Silvanus was Paul’s companion in the ministry to the Asiatic churches, and since we do not read of him as going with Paul to Jerusalem or to Rome, it is probable he returned from Corinth (Ac 18:5) to Asia Minor and labored there. The Commentary on … The First Epistle of Peter. In modern times this identity has been challenged. Moreover, the present form of the document is a letter—with salutation, thanksgiving (praise), message and closing greetings. Hence, some have suggested that this term in 1 Peter identifies the recipients as Jewish Christians (e.g., Origen, Greek Fathers, Calvin, Bengel, Weiss). The unorganized and diverse trials of the recipients of 1 Peter are indicated in 1:6 (“various trials”); 3:14 (“for righteousness’ sake”); 4:12 (“fiery ordeal”) and 4:14 (“reproached for the name of Christ”). The BiblicalTraining app gives you access to 2,100 hours of instruction (129 classes and seminars). Suffice it to quote a sentence from Professor Zahn (New Testament, II, 289) with which the writer agrees: "That interpretation of 1Pe 3:19 is in all probability correct, according to which a preaching of Christ at the time of the Flood is referred to, i.e. Peter, First Epistle of: This epistle is addressed to "the strangers scattered abroad", i.e., to the Jews of the Dispersion (the Diaspora). It falls into parts: external and internal. Many of these "sojourners of the Dispersion" may have believed the message of the apostle and accepted salvation through Jesus Christ, and returned home to tell the good news to their neighbors and friends. N.T. The absence, however, of all tradition that would tend to identify this place with the Babylon of the Epistle seems to shut it out of the problem. Thus our inheritance "is glorious in these respects: it is in its substance, incorruptible: in its purity, undefiled: in beauty, unfading" (Alford). Hence, some have suggested that this term in 1 Peter identifies the recipients as Jewish Christians (e.g., Origen, Greek Fathers, Calvin, Bengel, Weiss). The redemptive work of Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1:2). The tradition regarding Peter’s residence and death at Rome is very strong (see Simon Peter). One is, that it is totally out of keeping with Peter’s manner of writing. Prepared by some of the world's leading scholars, the series provides an exposition of the New Testament books that is thorough and fully abreast of modern scholarship yet faithful to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God. The apostle Peter was the son of Jonas or John, two different versions of the same name. Some of these people may have become Christians there. Two cities having this name were known in apostolic times. Others suggest the meaning “unlearned in literature or rabbinic writings.” In any case, Peter would need the assistance of an amanuensis who could account for the linguistic qualities of the document. Simon Peter was a native of Galilee. There is truth in Dean Alford’s statement, although perhaps he pushes it rather far: "The link between one idea and another is found, not in any progress of unfolding thought or argument, but in the last word of the foregoing sentence which is taken up and followed out in the new one" (see 1Pe 1:5,6,7,9,10, etc.). ", The Christian brotherhood is described in 1Pe 2:9,10: "But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." The form of 1 Peter has been the occasion for extensive discussion. Peter says that he has written “encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God” . Upgrade to the best Bible learning experience! These past demonstrations of God’s sovereignty are the basis for the living hope which looks with confidence to the future and its glory which the Christian will share (5:1, 10). The Apostle commands submission to rulers and superiors and exhorts all to the practice of a virtuous life in imitation, of Christ. Peter was not, however, his original name. Irenaeus, a man who may well be said to represent both the East and the West, who was a disciple of Polycarp, quotes it copiously, we are assured. On the contrary, he urges them to be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king as supreme; or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well (1Pe 2:13). Silvanus seems to have functioned in this role in the writing of 1 Peter. 161-176. A distinguished man, a noble, a general, a statesman, will sometimes appear in public with his breast covered with resplendent decorations which mark his rank or his achievements. to designate Christians who are scattered in the world far from their heavenly home. It is declared to be "incorruptible." 1970. But the condition brought to view in 1 Peter is altogether different. Hence, Peter, most of all the apostles, urges the resurrection of Christ; an undesigned coincidence between the history and the Epistle, and so a proof of genuineness. Fear God. With Peter and his fellow-apostles the testimony of the prophets was authoritative and final. The whole Christian body shared in the persecutions (5:9). The recipients of this epistle have been suffering various trials and afflictions (1:6) and the possibility of greater and more severe difficulties was very real (3:13-17; 4:12-19). One was in Egypt, probably on or near the present site of Cairo, and we are told that it was a "city of no small importance." One of the largest reasons for this is the question as to whether the persecution that the author refers to was a local persecution in Asia Minor, or a an empire wide persecution. Jews in considerable numbers still dwelt in Babylon, notwithstanding the massacre of thousands in the reign of Claudius and the flight of multitudes into other countries. The antagonism here indicated