#LOVEWINS: An Introduction to the Book of I Peter

Copyright © 2015 by Vintage Press

Scripture quotations are from The Holy , English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro- duced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher.

Design, layout, and illustrations by Christopher Wilson. CONTENTS Purpose of the Series 1

Author 1

Date & Place of Writing 3

Title & Genre 3

Setting 3

Purpose 6

Themes 6

Outline of I Peter 8

Resources for Additional Study 9

References 12 #LOVEWINS PURPOSE OF THE SERIES 1 Peter was written to the church during a time when people not only rejected but also persecuted those who lived for Jesus. A similar story is being written in our time and in our culture. 1 Peter is a timeless book with timely implications on how the love of Jesus overcomes the world. Jesus is real love and his love wins.

AUTHOR When reading 1 Peter, we are immediately introduced to the author of the letter. The text begins with “Peter, an apostle of Jesus,” giving readers a name and title. For those familiar with the , and particularly the , the apostle Peter is no stranger. In fact, he is a key character in both the Gospels and the book of Acts. The Gospels describe him as Simon Peter, a disciple of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Therefore, because Peter was such a noteworthy and influential leader in the early church, the readers of 1 Peter would have no doubt known who “Peter, an apostle of Jesus” was. From the time of the early church, no one doubted that Pe- ter wrote this letter. This is the reason it would later become a part of the official canon (our Bible today). Despite such unan- imous support, doubt has risen regarding the authorship of 1 Peter over the past 200 years. Typically, scholars doubt that Peter wrote 1 Peter because of three reasons: (1) linguistics, (2) theology, and (3) history. Linguistics refers to the quality and style of writing. Experts agree that 1 Peter is written in “some of the finest Greek in the whole NT.”1 Because of the quality of the Greek used, scholars question whether Peter, an uneducated (Acts 4:13) Galilean fisherman, could have written such a letter. To support Peter as the author of 1 Peter, some scholars look to :12 and Peter’s reference to Silvanus. In the ancient world, authors would often not write their own letters. Instead they would dictate the content of their letter to an amanuensis, or secretary, who would then 1 #LOVEWINS write the letter. Potentially, Peter could have used Silvanus or another person as an amanuensis; however, this cannot be proven. Regardless of the fact that Peter was “uneducated,” he was not ignorant of the Greek language. Living in and around Galilee as a fisherman, Peter was a businessman who would have worked with Greek-speaking individuals.2 Scholars also doubt Peter’s authorship of this letter because of its theology. Many see Peter’s letter steeped in the theology of the apostle Paul. In this letter, Peter “focuses on the death of Christ, the need to suffer with Christ, obedience to govern- ing authorities, the responsibility of wives to submit to their husbands, and other themes.”3 While many of the themes in 1 Peter are incredibly similar to themes utilized by Paul, this does not take away from the fact that these themes were universally taught in early Christianity. Thus, it makes sense that both Paul and Peter would have written about them. Finally, many look to history to refute Peter’s authorship of 1 Peter. After a cursory reading, one will quickly realize that suf- fering and persecution are prominent themes in 1 Peter. These themes connect to the authorship of 1 Peter when one investi- gates the death of Peter and the dates of known persecution. According to church tradition, the apostle Peter was martyred in sometime between AD 64 and AD 68. Therefore, in order for Peter to have written this letter, he would had to have written it before his death. According to history, however, no state-motivated persecutions were occurring in Asia Minor during this period. Historical documents demonstrate that the Roman Empire authorized persecutions under emperors (AD 81–96) and (98–117).4 If 1 Peter reflects persecution and suffering occurring during the reign of either Domitian or Trajan, then the apostle Peter could not have written the letter. However, not all persecutions of were empire-wide. During Peter’s lifetime, the church would have experienced “discrimination and abuse on a local level.”5 While scholars have raised these objections to Peter as author of 1 Peter, none of the objections are compelling and without 2 #LOVEWINS explanation. Therefore, alongside church tradition, we can still affirm that the apostle Peter wrote 1 Peter.

DATE & PLACE OF WRITING What one believes about the date and place of writing is direct- ly connected to one’s view of who wrote 1 Peter. Because we believe the apostle Peter wrote 1 Peter, the dating of 1 Peter is limited to his lifetime. We can safely infer that 1 Peter was written sometime between AD 64 and AD 68, because of both Peter’s martyrdom as well as the mention of Silvanus. Silvanus, known as (see Acts 15:22), was a travel companion of Paul’s and would have made his way to Rome with Paul prior to his martyrdom. In regards to place of writing, most scholars re- fer to tradition as well as 1 Peter 5:13. Church tradition states that Peter was living in Rome at the end of his life. Likewise, 1 Peter 5:13 references “,” which was an early church reference to Rome.6 So, it makes sense that 1 Peter was written in Rome.

