1 Peter–Imperishable Salvation: Built for Sanctification, Submission, and Suffering (Dec. 2, 2013 version)
1 Peter is a book written to believers, both Jews and Christians, who were undergoing “trials” in Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. (Peter never uses the words persecution or tribulation.)1 Peter tells us about our imperishable hope of glory in Christ. How do salvation, sanctification, submission, and suffering relate to each other? 1 Peter gives us four answers. First it shows how salvation relates to other things. Then it shows how sanctification (being made holy) relates to the others. Then it looks at these through the lens of submission and finally through suffering.
Dating of 1 Peter:Peter was not mentioned in Paul’s Letter to the Romans in 58 A.D. Peter was martyred in Rome 67/68 A.D., 1 Peter is believed to be written after 60 A.D., since Paul’s letter to the Romans in 58 A.D. makes no mention of Peter. It appears to have been written during a time of persecution, such as under Nero (54-68 A.D.).
Pre-Nicene Writers who refer to 1 Peter
Clement of Rome 97/98 A.D., though the three places he quotes are also other scriptures.Ignatius (100-107/116 A.D.) alludes to 1 Peter / Tertullian (198-220 A.D.)
To Diognetus (c.130 A.D.) alludes to 1 Peter / Hippolytus (222-235/236 A.D.)
Polycarp (110-155 A.D.) / Origen (225-254 A.D.)
Didache(c.125 A.D.) / Cyprian of Carthage (c.246-258 A.D.)
Papias (130-150 A.D.) / Firmilian of Caesarea (256 A.D.)
2 Clement (c.150 A.D.) / Victorinus of Pettau (martyred 304 A.D.)
Shepherd of Hermas (c.160 A.D.) / Methodius (260-312 A.D.) alludes to 1 Peter
Irenaeus of Lyons (182-188 A.D.) / Athanasius (318 A.D.)
Clement of Alexandria (193-202 A.D.)
Similarities with Peter in Acts and John
Acts 3:6 and 1 Peter 1:18 (silver or gold)
Acts 2:23 and 1 Peter 1:20 (God’s purpose/foreknowledge vs. chosen before world’s creation)
Acts 10:42 and 1 Peter 4:5 (judge of the living and the dead vs. preached to those now dead)
Acts 4:10-11 and 1 Peter 2:7-8 (Psalm 118:22)
John 21:16 and 1 Peter 5:2 (only use of “shepherds”)
The Greek of 1 Peter is very good. Some liberals claim Peter could not have written 1 Peter because Peter [allegedly] could not know Greek. However, there are six things to remember.
Citizens of Galilee could speak Greek; Sepphoris, the Roman-built capital, was mostly Greek and Latin speaking.
Peter, as well as Andrew and Philip, were from Bethsaida, on the middle northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is on the border with the Greek-speaking eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Peter’s own mother named her son a Greek name. While Simon Peter’s mother named him Simon, an Aramaic name, his brother was named Andrew, which means “manly” in Greek.
Peter ministered to both Jews and Gentiles and he was in Asia Minor for an estimated 20 years. After 20 years among Greek-speaking people, your Greek would greatly improve.
1 Peter was done “With the help of Silas, … I have written you” according to 1 Peter 5:12.
Everyone who could not read or write any Greek could write a letter in good Greek if they wanted to, by getting a friend or paying a scribe money to do it.
It is interesting to see what is not in 1 Peter. Unlike Peter’s speech where he pleaded with the crowd to be saved in Acts 2:40, there is no gospel message or evangelism in 1 Peter; this is a letter to believers telling them about the salvation they already possess.
Silas is the same person as Silvanus, and Silas travelled with Paul. So that might explain some similarities between 1 Peter and Paul’s writings. On the other hand, unlike Paul, there is nothing in 1 or 2 Peter about justification, the law, the new Adam, or the flesh.
The ancient land of Lycaonia was split into Galatia and Cappadocia until 72 A.D., when reunited them under a military command. In 72 A.D. Commagene was united with Syria. Hadrian split Lycaonia again into Galatia and Cappadocia in 137 A.D. Since 1 Peter is referred to before 137 A.D., the mention of Galatia and Cappadocia as separate places is an indication that 1 Peter was written prior to 72 A.D.
