Bible Overview: 1 Peter

Author: Peter

The Apostle Peter (1:1)

1 Peter 1:1 BSB

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen

1 Peter 5:1 BSB

1 As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:

Recipients: Gentile Christians

Persecuted Gentile Christians in Asia Minor (1:1)

Scattered from Rome and living away from home because of the persecution of the Roman emperor Nero.

(Modern-day Turkey)

CSB Study Bible: Notes Circumstances of Writing

They had earlier been involved in idolatry (4:3), were ignorant (1:14) and “empty” (1:18) before they came to Christ, and formerly were “not a people” but now were “God’s people” (2:9–10).

1 Peter 1:1 BSB

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen

While most of Peter’s early ministry was to Jews, his later ministry was to Gentile believers, starting in Acts 10. It is believed that Peter spent the last part of his life in Rome, where he was martyred under Emperor Nero shortly after writing his 2 letters here.

Date: A.D. 62-64

Written from Rome, probably while Paul wasn’t there (since Peter and Paul don’t mention each other during this period). “Babylon” = almost certainly refers to Rome; the mention of Mark connects it to Rome as well.

1 Peter 5:12–13 BSB

12 Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.

Purpose: To Encourage Suffering Christians

CSB Study Bible: Notes Introduction to 1 Peter

First Peter provided encouragement to suffering believers living in northern Asia Minor who faced intense persecution. The letter encourages faithfulness while under oppression. Specifically, God’s holy people should lead distinctive lifestyles as temporary residents in a foreign land. Although they will suffer for Christ while in this non-Christian world, they should remember that heaven is their future homeland.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Circumstances of Writing

Peter wrote to encourage suffering believers in Asia Minor to stand firm for Christ in the midst of persecution. He urged them to do so by focusing on their spiritual privileges and, more specifically, the place where their rights and privileges lay: the next life. Believers in Jesus are “exiles” (1:1; 2:11) and “strangers” (2:11) in this world, a land of sojourn where they have no real rights or privileges. Inheritance rights, privileges, and justice for Christians really belong to another realm to which God has delivered believers—heaven, their ultimate home.

MESSAGE AND PURPOSE

First Peter emphasizes that suffering is normal for believers because they are temporary residents in this world. As such, they lack rights and receive no justice in this foreign land. Though suffering occurs on earth for temporary residents, their inheritance and exaltation await them in their eternal homeland.

Themes & Key Verses

Suffering & Persecution (“suffer”/“suffering” occur 18x) 1 Peter

Suffering is the normal experience of believers, and Jesus Himself is our example in the way He suffered for us.

1 Peter 1:6 BSB

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials

1 Peter 2:21 BSB

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

1 Peter 4:1 BSB

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

1 Peter 4:13 BSB

13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.

1 Peter 4:19 BSB

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

1 Peter 5:9–10 BSB

9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

Believers as Exiles and Foreigners

Believers must remember that this world is not our final home, and we must keep our focus on our true home in heaven even as we live our lives here on earth.

1 Peter 1:1 BSB

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen

1 Peter 1:17 BSB

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.

1 Peter 2:11 BSB

11 Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.

Application

We must keep our focus on our true home in heaven with Christ and so persevere through suffering with faith, love, and obedience to Christ.