TITLE & GENRE Known as 1 Peter, this book is the first preserved letter written by the apostle Peter to the church, particularly churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Based on the structure and content of 1 Peter, the book belongs in the genre of or letter. Letters in the ancient world consisted of several elements, including (1) salutation, (2) thanksgiving, (3) body consisting of moral exhortation, and (4) a closing, all of which are included in 1 Peter.

SETTING Peter wrote his letter from Rome “to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in , , , Asia, and ” (:1). The geographic areas mentioned by 3 #LOVEWINS Peter were areas in Asia Minor, locations visited by the apos- tle Paul during his missionary journeys. If Peter wrote 1 Peter between AD 64 and AD 68, he wrote his letter during the reign of Emperor Nero (AD 54–68). While the first five years of Nero’s rule were relatively peaceful, he later disregarded the wisdom of his advisors. Living in a paranoid state, Nero would go on to kill his mother and wife and burn much of Rome in AD 64.7 While scholars are uncertain, ancient histories write that Nero planned the burning of Rome to rebuild it according to his plan for his own glory. Christians were blamed for this fire and were subsequently persecuted and martyred for their faith. Thus while persecution was not empire-wide during the reign of Nero, persecution was certainly present. There is also much debate as to what Peter means when he calls the recipients of his letter “elect exiles.” While a consid- erable Jewish population could be found in Asia Minor, clues throughout 1 Peter suggest that Peter’s audience were Gentiles who had turned to Christianity (see 1 Peter 1:14, 18; 2:9–10, 25; 3:6; and 4:3–4). The audience of Peter’s letter is consid- ered “elect exiles” “because they suffer for their faith in a world that finds their faith off-putting and strange.”8 The fact that the audience is comprised mostly of Gentiles also makes sense in light of Paul’s missionary journeys throughout Asia Minor. While some Jews came to faith, Paul mostly spent his time converting Gentiles to Christianity. Hence, the church in Asia Minor would primarily be composed of Gentiles. Without doubt, persecution is a significant theme throughout 1 Peter. We have already discussed the character of the perse- cution that the Christians in Asia Minor were facing. Because persecution was not state-sponsored there is good reason to believe that the Christians Peter was addressing were not nec- essarily facing death but instead ridicule and insult. One schol- ar explains this persecution, noting

To the outside world there was no difference between followers of Jesus and other Jews, as long as the followers of Jesus were ethnically 4 #LOVEWINS Jewish. But it was a different matter when a Gentile member of the town or city became a follower of Jesus. In Greco-Roman eyes this person had no ancient right to live like a Jew. The person was rejecting the gods of the community and undermining the welfare of the city, and he had become antisocial (“a hater of humanity”) and atheistic. The person was sometimes tolerated (just as Jews were sometimes tolerated) but also was often treated according to the local perception of their having become antisocial and thus a threat to the welfare of the community.9

Map taken from the ESV Study Bible Thus Peter writes to these churches, encouraging them that their savior, Jesus Christ, endured suffering, providing all Chris- tians with an example of living victoriously through suffering. Peter reminds the church how they are to live amongst their pagan neighbors and, in particular, their pagan government. In the face of mounting persecution, the church in Asia Minor was to “maintain a holy way of life (1:14–16) in the midst of the moral and social problems of the believers. Peter calls them to live good lives among the pagans” (2:11–12), to meet evil with good and not retaliate (3:9), and to resist the devil by standing firm in the faith (5:8–9).”10 Ultimately the church’s words and deeds, both toward pagans and believers, was to serve as light for the in a dark world. 5 #LOVEWINS PURPOSE Simply put, “the purpose of the letter is to encourage believ- ers to stand fast while they endure suffering and distress in the present evil age.”11 Peter recognized the persecution the church was facing was real and causing some to question their call to follow Jesus. He desired to remind the church of the suffering Jesus encountered and endured for their sake and to encourage them that because of Jesus’ suffering, they too could endure and stand firm for the gospel. Peter reminded the church that while they were suffering in the present world, a fu- ture hope exists where their suffering will cease and their faith will be vindicated before Jesus. Until then, both their words and actions were to point to the gospel in hopes that their persecu- tors and the rest of the world might come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

THEMES

• The Person & Work of Jesus Christ While it could go without saying that the person and work of Jesus is a significant theme through- out the New Testament, 1 Peter emphasizes Jesus to make a particular point. In 1 Peter, Peter highlights who Jesus is, particularly “as the one who died, who rose from the dead (1:3), and who will be be revealed at the end of time (1:7, 13).”12 The work of Christ is emphasized in two ways. First, Peter reminds the church in Asia Minor that through Jesus they have salvation. Second, he demonstrates that Jesus “is the model of suffering for the Christians.”13

• Community The community, or church, is also a central theme found throughout 1 Peter. Whenever Peter address- 6 #LOVEWINS es the church in Asia Minor, he utilizes collective language, such as nation, tribe, or race (2:5), a roy- al priesthood (2:9), or even simply “people of God” (2:10). Peter is not only concerned with how the church identifies itself but also with how it relates to one another. Throughout the letter, he reminds Christians in Asia Minor to love one another (2:17; 4:8), have unity of mind (3:8), and to serve one an- other (4:10), among other things. Peter wanted the church to recognize that in the midst of persecution and suffering, it was their community that would allow them to not just survive but thrive.

