A.Trials can cause a Christian to become either discouraged and bitter or strengthened and joyful.How a Christian responds to trials will determine which of these outcomes will result.
B.The first epistle of Peter gives Christians directions and encouragement so that when trials are encountered, the best outcome might be realized.
C.Presently, let us begin a study of 1Peter entitled, “Victory Through Submission and Suffering.”
II.BACKGROUND
A.The author of this epistle is the apostle Peter.
1.This is stated explicitly in the first verse – “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ…”
2.A few scholars dispute Peter’s authorship today, but it was accepted by the early non-biblical writers (Papias, Clement of Rome, Irenaeus, Eusebius) dating to the early second century.
3.Consider the development of Peter’s character as revealed in the Bible.
a.As a young man who followed Jesus of Nazareth, Peter was impetuous and self-assured as demonstrated by his actions at Sea of Galilee (Matt. 14:22-33), the Lord’s transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8), the last supper before the Lord’s crucifixion (Matt. 26:31-35; John 13:3-10), Gethsemane (John 18:10-11), and the trials of Jesus (Matt. 26:69-75).
b.Even after preaching the gospel for several years, Peter was still subject to bias and poor judgment (Gal. 2:11-21).
c.However, the apostle who wrote 1Peter was a wiser, older man who speaks in terms of patient endurance.No doubt his years of experience and service had taught him to channel his tendency of bold impulsiveness into measured and thoughtful actions.
B.The original recipients of this epistle were Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor.
1.Peter addressed his letter to “those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen” (1:1).
a.These were Roman provinces located geographically in Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
b.The book of Acts has no record of anyone going into Pontus, Cappadocia, or Bithynia to teach the gospel.
i.Perhaps the churches in these places were established by Jewish Christians from these areas who were converted to Christ in Jerusalem on Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:9).
ii.We do know that by the time Paul wrote his epistle to the Colossians (60-61 A.D.) the gospel had been “proclaimed in all creation under heaven” (Col. 1:23).
2.At first glance, it may appear that these were primarily Jewish Christians, but a closer look reveals that Gentile converts must have made up the greatest portion of their number.
a.The facts that Peter called them “scattered aliens,” told them to “keep [their] behavior excellent among the Gentiles” (2:12), and made many references to the Old Testament (1:16, 24-25; 2:6-10, 22; 3:10-12, 14; 4:18; 5:5) suggest Jewish readers.
b.However, Peter says his readers had once been conformed to lusts in ignorance (1:14), had “a futile way of life inherited from [their] forefathers” (1:18), were called “out of darkness” (2:9), and “once were not a people” but now were “the people of God” (2:10).This suggests that the recipients of Peter’s letter were primarily Gentile converts.
C.Peter indicated that he wrote this letter from Babylon (5:13).
1.There is some debate as to whether this was the literal city of Babylon of a figure of Rome.
a.Proponents of a figurative Babylon support their claim by the following points:
i.Babylon was lightly inhabited in Peter’s time, so it is unlikely that he went there.
ii.Babylon is used as figure of the city of Rome in John’s Revelation (14:8; 16:19; 17:5, 18; 18:2, 10, 21).
iii.Also in 5:13, Peter indicated that Mark was with him.Colossians 4:10 shows that Mark was in Rome with Paul during Paul’s first imprisonment there (60-61 A.D.).It also appears that Mark later returned to Rome with Timothy (2Tim. 4:11, approx. 67 A.D.).Because Mark was probably with Peter during this same general time, Mark’s location in Rome also locates Peter in Rome.
iv.Early writers connected Peter to Rome (Papias in 125 A.D., Irenaeus 185 A.D.).
b.Proponents of a literal Babylon raise the following points:
i.1Peter is not a book of figurative language.It is inconsistent to interpret Babylon as a figure in 5:13.
ii.John’s Revelation was written much later than 1Peter.The figure of Babylon as a symbol of Rome was not yet developed.
iii.Peter’s association with Rome is a tradition of the Roman Catholic church, which depicts Peter as the first pope.
c.It would seem that the literal meaning is the plainest, non-speculative understanding, but no rigid position will be taken here as it is of little consequence.
2.The date of this letter would seem to coincide with the reign of Nero in Rome (54-68 A.D.).
a.The letter makes mention of various trials that these Christians had already endured.Most of these involved slander, hostility, and suspicion (1:6; 3:13-17; 4:4, 12-16).
b.During Nero’s reign, such attitudes against Christians were increasing in the Roman Empire.This culminated in Nero’s violent persecution of Christians in Rome in 64 A.D.
III.THEMES AND HIGHLIGHTS
A.1Peter presents eternal salvation as a motivation to endure temporal suffering.
1.The basic message of the book is summarized in 5:10 – “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
2.This theme is expressed with terms that indicate the exceeding value of salvation.Notice:
a.“An inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1:4)
b.“The proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable…” (1:7)
c.“You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1:18-19).
d.“You have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.” (1:23)
e.“The imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God” (3:4)
B.Central to the message of 1Peter is Christ’s example of suffering.
1.Christ’s example is first invoked in 2:21-25, where is held up as the model of patient enduring for righteousness’ sake.
2.His example is again employed in 3:18-4:1, where we are reminded that He suffered for the sins of others, namely us.
C.Consider the many references to the final judgment day.
1.Christians are said to be “protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1:5).
2.Proven faith “may be found to result in praise and glory and hone at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:7).
3.Christians are directed to focus upon “the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13).
4.Because of Christians’ good deeds, the Gentiles will “glorify God in the day of visitation” (2:12).
5.Peter gave a motivation for endurance, saying, “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” (4:13).
6.To elders in the church, this reward is promised: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (5:4).
7.These passages are indicative of a major theme in this book, which is that suffering for righteousness sake now portends eternal rewards when the Lord comes again for judgment.
IV.CONCLUSION
A.Keep these background notes and themes in mind as we proceed through this study of 1Peter.
B.In our next lesson, we will consider 1Peter 1:1-12 – “Salvation in the End.”
