1 Peter 1:1-12
Lesson 445
Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."
Simon Peter
By Flemish artist and diplomat
Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640).
By Flemish artist and diplomat
Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640).
"The First Epistle of Peter"
"Trials and the Holy Life."
Authorship:
First Peter was written by Jesus' disciple Peter (1:1), who also wrote 2 Peter ( 2 Peter 1:1). Peter was the oldest of the twelve disciples. He was also called Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1), Simeon (Acts 15:14), Simon Bar-jona (Matthew 16:17), meaning Simon, son of Jonah (Matthew 1:42), or just Simon (Matthew 10:2). Jesus re-named him Peter on the day they met (John 1:42). The Greek translation for Peter is Petros (meaning rock), the Aramaic is Cephas (John 1:42), and the Latin is Petrus. Peter was born in Bethsaida (John 1:44) on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. He was the son of Jona (also called Jonah or Jonas John 21:15-17) and the older brother to the disciple Andrew (John 1:40; 6:8). Peter was a simple fisherman in Capernaum (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16) and partners with James and John (Luke 5:10) when he met Jesus. Bold but uneducated (Acts 4:13), Peter (and Andrew) were Jesus' first disciples (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18) and became part of Jesus' inner circle. Jesus used Peter's home as His base whenever they were in Galilee. Peter wrote the First and Second Epistles of Peter (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1). He walked on water (Matthew 14:28-31), performed the miracle at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-10), witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18), the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42), and Jesus praying in Gethsemane as He waited to be arrested (Mark 14:32-34). Peter rose before the mob to resist Jesus' arrest (John 18:10-13), yet within hours, he denied even knowing Him three times (Matthew 26:69-75; John 18:15-27). After the crucifixion, Peter became the rock on which Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:16-19) and helped spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome.
Whenever the Bible lists the twelve disciples/apostles, Peter is always listed first (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19), and Roman Catholics call him their first Pope. Peter was married (Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38) and brought his wife (Concordia) on his missionary journeys (1 Corinthians 9:5). Although Jesus told Peter he would be crucified when he "shalt be old" (John 21:18-19), the Bible gives no details of his death. However, the Christian writers Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (AD 160-220) and Origen Adamantius (AD 185-254) report that Peter was crucified upside down by Emperor Nero in Rome about AD 70, approximately three years after writing 2 Peter. An unverified tradition claims that Peter's wife, Concordia, was also martyred for her faith.
Purpose and Theme:
Thirty-five years after Jesus's crucifixion, tensions had grown between Jews and Christians. This friction caused trouble
for the Roman Empire, and Rome began to see believers as a threat. These Christian upstarts wouldn't even bow before
Caesar or any of the Roman gods. As their numbers and friction grew, believers faced hardships, arrest, and even death
(Acts 7:57-8:3; 12:1-4; 13:49-50; 14:19; 16:22-23; 17:5; 17:12-14; 18:12; and 21:27-36). Treated as outcasts, many
Christians wondered if God had deserted them, and they began to lose faith. Some fled Israel to escape persecution (1:1). But believers could not avoid harassment (2:11-12). In Rome, Christians were accused of trying to burn down the city. This led to more persecution at the hands of Emperor Nero. Probably written in Rome between AD 63 and 65, 1 Peter was addressed to these exiles (1:1) to encourage and offer them hope.
Peter was not spared persecution (Acts 5:40-42) and drew from his own harsh experiences to write this inspirational message of hope, comfort, perseverance, and encouragement. 1 Peter was written as a call to trust God. It teaches that sometimes God will test the faithful to strengthen them. Peter tells us that believers should rejoice that they are worthy of being tested. If they remain loyal to Christ, their faith will lead them to greater heights of love, patience (Romans 5:3; James 1:3-4), and trust in Jesus.
First Peter is packed with valuable Christian maxims and doctrines. Peter refers to Jesus' Second Coming six times in five chapters. The Dutch theologian, Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536), wrote that 1 Peter is "full of apostolical dignity and authority." He adds, "it is sparing in words, but full of sense." Two thousand years after they were written, Peter's words still provide hope and comfort to Christians.
First Peter was written by Jesus' disciple Peter (1:1), who also wrote 2 Peter ( 2 Peter 1:1). Peter was the oldest of the twelve disciples. He was also called Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1), Simeon (Acts 15:14), Simon Bar-jona (Matthew 16:17), meaning Simon, son of Jonah (Matthew 1:42), or just Simon (Matthew 10:2). Jesus re-named him Peter on the day they met (John 1:42). The Greek translation for Peter is Petros (meaning rock), the Aramaic is Cephas (John 1:42), and the Latin is Petrus. Peter was born in Bethsaida (John 1:44) on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. He was the son of Jona (also called Jonah or Jonas John 21:15-17) and the older brother to the disciple Andrew (John 1:40; 6:8). Peter was a simple fisherman in Capernaum (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16) and partners with James and John (Luke 5:10) when he met Jesus. Bold but uneducated (Acts 4:13), Peter (and Andrew) were Jesus' first disciples (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18) and became part of Jesus' inner circle. Jesus used Peter's home as His base whenever they were in Galilee. Peter wrote the First and Second Epistles of Peter (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1). He walked on water (Matthew 14:28-31), performed the miracle at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-10), witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18), the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-42), and Jesus praying in Gethsemane as He waited to be arrested (Mark 14:32-34). Peter rose before the mob to resist Jesus' arrest (John 18:10-13), yet within hours, he denied even knowing Him three times (Matthew 26:69-75; John 18:15-27). After the crucifixion, Peter became the rock on which Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:16-19) and helped spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome.
