1 Peter Images and
NotesThe Book of 1 Peter
1 Peter 1:7-9 - That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried
with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at
the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in
whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of
your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.
1 Peter 4:12-16 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you: But 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. If ye be
reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the
spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is
evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none
of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an
evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if [any
man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf.
1 Peter in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Icon of St. James the Just
Introduction to The
Book of 1 PeterBrief Summary. Peter wrote
his epistle to comfort and strengthen the Christians that were
under severe persecution. He speaks about the glory of their
inheritance in heaven, which is reserved for those who are
suffering for the sake of Christ. He also wrote his epistle to
reinforce all of their instruction regarding living the
Christian life. Peter exhorts every Christian to abstain from
worldly pleasures and serve the living God. He encourages
believers to be ready to give a defense of their Christianity,
and to display love toward one another. He also encourages them
to be strong in their faith and to remove any doubts. He assures
them that they were not following "cunningly devised fables" but
had received the truths concerning Lord Jesus Christ, to whose
glory the apostle Peter himself have been an eyewitness.
(Matthew 17)
Summary of The Book of 1 Peter
Author. Peter, the fisherman from Galilee is the author
of the book of 1 Peter. The writer refers to himself as "Peter"
in 1 Peter 1:1. Scholars agree on authorship as well as the
early church leaders like Polycarp, Irenaeus, Clement of
Alexandria, Tertullian and Origen who all quote from the book
naming Peter as the author. When comparing the words and
character of Peter the work is clearly his style.
Date. The book of 1 Peter was written during a great
persecution happening to the church, because Peter mentions the
"fiery trial" which the Christians were suffering under. Most
likely it was the persecution under the Emperor Nero in 64 AD
where Peter Himself was martyred. Most likely the book of 1
Peter was written in 63 AD just before his death.
Place of Writing. The epistle of 1 Peter was written
from Rome. The apostle Peter was suffering the same persecution
as all Christians in the Roman Empire, and especially in Rome.
When Peter mentions "Babylon" as a place he was writing from, it
was most likely a euphemism for Rome. Peter may not have wished
to reveal that he was in Rome. It also would not have been wise
for Peter or any Christian to speak of Rome in any way other
than a great empire, especially during a time of great
persecution. Any Christian would've understood Babylon is a
symbol for Rome. Also the fact that Mark (1 Peter 5:13) and
Timothy (2 Timothy 4:11) were with him at the time of this
writing, indicates that the book was written from Rome.
Outline of the Book of 1 Peter
Present Trials and Future Blessing - Chapter 1
Christ's Trials- Chapter 2
Trials and Grace - Chapters 3-5
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
1 Peter Maps and Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the
Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus,
in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which
prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and
the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture
throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the
rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first
missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and
his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the
church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary
Journey's. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his
second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in
Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for
dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him
over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister
in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea,
Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to
Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his
third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he
returned to the cities he had first visited on his first
missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in
Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of
his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19).
(Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the
"Nations" within the ancient world during the first century
A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas
of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Greece This map reveals the cities
within Greece in the ancient world during the first century
A.D.,The map includes the principal cities of Greece like:
Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica, and provinces like Macedonia
and Achaia. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within
Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia
including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like
Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)
