I Peter: Living Hope

Key Passage

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled,
and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for
a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I Peter 1:3-5 (NASB 2020)

Series Content

Scriptural Setting

Geographical Setting

Timeline

Content Outline

About the Author

The Message of I Peter

“Since the believers addressed were suffering escalating persecution (1:6; 2:12, 19-21; 3:9, 13-18; 4:1, 12-16, 19), the purpose of the letter was to teach them how to live victoriously in the midst of that hostility:

1 ) Without losing hope; 2) without becoming bitter;
3) while trusting in their Lord; and 4) while looking for His Second coming.

Peter wished to impress on his readers that by living an obedient, victorious life under duress, a Christian can actually evangelize his hostile world.”
John MacArthur

“Peter wanted believers to know that new birth in Christ gives hope that will aid perseverance in spite of what we go through.

Peter blends doctrinal truth about our salvation with practical truth about how it is to be lived out in our various life situations—including in the relationship between husbands and wives.

Peter knew about suffering because he had experienced it as a disciple of Christ. But he also learned how to endure it with joy and victory rather than sadness and defeat.”
Tony Evans

Simon Peter was one of our Lord’s original followers and he experienced every dimension of discipleship, both good and bad.

“In 1 Peter, the old fisherman drew from a lifetime of experience to tell us how to conduct ourselves as pilgrims and strangers in the world.

Much of this letter is written with suffering in mind, teaching us how to respond when grieved by various trails.

We’re to commit ourselves to God, to follow in the footsteps of Christ, and to give others an answer for the hope within us.”
David Jeremiah

“Imagine what it would be like to receive a letter from someone who was a personal friend of
Jesus during his earthly ministry. Beyond that, imagine receiving two letters from such a person.

When Peter writes to the church about faith and trust in the providence of God in the midst of suffering, he is speaking not in abstract terms but from the vantage point of one who has been called personally to endure such sufferings himself.

He is one who testifies beyond speculation, as one who was an eyewitness, testing not to cleverly devised myths or fables, but to what he had seen with his eyes and heard with his ears.”
Dr. R.C. Sproul

“The small groups of believers must have been very concerned. Here they were, far from Jerusalem, the founding center of the church and of their faith, dispersed in the regions of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (which is now Turkey).

Did the persecution which was increasing mean they were on the wrong road? Sothe believers wondered, should we be listening to new teachers instead of to the gospel message we originally heard?

In response to this situation, Peter wrote two letters. It was important to be sure that his readers would be able to hold on to the truths which he had taught.

Peter insists that it was the truth. He was an eyewitness not just of this but of all Jesus had said and done during their three years together.

Hold on to his death and resurrection, he says. That’s the sheet-anchor. He is the true Messiah, and one day will be publicly revealed as such.”
Dr. N.T. Wright

“Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were going through various trials.
The apostle knew that a severe “fiery trial” was just around the corner, and he wanted to prepare believers for it. After all, what life does to us depends on what life finds in us.

But God’s message to us is, ‘Be hopeful! Suffering leads to glory! I can give you all the grace you need to honor Me when the going gets tough!’

The future is still as bright as the promises of God, so—be hopeful!”
Dr. Warren Wiersbe

“Peter offers hope to persecuted Christians and guides them with practical instruction on following Jesus.

1 Peter emphasizes the role of apostles as chosen by God to share his Gospel. Because of this, their persecution can actually be seen as a gift because it offers them a chance to show others the surprising generosity and love of Jesus, which is fueled by hope in his return and victory over evil.

Peter is hopeful that their imitation of Jesus and demonstration of his upside-down Kingdom will give power to their words as they bear witness to God’s mercy and show people the beautiful truth about Jesus.

1 Peter gives persecuted Christians a powerful reminder that they have hope in the midst of their suffering.

From the time of Abraham, God’s people were a misunderstood minority and should expect to face hostility because they live under King Jesus’ rule.”
Bible Project

References

The Bible Project: I Peter
The Tony Evans Bible Commentary by Dr. Tony Evans
Understanding the 66 Books of the Bible by Dr . David Jeremiah
The MacArthur Bible Commentary by Dr. John MacArthur
Be All The More Diligent To Make Your Calling and Election Sure: 1-2 Peter: An Expositional Commentary by R.C. Sproul
Be Hopeful: How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst Times (NT Commentary: 1 Peter) by Warren W. Wiersbe
For Everyone Bible Study Guides: I & 2 Peter and Jude by N.T. Wright