• Persecution & Suffering No doubt persecution and suffering played a ma- jor role in 1 Peter. In three specific places, Peter discusses persecution and suffering (3:13–4:6; 4:12–19; 5:8–11). While the persecution might not have been widespread or have led to death, it was severe enough to cause Christians in Asia Minor to question their faith. Although Peter does not prom- ise that the persecution and suffering will cease, he does remind the church of the example that Christ provided for the church. Christ suffered and was murdered for the salvation of the Christians in Asia Minor. Not only that, he was also victorious over his death and suffering. Thus, while the church might experience suffering and persecution, she can be confident that her Savior suffered more and was victorious over death.

• Christian Living With a simple reading of 1 Peter, one will find countless commands to live in a Christ-like man- ner. The church in Asia Minor was “to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against 7 #LOVEWINS your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (:11–12). This included submitting to government authorities, honoring everyone, not repaying evil with evil, and standing firm. While suffering and persecution was inevitable, how the Christians responded to such treatment was up to them. If they responded with love in the face of evil, they had the opportunity to display the gospel visibly to a lost world.

• Future Hope Because of the suffering and persecution the Chris- tians faced, Peter reminds them that a future hope existed. While they suffered in their present life, in the future, Jesus will return and restore all things. Peter reminds the church in Asia Minor that “after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10). Ultimately, Peter wants the church to know that in comparison to the future hope with Christ they would one day experience, their suffering is only momentary. Thus, while they suffer at the hands of persecutors, they can have hope knowing that Christ will return to restore and renew all things, including them.

OUTLINE OF 1 PETER

I. Opening (1:1–2) II. The Christian Existence—Identity (1:3–2:10) A. The New Life (1:3–12) B. The Call to Sanctification (1:13–2:3) 8 #LOVEWINS C. The New Existence as the Elect and Holy People of God (2:4–10) III. The Christian Obligations—Action (2:11–5:11) A. In the Structures of Society: General Exhortations (2:11–3:12) B. In the Structures of Society: Under Persecution (3:13– 4:6) C. In the Christian Community (4:7–11) D. In the Structures of Society: Under Persecution (4:12– 19) E. In the Christian Community (5:1–7) F. In the Structures of Society: Under Persecution (5:8– 11) IV. Conclusion (5:12–14)14 RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY Below we have included some study helps, aids, and resources for our series through the book of 1 Peter. We encourage you to study the book yourself outside of our worship gatherings and your community group.

TECHNICAL COMMENTARIES

Peter H. Davids. The First Epistle of Peter. In The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. ISBN: 978-0802825162.

Peter H. Davids. A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude. In the Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014. ISBN: 978-0310291473.

Karen Jobes. 1 Peter. In the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. ISBN: 978-0801026744.

9 #LOVEWINS NON-TECHNICAL COMMENTARIES

Edmund Clowney. The Message of 1 Peter. In The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove: IVP, 1989. ISBN: 978- 0830812271.

Scot McKnight. 1 Peter. In The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. ISBN: 978-0310492900.

Thomas R. Schreiner. 1, 2 Peter, Jude. In Vol. 37 of The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman, 2003. ISBN: 978-0805401370.

INTERNET RESOURCES

The Gospel Coalition Resources on 1 Peter

http://resources.thegospelcoalition.org/ library?f[book][]=1+Peter

Desiring God (John Piper’s Ministry) Resources on 1 Peter

http://www.desiringgod.org/all-resources/by- scripture/1-peter/1

http://www.desiringgod.org/all-resources/by- scripture/1-peter/2

http://www.desiringgod.org/all-resources/by- scripture/1-peter/3

http://www.desiringgod.org/all-resources/by- scripture/1-peter/4

10 #LOVEWINS http://www.desiringgod.org/all-resources/by- scripture/1-peter/5

The Village Church on 1 Peter

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/ sermons/series/1-peter

11 #LOVEWINS REFERENCES

1Peter H. Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, in The New International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Gordon D. Fee (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990), 4.

2Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, in vol. 37 of The New American Commentary, ed. E. Ray Clendenen (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2003), 33.

3Ibid., 23.

4Ibid., 24.

5Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, 10.

6Ibid.

7Gary M. Burge, Lynn H. Cohick, and Gene L. Green, The New Testament in Antiquity: A Survey of the New Testament within Its Cultural Contexts (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009), 364.

8Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, 50.

9Peter H. Davids, A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude: Living in Light of the Coming King, in the Biblical Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 116.

10Burge, Cohick, and Green, The New Testament in Antiquity, 400.

11Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, 45.

12Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, 23. 12 #LOVEWINS 13Ibid.

14Burge, Cohick, and Green, The New Testament in Antiquity, 401.

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