1 Peter 1-3

1 Peter 1

The author is Peter (the disciple). Peter may have wrote the letter with the help of Silvanus (1 Peter 5:12), which may explain its polished Greek.

Date: around AD 62-64.

Place: “Babylon” (could be symbolic for Rome)

Peter writes to believers scattered throughout (modern-day Turkey):

• Pontus
• Galatia
• Cappadocia
• Asia
• Bithynia

Peter addresses believers as:

• Elect
• Exiles
• Chosen by God

Their salvation involves:

• The Father’s foreknowledge
• The Spirit’s sanctifying work
• Obedience to Jesus Christ

Because of Christ’s resurrection believers have:

• New birth (born again)
• A living hope
• An imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance
• Protection by God’s power through faith

Because of suffering: 

• Our faith (which is more precious than gold) is refined
• Believers prepare for future glory

Even though we cannot see Christ:

• We love Him
• We believe in Him
• We rejoice 

Old Testament prophets foretold:

• Christ’s sufferings
• Christ’s future glory
• Through Spirit of Christ

Even angels long to understand God’s plan of salvation. Interesting!

Believers should:

• Be sober-minded
• Set their hope on Christ
• Live obediently

“You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  (Leviticus quote)

Believers were redeemed:

• Not with silver or gold
• But with the precious blood of Christ

“All flesh is like grass…” Isaiah 40:6-8 quoted

Human life fades but God’s Word endures forever.

1 Peter 2

Believers should put away:

• Malice
• Deceit
• Hypocrisy
• Envy
• Slander

Instead crave the pure spiritual milk (like newborns) of God’s Word.

Jesus is:

• The living stone
• Rejected by men
• Chosen by God
• Precious

Christians are:

• Living stones
• Being built into a spiritual house
• A holy priesthood

Peter quotes many passages (see table below) 

Peter applies Israel’s covenant language to the church “A chosen race, a royal priesthood…” 

As exiles:

• Abstain from sinful desires
• Live honorably
• Submit to authorities
• Honor everyone
• Love the brotherhood
• Fear God
• Honor the emperor

Uncomfortable passage: vs 18-20. Servants should endure unjust suffering. Jesus is the perfect example.

• Perhaps this is saying do not repay evil for evil

Peter alludes repeatedly to Isaiah 53 (see below)

Jesus:

• Committed no sin
• Did not retaliate
• Bore our sins
• Healed us by His wounds

Christ is:

• Shepherd
• Overseer of our souls

1 Peter	OT Source	Quotation / Allusion
2:3	Psalm 34:8	“Taste and see that the LORD is good.”
2:6	Isaiah 28:16	“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone…”
2:7	Psalm 118:22	“The stone that the builders rejected…”
2:8	Isaiah 8:14	“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”
2:9	Exodus 19:5-6	“A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…”
2:9	Isaiah 43:20-21	“…that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him…”
2:10	Hosea 1:10	“Once you were not a people…”
2:10	Hosea 2:23	“…but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy…”
2:22	Isaiah 53:9	“He committed no sin…”
2:23	Isaiah 53:7 (allusion)	“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return…”
2:24	Isaiah 53:4-5, 11-12	“He himself bore our sins… by his wounds you have been healed.”
2:25	Isaiah 53:6	“You were straying like sheep…”

1 Peter 3

Christian Marriage

Wives

Christian wives are encouraged to:

• Submit to husbands
• Display respectful conduct
• Focus on inner beauty
• Follow the example of Sarah

Husbands

Christian husbands should:

• Live with understanding
• Honor their wives
• Recognize them as fellow heirs of God’s grace

Failure to do the above can hinder prayer. 

From Spurgeon: “Indeed, to true believers prayer is so invaluable that the danger of hindering it is used by Peter as a motive why, in their marriage relationships, and household concerns, they should behave themselves with great wisdom. He bids the husband ‘dwell’ with his wife ‘according to knowledge,’ and render loving honor to her, lest their united prayers should be hindered. Anything which hinders prayer must be wrong. If any management of the family, or want of management, is injuring our power in prayer, there is an urgent demand for an alteration.” 

Believers should be:

• United
• Sympathetic
• Loving
• Humble
• Not repaying evil for evil

Psalm 34 quoted

If believers suffer:

• Do not fear
• Honor Christ as Lord
• Be ready to explain your hope
• Answer with gentleness and respect

Jesus:

• Suffered once for sins
• The righteous for the unrighteous
• Brought us to God

Preaching to the Spirits

Peter mentions Christ proclaiming victory to “the spirits in prison.” This is a difficult passage and several interpretations have been suggested (human spirits in Hades, demonic spirits). Whatever view Peter’s main emphasis is that Christ has triumphed through His death and resurrection. 

Noah: The flood and the ark points towards Christian baptism. 

Jesus is now:

• At God’s right hand
• Over angels
• Over authorities
• Over powers

Application

We are called to pursue holiness and fix our hope on Christ. Our life should point others towards Him, even through suffering.