The book of 1 Peter

A living hope in the heart of trial

Author: The apostle Peter, with the help of Silvanus (5:12)
Written: Around AD 62–64
Time covered: Under Emperor Nero, shortly before or at the beginning of the persecution of AD 64
Key word: Hope

Peter opens with praise: God has begotten us again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus, and keeps us for an incorruptible inheritance (1:3-5). Trials purify faith as fire tests gold (1:7). Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, believers must be holy (1:15-19). Living stones built on the corner stone, they form a royal priesthood (2:4-9). Strangers on earth, they honor authorities, masters, and spouses, and answer evil with blessing (2:11-3:12). If they suffer for righteousness, they follow Christ (3:18). Finally, Peter urges the elders to shepherd the flock and everyone to resist the devil (5).

Main theme

Born again to a living hope, Christians are strangers on earth: they must live holy lives, do good, and suffer without shame, following in the footsteps of Christ who suffered for them.

Outline

1 Peter 1 — A living hope
Salvation, joy in trial, and the call to holiness.
1 Peter 2 — God’s people in the world
Living stones, a royal priesthood, and good conduct among the pagans.
1 Peter 3 — Relationships and righteous suffering
Wives, husbands, brothers; suffering for righteousness’ sake like Christ.
1 Peter 4 — Suffering as a Christian
Living for the will of God, serving, and not being surprised by the fiery trial.
1 Peter 5 — Shepherds and flock
Exhortation to the elders, humility, vigilance, and final greetings.

Key points

God has begotten us again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1:3).
Trial purifies faith as fire tests gold (1:6-7).
We were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish and without spot (1:18-19).
The church is “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (2:9).
Christ bore our sins in his own body on the tree; by his stripes we are healed (2:24).
Always be ready to give an answer for our hope, with meekness and fear (3:15).
Suffering as a Christian is no shame, but an opportunity to glorify God (4:16).
“Casting all your care upon him”; the devil walks about as a roaring lion (5:7-8).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3 — The source of everything: a new birth and a living hope founded on the resurrection.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1 Peter 2:9 — The identity of the church, heir to Israel’s titles, called to show forth the praises of God.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 2:24 — A luminous summary of the cross, inspired by Isaiah 53.

Jesus in 1 Peter

Peter presents Jesus as the lamb without blemish whose blood redeems us (1:19), the living stone rejected by men but chosen by God (2:4-7), and the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 who bears our sins on the tree (2:22-25). He suffered once, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God (3:18). Risen, he is at the right hand of God (3:22) and will return as the chief Shepherd (5:4).

Did you know?

The word “Christian” appears only three times in the entire New Testament: in Acts 11:26, in Acts 26:28, and in 1 Peter 4:16.
The man Jesus named Cephas, “Peter” (John 1:42), calls believers “living stones” built on Christ, the chief corner stone (2:4-5).
Peter fell asleep when Jesus asked him to watch (Matt 26:40), and Jesus told him: “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). In his letter he writes: “Be sober, be vigilant” (5:8) and “Feed the flock of God” (5:2).

Quiz on 1 Peter

From where does Peter say a church greets his readers?

By what were believers redeemed, according to Peter?

To what does Peter compare the devil?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.