An Outline of 1 Peter
1:3-12Glorious Salvation through Christ
1:13-3:12 Sanctification through Christ
1:13-25 Lifestyle in salvation
2:1-10 We are chosen stones
2:11-12 Noble life and God’s glory
2:13-3:12 Submission in Christ
2:13-20 Submission to authority
2:13-17 Submission to rulers
2:18-20 Submission to masters
2:21-25 Christ’s example of submitting to suffering
3:1-7Wives and husbands
3:1-6 Wives submit to husbands
3:7 Husbands be considerate of wives
3:8-12 Live in harmony
3:13-5:11 Suffering in Christ
3:13-17How to witness in suffering for Christ
3:18-22 How Christ witnessed after death
4:1-6 Death to the old life
Or 3:18-4:6 Conduct of Christ or Christ’s example
4:7-11 Life for God’s glory or Conduct yourself in view of the end of all things
4:12-19 Consolations in suffering or Conduct of those who suffer for Christ
5:1-3 The shepherd’s suffering flock
Or 5:1-11Advice for the old, young, and everyone
5:12-14 Farewell from Peter and Silas
I’d like to thank the men of the Saturday morning men’s Bible Study, who went through this material with me, and added many helpful questions and insights.
1 Peter 1:1-12 - Salvation in Christ
1. Asia in 1 Peter 1:1 meant the Roman province of Asia, not the continent. Asia was one of the most cultured provinces in modern-day Turkey, containing about half of the cities there, including Ephesus, Miletus, Pergamum, and Smyrna. Why do you think Peter wrote to these provinces?Why might these be in this order?
2. In 1 Peter 1:1,17and 1 Peter 2:11 have you ever felt as though you were a stranger or alien?
3. In 1 Pet 1:2a, how do being chosen by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, for obedience to Christ relate to each other?
4. In 1 Pet 1:2b, since we are believers already have grace and peace, what is the difference between that and having it in abundance?
5. In 1 Pet 1:3 and Eph 1:17, how is the Father the God or Jesus Christ even now?
6. In 1 Pet 1:4 what is the difference between something that perishes, vs. spoils, vs. fades? What are examples of these things and how do they differ from our salvation?
7. Recognizing the perishing vs. the imperishable is important in 1 Peter in 1 Pet 1:4,7,23-25; as well as unfading in 1 Pet 3:4; 5:5b. How can we see what is imperishable and unfading?
8. In 1 Pet 1:5a, how are we shielded by God’s power through faith?
9. In 1 Pet 1:5b, how is our salvation ready to be revealed, if we already have it, or are now receiving it in 1 Pet 1:9? In what sense is it an inheritance in 1 Pet 1:4?
10. In 1 Pet 1:6,11 how do our suffering and following glories mirror of Christ’s?
11. In 1 Pet 1:7, when is Jesus Christ revealed here?
12. What are three sources of inexpressible and glorious joy mentioned in 1 Pet 1:8?
13. In 1 Pet 1:12a, how did the prophets and other believers preach the gospel to them by the Holy Spirit?
14. In 1 Pet 1:12b, how do angels long to look into “these things”? What things are these? Hebrews 2:9,16 might provide some clues.
15. In 1 Pet 1:13, how do we set our hope “fully” on the grace to be revealed?
1 Peter 1:13-2:3 - Sanctification in Christ
1. Are there any passages in the Bible that tell us to be Christ-controlled, since Jesus is our Lord? Why do 1 Pet 1:13a and other passages all tell us to be self-controlled?
2. In 1 Pet 1:13, what are different aspects of being self-controlled? What are different reasons Christians fail to have self-control in certain areas?
3. In 1 Pet 1:14 how do some Christians, perhaps unwittingly, conform to the evil desires of the world?
4. In 1 Pet 1:15God is has always been perfectly holy. We are not, and cannot ever be perfectly holy in this life. So how are we called to be holy, just as God is holy? (1 Peter 1:13 quotes from Leviticus 11:44; 11:45; 19:2. There is a similar thought in Leviticus 20:7.)
5. In 1 Pet 1:17, how are we as Christians supposed to live our lives here in fear? In Greek this is the generic word for fear, phobos/phobu, Various Bible translations have “fear” (NKJV, KJV, Green’s literal translation), “reverent fear” (NIV), “reverence” (NET), or “wholesome, serious caution” (Wuest)?
6. In 1 Pet 1:18, we were redeemed with something more previous than silver or gold, Christ’s blood. In 1 Pet 1:7 our faith is our greater worth than gold. Do you really believe that your salvation, and your faith, are of greater worth than gold? How might a Christian who is serious about believing this live and react in this world, versus who Christian who is not?
7. In 1 Pet 1:18 and Mt 15:9, is tradition always bad?
8. In 1 Pet 1:20, Eph 1:4; Acts 2:23; and Titus 1:2, was Christ chosen to die for our sins and redeem us by His blood after Adam and Eve sinned or before? Why?
9. What does 1 Pet 1:20-21 say is important about the divinity of Christ?
10. 1 Pet 2:1 says “slander of every kind”. What are the different kinds of slander? See Jms 4:11-12.
11. In 1 Pet 2:2 how much does a baby like their milk? What is God’s spiritual milk? Do we like God’s spiritual milk as much?
