Get Ready
These two relatively short letters contain a very concise, very practical theology from one of the leaders of the early church. Even though he was writing to encourage believers in difficult times, his practical approach has value for readers at any point in their walk with Jesus [check out the Notes . . . below].
Author
Even though he identifies himself in the opening verse of these letter – as “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,” scholars have argued almost from the beginning, that Peter could not have written theses two letters.
The initial argument is that he was “uneducated and ordinary” [Acts 4:13]; therefore he could not have written the literary Greek of these letters. The first weakness is relying on the assessment of Jewish scribes and priests who were questioning Peter in Acts. The second is overlooking the Jewish requirements that all male children study the Torah, which was available in Greek as well as Hebrew. The third error is not realizing that Jews in any trade would know at least some Greek because that was the language of commerce and government. In addition, Peter wrote these letters (probably with the help of a secretary) after more than twenty years of spreading the Gospel in a mostly Greek-speaking culture (see below).
Context
Most authorities believe Peter wrote these letters from Rome (“Babylon” in 5:13), probably after 60 CE. The first letter is addressed to the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, towns in what is now Turkey [1 Pet 1:1]. He borrows a phrase normally applied to Jews living outside of Palestine.
The second letter is more generally addressed to those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, [2 Pet 1:1]. Peter does call this the second letter I am writing to you, [2 Pet 3:1], which implies the same audience as the first letter.
Thirty years after Christ’s resurrection the church had spread throughout the Roman empire. However, the initial fervor of evangelism and mission work had given way to established practices and rituals in many areas. The early excitement and anticipation of Christ’s return waned with each year that passed. This led to the rise of heresies that work to explain away the teachings of the Gospel.
The first letter is a call to holy living and faithfulness, even though the author knows believers are being persecuted for their faith – they are outsiders in the pagan culture: Therefore prepare yourselves for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed, [1 Pet 1:13].
In the second letter Peter refutes those who are denying that Christ will return and disparaging the call to moral restraint: Therefore I intend to keep reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you, [2 Pet 1:12]. The second letter carries the urgency of Peter’s expectation that my death will come soon, [2 Pet 1:14].
Structure
Both letters follow a similar pattern, with a greeting, the main body and argument, and a closing with a final exhortation. The differences in subject and focus lead to different styles in the main section of the letters.
1 Peter has four main sections:
- Thanks for our salvation and the nature of living as a Christian – including his description of believers as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, [1 Pet 2:9].
- Christian relationships – including being subject to lawful authority, duties of slaves, relationships within the family.
- The Christian response to suffering – including Christ’s example and his ultimate triumph, and the blessing of suffering for Christ.
- Stewardship of God’s grace – including the need for discipline and maintaining constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins, [1 Pet 4:8].
2 Peter is a more directed argument against false teachers:
- Christians are called by God and equipped with everything they need to live faithfully.
- False teachers will be judged and punished.
- Christ will return and judgment will occur.
Major Themes
Peter’s theme in both letters is the Gospel – God’s promise of salvation through faith in Christ and his crucifixion and resurrection. He assures us the Gospel is true and our salvation is sure. And then he calls us to live as God’s people – separate from the pagan culture that surrounds the church.
The secondary theme is “persevere.” Believers must remain true to their faith, even in times of persecution. Peter tells believers they must also live their faith, because Christ’s promise to return is also true. And his return will bring judgment: Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish, [2 Pet 3:14].
Get into the Word
1. Who wrote these letters? Why do some believe someone else must have written them? What evidence points to Peter as the author? How does he describe himself in the letters?
2. When did Peter write these letters? Where was he at the time? Who did he write the letters to?
3. What was the situation of the church at the time? What forces were hindering the church? How had believers changed from the early years of the church? How does Peter address these issues in the two letters? How are the subjects different in each letter? How are they the same? What is significant about Peter’s personal situation in the second letter?
4. How are the letters organized? What parts are similar in each letter? Why does the main part of each letter differ from the other? What are the main sections of the first letter? How about the second letter? How is the tone different in each letter?
