1 & 2 Peter:
Background

 

As Peter wrote this letter,

• One-third of the Roman populous were slaves.

• A homicidal maniac named Nero ruled from the throne in Rome

• Nero was crucifying Christians and lighting them on fire for his garden parties.

• Christians were a small but growing and influential group

• They were surrounded by a sea of hostility and antagonistic worldviews.

Peter writes into this hostile environment, teaching us how to count the cost and suffer for Christ.

 

Short Intro:

1 and 2 Peter are letters attributed to the apostle Peter, written to encourage and instruct believers, particularly during times of persecution and facing false teachings. 1 Peter focuses on the encouragement of believers facing persecution, while 2 Peter addresses the threat of false teachers and the imminence of Christ’s return. 

 

Here’s a little deeper look: 

The letters of 1 Peter and 2 Peter, attributed to the Apostle Peter, were written during a period of growing persecution against Christians under Roman rule. Here’s a synthesis of their historical, cultural, and political context, along with key themes:

Historical Context

• Authorship and Date:

  • Both letters are traditionally linked to Peter, the chief Apostle, who wrote from Rome (symbolically called “Babylon” in 1 Peter 5:13)12.

  • 1 Peter was likely composed around AD 62–64, shortly before Nero’s intensified persecution of Christians post-AD 64126.

  • 2 Peter may have been written later (AD 64–68), addressing internal threats like false teachings3.

• Audience:

  • 1 Peter targets Jewish and Gentile Christians scattered across northern Asia Minor (modern Turkey)38.

  • 2 Peter warns broader Christian communities about doctrinal corruption3.

• Political Climate:

  • Emperor Nero (reigned AD 54–68) initiated severe persecution after the Great Fire of Rome (AD 64), blaming Christians6.

  • Local Roman authorities in Asia Minor enforced imperial policies, leading to social ostracization and legal challenges for Christians35.

Cultural and Religious Challenges

• Pagan Dominance:

  • Asia Minor was religiously diverse, with strong adherence to Roman imperial cults, Greek mythology, and local deities5. Christians faced pressure to participate in pagan rituals to avoid suspicion35.

  • Peter urged believers to maintain distinct identities: “Live such good lives among the pagans that … they may glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12)8.

• Social Marginalization:

  • Christians were viewed as “aliens” (1 Peter 1:1) for rejecting societal norms, leading to slander and economic discrimination38.

• Internal Threats:

  • 2 Peter confronts false teachers promoting immorality and denying Christ’s return (2 Peter 2:1–3; 3:3–4)3.

Key Themes and Takeaways

1. Suffering and Perseverance:

   • Both letters emphasize enduring unjust suffering as a reflection of Christ’s example (1 Peter 2:20–23; 4:12–19)28.

   • Trials are temporary, and faithfulness leads to eternal glory18.

2. Holy Living:

   • Christians are called to holiness, “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), distinct from pagan practices38.

   • Ethical instructions include submission to authorities and harmonious domestic relationships (1 Peter 2:13–3:7)8.

3. Eschatological Hope:

   • The return of Christ (the Parousia) is a central motivator for moral vigilance (1 Peter 1:13; 2 Peter 3:10–13)38.

4. Divine Authority:

   • Peter asserts apostolic authority against false teachings, affirming Scripture’s reliability (2 Peter 1:16–21; 3:15–16)3.

Notable Political Figures

• Nero: His tyranny and scapegoating of Christians directly impacted the persecution described in 1 Peter6.

• Local Elites: Wealthy city councillors in Asia Minor upheld pagan temple cults, viewing Christian rejection of idolatry as a threat to social stability5.

Legacy

Peter’s letters provided theological grounding for early Christians navigating hostility. His emphasis on hope, resilience, and ethical integrity remains foundational for modern believers facing adversity. The later association of Peter with Rome (e.g., as “holder of the keys” in Matthew 16:18) bolstered the city’s ecclesiastical authority7, though this development postdates the letters themselves.

 

 

Authenticity

The early church fathers cite these letters, and in some cases, they ascribe them directly to Peter. Several attestations are important:

• Clement of Rome (AD 95) cites from 2 Peter. Clowney writes, “The attestation of the letter in other writings is early and strong. The earliest is the reference in 2 Peter 3:1. Clement of Rome (before the end of the first century) quotes from the letter, although he does not identify his quotation.”
• Didache (AD 95) cites from 1 Peter 2:11 (Didache 1:4).
• Papias (AD 110) cited portions of 1 Peter according to Eusebius (Church History, 3.39.17.).
• Polycarp (AD 130) cites portions of 1 Peter in his Epistle to the Philippians.
• Justin Martyr (AD 150) cites 2 Peter 2:1 (Dialogue with Trypho, 82.1).
• Irenaeus (AD 180) cites 1 Peter 1:8 (Against Heresies, 4.9.2; cf. 5.23.2).
• Tertullian (AD 200) attributes authorship to Peter (Tertullian, Scorpiace 12).
• Clement of Alexandria (AD 250) wrote a commentary on 2 Peter that was lost.
• Origen (AD 250) attributes authorship to Peter according to Eusebius (Church History, 6.25.8).
• Eusebius (AD 325) accepted the letter. Grudem writes, “Writing in AD 325, Eusebius includes 1 Peter among those books everywhere recognized as belonging to the New Testament (EH25.2.). Wherever it was circulated, it was accepted as genuine.”

 

Now after reading: 

Follow up with some basic questions:

1. What is the main point of the entire Book? (Can you summarize it in your own words, in one phrase or sentence?)

2. What is the main division (or divisions)? (Usually in most books in scripture you can clearly see one or two main divisions.)

3. What might you suggest would be the key verse that will best or closely describe the contents and message of the whole book?

4. What important personal take aways did you personally feel the Holy Spirit is highlighting for you to see, believe, receive, obey, reflect on, etc.? 

5. Does the message call you to repentance in any specific area of your life? Is there any thing that you need to confess and repent and be held accountable for?

6. Is there any thing you want to express praise, thanks, gratitude, and speak about, or share with someone else?

7. Is there a portion of the reading we can use to close in prayer.