12. In 1 Pet 2:3 does everyone who tastes that the Lord is good go to heaven? See Heb 6:4-6.
1 Peter 2:4-2:25 Chosen Stones
1. 1 Peter 2:5 says that God’s house is not a building, but us, His church. How might Christians in the U.S. be neglecting to build God’s house? Guess what percent, on average, churches give to foreign missions.
2. What are all of the “stones” upon which the church is built? See Ephesians 2:19-22 and Revelation 21:12-14.
3. Different size oblong stones can all be used in a wall. Mortar can fill in small gaps. But if a stone has a long, narrow protrusion, or a hole in the middle, it cannot be. How does God delay with holes and long protrusions in our lives?
4. In 1 Peter 2:6-8, how is Jesus both the cornerstone and the capstone?
5. In 1 Pet 2:9, what is the difference between a holy nation and a royal priesthood?
6. In 1 Pet 2:10, what in the Old Testament mentions not being a people of God and now being a people?
7. In 1 Pet 2:11, in what ways are we aliens and strangers in this world? In what ways are we not? See John 17:9,11,13-19, Philippians 3:18-20 and Colossians 3:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:16; and Romans 12:2.
8. In 1 Pet 2:12 what are five ways pagans accused Christians of doing wrong back then? What are at least five ways non-Christians accuse Christians of doing wrong today?
9. In 1 Pet 2:13,17, how could Christians back then submit to an evil emperor such as Nero? Do you think it was harder to submit and honor the rulers back then or today?
10. In 1 Pet 2:13,17, if a democratic country has a ruler and members of parliament or congress that act hostile towards Christian value, how are we to still respect them? How are we to oppose them?
11. In 1 Pet 2:18, why should a slave submit to their master, especially a harsh master? What reward is promised?
12. In 1 Pet 2:21-26 what are at least two connections between Christ’s sufferings and our sufferings?
1 Peter 3- Submission in Marriage and Suffering
1: In 1 Pet 3:1-7 why is it false to say this teaches we should only preach without words?
2. In 1 Pet 3:1-7, how are unbelieving husbands, or other people for that matter, won over without words?
3. In 1 Pet 3:3-4, what do you think are the limits of how women should decorate themselves in our culture? – how about men?
4. 1 Pet 3:6 tells wives not to give way to fear. It says all of us should not fear what others feat in 1 Peter 3:14b. Given the time and context of the letter, what kind of fear do you think Peter was primarily talking about?
5. In 1 Pet 3:7, how can being inconsiderate of our wives hinder our prayers?
6. In 1 Pet 3:8, what does it mean to live in harmony with one another?
7. In 1 Pet 3:9-11, how is it common in the world to repay evil for evil and insult with insult? Why should we not?
8. In 1 Pet 3:15-16, how are we to always have an answer, but with gentleness and respect?
9. In 1 Pet 3:16-17, how do our sufferings for doing good have anything to do with Christ’s sufferings?
10. In 1 Pet 3:18b, some would claim this shows Christ did not physically rise from the dead? How can you prove this false?
11. In 1 Pet 3:18b-20, how do you think Christ preached to the spirits in prison?
12. In 1 Pet 3:20-21, how does the water relate to our salvation?
13. In 1 Pet 3:22 since Jesus is God, how is Jesus at God’s right hand?
1 Peter 4 – Prepare Well for the Struggle
1. In 1 Pet 4:1-2, how does suffering make us down with sin?
2. In 1 Pet 4:3, would you feel comfortable being next to a Christian who did these things before they repented and came to Christ? How about someone who killed other Christians, - like Paul? What attitude should we have towards Christians like that?
3. In 1 Pet 4:3-4, what are ways sinful society today sends the message that you are not normal if you do not continue to do these sins?
4. In 1 Pet 4:5-6, how was the gospel preached to the dead? (The word “now” in the NIV translation was added; it is not in the Greek). See also 1 Pet 3:19.
5. In 1 Pet 4:7; 1:13; 5:8 Peter seems to emphasize self-control a lot. How does being self-controlled help you to pray? How does being clear-minded help you to pray?
6. In 1 Pet 4:8 and Jms 5:20, how does love cover over a multitude of sins?
7. In 1 Pet 4:9, why is it important to offer hospitality to one another, - without grumbling? See Heb 13:2 and Jms 2:25.
8. In 1 Pet 4:10 why do you think Peter emphasizes us to use the gifts we have received?
9. In 1 Pet 4:10 it mentions God’s grace is “various” forms. It uses the same Greek word (poikilos) for trials, temptations, or evil desires in 1 Peter 1:6, James 1:2, 2 Timothy 3:6; and Titus 3:3. What do you think is the significance of the same Greek word for both?
