1 Peter 4

The Book of 1 Peter

1 Peter 1:7-9 - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.

1 Peter 4:12-16 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

1 Peter in The New Testament - A Brief Overview

Icon of St. James the Just

Brief Summary. Peter wrote his epistle to comfort and strengthen the Christians that were under severe persecution. He speaks about the glory of their inheritance in heaven, which is reserved for those who are suffering for the sake of Christ. He also wrote his epistle to reinforce all of their instruction regarding living the Christian life. Peter exhorts every Christian to abstain from worldly pleasures and serve the living God. He encourages believers to be ready to give a defense of their Christianity, and to display love toward one another. He also encourages them to be strong in their faith and to remove any doubts. He assures them that they were not following "cunningly devised fables" but had received the truths concerning Lord Jesus Christ, to whose glory the apostle Peter himself have been an eyewitness. (Matthew 17)

Summary of The Book of 1 Peter

Author. Peter, the fisherman from Galilee is the author of the book of 1 Peter. The writer refers to himself as "Peter" in 1 Peter 1:1. Scholars agree on authorship as well as the early church leaders like Polycarp, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian and Origen who all quote from the book naming Peter as the author. When comparing the words and character of Peter the work is clearly his style.

Date. The book of 1 Peter was written during a great persecution happening to the church, because Peter mentions the "fiery trial" which the Christians were suffering under. Most likely it was the persecution under the Emperor Nero in 64 AD where Peter Himself was martyred. Most likely the book of 1 Peter was written in 63 AD just before his death.

Place of Writing. The epistle of 1 Peter was written from Rome. The apostle Peter was suffering the same persecution as all Christians in the Roman Empire, and especially in Rome. When Peter mentions "Babylon" as a place he was writing from, it was most likely a euphemism for Rome. Peter may not have wished to reveal that he was in Rome. It also would not have been wise for Peter or any Christian to speak of Rome in any way other than a great empire, especially during a time of great persecution. Any Christian would've understood Babylon is a symbol for Rome. Also the fact that Mark (1 Peter 5:13) and Timothy (2 Timothy 4:11) were with him at the time of this writing, indicates that the book was written from Rome.

Outline of the Book of 1 Peter

Present Trials and Future Blessing - Chapter 1
Christ's Trials- Chapter 2
Trials and Grace - Chapters 3-5

The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus" would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A). Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means "The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".

1 Peter Maps and Resources

Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)

Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)

Map of New Testament Greece This map reveals the cities within Greece in the ancient world during the first century A.D.,The map includes the principal cities of Greece like: Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica, and provinces like Macedonia and Achaia. (Color Map)

Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)