Whenever the Bible lists the twelve disciples/apostles, Peter is always listed first (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19), and Roman Catholics call him their first Pope. Peter was married (Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38) and brought his wife (Concordia) on his missionary journeys (1 Corinthians 9:5). Although Jesus told Peter he would be crucified when he "shalt be old" (John 21:18-19), the Bible gives no details of his death. However, the Christian writers Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (AD 160-220) and Origen Adamantius (AD 185-254) report that Peter was crucified upside down by Emperor Nero in Rome about AD 70, approximately three years after writing 2 Peter. An unverified tradition claims that Peter's wife, Concordia, was also martyred for her faith.
Purpose and Theme:
Thirty-five years after Jesus's crucifixion, tensions had grown between Jews and Christians. This friction caused trouble
for the Roman Empire, and Rome began to see believers as a threat. These Christian upstarts wouldn't even bow before
Caesar or any of the Roman gods. As their numbers and friction grew, believers faced hardships, arrest, and even death
(Acts 7:57-8:3; 12:1-4; 13:49-50; 14:19; 16:22-23; 17:5; 17:12-14; 18:12; and 21:27-36). Treated as outcasts, many
Christians wondered if God had deserted them, and they began to lose faith. Some fled Israel to escape persecution (1:1). But believers could not avoid harassment (2:11-12). In Rome, Christians were accused of trying to burn down the city. This led to more persecution at the hands of Emperor Nero. Probably written in Rome between AD 63 and 65, 1 Peter was addressed to these exiles (1:1) to encourage and offer them hope.
Peter was not spared persecution (Acts 5:40-42) and drew from his own harsh experiences to write this inspirational message of hope, comfort, perseverance, and encouragement. 1 Peter was written as a call to trust God. It teaches that sometimes God will test the faithful to strengthen them. Peter tells us that believers should rejoice that they are worthy of being tested. If they remain loyal to Christ, their faith will lead them to greater heights of love, patience (Romans 5:3; James 1:3-4), and trust in Jesus.
First Peter is packed with valuable Christian maxims and doctrines. Peter refers to Jesus' Second Coming six times in five chapters. The Dutch theologian, Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536), wrote that 1 Peter is "full of apostolical dignity and authority." He adds, "it is sparing in words, but full of sense." Two thousand years after they were written, Peter's words still provide hope and comfort to Christians.
1 Peter is broken down into five main segments.
1) Verses 1:1- 12 (Suffering and Salvation) - Opening salutation (1:1-2); Give thanks for your salvation (1:2-6); Hardships create deeper faith (1:7-9); As prophesized, salvation comes from Christ (1:10-12).
2) Verses 1:13-25 (Pilgrimage) - Live a godly life (1:13-16); Trust God (1:17-21); Be honest and loving (1:22-2:1).
3) Verses 2:1-10 (God's chosen people, Jesus the "corner stone") - Emulate Jesus (2:1-3); Who are Christians and what is their purpose (2:4-10).
4) Verses 2:11-3:12 (The duties of the Christian life) - Be above reproach, a godly example (2:12-17); Submit to authority (2:18-25); The duties of wives and husbands (3:1-7); Seek harmony (3:8-12).
5) Verses 3:13-5:14 (Suffering leads to glory) - Face persecution (3:13-22); Repent of sin (4:1-6); Expect persecution (4:11);
Expect rejection and ridicule, but be thankful for being tested (4:12-19); Elders, guard and lead the flock (5:1-4); Trust God, reject Satan (5:7-11); Final benediction (5:12-14).
1) Verses 1:1- 12 (Suffering and Salvation) - Opening salutation (1:1-2); Give thanks for your salvation (1:2-6); Hardships create deeper faith (1:7-9); As prophesized, salvation comes from Christ (1:10-12).
2) Verses 1:13-25 (Pilgrimage) - Live a godly life (1:13-16); Trust God (1:17-21); Be honest and loving (1:22-2:1).
3) Verses 2:1-10 (God's chosen people, Jesus the "corner stone") - Emulate Jesus (2:1-3); Who are Christians and what is their purpose (2:4-10).
4) Verses 2:11-3:12 (The duties of the Christian life) - Be above reproach, a godly example (2:12-17); Submit to authority (2:18-25); The duties of wives and husbands (3:1-7); Seek harmony (3:8-12).
5) Verses 3:13-5:14 (Suffering leads to glory) - Face persecution (3:13-22); Repent of sin (4:1-6); Expect persecution (4:11);
Expect rejection and ridicule, but be thankful for being tested (4:12-19); Elders, guard and lead the flock (5:1-4); Trust God, reject Satan (5:7-11); Final benediction (5:12-14).
Study Tip:
An excellent way to understand a difficult passage is to put it in your own words.
After you understand the passage, ponder how it can change you.
An excellent way to understand a difficult passage is to put it in your own words.
After you understand the passage, ponder how it can change you.
