January 2024
Background Information on the book of I Peter:
The book of Peter, was written by the apostle, Peter. This is confirmed in 1:1. Peter wrote this first of two letters. The audience for the book of First Peter is to persecuted believers, both Jews and Gentiles. Peter wrote to encourage them to continue to stand in the midst of the suffering they were enduring. Peter sends them greetings from “Babylon,” which commentators say was an alias for Rome. Peter used this alias to protect believers. At the time, the evil Nero, was emperor and he had burned Rome, so that he could build more. The people of Rome were furious, and fearing backlash from Rome’s citizens, he used the Christians as his scapegoat, pinning the guilt of the fires on them, thus igniting the persecution of believers in Rome.
Peter, who was originally known as Simon (Greek name), or Simeon (Hebrew name) was renamed, “Peter,”(Greek name) or “Cephas” (Aramaic name) by Jesus, which meant “stone,” or “rock.” He was the leader of the twelve disciples and actually the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) contain more information about him than anyone else outside of Jesus.
Peter understood persecution, tradition says that he was forced to watch his wife’s crucifixion, and it is said that Peter prayed for her and told her to “remember the Lord.” Like James and Paul, historians say that Peter died a martyr’s death only two years after writing this letter.
Dear Meadowview Ladies,
This year we will be studying and memorizing a portion of I Peter. We want to have a firm understanding, not just of this particular passage of the book, but the book as a whole. II Timothy 3:16 tells us that
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
So, we want to be faithful to study the Word, and its context, so that what it says in Psalm 119:10-14 can be true of us:
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!
With that in mind, we are beginning our memorization in verse 13 – so let’s give the context for what has been said in the first twelve verses of chapter 1.
I Peter 1:1-12 Summary:
As was already mentioned above, in the background information, the apostle Peter wrote this book, and we know that from verse 1. Also in verse 1, we see the audience to whom Peter is writing, it says,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
So what does this mean? Who is Peter’s audience? These “exiles,” that Peter is writing to, what is meant by exiles? This is a reference to the fact, that as believers, earth is not our home, heaven is our ultimate home. Other words that are used in the Scriptures that have the same meaning as the word “exiles” here, are “aliens,” “so-journers,” “strangers,”and “pilgrims.”All of these words point to the fact that we, as believers, are citizens of heaven, and that we should not be surprised when we do not feel at home here, because this is truly not our home, and just as Jesus said in John 15:18-21,
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
This Scripture certainly points plainly to the fact that this is not our home, and that as believers, we will encounter persecution for being believers. The word “dispersion” we see used in other parts of the Bible, referring to Jews that were dispersed from their home land of Israel. In this case, commentators say this is a more general reference, as was mentioned earlier in the John passage. It refers to believers who don’t find their ultimate home here on earth, but in heaven.
What are these five locations that are mentioned: Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia? These are provinces that were located in Rome in Asia Minor (Rome was a huge empire). Remember, as was mentioned earlier, even though Peter says he is writing from Babylon, this is an alias to protect believers, in case a Roman got a hold of this letter. Peter was trying to protect these believers from further persecution.
In the next 11 verses Peter is trying to encourage these believers that God sees them and knows them, He knows what is going on. God is sovereign, and He is in control. Peter knows that times are hard for them, but he wants them to know that they will not be persecuted forever, and that there is HOPE, His name is Jesus. As verse 3 & 4 explains - because of Jesus Christ's death on the cross, they have an “imperishable” hope! Imperishable, meaning nothing can destroy it or take it from them, and for you and I, as believers, we share that same hope and assurance. Jesus Christ is our hope, and heaven will be our home. He gives them the encouragement that God’s power is their safeguard, He is the giver and keeper of their salvation. He encourages them even to rejoice, which to us, might appear strange, because they are suffering. However, Peter reminds them of the joy inexpressible that is to come because of Christ. He explains that, in fact, it is persecution and suffering, that like precious metal being refined by fire, will prove the genuineness of their faith.
In verses 10-12 Peter explains that we have been given this information about our future hope by the prophets, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, These prophets did not have this knowledge on their own, it was from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and that they weren’t writing this information down merely for themselves and their own knowledge, but for those who would come after them.
In closing, in verses 1-12, Peter is setting the backdrop for this book. He identifies who he is writing to and why he is writing and now in verse 13 and following, he is going to begin to give them very specific instructions on how to live their lives, in the midst of this persecution for the glory of God.