1 Peter
About this date: Dates are broad scholarly estimates of composition or final editing, not dates of the events narrated. Traditional attributions and scholarly assessments can differ.
1 Peter addresses dispersed believers facing hostility and urges hope, holiness, mutual love, and honorable conduct. It uses Israel's Scriptures to describe the community's identity. The opening names Peter, while the letter's authorship and precise setting remain subjects of scholarship.
Key points
- New birth and living hope frame the letter's response to suffering.
- The living-stones image connects Christ and the community without replacing Israel's own scriptural context.
- The counsel to answer for hope includes gentleness and respect.
Scripture
- 1 Peter 1:1-25 — Hope and holiness are addressed to believers described as exiles.
- 1 Peter 2:1-12 — Living stones and a priestly people are images for communal identity.
- 1 Peter 3:13-17 — The letter urges a reasoned response to suffering with gentleness.
- 1 Peter 5:1-14 — Elders, humility, vigilance, and final greetings close the work.
Primary sources
1 Peter 3:15 states:
The defense of Christian hope is explicitly qualified by humility and fear, within a discussion of suffering and conduct.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,
Passage context and translation
The letter urges a reasoned response to suffering with gentleness.
Before the excerpt
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”
After the excerpt
having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.