The writer of 1 Peter declares, “Once you were nobody. Now you are God’s people” (2:10). Read this letter to discover the challenges and joys that are in store for people who follow Jesus.

What makes 1 Peter special?

1 Peter is written in the form of a letter, a form of communication frequently used in the Greek and Roman world. It begins and ends with formal greetings (1.1,2; 5.12-14). The letter’s main message (1.3—5.11) makes use of themes and styles that are found in many other New Testament writings. Like the Gospels, it tells of the importance of Jesus’ death and God’s raising him back to life. It also repeats Jesus’ teachings concerning trust in God, the importance of being humble and being joyful even in times of suffering. Like Acts, it mentions the work of Peter, Silvanus, and Mark. It provides a picture of the early church, which met in private homes. 1Peter encourages Christians to follow Christ’s example, to live good lives, and tells Christians to expect suffering—themes that are also found in the letters of Paul. The letter uses Christian family images like the ones found in 1John. And like Hebrews, it describes how people who hate or fear the followers of Jesus may make trouble for Christians and exclude them from the rest of society.

Why was 1 Peter written?

The letter was written to Christians scattered over northern Asia Minor (1.1). The writer wants those who read the letter to realize that they may have to face suffering because of their faith (2.19-21; 3.13-15; 4.1,2,12-19; 5.9-11). But suffering cannot defeat them, because Jesus suffered and died to forgive their sins, and God raised Jesus from death. Christians share the hope of also being raised to new life, a promise that begins when they are baptized. Other important themes presented in 1 Peter are:

  1. God is at work in Jesus Christ to create a new people (1.3-25; 3.4-12);
  2. God’s new people (the church) are chosen to live a holy life and be a holy nation (1.13—2.17; 3.1-7; 4.1-11; 5.1-11);
  3. God’s new people should honor and respect the Roman emperor and Roman law (2.13-17), but should honor Christ and obey God above everything else (3.15-17), even if this means suffering or losing old friends (4.1-4); and
  4. Those who are baptized are saved and share a new life with Christ (3.21,22).

What’s the story behind the scene?

The letter has traditionally been connected to Jesus’ disciple Peter (1.1), and includes greetings from those who worked closely with the apostle Paul: Silvanus and Mark (5.12,13; Acts 15.37-40). However, many who have studied the sophisticated language and the style of writing used in this letter believe it is unlikely that Peter, a Galilean fisherman (Mark 1.16,17; 3.16), could be the letter’s author. Instead, they believe, it was most likely written in Peter’s name, a common way to honor someone at the time. Also, because the letter mentions present and future suffering so much, it may have been written during a time when the Roman authorities were changing their attitudes toward Christians. Until the reign of Emperor Domitian (a.d. 81-96), the Roman authorities did not persecute Christians, considering them to be part of the Jewish religion, which was protected by the Roman government. One exception to this was the Emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians in Rome around a.d. 64. But during the rule of Domitian, the Jewish and Christian movements clearly separated. The Romans began punishing Christians when they refused to offer sacrifices to the emperor, who had been officially declared to be a god. For more, see the mini-article called “Roman Empire,” p. 2228.

1 Peter also appears to include parts of creeds or hymns that were used in Christian worship of the time (1.20; 2.21-25; 3.18-22). Looking at these closely can give modern readers a glimpse into the life of the early church.

How is 1 Peter constructed?

Like most letters, 1 Peter begins and ends with greetings. But the bulk of the letter consists of a variety of instructions, teachings, hymns, and sayings that can be grouped in the following general way:


Chosen, protected, and saved (1.1-12)
Living as God’s holy people (1.13—3.22)
Serving and suffering to the end (4.1—5.14)

Chosen, Protected, and Saved


God’s people are facing trials, so this letter begins by reminding them that God has chosen them (1.2) and will protect them until the last day when Jesus Christ returns (1.7). In this way, they can be saved as God had always planned (1.5). By raising Jesus from death, God gives his people new life as well as the hope that will help them get through many hard trials.

Living as God’s Holy People


God chooses a new people to live holy lives and to live as a nation of holy priests who will work as God’s servants. They will prob-ably suffer as they follow Christ, who suffered for them. They are told how to treat one another, as well as how they are to respond to old friends and to their surrounding culture which often does not accept their new life.

Serving and Suffering to the End


Being faithful to Christ means using God’s gifts to serve others (4.10,11). Christians are to be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered, since this means they are obeying God. Church leaders are encouraged to be like shepherds watching over their sheep (the people of God) until Christ, the Chief Shepherd, returns.

Questions about 1 Peter

  1. What does the writer mean when he says that God has given God’s people “new life and a hope that lives on”? (1.3). How will this hope be tested? (1.6,7; 2.18-21; 4.1,12-19) Why are the Lord’s followers to be glad for the chance to suffer? (4.13,14)
  2. Many Christians in the early church suffered or were put to death because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Which of the following is worth dying for: family, country, friends, personal beliefs or faith? Why?
  3. How have God’s people been rescued from the useless way of life they learned from their ancestors? (1.18;4.3,4) How are they to live instead?
  4. Chapter 2.1-12 uses a number of images to describe God’s chosen people: living stones, holy (or royal) priests, a holy nation, foreigners and strangers. What does each image tell you about what it means to be one of Christ’s followers?
  5. What advice does the writer give to servants (2.18-21), wives (3.1-6), and husbands (3.7)? What important advice is given to all of God’s people, no matter who they are? (3.8-15; 4.8-10)
  6. What specific advice is given to church leaders? (5.1-4)
  7. A number of times the writer mentions the importance of being obedient and humble (1.14-16; 3.8-12; 4.8-11; 5.5-7). What does being humble have to do with being one of God’s people? Do you think that people who are humble can be successful in today’s world? Why or why not?
  8. How does the message of 1 Peter give you hope?