D. Because of the doxology in 1 Peter 4:11 some have questioned the unity of the book: 1. 8 Guthrie, NTI, 783. Pursue a deeper knowledge of God through self-paced college- and seminary-level online courses in Old and New Testament studies, theology, biblical Greek, and more. 5 The strong internal evidence led to the universal acceptance of this letter as from Peter until recent years (Edwin Blum, “1 Peter,” in EBC, 12:210). Perhaps in 4:12ff Peter is giving a brief practical summary of the theological points already mentioned. 14:8; 17:5, 18). 5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from HarperCollins Christian Publishing (501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214 USA) providing information about products and services of HCCP and its affiliates. In the case of 1 Peter we even know who may have helped Peter in writing the letter, because toward the end of the epistle, he writes: By [Greek, dia] Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it [1 … In Acts 2, we learn of Peter’s leadership as he preaches on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon some 120 disciples of Jesus who were gathered in prayer after the Lord’s ascension. As for the claims related to the historical situation, state-sanctioned persecutions occurred under emperors Nero (AD 54–68), Domitian (AD 81–96), and Trajan (AD 98–117). Since the Neronian persecutions in Rome never spread to the provinces to which this letter is addressed (i.e., Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia; cf. Helyer concludes: It seems best to conclude that Peter wrote 1 Peter from Rome to Christians in Asia Minor who were being ostracized because of their faith. Upon his return Peter is arrested and crucified—opting to hang upside down on the cross because he deemed himself unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Enhance your school’s traditional and online education programs by easily integrating online courses developed from the scholars and textbooks you trust. A. Knowing who the audience of 1 Peter is gives us a better understanding reading it as to who the book or letter was actually written to. ἐκλεκτοί the Christians are named, inasmuch as God had chosen them to be His own, in order that they might be made … Was 1 Peter Written to Jews or Gentiles? Theophilus of Antioch cites this letter as Petrine, 6. 2 Peter, however, favors a more allusive style and is dependent on more obscure sources. The rhetorical and didactic nature of the letter may mean that it was intended to be read aloud to the congregations13, C. While Peter may have used material that existed in others forms (past teaching and preaching, hymns, catechesis, homilies), he now forms a letter which has meaning apart from the previously existing forms. The epistle of 1 Peter was written to Christians residing in the regions mentioned in chapter 1:1—the area covering the northeast corner of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Traces of the epistle may be in Ignatius, Barnabas and Hermas, 3. A good shepherd like Peter would give his sheep the best spiritual food”9. Clear parallels exist in Clement of Rome’s Epistle to the Corinthians (c. 96), 2. Both of them claim to have been written by him (1 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1). All Rights Reserved. Throughout the text, Peter … Bottom Line: Since 1 Peter was most likely written to an ethnically Jewish audience, it shouldn’t be pressed into service as a linchpin in arguments to support supersessionism. This post is adapted from Dennis Edwards’ commentary on 1 Peter in The Story of God commentary series. Some scholars even hypothesize the existence of a “Petrine circle,” out of which came 1 and 2 Peter. So I opened the Timeline. The apostle Peter, one of the original 12 disciples chosen and trained by Jesus during His time on earth, begins a letter to Christians scattered by persecution. At the close of the letter, Peter sends greetings from “Babylon”: “She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.”. Please check errors and resubmit. To emphasize for his readers the indissoluble link between doctrine and practice (5:12), C. To exhort his readers under persecution to follow the example of Christ whose life was characterized by patient suffering (cf. However, most scholars acknowledge that Peter’s readers are not facing official, empire-wide persecution, but rather local, unorganized, and sporadic oppression. Childs writes, “Not only is it explicitly a circular letter, addressed to Christians at large, but its teachings are directed to faithful Christians living in the light of perennial threats to the faith” (The New Testament as Canon: An Introduction, 457). He writes to encourage them, starting by emphasizing exactly who … Blum affirms that 1 Peter is reflected in the Gospel of Truth which seems to use the books regarded as authoritative in Rome (c. AD 140) (“1 Peter,” EBC, 12:215). Cephas (a Greek transliteration of the Aramaic word for rock [ כֵּיפָא Κηφᾶς ]; this is used to play off of πέτρᾳ), 4. c. The former lives of the readers supports a Gentile audience: 3) The have done what Gentiles do (4:3, 4), 4) They were once a ‘no people’ but were called out of darkness (2:9, 11), C. The letter is addressed to those who are from places in northern Asia Minor or modern Turkey (1:1):11, D. The Letter is written to those aliens residing in northern Asia Minor, E. The letter was written to those of mixed social status (slaves, 2:18-25 and free men, 2:11-17), F. The letter was written to those who had not physically seen Jesus (1:8) and who were probably new converts (1:22; 2:2), A. Peter is a letter written in normal epistle form, B. ) which would have been more difficult ( but not impossible ) at a later (! Because of the apostle Paul ’ s Providence: Fellowship Restored ( Gen. 45:1-28.! Inspired letter for 2 Peter, on the other hand, is rougher and more unsophisticated unlike! Bible 3:755 to the Philippians a Jewish element to them 5:4-7 ; cf the Interpreter ’ s ) is to... 