A Study Outline of First Peter

by

Dr. O. Wilburn Swaim, ThD

 

 

I.    The Believer’s Blessed (Chp. 1). We have:

      A.   Salvation (3) It is according to:

            1.  God’s Mercy--The Source

            2.  God’s Method--The New Birth

            3.  God’s Might--The Resurrection of Christ

 

      B.   Inheritance (4)

            1.  Incorruptible, “afqarton,” from “a” and “fqeirw” “spoil, ruin, perishable;” hence, “immortal, imperishable, or (as here), incorruptible.”

            2.  Undefiled, “amianton,” the negative of “stained, soiled,” as  “unchaste,” would be used in the moral realm.

            3.  Unfading, “amaranton,” “enduring.”

            4.  Protected, “tethrhmenhn,” participle,perfect, passive, of “to keep watch upon, guard.”

 

      C.   Security (5) “frouroumenous,” participle, present, passive. “frouros” is a “guard,”  as a military guard, “to keep in a state of settlement.”

            1.  By God’s Power

            2.  Through the Believer’s (saving) Faith

            3   Unto Future Revelation

 

      D.   Trials (6) “Temptations” is from root: “peirasmos,” to be tempted (from without, or within, to sin), to reveal one’s character).

      E.   Faith (7-9)

            1.  Proven Faith (7) “Trial” is “dokimos, ”one proved geniune, as a coin, or metal.” Hence, ”approved.”

                 a.  More Precious than Gold

                 b.  More Praise toward God

     

            2.  Real Faith (8)

                 a.  We Love One Whom we’ve not yet Seen

                 b.  We Rejoice in What ‘we’ve Not yet Received.

 

            3.  Perfected Faith (9)

 

      F.   Full Knowledge (10-12) The O.T. Prophets:

            1.  Preached the Message (10)

            2.  Puzzled over the Meaning (11)

                 a. The Sufferings of Christ

                 b.  The Glory of Christ

     

            3.  Promised Future Ministry (12)

 

      G.   Responsibility (13-25)

            1.  Be Faithful (13)

            2.  Be Holy I14-16)

            3.  Be Careful (17-25) Because of:

                 a.  The Price of our Salvation (18,19)

                 b.  The Plan  of our Salvation (20,21)

                 c.  The Purity of our Salvation (22,23)

                     1) Our Obedience to the Truth (22a)

                     2)  Our Love for One Another (22b)

                 d.  The Power of our Salvation (22,23-25). The Word:

                     1)  It is Truth (22)

                     2)  It is the Seed (23)

                     3) It is Eternal (24,25a)

                     4)  It is Preached (25b)

 

II.    The Believer Portrayed (Chps 2-4). Ten Pictures:

      A.   Newborn Babes (2:2). Desire the Milk:

            1.  As We Desire

            2.  According to our Tastebuds

 

      B.   Living Stones (2:4-8) “Disallowed” is intense form of “dokimos” (see E.1 above).

            1.  The Chief Corner Stone (4,6,7)

                 a.  Approachable (4a)

                 b.  Rejected (4b, 7)

                 c.  Honored (4c-8)

                     1) Chosen of God (4c)

                     2)  Precious to God (4d)

                     3)  Exalted (6)

                     4)  Empowered (8)

           

            2.  The Building Stones (5). We comprise:

                 a. A Spiritual House

                 b.  A Holy Priesthood            

 

      C.   Chosen Generation (2:9a)

      D.   Royal Priesthood (2:9b)

      C.   Special People (2:9c)

      F.   God’s People (2:10)

            1. For a Possession

            2.  For Praise

 

      G.   Strangers and Pilgrims (2:11-24)

            1.  Glorify God in our Conduct (11,12)

            2.  Silence the Foolish in our Submission (13-20)

                 a.  As Temporary Citizens (13-17)

                 b.  As Suffering Servants (18-24)

                     1) It is Thankworthy Suffering (19); after the freedom of conscience (19,20)

                     2) It is Acceptable Service (20); after the example of Christ (21-24)

                    

      H.   Rescued Sheep (2:25)

      I.    Suffering Christian (4:12-19). How to Respond to Suffering:

            1.  With the Proper Attitude (12-14)

            2.  With the Proper Safeguard (15,16)

            3.  With the Proper Instruction (17-19)

                 a.  Realize our Special Position (17,18)

                 b.  Rely on our Sovereign Protector (19)

 

      J.    House of God (4:17)

 

III.   The Believers Responsible (Chps 3-5)

      A.   In the Home (3:1-7)

            1.  How to Win an Unsaved Husband (1-6)

                 a.  Submissive Spirit (1,5,6) Verse six: “kai mh foboumenai mhdemian ptohsin” “and none are continually being afraid (mid voice, present participle) in terror.”

                 b.  Saintly Conduct (2-4a)

                 c.  Soft Conversation (4b)

            2.  How to Treat a Saved Wife (7)

                 a.  Dwell with Her in Knowledge

                 b.  Honor Her in:

                     1)  Her Inferiority, as the Weaker Vessel--The Natural Realm

                     2)  Her Equality, as a Joint Heir of Grace--The Spiritual Realm

 

      B.   In the Church (3:8-12; 4:7-11)

            1.  Unity (8a)

            2.  Compassion (8b)

            3.  Brotherly Love (8c,9)--Be:

                 a.  Pitiful “eusplagcnoi” “strong bowels; compassionate, tenderhearted”

                 b.  Courteous “filofrones” “kindly, in a friendly manner” (note 4:9)

                 c.  Forgiving (9, 4:8)

                 d.  Loving (3:8 “love as brethren”; 4:8)

                 e.  Clear Minded (4:7b)

                 f.   Prayerful (4:7c)

                 g.  Ministering (4:10)

                 h.  In the Word (4:11)

 

      C.   In the World (3:13-22; 4:1-6, 12-19)

            1.  Rejoice in Suffering (3:13,14,16,17; 4:12-14:16)

            2.  Bold in Persecution (3:15,16; 4:14-16)

                 a.  Your Conscience is Clear (3:16; 4:15,16)

                 b.  Your God is Glorified (4:14,16)

                 c.  Your Experience is Ordered of God (3:17; 4:17-19)

 

      D.   In Relationships (Chp 5)

            1.  Pastor to People (1-3)

                 a.  Lead the Flock (2b,3)

                     1) Willingly (2b)

                     2)  Without Regard to Recompense (2c)

                     3)  Without Coercion (3)

 

                 b.  Feed the Flock (2a)

 

            2.  Pastor to God (4) Crown of Glory

            3.  Servers to Leaders (5-7)--Submission:

                 a.  Younger to the Elder (5a)

                 b.  One to Another (5b)

                 c.  All to God (6,7)

                     1)  Looking to Him for Reward (6)

                     2)  Looking to Hime for Relief (7)

 

            4.  Saved to Satan (8,9)

                 a.  Watch How You Walk Before the Devil (8)

                 b.  Resist  the Attack of the Devil (9)

                 c.  Wait for Total Deliverance from the Devil (10)