Book Overview - 1 Peter

by John Dummelow

Introduction

1. Author. The author describes himself as 'Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ' throughout, and there is no reason to doubt the truth of his claim. The Christian writers who lived nearest to apostolic times knew the Epistle, and did not question its authorship, and, as soon as collections of apostolic books were formed, we find it included in them. Only in modern times have objections been raised, on the ground that such widespread and severe persecution as the letter implies was unknown during St. Peter's lifetime, and that the author is more indebted to St. Paul's Epistles than St. Peter was likely to be. These objections disappear when the Epistle itself and the relations of St. Peter to St. Paul are carefully studied.

2. Occasion and Contents. That both writer and readers were expecting a severe persecution is the first and strongest impression which the letter leaves on us. But this 'fiery trial' is only expected; it is not even certain that it will come at all (1 Peter 3:14-17). As yet there has been suffering from slander and isolation, but now something worse is certainly looked for. What had caused this expectation? In 64 a.d. there had been a great fire at Rome, which the Emperor Nero was suspected of having caused. He directly afterwards put to death a large number of Christians in order to quiet the people. Trustworthy tradition says that both St. Paul and St. Peter were slain in the persecution that thus began; it is, however, not improbable that St. Paul suffered some years before St Peter. This news would soon spread to the Christians in all parts of the empire, who would naturally begin to fear for themselves. The Christians to whom this Epistle was written dwelt in districts of Asia Minor, all of which probably, and two of which certainly, were connected with St. Paul. It was carried by Silvanus, the friend of St. Paul. It is then reasonable to suppose that St. Peter wrote to these people soon after St. Paul's martyrdom, being himself at the time in Rome, surrounded by the sorrows and dangers of a terrible persecution, to encourage them to meet the trial steadfastly, if, as they feared, it should reach them. Silvanus would tell them all there was to tell about their master Paul. The letter from St. Peter would show that they were still cared for by an Apostle, to whom some of them probably owed their conversion on the first Whit Sunday: cp. Acts 2:9; and 1 Peter 1:1. It contained too encouragement of a deeper kind. St. Peter begins by greeting them in the name of the Holy Trinity; reminds them that all events have their source in God's foreknowledge; that this trial is part of His eternal purpose, and that they are therefore sure of His protection; that, if the veil were lifted, as one day it will be, they would see the divine power and glory surrounding them; that Christ's work was done through suffering, and that suffering is the proper state of Christians, and the condition of their happiness and hope, for safety from the perils of this life is a little matter to those who are heirs of eternal safety; that the Holy Spirit, who in times past gave ancient Israel its Messianic hope, is with them still, making them the people of Christ, the manifested Messiah, binding together the whole brotherhood throughout the world for the fulfilment of God's single purpose, and enabling them to live as a consecrated people should. 'In quietness and confidence shall be your strength' is the sum of his encouragement. Those whom the heathen scorn as 'Christians' must live, and, if need be, suffer, as men would who are like Christ, being holy, gentle, courteous, loyal, giving no occasion for real offence. Even the imperial authority is to be respected; whatever Nero's conduct may be, his office is of divine appointment. But more than that: Christ's sufferings were sacrificial; through them He saved sinners, and through death the scope of His redeeming work was enlarged. So through their sufferings—to which they have been consecrated by the sprinkling of Christ's Blood—these Christians may be the means of bringing even their persecutors to salvation.

3. General Remarks on the Epistle. No one was better fitted than St. Peter to write such an Epistle. The Lord had named him Peter the Rock; and though his conduct in gospel days may sometimes have seemed to belie the name, yet his later life showed that Christ had judged his character aright, and had by His discipline 'stablished and strengthened' his steadfastness. He stood firm in Jerusalem before persecuting rulers, and knew how persecution should be met.