The First Epistle of Peter
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Introduction[i]
The
First Epistle of Peter is addressed to believers among the dispersed of Israel
found in those provinces of Asia Minor Which are named in the first Verse; the Second
Epistle declares itself to be a second addressed to the same persons: so that
the one and the other were destined for the Jews of Asia Minor (that is, to
those among them who had the same precious faith as the apostle).
The
First Epistle is founded on the doctrine of the heavenly calling (I do not say
of the assembly on earth, [1] which is not
brought before us here) in contrast with the portion of the Jews on the earth.
It presents Christians, and in particular Christians among the Jews, as
pilgrims and strangers on earth. The conduct suited to such is more largely
developed than the doctrine. The Lord Jesus, who was Himself a pilgrim and a
stranger here, is presented as a pattern in more than one aspect. Both epistles
pursue the righteous government of God from the beginning to the consummation
of all things, in which the elements melt with fervent heat, and there are new
heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. The first gives the
government of God in favour of believers, the second in the judgment of the
wicked.
Nevertheless, in presenting the heavenly calling, the
apostle necessarily presents salvation — the deliverance of the soul in
contrast with the temporal deliverance of the Jews.
Note #1
I add "on earth" here, because the assembly as built by Jesus Himself and not yet finished, is spoken of in Chapter 2, where the living stones come to Christ.