5. What is the primary message of these letters? What is the secondary or “so what” message? Why would this be important to Peter? Why should it be important to the church? To believers?
Notes . . .
Peter’s theology
Peter was very practical and his letters show a very practical theology:
God: the sovereign Father is holy and trustworthy; his children should copy him.
Christ: the Son is sinless and obedient; he died and rose again, so his followers should likewise die to sin and live in trust of his resurrection.
Holy Spirit: the Spirit is the agent of sanctification, our supporter, and the power behind our ministry.
Scripture: the Word is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit; it is the expression of God’s character, his love and his plan for creation.
The Church: believers are the body of the risen Christ, the manifestation of God’s love and purpose in this world.
Last Days: Christ will return in glory and complete our salvation; we respond by living as his disciples.
Bible Trivia
Peter acknowledges Paul in 2 Peter 3:15
77: Suffering and stewards of God’s grace –1 Peter 3:8 – 4:11
Get Ready
How do you feel when some one criticizes you or questions what you believe or insults you in front of other people? Do you try to walk away and not escalate the situation? Do you respond back with similar emotion? Do you try to explain yourself to the challenger?
The Word
3 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For “Those who desire life
and desire to see good days,
let them keep their tongues from evil
and their lips from speaking deceit;
11 let them turn away from evil and do good;
let them seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?
14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
4Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), 2 so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. 3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. 5 But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.
7 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. NRSV
Get into the Word
1. How does the author begin this section of the letter? What does he encourage believers to do? How should they relate to one another? How should they deal with someone who hurts them? Why is this important?
2. What should be a Christian’s attitude toward suffering? What will ultimately happen in such cases? How is the believer protected? How should the believer respond to attacks or criticism about his or her faith?
3. What example does Peter give on dealing with suffering? Why did Christ suffer? What was the result of his suffering? What happened to his body? What happened to his spirit?
4. What does Peter say about Christ’s activity after his death? Who else does he refer to? What do you think he is actually talking about here? What ultimately happens to Christ after his death?
5. How should a Christian relate to Christ? What should be her or his attitude toward suffering? How does this affect a believer’s life?
Get Personal
How do you respond when things go against you? How do you feel about God during such times? How does he help you focus on Christ and his promise of salvation?
Notes . . .
3:8. Unity of spirit — literally, “be of the same mind.” Peter introduces general principles for relationships within the church.
3:10. For . . . — Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16, which describes righteous behavior.
3:13. Who will harm you — Peter is not saying that believers will not be persecuted; but ultimately they will not be harmed because they have Christ’s protection, which is clearer in v. 14. This is an echo of God’s word to Isaiah: Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy; and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread, [Isaiah 8:12].
3:15. Make your defense — while a Christian should not force his or her faith on another person, she or he should be ready and able to explain what Jesus means to their lives, with gentleness and reverence, [v. 16].
3:18. Christ also suffered — Peter points to Christ’s suffering for our sins; his physical body died on the cross, but his spirit lives with God forever.
Once for all — Christ’s sacrifice was
complete and sufficient, unlike the yearly sacrifice made by the Jewish high priest.
3:19. Spirits in prison — Peter does not explain this reference except to link it to baptism as the cleansing of our spirits, which allows us to come through God’s judgment. There is no definitive explanation of when Christ preached “in prison,” or what the spirits actually are [Acts 2:31 and Eph 4:9 are similarly confusing references].
4:1. Same intention — Peter calls on believers to trust God’s promise of salvation, just as Christ trusted God’s promise of resurrection. Christians live by the will – or spirit – of God. And unbelievers will persecute them because of their changed lives [v. 4].
4:7. The end of all things — like most early Christians, Peter believed the “end of the age” and Christ’s return would happen sooner rather than later. This gives urgency to his return to moral instruction, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, [v.11].
Memory Verse
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins,
[1 Peter 4:8].
Next Lesson
1 John 3: Living as children of God.