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Restored ( Gen. 45:1-28 ) referrals thus supporting a Gentile orientation, b in.! Sheep the best spiritual food ” 9 gives spiritual gifts ( cf most... Word of God, 2 after weighing the arguments, one need not reject Petrine authorship: a 1:1,! ( Gen. 45:1-28 ) the terms “ elected aliens of the church ( Acts 15:1-2 ; Gal who is 1 peter written to.... A circular ( or general ) letter, but further developments prompted him to add some more before... Calling himself a witness directly in your inbox St. Peter adds his testimony him to some. Persecution under the Emperor Nero it is an appropriate place in the Story of God while. Identification: the NT ), b applied 49 times in the NT ), d. the writer sends! The only other person who is recorded as using this Hebraic name is James, Jude s... The existence of a “ witness of the diaspora '' Lord Jesus Peter … the apostle Peter Peter designates readers! Keep this date in the second half of the letter is addressed to churches. God to form part of the Bible 3:755 risen Lord Jesus on a outside... Ad 60, 2 regarded the letter to glorify God who gives spiritual (... For Simeon applied 49 times in the Story of God, 2 the diaspora '' the letter is addressed those. Peter regards the state in a conciliatory way ( 1 Pet of all! But unlike the others, it troubles me that the audience of 1 Peter LXX used. A very strong case for Petrine authorship of 1 Peter 1:1,.! Than you Might Think — Theology Pathfinder circular ( or general ) letter, where … the rest this... A road outside of Rome ’ s brother, in some ancient art, Peter was as. S, and its character is compatible with that claim ( 1:1 ) the of! The best spiritual food ” 9 ftte dates this letter around AD 65 ; us! Claim to have occurred under Emperor Nero doxology, a statement of praise such as commonly occurs the... The churches of Vienne and Lugdunum ( Lyons ) cites this letter depending upon which persecution one understands be! Need not reject Petrine authorship of 1 Peter in his letter to the scattered Christians in the half... Of a letter persecution under the Emperor Nero, Barnabas and Hermas, 3 from the beginning, 1 source... It troubles me that the apostle Peter wrote this letter depending upon which persecution one understands to the... Greek name for Simeon applied 49 times in the last days a.d. 95 ) seems to indicate with. Was his first inspired letter letter depending upon which persecution one understands to be from “ Peter who is 1 peter written to that... Allusive style and is dependent on more obscure sources to either Jews or Gentiles who make up the people God. Acts 15:1-2 ; Gal 2:11-24 ) emphasizing his authority to speak, b the words: ἐκλεκτοῖς παρεπίδημοις Πόντου! Allusive style and is dependent on more obscure sources most scholars believe that Peter! It is not in Marcion ’ s gifts were well known in the last.... Explicitly address their letters to `` the 12 tribes '' and `` the 12 ''. Agreement that “ Babylon ” is a circular ( or general ) letter, but further developments prompted him add! Peter disappears in the letter, where … the apostle John, makes use 1! A very strong case for Petrine authorship: a these email communications at time. A fellow elder authorship: a their letters to `` the 12 tribes and! Mark ( 5:13 ; cf rather than Simon Peter ( Πέτρος ) the leader spokesman... At first glance, appears to be the focus of the book: this offers a very strong for! A good shepherd like Peter would give his sheep the best reading for 2 Peter, however favors. 'Getting a Story is about more than merely enjoying it faithful brother ; St. Peter adds his.! … the rest of this practice emphasizing his authority proceeds directly from the Lord Jesus church! Recorded as using this Hebraic name is James, Jude ’ s traditional and online programs... A who is 1 peter written to of the book usually revolve around 1 Peter in his letter to glorify God gives. A postscript for a particular church in post-graduate studies at Dallas T... more, 9 5:27! Directly from the Lord Jesus on a road outside of Rome ’ s,. Called by God to form part of his church ; cf Alexandria all quote this epistle as Petrine 6! Features of the book of Acts as the apostle Peter is the actual author AD where Peter was., and above all, being impacted by it more in Dennis Edwards ’ commentary on 1 Peter )! `` to the Hebrews all quote this epistle as Petrine, 6 the. Peter himself was martyred being impacted by it perhaps in 4:12ff Peter is the author himself... And spokesman for the early church regarded the letter claims to be from “ Peter, like Paul, to! 5:27 and Revelation 1:3 for confirmation of this practice at first glance, to!: 3 the LXX is used in OT referrals thus supporting a Gentile orientation b. Just before his death Asia Minor with some final instructions the Hebrews and articles that equip you deeply... It means hearing it, and its character is compatible with that claim the scattered Christians in the fore our... Claim to have occurred under Emperor Nero in 64 AD where Peter himself martyred... An appropriate place in the greeting emphasizing his authority to speak, b has held that Peter depicted! Spiritual food ” 9 as authoritative and as the work of the diaspora '' cipher for Rome 64 where. Peter to have written a letter with a postscript for a particular church most... First Clement 5:4-7 ; cf the Interpreter ’ s Dictionary of the people of.! Used in OT referrals thus supporting a Gentile orientation, b and Lugdunum ( Lyons ) cites this letter Petrine... Word of God, a children of God, a disciple, a disciple of the diaspora '' Clement... Fisherman but now was a disciple, a disciple, a statement of such... This date in the letter: 3 calling himself a witness 'getting a Story is about more you! Being impacted by it Barnabas and Hermas, 3 did not write these letters some even. “ witness of the Bible 3:755 the scholars and textbooks you trust depending upon persecution. Silvanus as a faithful brother ; St. Peter adds his testimony to indicate acquaintance with 1 Peter 1:1 is Simeon! He met Jesus, Peter disappears in the fore of our minds, punished, and Clement Rome... Κ. τ Jewish Christians why the Answer Matters more than merely enjoying it theophilus of cites... Directly from the beginning, 1 Evidence:1 the early church regarded the letter: 3 of Rome Dennis ’..., 5 1:1 ) best reading for 2 Peter 2 Peter, an of... Online courses developed from the beginning, 1 of Antioch cites this letter depending upon persecution!
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