Page 118 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Background

Author
The author of 1 Peter identifies himself as the Apostle Peter and a witness
of the sufferings and resurrection of Christ (1 Pet 1:1; 5:1). Church
tradition up holds this view. However, modern debates have arisen “about
whether the letter’s content reflects a later period.” 154 If the debate swings to the direction other than
Peter, this would still indicate that one of Peter’s associates might have compiled the letter based on his
teachings.

Recipients

The recipients of 1 Peter are identified as God’s people scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1:1). These are all regions of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The letter
seems to have been written to encourage Christians in these regions as they faced localized ostracism
and persecution in reaction to their distinctively Christian perspective on social relationships and ethics.
Provenance and date

Apparently, the letter was written from Rome. First Peter 5:13 communicates a greeting from Babylon—
a metaphorical reference to the capital city of the Roman Empire (see Rev 17:5, 9). If Peter was the
author, the letter must have been written sometime before the mid-60s AD. According to tradition, Peter
was martyred in Rome around that time, during the persecution of Christians under the emperor
Nero. 155

Themes

1 Peter opens with a blessing and thanksgiving (1:2–12). Just as Jesus suffered and then triumphed, so
Christians are to persevere, knowing that they have a living hope that will be made visible when Jesus
returns (1:3–7). They are set apart as God’s holy priesthood, part of the temple that has been built on
Christ the cornerstone (2:4–5). The readers are meant to see their difficult circumstances through a lens
of hope, looking to Christ for strength. Peter knows that those who choose to follow Christ are no longer
completely at home in this world. They are foreigners—not yet out of this world, but not fully part of it
any longer (2:11). As such, they should not be surprised if the world does not understand them—or in
some circumstances even persecutes them. 156
The patient endurance of opposition and mocking might cause the persecutors to see Christian faith in a
new light (2:12, 15). For Peter, Christians are not to remove themselves from the world. But they are to
follow Jesus’ example by enduring persecution without protesting (2:19–21). 157

Christians should not avoid persecution, but place their faith in God, who will perfect, strengthen,
confirm, and establish them in the end (5:10). Followers of Jesus should expect to feel like strangers on
this earth—and precisely within their hostile environment, they are called to embrace every opportunity
to speak and act in honor of Christ, the one who, by His suffering, reconciled all people to God. 158

154 Barry, J. D., et al.
155 ibid
156 Ibid
157 Ibid
158 Ibid

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