Bible Commentaries
1 Peter

Book Introduction - 1 Peter

1 Peter 1:1

WRITER: The Apostle Peter (1 Peter 1:1)

DATE: Probably A.D. 60. That "Babylon" refers to the former city on the Euphrates, or to Rome, cannot be inferred from 1 Peter 5:13. The text is obscure.

THEME: While Peter undoubtedly has scattered Jewish believers in mind, his Epistles comprehend Gentile believers also (1 Peter 2:10). The present Epistle, written from a church on Gentile ground (1 Peter 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: Christian suffering and conduct in the light of full salvation, 1 Peter 1:1-8 The believer's life in view of his sevenfold position, and of the vicarious suffering of Christ, 1 Peter 2:9-19 Christian service in the light of the coming of the Chief Shepherd, 1 Peter 5:1-14