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1 Peter: Introduction to the Letter
Introduction: First Peter may be one of the more neglected NT letters, at least from the standpoint of clearly seeing the letter in its original context. The key to understanding this letter is to be able to truly relate to our first century brothers and sisters who had been ripped from their homes and transplanted a couple thousand miles away in a foreign land in the midst of people who did not like them, thought they were strange, and mistreated them.
Background
It is appropriate that Peter is the author of a letter that deals with trials. Remember Jesus’ words to Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Lk. 22:31-32).
The date of the letter is about 65 AD, shortly after the burning of Rome (64) and the initiation of Nero’s persecution against Christians.
The letter is written to the dispersion in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” See map.
The recipients: “To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion”(ESV) – “To the temporary residents of the Dispersion”(HCSB) – “To the exiles of the Dispersion” (NIV).
“Dispersion” or “Diaspora” has a double purpose in the letter. The original readers were literally displaced from Rome (5:13 forms an “inclusio,” thus the dispersion from “Babylon” or Rome) and scattered throughout the region of Asia Minor and beyond. Calling them diaspora reminded them of the God’s people of old who also were scattered and required to live as strangers and foreigners.
Emperors commonly expelled residents from Rome. Sometimes it was for the purpose of “romanizing” another part of the empire. Emperors may have most often expelled non-citizens for a variety of reasons and sometimes for no apparent reason. At times it was expel those determined to be disruptive to the peace of the empire. This was the reason Claudius expelled the Jews in Acts 18. Other times, it was because of famines or other shortages. Expelling non-citizens freed up valuable resources.
But think also of what happened when this letter was spread beyond its original hearers. They could also read “diaspora” and think of themselves in the same category in a metaphorical sense as they also were God’s chosen scattered throughout the pagan world. In fact, “sojourners and exiles” are again used in 2:11 with the sense that they are not only sojourners and exiles from Rome but from the world itself and therefore should abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. We need to teach our children this!
Therefore when we see the words: elect exiles, we are being charged by Peter live and remain exiles in this world. If you are chosen, you are an exile. If you are not an exile, you are not chosen. We are to be chosen exiles!
Purpose of the Letter
5:12 “I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” Couple this with the fact that the word “suffer” in one form or another is used 12 times in the letter. Peter makes reference to it in every chapter.
Christians in the first century made the mistake of Christians in almost every age. The prophets spoke of the last days as a time when God’s kingdom was established above all others and all nations would come to Zion to seek the Lord and learn of his ways. All the curses of the former Israel would be taken away, God’s people would learn war no more, and the Lord would be the King of all the earth. Then the Messiah came, but instead of the world turning to the Lord, the world rose up in defiance, first in killing the Messiah and then killing his followers. Of course, both Jesus and the prophets warned of this, and a more careful reading would have revealed that God’s restoration process would begin with the coming of the Messiah but extend into eternity. God’s enemies would not be immediately destroyed and his people would be counted as a “remnant,” survivors from the nations:
Psalm 2; Psalm 110
Daniel 7:13-14, 27
Isaiah 4:2-6; Isaiah 11
Therefore, Peter’s letter focuses on this theme (5:12): the true grace of God looks like this…
Though for a little while we are grieved by various trials that test the genuineness of our faith, we are guarded through faith by God’s power “for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1:5-6).
In other words, our path to salvation and the ultimate fulfillment of the prophets is through suffering: “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in he flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (4:1-2).
And again, “Beloved, do not be surprised a the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings…” (4:12-13).
Great Messages in the Letter
Living as strangers and exiles. Peter explains a unique balance between living as strangers to the world around them and yet not withdrawing from the world instead, they are called upon to make an impact in the world:
2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
2:12 “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.”
3:15 “…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Therefore, while living a holy life and an evangelistic life may be “strange” and even offensive to some, we will never be intentionally offensive. However, we are called on to make an impact!
Therefore, this leads to possibly Peter’s greatest challenge: is to live our lives as those who are truly “strangers” and not citizens of the world in which we live.
1:14-15 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
4:3-4 “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised [think it strange] when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.” Does our life for God surprise people?
Peter gives the key to our holy lifestyle in 1:22-25. All flesh will perish just like the grass because we were born from a perishable seed. However, we have now been born again by an imperishable seed, and by keeping this seed in us, we will live and abide forever. [Cf. 1:3-4]
Finally, when persecuted, we are called upon to respond as Jesus did.
2:21-23 “To this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps…when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
5:8-10 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after 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. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”