1 Peter background

Who was Peter writing to?

Elect exiles of the Dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, which are all Roman provinces in Asia Minor, north of the Taurus mountains. The order of the provinces was probably the order that Silvanus, the courier would visit and read the letter to. These provinces were in modern day Turkey. Some maps have Pontus going East of Galatia, or Pontus and Bythinia in different places.

What was Peter's job?

Galilean fisherman

Purpose of book?

Peter was writing to encourage his readers to endure suffering by giving themselves entirely to God, humbling themselves, and knowing that they will have to suffer before they enter into glory, the salvation that Christ gave us.

Peter timeline:

Peter witnesses resurrection preaches at Pentecost 30/33 Peter becomes key church leader 30/33 Peter witnesses to Cornelius 38 Peter is imprisoned by Agrippa and rescued 41-44 Peter leaves Jerusalem 44 Peter goes to Rome 50-54 Nero reigns from 54-68 Peter writes first letter from Rome 62-63 Fire in Rome Nero blames and kills many Christians July 19 64 Peter after writing second letter, is martyred in Rome. 64-67

Who was Silvanus?

Peter's secretary, who delivered the letter to the exiles and wrote the letter down in Greek. He's probably the same dude as in Acts 15:22, acts 16:19, Acts 17:4, 2 corinthians 1:19, and 1 Thessalonians 1:1) called Silas, which has the same meaning as Silvanus, meaning "woody" or "of the forest" In 2 corinthians 1:19 and 1 Thessalonians 1 he is called "Silvanus" instead of Silas, like everywhere else.

Who were the recipients in the listed cities?

Probably mainly Gentiles, shown by verse 1:14 and 1:18, but also some Jewish Christians, for Jewish residents from Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia were present at Pentecost and heard the gospel in Acts 2:9. Exiles could mean literally exiles, but could also mean spiritual exiles waiting to go to heaven.

When was 1 Peter written?

Some argue (those who argue that it's not written by Peter) that it was written during the reign of Domitian or trajan (AD 81-96) (98-117) but if it was written by Peter, it was probably written during the reign of Nero. (AD 54-68) The reference to Babylon in 1 Peter 5:13 is almost certainly a reference to Rome, so Peter probably wrote it from Rome. He probably wrote it before the Neronian persecution in Rome, thus the date of composition is probably around AD. 62-63. If it was was written after the start of the Christian persecution (but the sufferings in 1 Peter also happened befoer this) and after the great fire in Rome, it was probably written in A.D. 64.

Who was Mark?

The same John Mark who traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, Acts 12:25, 13:5 13:13, 15:36-39 though he left Paul and Barnabas, he was later restored to his former usefulness, (Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11 Philemon 24) His name means "a defense" In Acts 12:12, after Peter escaped from prison he went to John Mark's mother's (widow named Mary) house, where they had a church. He was also Barnabas' cousin and the reason Paul and Barnabas split because Barnabas wanted to take with them Mark, who had abandoned them earlier.

Theme of 1 Peter (according to ESV Bible)

Those who persevere in faith while suffering persecution should be full of hope, for they will certainly enjoy end time salvation since they are already enjoying God's saving promises here and now through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Who wrote 1 Peter?

Though some recent scholars say it is falsely ascribed to Peter, there is not strong evidence. some people argue that Peter would not be able to write the cultivated Greek of the letter, but Peter very likely knew Greek from his youth. Peter's secretary, Silvanus probably helped him write it.