The Story: Writing from Rome, somewhere near the middle of the first century, Peter is seeking to shore up the faith of the believers in the regions of Asia Minor which he mentions in his greeting. They are undergoing severe persecution which would continue on into the second century. Appropriately, Peter begins his letter by putting their sufferings in perspective. His readers need to remember that they have been chosen by God to be His holy people (see on, 1 Pet. 2.9, 10). In reminding them of God’s foreknowledge Peter is not merely reassuring them that God knew these troubles would come upon them; the sense of that word, “foreknowledge,” is more like “loved from all eternity and loved even now.” A hint of development to come is found in his mention of the sanctifying work of God’s Spirit, which always proceeds through obedience to Jesus Christ and for the sprinkling of His blood. But their suffering is real, and these troubled believers need grace and peace to abound to them. Peter hopes to be an agent of these by his pastoral letter to them.

The Structure: Persecution of the faithful has been a theme of Christian history from the beginning. We are not merely appointed for salvation, but also to share in Jesus’ sufferings, as Paul reminded the Philippians (1.29). It’s part of the Christian story in the world to suffer at the hands of unbelievers; so we should not think it “strange” (1 Pet. 4.12) when such episodes arise. Rather, like the apostles, we must learn to rejoice in the face of our trials, that God would count us worthy to share in the sufferings of Jesus in such a way (Rom. 5.3-5; Jms. 1.2-4; Acts 5.41). These believers were suffering because their lives stood out as different from the unbelievers with whom they formerly consorted (1 Pet. 4.1-5), and it is this difference, this orientation to holiness and outspokenness for Christ, that prompts the scorn – and worse – of many lost people.

What are some ways that your walk with the Lord leads you to suffer the scorn of your unbelieving friends?

Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “Suffering and Beyond: 1 Peter 1.1-11,” simply click here.

T. M. Moore

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.