1 Peter
Summary[i]
Writer: The Apostle Peter (1Pe_1:1).
Date: Probably A.D. 60. That
"Babylon" refers to the former city on the Euphrates, or to Rome,
cannot be inferred from 1Pe_5:13. The
text is obscure.
Theme: While Peter undoubtedly has
scattered Jewish believers in mind, his Epistles comprehend Gentile believers
also (1Pe_2:10). The present Epistle,
written from a church on Gentile ground (1Pe_5:13),
presents all the foundational truths of the Christian faith, with special
emphasis on the atonement. The distinctive note of First Peter is preparation
for victory over suffering. The last-name word occurs about fifteen times, and
is the key-word to the Epistle.
The Epistle is in three parts:
1. Christian suffering and conduct in the light
of full salvation (1 Peter 1:1 - 2:8)
2. The believer's life in view of his sevenfold
position, and of the vicarious suffering of Christ (1 Peter 2:9 - 4:19).
3. Christian service in the light of the coming of the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-14).