Study
0 From the Book of 1 Peter is the Introduction of the Book
This
letter is attested very early external evidence as a genuine writing
of the apostle
Peter. When Peter wrote it he was 'in Babylon'(5:13).
It seems best to regard this as a reference to Rome. A probable date
for the writing of the letter is AD 63.
The
letter is addressed to 'the exiles of the dispersion Asia Minor. But,
though Peter was the apostle of the circumcision, and the term
'dispersion' was ordinarily applied to the Jews scattered among the
nation, the letter itself contains clear evidence that its readers at
least included converted Gentiles (1:14; 2:9, 10; 4:3, 4), who were
addressed as the spiritual Israel dispersed among the heathen.
The
letter had a double purpose: to comfort and encourage the Christians
in a time of persecution actual or threatened; and to exhort them,
all the more on account of this danger, to holiness of living and to
hope of glory. The problem of suffering, especially the suffering of
God's people, was the main subject of the book of Job, and we have
met with contributions to its solution in Isaiah and in the Gospel of
John. In this letter, as in Job, it is of primary importance, and
here we find a noble and satisfying answer to Job's despairing
questions. Compare, for example Jb.10 with 1 Pet. 1:6-9. Peter has a
key to the problem which Job had not. He knew that a sinless One had
suffered and died, bearing our sins in His body on the tree; so that
undeserved suffering has to halo of His glory round it, and to bear
it aright is to follow in the steps of the Redeemer. Also, His
resurrection and heavenly enthronement (1:21; 3:22) are proof that
suffering in the will of God leads to certain eternal reward.
