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Book of First Peter Bible Study And Commentary

Book of First Peter Bible Study And Commentary

Last updated on: March 27, 2017 at 1:00 am by Jack Wellman

Book of First Peter Bible Study And Commentary 2017-03-13T15:01:07-05:00 Jack Wellman

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The Apostle Peter’s letter has much to say to the church today, so here is a Bible study and commentary on the Book of 1st Peter.

First Peter 1:1-12

It is clear that Peter is writing to the Jews who are dispersed (called the Dispersion) throughout the Roman Empire. He calls them the elect, meaning that God has elected to save those who trust in Christ because our election was “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” The word used for “foreknowledge” is literally “prognosis” which means “with forethought” or “by pre-arrangement,” so we are destined to be saved with God’s forethought, by pre-arrangement even before we were born (Eph 1:4-11)

What does Peter mean that the “genuineness of [our] faith” will be “tested by fire?”

Does the fact that it was written to the dispersed Jews who had been born again make any difference for us who are Gentiles (Gal 3:8-11)?

What if we fail this test? Can we fail it?

Does Peter mean that “obtaining the outcome of [our] faith” and “the salvation of [our] souls” depends on whether we pass or fail the test?

What does he mean by the genuineness of our faith? Can we fake it?

First Peter 1:13-21

The Apostle Peter tells us that we are called to be holy, just as God is holy, but also that we were ransomed from the futility of the past life and passions, by the precious blood of the Lamb of God Who was without blemish or spot. Only a perfect sacrifice could redeem infinitely imperfect people.

How can we be holy when we still sin?

Is it even possible to be holy as God is holy (2nd Cor 5:21)?

What does it look like or what does it mean to live a “holy life” before God and the world?

Does this mean we were saved ahead of time?

First Peter 2:1-8

The Apostle Peter sees the members of Jesus’ church as “living stones” (1st Pet 2:5) which rest upon the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ. The cornerstone is the most important part of the building, and when they were constructing the Temple that existed in Jesus’ day, they actually rejected the cornerstone that the builders had cut out. That’s because it wasn’t like the other stones (or boulders). It was much larger and more difficult to move, so the builders actually rejected it. That may be why Peter compares the Jews rejecting Jesus, Who is the Chief Cornerstone, with the builders who rejected the cornerstone that they had brought for the Temple. He didn’t fit their idea of the Messiah and He wasn’t what they expected, but He whom they rejected, is Him by where we all stand. He makes the whole building (the church, the “living stones”) stand. The cornerstone was absolutely necessary if the Temple was to stand firm, so the builders finally realized that they couldn’t finish the Temple without it. Someday the Jews will finally realize that Jesus is the living and true Messiah, the Chief Cornerstone that their descendants had rejected. And we all are the living stones that stand upon that solid, eternal foundation. And that Rock is Christ.

Had you ever thought of yourself as a “living stone?”

Why do people reject the Chief Cornerstone, even in our day?

How do we build up this “spiritual house” (1 Pet 2:2)?

First Peter 3:1-7

The Apostle Peter sees submission as a beautiful thing “in God’s sight is very precious” (1st Pet 3:4), but don’t ever think about submission as being inferior or not equal too, because Jesus was God as was the Father, but He willingly submitted to the Father’s will, but no one would say Jesus is inferior to God the Father. In fact, we are told to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:21), so never think that just because a wife submits to her husband, she is not a co-equal and co-heir with her husband, because she is! It has nothing to do with who is better; it’s a matter of humility, just as we must submit to the will of God.

Why is it so difficult to submit?

What makes it easier for the wife to submit to her husband (Eph 5:25)?

In what specific areas in life do you find it hardest to submit?

What can husbands do to make sure they’re prayers are hindered (1st Pet 3:7)?

First Peter 4:7-11

The early church, like most of the church throughout history, has believed that they might be the last generation before Jesus Christ returns, and I actually think that’s great, even though obviously, the early church was wrong. That’s okay. I know Jesus wants us to be ready, for at any given moment, He could return to judge the world, but not those who have been brought to repentance and faith, because they’re sins were placed on Christ, but for those who have rejected Christ, they will be astonished, and mourn, for they will realize, although far too late, that Jesus Christ is Lord of lord, and King of Kings (Rev 1:7).

This may be why Peter wants the church to live like “the end of all things is at hand” (1st Pet 4:7a), and why we should be “be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (1st Pet 4:7b). In other words, this ought to make us think seriously about Christ’s coming, as if it could be today or tonight (which it could), so there’s no room for grumbling among the body of Christ. Rather, we are to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, meaning we must use them and not bury them. Peter says that it’s “in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1st Pet 4:11c), and He must receive the glory for it, since it is only “by the strength that God supplies” (1st Pet 4:11b). If what we do doesn’t glorify God, including giving Him the credit, then we are wasting our time and not being good stewards of God’s gifts, because they are intended to “to serve one another” (1st Pet 4:10).

What does it mean to be a steward?

What things does your stewardship include?

What are some of your gifts?

How can your gift help others?

Do you think Peter thought the end would come in his own lifetime?

First Peter 4:12-19

When a Christian suffers, they shouldn’t be surprised (1st Pet 4:12). In fact, Jesus said the way to eternal life is on a narrow, difficult path, and few are walking it, but the path that leads to destruction is broad and wide, because many are going there (Matt 7:13-14), and many going down that path think they’re going the right way, but aren’t (Matt 7:21-23), so guess who’s in the minority?

If you are the few among the many, you know you’re going to suffer for it. The world sees us as not “conforming” to their ways, which is true since we’re trying not be conformed to this world (Rom 12:2), but do we really want to avoid persecution? The Apostle Paul said that “all who live godly will suffer persecution” (2nd Tim 3:12), so that’s why it should surprise us; it’s for us all! The good news is, persecution brings great blessings (Matt 5:10-12). Peter adds that “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1st Pet 4:12). Don’t you want that blessing? I do. We all should. I do not mean we should have a martyr’s complex and seek out persecution. That’s not what Peter is writing about, but the early church rejoiced when they were persecuted for Jesus’ sake. When the apostles had been beaten for preaching the gospel, they didn’t seek out a lawyer, the Roman authorities, or pray to have it stop, but “they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41).

Is it hard to rejoice when you are persecuted for trusting in Jesus?

Are you sometimes persecuted by other Christians?

Is Matthew 7:21-23 a serious warning from Jesus?

Who in your life is it hardest to face persecution from, and why?

Conclusion

First Peter has a lot to say to us today and it is still as relevant as it was in the day it was written, but that’s because the Word of God abides forever, and like God, it does not need changing. It is perfect in every way and given to people that are far from perfect, but that’s what makes God’s grace so amazing, doesn’t it?

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also host of Spiritual Fitness and Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

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