obviously springs from the heathen populace; there is no hint of arraignment before magistrates or subjection to legal proceedings. What should be the attitude of the Christian to civil authorities who are becoming more and more suspicious about the new movement? The First Epistle of Peter is a book of the New Testament. Peter appears to be in Rome (his arrival could hardly be before the middle fifties and some time must also be allowed for the extensive spread of Christianity suggested by the provinces in which the recipients of 1 Peter lived). The exact nature of these problems is not known, although there are similarities to those persecutions endured by the early Christians as described in Acts and in some of Paul’s epistles. He sums up the main duties of Christian life in the short but pregnant sentences, "Honor all men. He then praises God for their living hope, incorruptible inheritance, and glorious salvation to be revealed at the coming of Christ. Ages do not impair its beauty or dim its luster. Hence, Selwyn’s suggestion that the recipients were “mixed” communities consisting both of Jewish and Gentile Christians. H. C. Youtie, Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 75 (1971), pp. It is not stained by sin nor polluted by crime, either in its acquisition or its possession. It does not observe a close logical sequence in its structure, as those of Paul so prominently display. The brotherhood is the new Israel. But this of Peter is absolutely pure and holy. 161-176. They show how bitter was the hatred and how intense the hostility felt by the heathen toward the Christians who dwelt among them. He bitterly … Col 1:24). It holds in its heart no germ of death. 1 Peter 1: Praise to God for a Living Hope. This the imperial government did later on, but there is no evidence furnished by the apostle that in 64 AD--the date of the Epistle--the government formally denounced Christians and determined to annihilate them. Besides, there is no evidence that Rome was called Babylon by the Christians until the Book of Revelation was published, i.e. This BOOK is here to this very day … for all of us to read, to believe and to obey.. The prophets and their study are described in 1Pe 1:10,11: "Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you," etc. Authorship. John 7:35) describes the dispersion of Jews among the Gentiles. Hence, Selwyn’s suggestion that the recipients were “mixed” communities consisting both of Jewish and Gentile Christians. But ever and anon their vision was filled with the future and its blessedness, their voices would swell with rapture as they saw and foretold the great salvation to be brought to the world and the grace that would then so copiously go out unto men; for the Messiah was to appear and to suffer, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. V. CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE EPISTLE. ), but the numerous exhortations relate to the broader aspects of the Christian life, rather than to baptism per se. A variety of charges were brought against the Christians, but they were calumnies and slanders, without any foundation in fact. Beare, First Epistle of Peter, p. 31. Peter does not speak of Iegal proceedings against the Christians by the magistrates. Peter frequently relates the believer’s own suffering and Christ’s sufferings (2:19, 20b, 21, 23; 3:14, 17; 4:1, 13, 16; 5:1, 9, 10; 1:11). 1. The historical attestation to its authority as an apostolic document is abundant. On the other hand, certain items in the epistle strongly suggest Petrine origin. A recent study of this term in the papyri suggests the meaning “illiterate, unable to write (Gr.).”. Visit the President's page to see his availability to speak at your church or ministry. Christ's resurrection was the occasion … The exalted conception is by one who was a strict Jew, the apostle of the circumcision, and who held somewhat closely to the Mosaic institutions to the end of his life. Cullmann has noted that the Petrine speeches in Acts also emphasize the servant motif. The metaphorical language he employs is mostly drawn from the Old Testament, or, if from himself, it is so common of use as to be well understood by all readers. In modern times this identity has been challenged. Imbued with a strong love for the risen Christ, and a profound conviction of the truth of the gospel as established in the world by the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, the author delineates a rich Christian life on the basis of these evangelical facts. to designate Christians who are scattered in the world far from their heavenly home. PETER, FIRST EPISTLE OF.No Epistle of the NT has caught more of the spirit of Jesus than 1Peter . 3. This passage, along with Romans 13:1-6, has become a locus classicus for Christian citizenship. --Bill Mounce. Trials and afflictions of the severest sort assail them, and an enmity and hostility, bent on their destruction, pursue them with tireless energy. Preview • Author • Destination, Origin, Date • Background • Purpose and Theological Teaching • Content Author The author says he is the apostle Peter ( 1 Pt 1:1 ), a witness of Christ’s sufferings ( 5:1 )—thus one of the original apostles With sickly, dying hope we are quite familiar. The letter includes a series of exhortations (imperatives) that run from 1:13 to 5:11. But such distinctions sink into insignificance alongside of this dazzling cluster. The genuineness and authenticity of the First are above suspicion. TWNT II, pp. Of course, where direct charges of a criminal nature were made against Christians, judicial inquiry into them would be instituted. These terms are strong and emphatic. 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