About 1 Peter
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood - your suffering is temporary but your inheritance is imperishable; live as strangers and aliens, doing good, so that even your enemies may glorify God.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7
Written
circa AD 62-64
Author
Peter
Genre
Epistle
Position
21st NT book - General Letters
Authorship
The Apostle Peter, written from Rome (Babylon in 5:13) with the assistance of Silvanus (Silas). Peter writes with apostolic authority shaped by decades of following Jesus.
Historical Context
Written to believers scattered across Asia Minor (modern Turkey) who faced social marginalization, slander, and possibly official persecution.
Purpose
To encourage suffering believers to maintain holy lives and hopeful witness in their scattered, marginalized condition - reminding them of their identity as God's chosen people.
Key Message
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood - your suffering is temporary but your inheritance is imperishable; live as strangers and aliens, doing good, so that even your enemies may glorify God.
Book Structure
Interesting Facts
1 Peter 2:9 - You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation - applies Exodus 19:6's description of Israel directly to the church.
1 Peter 3:15 - Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have - is the classic apologetics verse.
The letter contains one of the most debated passages in the NT - Christ preaching to imprisoned spirits (3:19) - with over a dozen interpretive theories.
Peter quotes or alludes to the OT over 35 times in five chapters.