Level Up – The Epistles Summer 2024 1 Peter Introduction – NIV Study Bible a. Author: Peter –with Silas as secretary (see [read] 5:12) literally “through” or “by means of” Silas -this is important, because 1 Peter is written in good, literary Greek—Silas was the intermediate agent in writing. 2 Peter, however, is a rougher Greek (we assume Silas was not available to help Peter at that later time) -also, the letter reflects the history and terminology of the Gospels and Acts, notably, Peter’s speeches. 2 Peter 3:15-16 and Gal. 1:18; 2:1-21 make it clear that Peter was familiar with Paul and his letters, not to mention Silas’s partnerships with Paul, so coincidences in thought and expressing with Paul’s writings are not surprising b. Date: A.D. 60-65, because Peter shows he is familiar with Paul’s prison letters, and sometime before he was martyred during Nero’s reign, probably around 67/68. c. Place: “Babylon” (5:13), most likely Rome – John would do the same in Rev. 17:9-10. Other possibilities include Egyptian Babylon, a military outpost; Mesopotamian Babylon (the original), which was then a small town on the Euphrates, or Jerusalem. But Rome makes the most sense—we know Peter was there in the latter part of his life, etc. d. Recipients: “exiles scattered” through Asia Minor (1:1- Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia—5 provinces in the northwest quadrant of Asia Minor, or modern Turkey), Jewish and Gentile Christians (probably more Gentiles than Jews) Some may have been in Jerusalem on Pentecost (Acts 2); some were most likely taught by Paul. The word “exiles” or strangers was a play on the Jewish Diaspora. This is the first of many references to Jewish or Old Testament imagery that is used throughout. e. Purpose: to encourage the persecuted church and exhort them in their Christian life— there are a series of imperatives from 1:13 to 5:11. Local persecution was affecting some newer believers as a direct result of their faith in Christ (2:2-3) f.
Themes: • Suffering and glory • Hope and courage based on the position of believers and Jesus’ resurrection • True grace of God • Submission to authority • Conduct of Christians
Fee & Stuart (How to Read the Bible Book by Book), p. 402: Peter’s primary concern is for truly Christian living in the context of hostility and suffering. The letter moves forward in a kind of