Book of 1 Peter 1-5 Summary

Book of 1 Peter 1-5

Summary and Historical Context

The author of this epistle is the apostle Peter and it was most likely written in the early 60’s AD, just a few years before his death around 68 AD. This letter was written to Christians scattered throughout Aisia Minor, 1 Peter 1:1. Unlike the epistle of James which was written to Jewish believers Peter’s letter was written to gentile believers as well. The reason for this letter was to encourage a Church that was now experiencing severe persecution under Nero. Chuck Swindoll calls this epistle a New Testament Job where Peter is calling believers to persevere under extreme suffering. 1 Peter 4:12, 16 could be considered the focus of this epistle, V.12 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” V.16” Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” Swindoll goes on to say, “The endurance Peter called these believers to is similar to Job’s, a man who suffered despite his righteousness. Peter maintained that this was the kind of true perseverance that God expects from His people.”

I know this is a subject that most of us don’t want to discuss or think about because our flesh doesn’t want to suffer, but it’s unavoidable whether we’re obedient or not and learning how to suffer with Christ is necessary if we’re to become mature and effective believers.

As we go through this book, I sense that we’ll undergo a transformation on how we see suffering or at least that is my hope. Speaking only for myself I know that my belief or understanding of suffering is shifting, I’m beginning to see more clearly on how suffering produces perseverance as well as righteousness, but only if I surrender my natural response to it and embrace it. I believe suffering with Christ is the ultimate test of our faith and a proclamation of it, this is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. When we trust God in our suffering, I believe something supernatural occurs that defies human understanding that draws us closer to Him, something that only occurs when we suffer in obedience. Peter was well acquainted with suffering and could speak on this subject with great confidence knowing firsthand the character of Jesus and His trustworthiness and of his own personal experiences in suffering that developed him into an unwavering man of God that became a reflection of Jesus in his character. How does a silversmith know when the silver is pure and ready to be poured? When all the impurities are gone and He can see His reflection in the silver. As we suffer with Christ these impurities deep within us will come to the surface so that He can remove them. This process will one day come to an end when Jesus can see Himself in us. I believe this unshakable Hope that Peter is referring to can only be found in those willing to suffer with Christ. Peter puts it this way in verses 6, 7, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

And remember the words of Jesus, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” John 16:33. In 1 Peter 1:3Peter states, “that we’re born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

The topic of this epistle is undoubtedly one of suffering, BUT its primary message is one of hope, A Living Hope only found in Jesus and His resurrection!

Contrary to our hope unbelievers’ hopes are dead because they’re anchored in a temporal/physical world that’s perishing. However, as believers we have a hope that’s anchored in a risen Lord that overcame death and those that put their trust in Him will have eternal life. We have a hope that one day we’ll be like Him in His glorified body. We know that our suffering will one day end, it’s only temporal or as Peter puts it in 1:6 and 5:10, “it’s just for a little while.” Paul puts it this way, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal,” 2 Cor. 4:16-18.

If we surrender to suffering and embrace it, yes, embrace the fiery trials that we face, there will be several things that will occur that will bring us “this eternal weight of glory:”

· It will establish God’s purpose for our lives. (Romans 8:28)

· Intensifies our prayer life and hones are focus on God and His Word which in turn draws us nearer to God.

· Helps us identify with Jesus (1 Peter 4:13, 1 Cor. 1:5)

· It’s an opportunity to trust God (2 Cor. 1:9, 10)

· Brings forth righteousness and perfects our character (Hebrews 12:10,11; Romans 5:3)

· Helps us see our weaknesses, to see if our faith is genuine (1 Peter 1:7; Heb. 11:6)

· Purifies us (Job 23:10)

· Loosens are grip on this world, changes our perspective from an earthly one to a more heavenly one that helps us let go of our own plans and desires.

· Our fears and worries will be diminished supernaturally.

· It’s an opportunity to see God’s provisions (Phil. 4:19; Deut. 8:3)

· Allows us to have greater empathy and willingness to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3, 4)

· We’ll find supernatural peace, joy, and hope.

Enduring suffering strengthens and validates our faith, develops our character and perseverance, and it verifies that our testimony is genuine. Remaining obedient in suffering will give us an opportunity to demonstrate God’s power working in us and will give us a sound and legitimate platform to speak truth into other people’s lives. Suffering in obedience is a mystery to our flesh and especially to those who are perishing. Remember, that trials and suffering is primarily for our development, but it’s also for others to witness and to be encouraged, “God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation,” 2 Cor. 1: 3-6. The word ‘consolation’ in Greek means to encourage or comfort, this is an essential characteristic of a healthy Church body that imparts the importance of community of believers, in Galatians 6:2 we’re commanded to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

I believe our witness in suffering is a ministry that can transform our lives as well as other. However, we must never suffer alone, it must be done in community we must share our struggles with one another. This will serve two primary purposes it will aid in getting over our pride, the do it alone John Wayne approach, and it will aid in further developing a stronger community that’s purpose is to encourage and bring this Living Hope to the world, but first to our loved ones, friends, and neighbors. Sharing our burdens helps us become healthy, sound, and balanced men and women of God.