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1 & 2 PeterAuthor:The apostle Peter is regarded as the author of this letter. This view was unchallenged until the 19 th century when literary critics began to speculate that the letter was written by someone else. Scholars research internal evidence and external evidence when evaluating the authenticity of a document. Internal Evidence: The beginning of the letter states that Peter is the author. Liberal critics contend the name is a forgery. Adding the name of an apostle would give credibility to a document composed by someone else. Another theory is that an anonymous individual wrote the letter borrowing from Paul's letters and a lost letter of Peter. The first objection to Petrine authorship is a linguistic argument. Simply put, a Galilean fisherman could not write such a quality letter. The Greek of 1st Peter is very good with a broad vocabulary and good grammar. Additionally, the author uses the LXX (Greek Old Testament) instead of translating the Hebrew when quoting the Old Testament. The best solution of the problem is that Silas helped Peter with his writing style. 1 Peter 5:12 says, “With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.” This explains why the quality of 1st Peter is far superior to 2nd Peter. Peter did not mention the use of an aide in 2nd Peter. The use of a writing aid (called an amanuensis) was a common practice. (Interesting note: In the 3~1 Century, the historian Eusebius wrote that Peter used Mark to write his gospel. Eusebius quotes Papias from the 2nd century.) The second objection to authorship casts doubt on the historical background. Namely, why would Peter write to Christians in Asia Minor? When did he have any contact with churches in that geographical region? The implication of the letter is that persecution is widespread through out the Roman Empire. However, persecution by the empire was limited to the city of Rome during the time of Nero. Widespread persecution did not follow for another 30 years by Domitian and Trajan. Peter's comments about persecution does not demand widespread persecution. Even under Domitian and Trajan, the persecution was still limited. Peter writes his letter from Rome and some persecution is happening in the city. The historical background actually strengthens our view that Peter writes this letter. As to the criticism that Peter did not know anyone in Asia Minor argues in favor of the traditional view. The letter is generic in nature and no names are mentioned. Paul always greets people in his letters because he knew them personally. Depending upon the date of the letter, it is possible that Paul has been martyred. Peter writes this letter to encourage Gentile believers who are on the fringes of the Roman Empire. External Evidence: External evidence refers to information about the letter that is found in other historical writings. Clement of Rome wrote a letter in 95 A.D. and some of the phrases are similar to 1 st Peter. The implication is that Clement was familiar with Peter's letter. However, Clement does not say Peter wrote this. Many other historical letters from Christian leaders directly quote from Peter: This includes frenaeus, Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria. Date:The most likely date of this letter is 64 A.D. An earlier date seems an improbable fit with the persecution of Nero. Paul's death is generally regarded to be in 64 A.D. and this fits with the occasion of the letter. Paul has been executed and Peter is assuming some leadership of the churches that Paul had contact with. Paul was released from house imprisonment in 62 A.D. and Silas was not in Rome at this time (2 Timothy 4:11). Place of Writing:Peter ends his letter, “She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.” There are three options concerning Babylon. Egyptian Babylon : Highly unlikely because the city is so small and there is no evidence Peter was ever there. Christianity didn't take root in Egypt until the end of the first century. Iraq Babylon : Scholar Donald Guthrie gives five reasons that (Iraq) Babylon is not in view: (1) Peter is nowhere else associated with this region; (2) the Eastern church did not until a late period claim any association with Peter in its church origins; (3) the area itself was very sparsely populated.. . (4) early tradition centered the activities of Peter in the West and not the East; (5) Mark [mentioned in the same verse as with Peter] almost certainly found a sphere of activity in the West, but nothing is known of him working in the East. Rome : Guthrie believes the term Babylon is used to protect believers in Rome in case the letter falls into the wrong hands. Also, if the death of Paul as well as persecution is in view, then Rome would be the probable location. Purpose:Peter writes this letter to encourage suffering believers to rely and hope on God's grace. Suffering, hope, and salvation are some of the themes of 1 st Peter. Outline:This outline is taken from the Bible Knowledge Commentary. I. Customary Salutation (1:1-2)
II. Chosen for New Birth (1:3-2: 10)
III. Challenged to New Behavior (2:11-3:7)
IV. Cautioned for New Persecution (3:8-4:19)
V. Charged with New Responsibility (5:1-11)
VI. Conclusion (5:12-14)
The most difficult passage to interpret in this letter is 1 Peter 3:18-22. Four different translations are listed below. New International Version 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. New Living Translation 18 Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience. 22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers are bowing before him. New King James Version 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. New American Standard 1 8For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; l9in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 2lCorresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. What does this passage mean? Option 1: Christ preached through Noah to the people of his day. Option 2: Christ descended into hell to preach to the people of Noah's day. Option 3: Christ descended to preach to demonic spirits who had sex with women in Noah's day. see Genesis 6:1-2 and 2 Peter 2:4-5 Option 4: I don't know. This view was held by Martin Luther.
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