3 Things You Should Know about 1 Peter
Peter’s first epistle is important for Christians to study. Here are three things you should know about 1 Peter:
1. Its author, Peter, who was singled out by Jesus and called the “rock” (Matt. 16:18), uses similar imagery in this epistle.
True, there has been some discussion about this verse and what exactly Jesus meant by it, but it seems clear that Jesus is addressing Peter, who had just confessed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). One imagines that Peter was fascinated by rocks and stones after that. Interesting, then, that Peter should make a great deal of it in his first epistle by referencing rocks or stones in 1 Peter 2:4–8. He cites three passages, from Isaiah and the final Hallel psalms (Psalms 113–118, recited at Passover), that specifically mention stones or rocks.
One citation references a “cornerstone” that God “will lay in Zion”—a reference to Jesus, a stone that the builders will reject (Isa. 28:16; Ps. 118:22). Think of how the Jews in Jesus’ day rejected Him. The last reference speaks of a stone, or a rock, over which men will stumble (Isa. 8:14–15). This rock “rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him” is, of course, Jesus (1 Peter 2:4).
Peter wants his readers to understand that Christians are “living stones,” carefully and securely placed into the church that Jesus is now building, and in which Christ is the cornerstone. This building (the church) is supported by a promise: “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).
2. First Peter is chiefly concerned about the shape of the Christian life.
Peter opens the letter by saying that Christians are chosen “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood” (1 Peter 1:2). Peter spends over half of the epistle talking about what sanctification looks like, citing in chapter 1 what is sometimes called the “Holiness Code” from the book of Leviticus: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16; Lev. 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7). Then, in the rest of the epistle, he makes practical comments about how sanctification manifests itself in the struggles of daily life: submitting to authorities in places of work and society, in marriage, and in church life (1 Peter 2:13–25; 3:1–7; 5:1–11).
Holiness shows itself in very practical ways in all of life. Some of what Peter has to say seems very difficult to put into practice, but he reminds his readers, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Knowing that Jesus has redeemed us by His blood should help us to carry the cross into the most difficult situations we will be asked to face for Him.
3. First Peter is honest.
Peter does not sugarcoat his message in sentiment, but rather reminds his fellow believers that the Christian life is a “war” in which Christians are “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11). Christians may suffer for behaving badly, but sometimes they will suffer “for righteousness’ sake” (1 Peter 3:13–14, 17). Doing the “good” thing will sometimes be viewed as an offense to those who don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord. In such circumstances we are to “honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Remembering that we serve Christ as our Master will help us make the right choices and choose the right words when we find ourselves in the war zone. In 1 Peter 4:12–19, Peter focuses on the trials that Christians might face, urging his readers to “not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
Sounding a little like Paul in the opening section of Romans 5, Peter wants Christians to “rejoice” in tribulations (1 Peter 4:13; Rom. 5:3). Peter has in mind sufferings which seem to us to make no sense. We may suffer because we make really bad choices, but Peter is thinking of the kind of suffering Christians experience when they live holy lives and speak about Jesus with reverence and awe: “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:16). Peter adds the following exhortation: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4:19).
Christians are not called to a bed of ease, but to a life of “obedience” (1 Peter 1:2). And obedience may often be painful and costly. These trials are tests, so that the “tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
This article is part of the Every Book of the Bible: 3 Things to Know collection.