Setting and Purpose

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1 Peter: Setting and Purpose

Historical setting:

Political: Nero was the emperor of Rome. In 64 AD, he blamed the Christians for a fire in Rome, and began to intensely persecute Christians all over the empire. The churches being written to are in the Roman Empire, but quite distant from Rome, some on the far reaches of the empire, like Bithynia and other regions northwest of Asia. 5.9 - Suffering as Christians is happening all over the world

Religious: 2.13-17 - The Christians had issues in respecting the authority of the governmental leaders, perhaps because of the persecution they faced from them, and were finding injustice as a reason not to obey their leadership. This shows that there was likely conflict going on within their culture, and that there is tension in the air. This same attitude carried on to the slave and master situation (2:18-21). Their culture seemed to be influencing their relationships even in marriage(3:1-7). There was definite need for instruction by church leaders (5:1-4). Gentile believers seemed to still be tempted to live like their past, not conforming to Christ. The result of Gentiles rejecting their old sinful ways when getting saved was social ostracism like insults, abuse, rejection, shame, economic persecution.

Social: 4:3, that they had been living as the Gentile lifestyle dictated, in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revelry, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 2.18 - Slavery - likely that slaves nor masters treated each other well or fairly, since Peter’s need to correct the conduct of slaves 3.1-7 - Lack of love and respect between husbands and wives 4.3-4 - people in society as Gentiles live in licentiousness, giving in to their passions, stumbling in drunkenness, are revels, carouse, and engage in lawless idolatry. They also scorn Christians for not joining in with them, making fun of God.

When was the church founded? It is unknown, as there were many churches from all over the Roman Empire. The churches in Galatia, which may have been Pisidian Antioch, Lystra, and Derbe and the surrounding area, were planted by Paul on his first missionary journey in 46-48 AD. Because they are Jews of the Dispersion, and some of these places are not documented of in the book of Acts, it is unknown really when the churches developed. Some may have developed from the Jews who went to Pentecost in Acts, and went back to their home and spread the gospel there, but that is just an idea, as we do not know. Also, some say that Peter may have been on missionary journeys like Paul was, but as a missionary to the Jews, and that is where Peter might know them to write to them.

Who makes up the church? There are slaves (2:18), wives (3:1), husbands (3:7), elders (5:1), and younger people (5:5). 1.1 - These are likely mostly Gentiles in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Likely there are Gentiles also within the church, but the letter does not make specific reference to them. The churches were largely Gentile in makeup. Peter refers to the people in terms that would not be fitting to refer to Jews. There is also no mention of sins or struggles that Jews would have leaving Judaism, but only Gentiles leaving their sinful society. Therefore the rejection being faced for not engaging in sinful societal ways would have affected this Gentile church reader.

What are their strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths:

They are destined by God (1:2)

Obeyed truth and are purified (1:22)

Have genuine mutual love (1:22)

They are chosen to be God’s people (2:9-10)

Are not generally living in way of Gentiles like they used to (maturing), and people in society are surprised that they don’t live that way (4.3-4)

Weaknesses:

malice, guile, insincerity, envy, slander (2:1)

giving into desires of flesh (2:11)

not honoring governing body (2:13-14)

slaves not honoring master because of injustice (2:18-21)

Wives not honoring husbands (3:1)

Wives adorning themselves outwardly instead of inner beauty (3:3-4)

Body in general not loving or unified (3:8)

May not have servant attitude (4:8-11)

Lack of leadership from elders (5:1-3)

Younger not accepting leadership of the elders (5:5)

Not humbling selves before others and God (5:5-6)