NBST 521 Module 7 Notes

1 Peter

I. Introduction to 1 Peter

A. Author—Peter, according to the traditional view

B. Recipients—“The exiles of the Dispersion” (1:1)—At first glance, this
letter appears to be addressed to Jewish Christians, but later statements
(e.g., 2:9-10) clearly indicate that Gentiles were among the Christians
addressed in this letter. So, the church addressed is a mixed congregation.
C. Date—If written by Peter, the work had to be written before AD 64-65
(when Peter was martyred under Nero’s rule).
D. Place of Composition—Perhaps Rome (5:13)
E. Purpose of the Work

i. To encourage Christians to be faithful to Christ in a time of testing

(2:21; 4:12-16)
ii. To assure Christians that God will vindicate them when they stand
before him (4:17-19)
iii. To call Christians to display holiness of life before those who
despise their faith (3:13-16; 4:4-5)

F. Life Situation of the Letter—The author has recently experienced some

persecution or trials (if it is Peter, then the situation may be that he has
witnessed the martyrdom of Paul in Rome). He is concerned that
Christians in Asia should be prepared to suffer for Christ. He is persuaded
that God will vindicate his servants, even if it must be at the throne of
judgment. The author writes a word of encouragement to prepare
Christians for a hard time of testing.

II. Outline for 1 Peter

A. Salutation (1:1-2)
B. The Identity and Privileges of the People of God (1:3-2:10)

i. Opening Remarks Regarding Salvation (1:3-12)

1. Salvation as a Living and Future Hope (1:3-5)

2. Salvation as a Lasting Joy (1:6-9)
3. The Privilege of Salvation—Witnessed by both Prophets
and Angels (1:10-12)

ii. A New Way of Life—An Appeal for Holiness (1:13-2:10)

1. The New Life of a Christian (1:13-25)

a. A life in imitation of God’s holiness (1:13-16)

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b. A life of reverence for Christ, the Lamb who paid

our ransom (1:17-21)
c. A life of love based on God’s incorruptible word
(1:22-25)

2. The Character of a Chosen People (2:1-10)

a. They rid themselves of worldly ways and crave
God’s word (2:1-3)
b. As living stones, they become both a living temple
and priests for Christ, their chief cornerstone and
foundation (2:4-8)
c. They are peculiar, chosen by God to shine the light
of his truth (2:9-10)

C. The Obligations and Responsibilities of the People of God (2:11-4:11)

i. Put away sin and live honorably, giving glory to God (2:11-12)—
Here the author gives a brief overview and summation of the next
few sections. Simply stated, God’s people should live in such an
honorable manner that others will give God glory.

ii. Respect, Love, and Honor—The Characteristics of a Christian

(2:13-3:12)—This section is reminiscent of Paul’s “household
codes” found in Colossians 3:18-4:1 and Ephesians 5:21-6:9.

1. Respect for Civil Authorities and an Honorable Life (2:13-

17)

2. Slaves: Respect Masters by Submission (2:18-25)

a. The admonition to serve even unjust masters so that

God might be glorified by your humility (2:18-20)
b. The example of Christ as one who also suffered at
the hands of the unjust so that he might justify us
(2:21-25).

3. Proper Conduct between Wives and Husbands (3:1-7)

a. The admonition to wives to win their husbands by a

godly life (3:1-4)
b. The example of Sarah and other holy women (3:5-
6)
c. The admonition to husbands to honor their wives
(3:8)—In the section on wives, the author tells the
women that their purity and holy lives can actually
win their husbands to God. Here he tells the

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husbands that they will not get their prayers

answered if they do not show proper respect to their
wives. In other words, lives of holiness produce
rewards.

4. The Characteristics of Christians: Part 2—They do good

not evil; they do not hate, but love others; they are not
proud, but humble (3:8-12)—In other words, God’s people
are like Jesus.

iii. Doing Good and the Promise of Vindication (3:13-4:6)

1. Suffering for Doing Good (3:13-17)—The author reminds

his readers that by doing good they have placed themselves
under God’s protection. Even if they suffer for doing the
right thing, God will vindicate them. He also encourages
them to “be ready always to make a defense” for their way
of life (3:15). The implication here is that the Christian
should consistently defend the faith by righteous acts, not
by violence or evil deeds.

2. The Example of Christ (3:18-22)—Jesus suffered in spite

of doing the right things, and God exalted him to the
highest position in heaven. Christ’s suffering even also had
the positive outcome of bringing others into a proper
relationship with God (even those who had died before
Christ’s time! 3:19-20). Jesus was vindicated by his
resurrection and his exaltation; even so we will be
vindicated by God.

3. Living and Suffering for the Promise of God (4:1-6)—The

author espouses a view of liberation through suffering in
which the Christian is called to rid themselves of sinful
behavior while at the same time preparing for suffering.

iv. Mutual Love: The Key to Christian Community at the End of the
Ages (4:7-11)—The author calls for mutual submission and service
among believers. Each person is to serve others as God gives the
ability. The concept here is similar to the Pauline idea of humble
service in Philippians 2.

D. The Ethical Implications of Christian Suffering (4:12-5:11)

i. The Fiery Trial (4:12-19)—Believers should not be surprised when

they suffer for doing good deeds since Jesus himself so suffered.
Suffering occurs because the time of God’s judgment has come,

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and that judgment necessarily begins with the household of faith.

Christians who suffer for righteous acts will share in God’s glory,
so the author encourages his readers to continue to do good works
even when they are mistreated for those very works. The
implication is that by suffering for doing well, Christians show that
they belong to God (cf. Hebrews 12—if we are disciplined, it
shows that we are God’s children).

ii. The Behavior of Christians in the Midst of Trials (5:1-11)

1. Elders should shepherd other Christians just as Christ leads

others: namely, with humility and grace (5:1-5). In this
section the author introduces a concept also found in James
4—God resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble
(5:5). This verse launches him into a discussion of
humility in the Christian life.

2. Humility and Trust in God—The Keys to Victory (5:6-11)

a. Humility before God results in being exalted and

praised. Likewise, Christians can trust God to take
care of the things that concern them (5:6-7)
b. Victory over the Devil comes from such humility.
The Christian submitted to God is able to resist
Satan and to stand firm in trials. If the believer
stands firm, God himself will provide the
deliverance (5:8-11)

E. Concluding Remarks (5:12-14)

i. The Purpose of the Letter: Encouragement (5:12)

ii. Final Greetings (5:13-14)—Key Words: “Babylon” and “Mark”

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