First and Second Peter.
The Author. The author was the Apostle Peter, whose name before he
became a disciple, was Simon. He was born in Bethsaida and lived in
Capernaum where he followed the occupation of fishing. He was brought
to Jesus by Andrew, his brother, and became one of the leaders of the
Apostles, both before and after Christ's death. His career should be
studied as it is found in Acts. He was impetuous, brave and energetic,
and after the ascension performed many miracles.
First Peter.
Those Addressed. The sojourn of the dispersion (1:1) points to Jewish
Christians. They were strangers (sojourners) 1:1, 17; 2:11, who were
persecuted, 3:17; 4:12-19, but whose persecution came, not from the
Jews, but from pagans, 4:3-4. They had certain faults and wrong
tendencies, 2:1, 11, 12, 16; 8:8-12; 4:9; 5:2-3.
Purpose. To console them in their suffering, and to exhort them to
faithfulness and duty.
Date. Probably about 64-68 A. D. Certainly not after 70 A. D., as he
was not doubt put to death before then.
Analysis.
Introduction, 1:1-2.
I. Thanksgiving for the Blessing of Grace, 1:3-12.
1. For a living hope and an abiding inheritance, 3-5.
2. For joyful faith during trials, 6-9.
3. For salvation, 10-12.
II. Obligations Growing out of the Blessings of Grace, 1:13-4:19.
1. A right relation of the heart toward God and man, 1:13-2:10.
2. Right conduct in life relations, 2:11-3:12.
3. Right attitude toward suffering, 3:13-4:19 end.
III. Exhortations to Particular Classes, 5:1-9.
Conclusion 5:10 end.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Peter's loyalty to Christ. (a) He makes
everything depend on Christ, his cross (1:18-19; 2:24; 3:18), his
suffering (2:21; 3:18; 4:13), his resurrection (1:3), his
manifestation (1:7-13), his exaltation (3:22; 4:11; 5:10). (b) He
calls Christ a living stone, 2:4-8. (c) He clings to Christ's
teaching, submission to rightful authority (2:13-16), forgiveness of
others (4:8; Matt. 18:22), humility (5:5). (2) The mercy of God our
hope 1:3-7. From this passage list what is said of spiritual
inheritors and their inheritance. (3) How to obtain the Christian
ideal, 1:13-21. (4) Spiritual development. 2:1-10. (5) Various deities
of society, 2:13-17; of domestic life 2:18; 3:1, 7; of Christian
brotherhood, 1:22, 2:1-5; 3:8-9; 4:8-11; 5:1-5. (6) The work of the
different persons of the Trinity. (7) The words precious, joy and
rejoicing, mercy, love and faith.
Second Peter.
The Occasion. The occasion of the epistle is found in the harm being
done to the church by false teachers, who were of two classes, the
libertines and the mockers about whom he warns.
Purpose. Its purpose was to exhort them to Christian growth and to
warn them against false teachers.
Comparison with First Peter. It has no reference to Christ's death,
suffering, resurrection and ascension. Glance through 1 Peter again to
see how often these are mentioned. The spirit manifested is one of
anxiety, severity, and denunciation, white in 1 Peter it is one of
mildness, sweetness and fatherly dignity. It connects the second
coming of Christ with the punishment of the wicked, while 1 Peter
connects it with the glorification of the saints. Its key-note is
knowledge, while that of 1 Peter is hope.
Some Teachings. (1) To be holy, not to secure an inheritance, but
because we already have it. (2) To love the brethren, not to purify
our soul, but because it is pure. (3) That we sacrifice, not as
penance, but as an expression of praise.
Analysis.
Introduction, 1:1-2.
I. Progress in the Christian Life, 1:3-21 end.
1. An exhortation to growth, 3-11.
2. Reasons for these exhortations, 12-21.
II. False Teachers, Ch. 2.
1. The evil teachers and their followers, 1-3.
2. Their punishment, 5-10.
3. Their character, evil ways and end, 11-32.
III. The Second Coming of Christ, 3:1-13. He will bring both blessings
and destruction.
Conclusion, 3:14-18.
For Study and Discussion. (1) What our salvation involves, 1:5-11. (2)
The characteristics of the false teachers, 2:1-3, 10, 12-14. (3) The
certain punishment of these false teachers, 2:4-6, 15, 16, 21, 22. (4)
The exhortations of the book such as to sobriety, 1:13. (5) The
predictions of the book.
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