Author: The letter affirms that it comes from the Apostle Peter, and there's no evidence that the early church had ever questioned this claim.Silvanus (Silas), who accompanied Peter on his second missionary journey, seems to have acted as his secretary in the writing of I Peter (5:12), which possible explains the polished style of the Greek in the letter.
A linguistic literary parallel exists between I Peter and the apostle's discourses recorded in the Book of Acts. Peter's words on the Day of Pentecost and the epistle have the following in Common: Christ's sacrifice was predetermined (compare I Pet. 1:20 with Acts 2:23); Christ's resurrection and ascension in glory are presented together (cf. I Pet. 1:21 with Acts 2:38). Peter's discourse before the Jerusalem Council and I Peter recognize the following: the "election" of GOD for salvation (cf. I Pet. 1:2; 2:9 with Acts 15:7); the purity of the heart as a result of the acceptance of the gospel (cf. I Pet. 1:22 with Acts 15:9). Other examples could also be offered.
Occasion and Date: Peter directs his letter to the Christians who live in various places in Asia Minor, and who have suffered the world's rejection because of their obedience to Christ (4:1-4,12-16). He reminds them that because of their obedience to Christ (4:1-4;12-16). He reminds them that they have a celestial inheritance (1:3-5).
The apostle, knowing the trials that the addressees of his letter had gone through, addressed them as "expatriots of the dispersion" (1:1), a phrase that remembers the Old Testament exile of Israel, but which also applied to these Christians (see 1:17-2:11). The majority of them were converted Gentiles, and at one time "were not a people" (2:10, which with great difficulty could be applied to the Jews). Their earlier lives had been a dissipated existence, of drunkenness and idolatry (4:3), which better describes the situation of the pagan Gentiles than that of the Jews of the first century. Their compatriots were surprised that they now lived differently (4:4). Although they suffered a trial of fire (4:12), they hadn't yet faced martyrdom. Furthermore, the persecutions weren't common (see 3:13,14;4:16).
Tradition suggests that Peter was martyred in Rome, during the severe persecutions ordered by Nero against the Christians after the burning of that city in 64 AD. This letter seems to have been written toward the end of Peter's life, but when he could still say, "Honor the king" (2:17). It's very probable that I Peter had been written in the first years of the sixth decade of the first century.
Content: Along with various exhortations about life in the faith within a godless society, the epistle also dedicates much attention to the salvation promised by the gospel. The future salvation that awaits the believers when Christ manifests himself is emphasized in the beginning of the letter (1:3-13). It is the "hope" of the Christians of which it speaks in 1:3,13,21; 3:15. Thus as Christ suffered and was glorified, Christians will participate in the glory to come, although they may be persecuted for their faith in this life (1:6,7; 4:12,13). In the midst of unjust suffering, being patient "is approved before GOD".
It also speaks of the importance of the believers pointing the way toward GOD through their consecrated lifestyle. They proclaim praises to GOD (2:9), influence the pagans to glorify GOD (2:12), silence fools by doing good (2:15), the women gain their husbands for Christ through their examples, shame their unbelieving critics (3:15,16) and confound their old companions (4:4). Although they have to suffer, Christians have to be a redemptive force in the world.
Literary Form: (HBH) Students of I Peter have discussed widely the literary forms within the book. Many find extensive evidence of the presence of hymns, creeds, or fragments of sermons in such passages as 2:4-8 and 2:21-25. Some view the entire writing as a sermon preached at the baptism of a group of Christians. They view the opening section through 4:11 as a message spoken to candidates for baptism. They locate the performance of baptism at 1:21-22 and feel that the "Amen" at 4:11 concludes the address to the candidates.
