Study of
First Peter
Lesson 1
INTRODUCTION FIRST PETER
AUTHORSHIP
1. Evidence for Petrine Authorship is early and clear and
is as strong as any book in the N.T.. Internal evidence affirms it (1:1).
2. Eusebius placed it among the undisputed canon and it
was attested as Peter's by Irenaeus,
Clement of
3. It is only since the 19th Century that radical critics
sought to discredit the epistle as to authorship and canonicity. The strongest
modern criticism is that Peter was incapable of writing this quality of Greek.
But he knew Greek coming from a Bilingual area,
4. The statement of Acts 4:13 "Uneducated and
untrained". This simply means that
in the eyes of the council made up of the Sadducees and Pharisees that he was
unschooled in the theological institutions of the day, no Rabbinic training as
did Paul.
THE READERS OF FIRST
PETER
1. It was written
to believers residing in 5 provinces in
2. They are made up of a racial Mix of Both Jews and
Gentiles. (
a. It was written to Local Churches (flocks) in these area (5:1-13) Paul sent
Silvanus (Silas) to deliver it.
b. Diaspora minus the definite article in 1:1 plus the
evidence in
1. idolatry is a sin that the Jew of this period would not
be charged with. (this was not always
true)
2. carefully
distinguished from the covenant people, the Jew, formerly not a people.
2:9,10
3. uses his Greek
name not his Aramaic name Cephas
c. Conclusion: It is a diaspora of the Gentile Royal
Family with a smattering of Jewish
Believers among pagan idolaters.
d. The areas are where Paul didn't minister.
OCCASION OF FIRST
PETER (
1. The immediate occasion was information received by
Peter that these Believers were being persecuted for the faith. (1:6, 3:13-17,
2. There is no direct mention of actual martyrdom,
imprisonment or confiscation of property. i.e. (Heb
3. The persecution took the form of malicious slander (
4. Because they withdrew from the vices of gentile pagan
religion and culture they were suspect. (4:4-5)
5. Apparently there were also charges of disloyalty to the
state. 2:13-17
6. They are not the result of an organized state
persecution of the Church as would be the case shortly, 64 A.D. ----- under
Nero which spread from
PLACE AND DATE:
1. The place
written from is stated in the epilogue as "
a. It is not referring to
b. There is also no mention of a Church there at B(H).
c. The large Jewish community that was in
d. This leaves
e. Tradition goes back to the beginning of the 2nd
Century, which is before the exaggerated claims for the Roman Church came into
vogue.
f. Conclusion: Peter is calling Rome Babylon due to its
religion, Caesar worship, affluence, and anticipated change in policy toward
the Church in 64AD.
2. THE DATE:
a. Date of writing is in the early 60's prior to Nero's
death which was in 68 AD. (tradition says that Peter was martyred by Nero).
b. But it must have been written prior to the outbreak of
the Neronian persecutions, since a systematic state inspired persecution is not
in view here in 1 Peter.
c. Conclusion: 62-64 AD.
PURPOSE OF 1 PETER
1. Stated in
2. Exhortation to Believers is its main thrust - therefore
deals with practical application of BD under varying circumstances of life.
3. It contains some 35 imperatives - commands to the
Believer (honorable action for R/F)
4. Exhortation to patiently endure suffering
[undeserved] so as to secure your
eternal reward at the Rapture. (1:7)
5. Exhortation to authority orientation even when they
become abusive. (
6. Exhortation to grow in BD. (2:2).
Overview:
1. Opening
salutation: 1:1-2
2. 1:3-12 this
opening paragraph sets forth the glories of our salvation, doctrinal section.
This
provides a foundation for the exhortations that follow which are to strengthen
the believers in the midst of their suffering.
3. 1:13-2:10 first
series of exhortations that are founded on the provisions of their salvation, their position in Christ.
4. 2:11-3:12 this
second series of exhortations appeals to them based on their position in the
World. Know that your actions in life
have a great impact on the cause of Christ!
5.
6. 5:12-14 Peter's closing remarks.
First Peter Chapter
One
Opening Salutation
1:1-2
Peter Pe,troj Greek form of the Aramaic of Cephas;
name was given to him by Jesus. John 1:42
Term
means small stone, or rock; Jesus reaffirmed this name in Matt. 16:18
an apostle of
Jesus Christ
stating
that he is an apostle establishes his authority - avpo,stoloj
This says that he understood that as an apostle he
belonged to Jesus Christ and it was from
Christ that he derived his authority and it was Christ who backed his
ministry.