I Peter

Readers of I Peter will find many Bible echoes from Peter’s life and the gospels as they ponder this short epistle. The first verse calls to mind the day of Pentecost when the disciples began the ecclesial era. Some Jews who had journeyed to Jerusalem were from the same regions addressed by Peter.

Many years after Pentecost, Peter shares with us the same encouraging words as heard on that day: “God… according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1:3 cf. Acts 2:32).

On hearing this letter read the first time, perhaps some could recall the boldness of Peter’s Jerusalem speech and remember how it had forever changed their lives.

Peter’s failure comes to mind

Much is said in this epistle about right reaction to persecution. Mention of the subject cannot help but remind the reader of Peter’s earlier failure in this regard.

Years earlier, Peter experienced the anguish of denying his Lord. When Jesus was taken prisoner, Peter did not disappear from the scene but followed his Master at a distance. There Peter was repeatedly questioned of his connections with Jesus. Instead of admitting to them, he chose the coward’s course of denying his Lord. As charges grew in intensity, Peter cursed and swore, saying, “I know not the man” (Matt. 26:74; John 18:26).

Earlier, Peter had declared himself incapable of such a sin: “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended…though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee” (Matt. 26:33, 35). Yet deny he did and the realization of his failure brought him to bitter tears (Matt. 26:75).

Persecution was only temporarily delayed by Peter’s denials of Jesus, for soon after Pentecost he was repeatedly cast into prison (Acts. 4:3; 5:19; 12:7). The persecutions occurred because he stubbornly refused to deny Jesus before the most powerful of authorities. Nothing could stanch his witness to the Truth. And each time he was imprisoned he was released, sometimes in a miraculous manner. These events are brought readily to mind by his words in this first epistle: “…who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (I Peter 3:13).

Persecution near for his readers

As Peter wrote this epistle, he was conscious that a time of suffering was drawing near. If the epistle was written around 60 A.D., this moment was very close. Thus he writes: “if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye:and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” (I Pet. 3:14).

By now Peter knew that persecution for Jesus’ sake went with the territory and that many would die for their faith. “But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (4:7).

Suffering of Christ exhorts us

During the ministry of Jesus, Peter was not persuaded that the Messiah would physically suffer. Even when Jesus detailed what would come upon him, the disciples could not bring themselves to accept what they were hearing. It took the resurrection and Jesus’ own explanation of Old Testa­ment prophecies to convince them.

In his sixteen references to suffering, Peter declares that to “suffer wrongfully” as Jesus did is much better than to suffer for “your faults” (2:19-20; 3:17; 44:14-15). Indeed there is no glory in being “buffeted for your faults” even if taken patiently (2:20). But “suffering for righteousness’ sake” will bring happiness and joy (3:14; 4:14).

Suffering of the believer can do good

Believers are admonished to give respect to unbelieving authorities such as governors and masters. Proper attitudes in this regard, especially if we are being treated unfairly, can “put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (2:15). Even wives are exhorted how to act toward unbelieving husbands for their right conduct may help convert their husbands.

In today’s society, Peter’s admonition that a wife be in subjection to her spouse may seem chauvinistic to some. Peter claims that this attitude is really Christ-like behavior, especially if it is done in the face of dangerous circumstances. A surprise in Peter’s argument is that the female example he picks is Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who respected her husband and was “not afraid with any amazement” Is Peter here thinking of when Abraham put Sarah in danger by saying she was his sister (Gen. 12:13; 20:2)?

Peter’s end

Jesus had told Peter: “When thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldst not. This spake Jesus, signifying by what death he should glorify God” (John 21:18,19). Tradition says that Peter suffered martyrdom by crucifixion. Claiming he was not worthy to die as Christ had, secular literature records he persuaded his executioners to crucify him upside down. His deep faith in God’s plan of salvation would make it possible for him to endure such suffering even though he had once denied his Lord to a maidservant.

Perhaps the lesson for us is that each time we have to suffer for Christ, we should not let pain make the decision for us. Rather, we should: “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” (4:13). Keeping this verse in mind will help us to serve our Lord, not deny him.