I Peter— Suffering and Glory
6.07.23
But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered awhile, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)
The author was not Simon, impulsive and full of weaknesses. Rather, it was the Peter that Christ prophesied should become a rock (Matt 16:18). It was the Peter chastened by years of suffering and trial, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. The epistle belongs to the later period of his life.
Some have questioned Peter’s authorship because the book is written with a superb literary style, and Peter was said to be unschooled (Acts 4:13). His lack of schooling simply meant that he had not gone to the rabbinical schools. By the time Peter wrote his epistles, he had been ministering for thirty years and surely had time to master the Greek language. Furthermore, Silvanus, the man who accompanied Paul on the second missionary journey, was Peter’s secretary, and perhaps also his editor (5:12). Peter knew his Bible, for proportionately, there are more quotations from the OT than in any other NT book.
Peter wrote this epistle to the whole body of believers, both Jew and Gentile, which were scattered about Asia Minor (1:1). To churches largely founded by Paul, Peter sends this letter of spiritual encouragement, instruction and admonition. They were facing difficulties, but not from the Roman government. Rather, these were the normal challenges that face those who wish to live faithfully for Christ in a pagan society: slander, social ostracism, local police action, etc. However, Peter makes a break in chapter four and begins to speak of trials to come—Nero would soon begin his persecutions (4:11, 12).
The place of writing was Babylon (5:13). This could be a cryptic reference to Rome, yet it is difficult to imagine him using allegory in the midst of his plain and simple sayings (5:12-14). It seems most likely to refer to the actual city of Babylon, which was a center for Jewish people who were dispersed.
Peter did go to Rome, but probably not until after he wrote this epistle. He was surely not the bishop of Rome for 25 years, as is held by the Church of Rome. He was martyred there about AD 67.
Jesus had given Peter two specific commands: to encourage and strengthen the brethren (Luke 22:32), and to feed the flock of God (John 21:15-17). He obeyed these commands in writing this epistle. He was a witness to Christ’s sufferings during His trial, and a partaker of His glory at the Transfiguration. As someone has said: “First comes the cross, and then the crown!”
The key word in the book is ‘suffering,’ which occurs in some form sixteen times. It is used in close association with the coming of Christ.
Based on the theme of suffering, one source outlines the chapters thusly: 1—suffering builds faith; 2—suffering produces joy; 3—suffering encourages boldness; 4—suffering causes cleansing; 5—suffering results in glory.
The Book is loaded with the person and work of Christ. He is spoken of as God’s Lamb who redeemed us by bearing our sins on the cross. He is the perfect example of suffering, the Chief Shepherd and Guardian of the believer. Through His resurrection, Christians have a ‘living hope’ and an ‘imperishable inheritance.’ He is the living Word, and the living Stone. Have you given your life to this wonderful Savior?