First Epistle of Peter
Encyclopedia
The First Epistle of Peter, usually referred to simply as First Peter and often written 1 Peter, is a book of the New Testament
. The author claims to be Saint Peter
the apostle, and the epistle was traditionally held to have been written during his time as bishop
of Rome
or Bishop of Antioch, though neither title is used in the epistle. The letter is addressed to various churches in Asia Minor suffering religious persecution.
of Jesus".
is addressed “to the strangers dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, elect,” (five provinces of Asia Minor) though it otherwise appears to be addressed to Gentiles rather than to the Jews of the Diaspora
.
The author counsels (1) to steadfastness and perseverance under persecution (1–2:10); (2) to the practical duties of a holy life (2:11–3:13); (3) he adduces the example of Christ and other motives to patience and holiness (3:14–4:19); and (4) concludes with counsels to pastors and people (chap. 5).
The first creeds to mention the harrowing of hell were Arian formularies of Sirmium (359), Nike (360), and Constantinople (360). It spread through the west and later appeared in the Apostles' Creed.
Related articles:
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
. The author claims to be Saint Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
the apostle, and the epistle was traditionally held to have been written during his time as bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Rome
Diocese of Rome
The Diocese of Rome is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy. The bishop of Rome is the Pope, who is the Supreme Pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church...
or Bishop of Antioch, though neither title is used in the epistle. The letter is addressed to various churches in Asia Minor suffering religious persecution.
Composition
The author identifies himself in the opening verse as "Peter, an apostleApostle (Christian)
The term apostle is derived from Classical Greek ἀπόστολος , meaning one who is sent away, from στέλλω + από . The literal meaning in English is therefore an "emissary", from the Latin mitto + ex...
of Jesus".
Audience
This epistleEpistle
An epistle is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and formal didactic letter. The epistle genre of letter-writing was common in ancient Egypt as part of the scribal-school writing curriculum. The letters in the New Testament from Apostles to Christians...
is addressed “to the strangers dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, elect,” (five provinces of Asia Minor) though it otherwise appears to be addressed to Gentiles rather than to the Jews of the Diaspora
Diaspora
A diaspora is "the movement, migration, or scattering of people away from an established or ancestral homeland" or "people dispersed by whatever cause to more than one location", or "people settled far from their ancestral homelands".The word has come to refer to historical mass-dispersions of...
.
The author counsels (1) to steadfastness and perseverance under persecution (1–2:10); (2) to the practical duties of a holy life (2:11–3:13); (3) he adduces the example of Christ and other motives to patience and holiness (3:14–4:19); and (4) concludes with counsels to pastors and people (chap. 5).
Outline
The principal divisions of the First Letter of Peter are the following:- Address (1 Peter 1:1-2)
- The Gift and Call of God in Baptism (1 Peter 1:3-2:10)
- The Christian in a Hostile World (1 Peter 2:11-4:11)
- Advice to the Persecuted (1 Peter 4:12-5:11)
- Conclusion (1 Peter 5:12-14)
The "Harrowing of Hell"
The author refers to Jesus, after his death, proclaiming to spirits in prison (3:18-20). This passage, and a few others (such as Matthew 27:52 and Luke 23:43), are the basis of the Christian belief in the descent of Christ into hell, or the harrowing of hell. Though interpretations vary, most theologians see this passage as referring to Jesus, after his death, going to a place (neither heaven nor hell in the ultimate sense) where the souls of pre-Christian people waited for the Gospel.The first creeds to mention the harrowing of hell were Arian formularies of Sirmium (359), Nike (360), and Constantinople (360). It spread through the west and later appeared in the Apostles' Creed.
See also
- Textual variants in the First Epistle of Peter
External links
Online translations of the First Epistle of Peter:- NET Bible 1 Peter Bible Text, Study notes, Greek, with audio link
- Early Christian writings: 1 Peter
- Online Bible at GospelHall.org
Related articles:
- The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: 1 Peter
- Easton's Bible Dictionary 1897: First Epistle of Peter
- Ernst R. Wendland, “Stand Fast in the True Grace of God! A Study of 1 Peter"
- 1 Peter The authenticity and authorship by Peter of the First Epistle of Peter defended