10. In 1 Pet 4:11a, what is the difference between a Christian speaking for God and one speaking the very words of God? See also Prov 30:6 and 1 Cor 4:6.
11. In 1 Pet 4:11b, what is the difference between a Christian serving God and serving with the strength God provides?
12. In 1 Pet 4:12, what fiery trial was about to occur?
13. In 1 Pet 4:13, how do we share in the sufferings of Christ? You might see Col 1:24. Why should we rejoice in that?
14. In 1 Pet 4:14, is the Spirit of glory the same as the Holy Spirit?
15. In 1 Pet 4:16, some follower of Jesus have said the word “Christian” only occurs twice in the Bible, here in the context of suffering and in what King Agrippa calls Paul in Acts 26:28. So they say that we do not need to bear the name “Christian” today. How would you respond to that?
16: What does 1 Pet 4:17-18 mean, since Christians do not stand in the Great White Throne Judgment?
1 Peter 5 – Humble and Holy Submission in Suffering in the Faith
1. In 1 Pet 5:1-4 what are the four positive commands and two negative commands Peter gives to elders?
2. In 1 Pet 5:4 we receive an unfading crown/wreath, while the Isthmian games awarded victors a wreath of withered parsley according to The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.12 p.50-251. What is the difference between a fading and unfading crown? What are some fading crowns people have today?
3. In 1 Pet 5:5a what does “in the same way” mean, since they are not said to be over anyone?
4. In 1 Pet 5:5 “clothe yourselves” (Greek egkombosasthe) is a rare word that refers to a slave putting on an apron before serving a master. (This is like what Jesus did in John 13:4-17) See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.12 p.251 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.856.
5. In 1 Pet 5:5b and Jms 4:6; Mt 23:12 and Prov 3:34 why do you think God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble?
6. In 1 Pet 5:5b-6 is there any way of being humble, that if God asked you to do, you would have a hard time obeying? Why?
7. In 1 Pet 5:7 How is being anxious a sin of faithlessness?
By the way, in 1 Pet 5:7 “cast” or “throw upon” the Greek word epiripsantes is an aorist which means it is an active thing we choose to do on our part. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.12 p.251 for more info.
8. In 1 Pet 5:8, while Satan is often subtle, that is not at all the picture Peter is giving here. Why do you think Peter might compare Satan to a roaring lion?
9. In 1 Pet 5:9 the Greek word for “resist” (antistete) is the same word in James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11-13; and 1 Peter 5:8. What or who exactly are we supposed to resist?
10. In 1 Pet 5:10 the Greek de can be translated as “But” or “And”. Which do you think it should be, and why?
11. In 1 Pet 5:13 and Rev 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2-21, who else referred to Babylon as Rome outside of the Bible?
12. In 1 Pet 5:13 those who are in Babylon (i.e. Rome) send greetings. It does not say whether Christians are in “Babylon” by force, because they choose to be, or some each way. When should we choose to be in a spiritually dark place as a light for God, and when should we “flee Babylon” for spiritually more friendly places?
1 Peter 1:1-12 Salvation in Christ – Some brief answers
1. In 1 Pet 1:1 the word “Asia” meant the Roman province of Asia, not the continent. Asia was one of the most cultured provinces in modern-day Turkey, containing about half of the cities there, including Ephesus, Miletus, Pergamum, and Smyrna. Why do you think Peter wrote to these provinces? Why might these be in this order?
A: These go in clockwise order by geography. They also start and end with Bithynia-Pontus, which was a more primitive region, to Asia, a very cultured region. In earlier Greek times sailors who were shipwrecked on the shores of Pontus were sacrificed to gods by the locals. In Greek mythology Prometheus was chained in Pontus, and Hercules went to the underworld from there. On the other side, about half of the major cities in Asia Minor were in the province of Asia. Ephesus was a huge city, though not as large as Rome.
2. In 1 Pet 1:1,17 and 1 Pet 2:11 have you ever felt as though you were a stranger or alien?
A: If you are a believer and you have never felt like a stranger or an alien here, then something is wrong. We are strangers in this world. We are citizens of heaven and we really belong there. However, temporarily we are still on the earth. However, Christians sometimes forget this.
3. In 1 Pet 1:2a, how do being chosen by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, for obedience to Christ relate to each other?
A: This allusion to the Trinity shows something about how they operate. Whenever foreknowledge or predestination are mentioned, they relate to the Father. It is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies, i.e. sets us apart to make us holy. We are saved to obey our Lord Jesus, who is the Word of God. This is a complementary way of looking at things vs. Paul in Ephesians. In Ephesians 2:8-10 we are saved by grace through faith, in order to do good works. In 1 Peter, we are saved by the foreknowledge of the Father through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Christ. They are different ways of looking at salvation, but both are true.