The concluding section beginning with 4:12 is viewed as an address to the entire church gathered for the rite of baptism. Although these discussions are enlightening and enriching, they are often inconclusive and unconvincing. Peter may have used material from different sources in writing this book, but it is best to see that he made it his own material under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Peter made frequent reference to the Old Testament, sometimes by quotation (2:6-8) and sometimes by allusion (3:6,20). This frequent use suggests that Jewish readers were at least among the recipients of the letter. Some of Peter's emphases resemble those of Paul. For example, there is a similarity between Peter's words about relationships between wives and husbands in 3:1-7 and Paul's discussion in Ephesians 5:22-33.
Historical Setting: (IBD) First Peter is addressed to Christians living in "Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (1:1) - places in the northern and western parts of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The readers appear to have been Gentiles (1:14,18; 2:10; 4:3), although they probably had not been evangelized by Peter himself (1:12). The letter was obviously written to believers undergoing trials and persecutions, to give them courage in the face of their adversities (5:10).
Theological Contribution: (IBD) First Peter was written by one who sensed the triumphant outcome of GOD's purpose for the world (1:4). The triumph of the future depends in no way on what we have done but on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because GOD has raised Jesus from the dead, GOD is deserving of praise; for "His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope" (1:3).
The unshakableness of our hope in Jesus Christ, which awaits us in heaven, resounds like a clap of thunder throughout this epistle. Because Christ has been raised from the dead, His suffering and death have meaning. The believer can gain courage in present adversity by looking to the example of Christ in His suffering. We have a sure hope for the future because of Christ's resurrection. This truly is a "living hope", for it is one we can live by, even in the midst of "various trials" (1:6).
If I Peter is an epistle of hope, the accent falls not on wishful thinking, but on present help. No biblical writer shows the connection between faith and conduct in a clearer manner than does Peter. "Conduct", in fact, is a key word in this epistle (1:15,17-18; 2:12; 3:1-2,16). For Peter, practice is not simply the most important thing; it is the only thing.
Peter's stress on behavior, however, is not an appeal to some vague sense of "moral goodness" in people. The conduct Peter describes is the result of a life reclaimed by the perfect power of Jesus Christ. Christ has redeemed believers (1:18-19); Christ upholds and guides them (1:8; 2:25); and Christ will reward them (5:4). Christ is both the model and goal of the redeemed life. Consequently, believers may move forward on the pilgrim way, confident that the end will rise up to meet them with joy and salvation (2:11; 4:13-14).
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:10). There is no better commentary on this Beatitude than the Epistle of I Peter. Here is no pale, tight-lipped religion. Rather, "living from the end" cultivates an abiding joy even in the trials of the present. Here, too, Jesus is our sole help and our sure LORD, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross" (Heb. 12:2).
Personal Application: Every time true Christians experience the world's hostility, the calling to patience and holiness in the midst of suffering is applicable to all. However, the message has greater pertenance where the repression is more severe. The persecution of Christians is as great in many places on earth nowadays as it was in the first century, and I Peter offers hope to those who suffer for the love of Christ.
Christ Revealed: In four distinct passages, Peter links the sufferings of Christ's sacrifice to the glory that followed his death (1:11; 3:18; 4:13; 5:1). The letter details the fruits of suffering and the victory of Christ, and includes provisions for a new life in the present and hope for the future (see 1:3,18,19, 3:18). Anticipating the return of Christ in glory brings joy to the believer (1:4-7). Christ also gives place to profound changes in the life of believers in other aspects: they love him (1:8); they approach him (2:4); they offer "spiritual sacrifices" through Him (2:5); they are condemned for his cause (4:14); and they expect to be rewarded when He returns (5:4).
The Holy Spirit in Action: The Holy Spirit is active during the entire process of salvation: the "Spirit of Christ" that was in the Old Testament prophets, "announced beforehand about the cross and the glory that would come later (1:11); Christ was raised from the dead "by the Spirit" (3:18); the evangelists preach the gospel by the Spirit (1:2,22); the Spirit gives an anticipation of the glory to come (cf. 4:14 with verses 13 and 15:1).
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