from God to endure suffering unjustly.
- There is no credit if you sin and endure punishment because you deserved it.
- Peter uses Christ’s example of enduring unjust suffering:
- You were called to this because Christ suffered for you as an example for you.
- He did not commit sin when he was reviled by reviling back.
- He did not threaten but trusted God, who judges justly.
- He bore our sins upon the cross so that having died to sin, we might live in righteousness.
- His wounds healed you.
- You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- It is only through the grace of God that we have the strength to live as aliens in a foreign land. In some countries, very real persecution of Christians occurs on a daily basis. In other countries, Christians face the kind of slander that Peter refers to in this letter. Regardless, we are called to be a light to the world that others might see and come to Christ as a result of our witness.
- Our life in Christ is one of growth. Much like an infant who becomes a toddler, a teenager, and an adult, so too, we grow in our relationship with Christ. We become spiritually mature, not all at once but over time, and then, only if we pursue growth in Christ.
1 Peter 3
In verses 1-6, Peter gives instructions for wives regarding their Christian conduct:
- “In the same way” refers back to the previous section.
- Wives, submit to your husbands, even if some disobey the Christian message, so they may be won over by the way their wives behave.
Note: The instruction is specific to wives submitting to their own husbands, not to men in general. The purpose of maintaining their Godly behavior is to restore their husbands, or if they are unbelievers, to win them to Christ.
- Wives, your true beauty is not found in outward appearance, but the gentleness of spirit that resides in your heart.
- Peter refers to Sarah, who submitted to Abraham as an example of a Godly woman.
- You have become Sarah’s children (like Sarah) when you do what is good and are not fearful (putting their trust in God).
In verse 7, Peter instructs husbands “in the same way” live with your wives and show them honor as coheirs of grace, so your prayers will be answered.
Note: It is not clear if Peter’s reference to “grace of life” (or “gift of life”) refers to wives that are Christians or unbelievers. If Christians, it refers to their salvation. If unbelievers, it suggests treating them well may lead them to life with Christ and answered prayer.
Note: The word “weaker nature” relates to physical strength, not moral or intellectual capacity.
1 Peter 3:8-4:19
In the first two chapters, Peter’s emphasis was on practical matters of Christians living in a pagan society. In this next section, Peter warns of increased persecution of faithful Christians and how they should respond.
In verses 8-12, Peter directs the next section to everyone (“Finally”):
- You should be like-minded, sympathetic, love other believers, compassionate, humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult or insult.
- Rather, you should give a blessing. You were called for this so you can inherit a blessing. (Verses 8-9 summarize Psalm 34:12-16)
- Peter then quotes Psalm 34:12-16 making three points. If you love life:
- Then keep your tongue from evil and from speaking deceitfully.
- Turn away from evil; do what is good.
- Seek peace and pursue it.
- Because the eyes and ears of the Lord are upon the righteous and their requests, but He opposes those who do evil.
In verses 13-22, Peter discusses the believer’s response to underserved persecution results in blessing:
- Even if you should suffer for righteousness, you will be blessed.
- Do not fear (Isaiah 8:12) but honor the Lord.
- Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks about your Christian belief.
Note: The Greek word used for “defense” is apologian. It is where we get the English word apology, which originally meant to give a reasoned argument or a defense.
- But do it with respect and gentleness so that those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.
- It is better to suffer for doing good when it is God’s will than do evil.
- For Christ suffered for the sins of all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God.
- Verses 19-20 are difficult to interpret. Some scholars believe the reference was to Christ when He descended into Hell between His death and resurrection. Others believe it references Christ’s descent into Hell after His crucifixion to declare victory over fallen (evil) angels.
- Peter equates God waiting to save Noah and the eight people in the ark through the water with baptism, which now saves you through the resurrection of Christ.
- Christ is now at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
1 Peter 4
In 1 Peter 4, Peter’s focus is on Christian’s willingness to suffer as Christ did, to minister to one another, and to maintain their faith in God.
In verses 1-6, Peter discusses the Christ-like attitude:
- Therefore (referring to Christ’s suffering), since you know Christ suffered in the flesh, you should also be resolved to suffer, not for human desires, but for the will of God.
- You lived like pagans in the past, but now you must separate yourself from that lifestyle (debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and idolatry).
- They (the pagans) are surprised you don’t live like they do anymore, so they slander you.
- They will give an account to God. For this reason, the Gospel was preached to everyone. Some will reject it, but some will accept the Gospel and live by God.
In verses 7-11, Peter discusses Christ-like service:
- The end of all things is near (refers to Christ’s second coming).
- Therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer.
- Maintain intense love for one another (Proverbs 10:12).
- Be hospitable without complaining.
- Use your (spiritual) gifts to serve one another as good managers (stewards) of God’s grace.
- If anyone speaks, it should reflect God’s words. If anyone serves, it should be through God’s strength.
- Whether speaking or serving, it should be done to the glory of God.
In verses 12-19, Peter discusses the importance of enduring Christ-like faith:
- Do not be surprised when persecution (fiery trials) comes against you.
- Instead, rejoice that you share in the suffering Christ suffered so you can also rejoice at the revelation of His glory.
- If you are ridiculed in the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of the glory of God rests on you.
Note: This refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when someone makes a confession of faith in Christ.
- None of you should suffer for evil acts (murderer, thief, evildoer, meddler). Christians should behave in such a way that they are not guilty of these things.
- If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed but glorify God.
- For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s people. How much worse will the judgment be for those who reject God? (Proverbs 11:31)
- So those who suffer in God’s will, while doing good, should trust their faith in God.
1 Peter 5
In 1 Peter 5, Peter discusses new responsibilities within the church because of the coming persecution, the need for elders to care for the people, for young men to submit to their elders, and for everyone to maintain their faith.
In verses 1-4, Peter, as a fellow elder, addresses the elders:
- Shepherd God’s flock not out of compulsion but freely according to God’s will, not for money but eagerly, not lording over those entrusted to you but as examples.
- When the chief shepherd (Jesus) appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory.
In verses 5-7, Peter addresses young men:
- Younger men are subject to elders.
Note: The word for elders in verse 5 may refer to older, more senior men, not the office of an elder.
- Practice humility with one another because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble ((Proverbs 3:34).
- Humble yourselves under God so He can exalt you at the proper time.
- Put your cares on Him because He cares for you.
In verses 8-10, Peter concludes the letter with his final admonition to be strong in the faith:
- Be alert! The Devil is looking for anyone he can devour.
- Resist him and be firm in the faith.
- Know that you are experiencing the same sufferings as other believers around the world.
In verses 11-13, Peter issues his benediction and final encouragement:
- The God who called you into His glory in Christ Jesus will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you in your suffering.
- Take your stand in the true grace of God.
- The church in Babylon, also chosen, sends greetings as does Mark, my son.
- Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all who are in Christ.
Note: The Babylon Peter referred may be a disguised reference to Rome, or it may be the actual city of Babylon on the Euphrates River. In Revelation, the city of Babylon refers to Rome (Revelation 17:1, 18:10, 21).
Note: Mark was not Peter’s biological son, but John Mark, his son in the faith.
Some thoughts for further consideration:
- Christians continue to live in difficult times. Our testimony is demonstrated by the example we show as we live out our lives in Christ.
- With regards to our lifestyle, are we of the world, or have we separated ourselves living to God’s glory?
- Whatever suffering we endure for His name’s sake is nothing compared to His suffering on the cross. Nonetheless, it will earn us a crown of glory in heaven.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
