The Chapters – Quick Access
Basics
BOOK: 1 Peter
Description: A letter from the apostle Peter to Christians scattered across Asia Minor by persecution
Author: Probably the apostle Peter
Date written: Probably before 67/68AD
Chapters: 5
Brief Synopsis
- The letter is not easy to divide up because there is really one main theme, and everything is associated with that.
- There is a recognition that the people of God have been scattered by persecution and many are suffering because of that.
- The main thrust of the letter is to remember who you are and live your lives accordingly. Your goodness will take away grounds for further opposition and will give you a purpose to help you stand in the midst of all that is going on. We are what we are regardless of what is going on around us and what is happening to us.
Why Read 1 Peter
Possibly more than any other in the New Testament (together with James), this letter reminds us that in the early days the Church was scattered and persecuted.
Peter starts out (ch.1) by giving what we are calling ‘anchors of faith’, ways of looking at our salvation in the face of opposition.
He continues this (ch.2) with reminders of who we now are and what has happened to us, encouraging us to live godly lives as examples to the rest of the world.
He then proceeds (ch.3) to give practical directions of how to live righteously in the face of the unsaved world.
He goes on developing this (ch.4) teaching on coping graciously and righteously with opposition and persecution.
Finally (ch.5) he rounds this off with encouragement to elders who tend to be at the forefront of attacks, and also encourages the whole flock to recognize spiritual warfare and resist the enemy.
From one who was once a fisherman, there are some surprisingly sublime examples of the basic theology of the faith. We may not be suffering persecution in the same way as the early church, but there is much here to guide us through life as believers.
Contents
- 1:1-12 Opening: setting the scene
- 1:1-2 Greeting to the scattered church
- 1:3-9 Praise God for His Grace and Salvation
- 1:10-12 Remember it was established long back and spoken of by the prophets
- 1:13-2:12 Be the people you are called to be, expressing goodness
- 1:13-2:3 The Requirement of Holiness, our calling
- 2:4-12 The Position of Believers, who we are
- 2:4-8 A spiritual house
- 2:9-10 A chosen people
- 2:11-12 Aliens and strangers
- 2:13-3:7 Let your goodness be seen in Submission to Authority
- 2:13-17 Submission to rulers
- 2:18-20 Submission to masters
- 2:21-25 Christ’s example of submission
- 3:1-6 Submission of wives to husbands
- 3:7 The corresponding duty of husbands
- 3:8-5:11 Let your goodness be revealed in all your conduct
- 3:8-17 Duties of All
- 3:18-4:6 Christ’s Example
- 4:7-11 Conduct in View of the End of All Things
- 4:12-19 Conduct of Those Who Suffer for Christ
- 5:1-4 Conduct of Elders
- 5:5-11 Conduct of Young Men
- 5:12-14 Conclusion
- 5:12 The Purpose of the Letter
- 5:13-14 Closing Greetings
Concluding Comments
There are a number of Old Testament quotes in this letter which lead some to say this wouldn’t have been the fisherman Peter writing, but the truth is that many years have passed since he was that. Those verses are as follows:
| Peter’s Quote | O.T. reference quoted |
| 1:16 | Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7 |
| 1:24,25 | Isa 40:6-8 |
| 2:6 | Isa 28:16 |
| 2:7 | Psa 118:22 |
| 2:8 | Isa 8:14 |
| 2:22 | Isa 53:9 |
| 3:10-12 | Psa 34:12-16 |
| 4:18 | Prov 11:31 |
| 5:5 | Prov 3:34 |
This letter is worthy of a reading all at one sitting and when you do that look for those verses above that hint at the persecution that the Christians were suffering. Note also the two things that Peter presses on them
- Realize and remember WHO you are, and
- Therefore live out holy lives regardless of what is happening to you.