1st Peter
Our Living Hope In Persecution
Summary | About | Why You Should Read it | Author | When Written | Context | Timeline | Location | Outline | Observations | Resources
Summary
1st Peter is a New Testament epistle traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter. It is addressed to Christian communities scattered throughout Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and serves as an encouragement to believers facing trials and persecution.
The table below is a high-level look at the structure and contents of 1st Peter.
About
1st Peter is the 21st book of the New Testament and the 60th book of the Bible.
Why You Should Read It
1st Peter offers timeless encouragement, guidance, and insight into living a faithful Christian life, especially in the face of adversity. It is a powerful reminder of the hope and strength found in Christ, offering practical wisdom for enduring trials, living out faith authentically, and embracing the believer’s identity as God’s people. It equips Christians to face challenges with courage, hope, and unwavering faith.
Author
The author of 1st Peter is the Apostle Peter, whom Jesus personally selected to be a “fisher of men” and called him, “the Rock”.
When Written
Peter wrote his first epistle in the early 60s A.D., probably around 61-62 A.D.
Context
Peter wrote this epistle to Jewish believers during a period of growing hostility toward Christians in the Roman Empire. While not a time of empire-wide, systematic persecution, Christians were increasingly facing social ostracism, discrimination, and localized persecution. This included verbal abuse, accusations of disloyalty, and economic hardship.
It was likely written during the reign of Emperor Nero, known for his erratic and cruel leadership. Although the letter predates the worst of Nero’s persecution (the burning of Rome in 64 AD and the subsequent scapegoating of Christians), anti-Christian sentiment was already on the rise. Christianity was still seen as a new, strange, and misunderstood sect of Judaism. Christians were often viewed with suspicion because they refused to participate in Roman religious practices, including emperor worship, which was seen as unpatriotic and rebellious.
The recipients of 1 Peter were Gentile and Jewish Christians scattered across Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). These communities were diverse, and many of the believers were converts who had turned away from pagan practices. As a result, they faced pressure from both the Roman authorities and their surrounding communities. Christians were often marginalized, viewed as countercultural because of their ethical standards, refusal to worship Roman gods, and their loyalty to Christ above all. This led to social isolation and conflict with neighbors, family, and authorities. Peter addresses a community familiar with suffering, encouraging them to endure trials with grace. This suffering was not just physical persecution but also included slander, false accusations, and economic disadvantages due to their faith.
Timeline
The general order of events from the New Testament period of the early 60s to the early 100s is shown below. This letter was written in this timeframe.
Location
Most Christian scholars believe that Peter wrote his first epistle, 1 Peter, from Rome. This is based on the reference to “Babylon” in 1 Peter 5:13, which many scholars interpret as a symbolic code for Rome, a common practice among early Christians to avoid direct confrontation with Roman authorities.
Early church fathers such as Eusebius and Jerome also identified Babylon in 1 Peter as Rome, reinforcing the traditional view. Peter spent the latter part of his ministry in Rome, where he eventually was martyred. The content and themes of 1 Peter, which address suffering and persecution, fit well with the conditions of the Christian community in Rome at the time, which was under increasing pressure from Roman authorities.
Outline
Greetings (1:1-2)
Praise to God for His Grace and Salvation (1:3-12)
Exhortations to Holiness of Life (1:13;5:11)
The Requirement of Holiness (1:13; 2:3)
The Position of Believers (2:4-12)
A spiritual house (2:4-8)
A chosen people (2:9-10)
Aliens and strangers (2:11-12)
Submission to Authority (2:13; 3:7)
Submission to rulers (2:13-17)
Submission to masters (2:18-20)
Christ’s example of submission (2:21-25)
Submission of wives to husbands (3:1-6)
The corresponding duty of husbands (3:7)
Duties of All (3:8-17)
Christ’s Example (3:18; 4:6)
Conduct in View of the End of All Things (4:7-11)
Conduct of Those Who Suffer for Christ (4:12-19)
Conduct of Elders (5:1-4)
Conduct of the Young (5:5-11)
The Purpose of the Letter (5:12)
Final Greetings and Benediction (5:13-14)
Observations
- Peter:
- Was one of the original 12 apostles.
- Was one of the inner circle of the apostles (Peter, James, & John.)
- Denied Christ three times on the night of the betrayal.
- He was given the “keys” to the kingdom of heaven.”
- He opened the doors to the Jews. Acts 2
- He opened the doors to the Gentiles. Acts 11
- Was married and his wife sometimes traveled with him. 1 Corinthians 9:5
- Was an elder in the church. 1 Peter 5:1-4
- According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down in Rome prior to Nero’s death in A.D. 68.
- Peter authored two books of the New Testament:
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- The basic theme of 1 Peter is the proper response to Christian suffering.
- Peter is writing to Christians in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to them now that the Romans, as well as the Jews, are persecuting the church.
- In the Book of 1 Peter:
- The word “suffering,” and its equivalents, occur some 2 times.
- The sufferings of Christ are mentioned in every chapter of 1 Peter.
- Christ in 1 Peter:
- Chapter 1 – Christ is man’s source of hope and man’s redeemer. 1:3, 18-19
- Christ is:
- The chief cornerstone. 2:6
- Man’s example. 2:21
- Man’s sin-bearer. 2:24
- Chapter 3 – Christ is Lord. 3:15, 22
- Chapter 4 – Christ is man’s sufferer. 4:1, 13
- Chapter 5 – Christ is the Chief Shepherd and overseer. 5:4
- Peter also death with:
- Spiritual growth
- Christian wives and their husbands
- Elders
- Salvation
- Grace of God
- Hope
- The devil
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps.”
1 Peter 2:21
Sections in I Peter
- Our living hope & holy life 1:1-2:12
- Our submission & God’s honor 2:13-3:7
- Our suffering & Christ’s suffering 3:8-5:11
Theme
- Holy living in a hostile world; hope in the midst of suffering.
- Peter is informing, exhorting and encouraging the believers to go on, to live faithfully and to stand firm!
Jesus in I Peter
Jesus is the living stone rejected by men, who has become the Cornerstone of the church and the Shepherd of our souls (2:4-10, 25).
Old Testament
New Testament
Free Resources
Other Resources
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