PETER, LETTERS OF

Two inspired letters of the Christian Greek Scriptures composed by the apostle Peter, who identifies himself as the writer in the opening words of each letter. (1 Pet. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; compare 2 Peter 3:1.) Additional internal evidence unmistakably points to Peter as the writer. He speaks of himself as an eyewitness of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, a privilege shared only by Peter, James and John. (2 Pet. 1:16-18; Matt. 17:1-9) And, as evident from John 21:18, 19, Peter alone could have said: “The putting off of my tabernacle is soon to be, just as also our Lord Jesus Christ signified to me.” (2 Pet. 1:14) The difference in style between the two letters may be attributed to the fact that Peter used Silvanus (Silas) for writing the first letter but apparently did not do so when writing his second letter. (1 Pet. 5:12) Both were general letters, evidently directed to Jewish and non-Jewish Christians. The first letter is specifically addressed to those in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, regions of Asia Minor.—1 Pet. 1:1; 2:10; 2 Pet. 1:1; 3:1; compare Acts 2:5, 9, 10.

The letters of Peter agree fully with other Bible books in stressing right conduct and its rewards and also in quoting from them as the authoritative Word of God. Quotations are made from Genesis (18:12; 1 Pet. 3:6), Exodus (19:5, 6; 1 Pet. 2:9), Leviticus (11:44; 1 Pet. 1:16), Psalms (34:12-16; 118:22; 1 Pet. 3:10-12; 2:7), Proverbs (11:31 [LXX]; 26:11; 1 Pet. 4:18; 2 Pet. 2:22) and Isaiah (8:14; 28:16; 40:6-8; 53:5; 1 Pet. 2:8; 2:6; 1:24, 25; 2:24). Scriptural prophecy is shown to be the product of God’s spirit. (2 Pet. 1:20, 21; compare 2 Timothy 3:16.) God’s promise concerning new heavens and a new earth is repeated. (2 Pet. 3:13; Isa. 65:17; 66:22; Rev. 21:1) The parallels between 2 Peter (2:4-18; 3:3) and Jude (5-13, 17, 18) evidently indicate that the disciple Jude accepted Peter’s second letter as inspired. Noteworthy, too, is the fact that the letters of the apostle Paul are classified by Peter with “the rest of the Scriptures.”—2 Pet. 3:15, 16.

TIME OF WRITING

From the tone of the letters it appears that they were written prior to the outbreak of Nero’s persecution in 64 C.E. The fact that Mark was with Peter would seem to place the time of composition of the first letter between 62 and 64 C.E. (1 Pet. 5:13) Earlier, during the apostle Paul’s first imprisonment at Rome (c. 60-61 C.E.), Mark was there, and when Paul was imprisoned for a second time at Rome (c. 65 C.E.) he requested that Timothy and Mark join him. (Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11) Likely Peter wrote his second letter not long after his first, or about 64 C.E.

WRITTEN FROM BABYLON

According to Peter’s own testimony, he composed his first letter while at Babylon. (1 Pet. 5:13) Possibly also from there he wrote his second letter. Available evidence clearly shows that “Babylon” refers to the city on the Euphrates and not to Rome, as some have claimed. Having been entrusted with ‘the good news for those who are circumcised,’ Peter could be expected to serve in a center of Judaism, such as Babylon. (Gal. 2:8, 9) Since Peter wrote to “the temporary residents scattered about in [literal] Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Pet. 1:1), it logically follows that the source of the letter, “Babylon,” was the literal place by that name. Never does the Bible indicate that Babylon specifically refers to Rome, nor does it state that Peter was ever in Rome. The first to claim that Peter was martyred at Rome is Dionysius, bishop of Corinth in the latter half of the second century. Earlier, Clement of Rome, though mentioning Paul and Peter together, makes Paul’s preaching in both the E and the W a distinguishing feature of that apostle, implying that Peter was never in the W. As the vicious persecution of Christians by the Roman government (under Nero) had seemingly not yet begun, there would have been no reason for Peter to veil the identity of Rome by the use of another name. When Paul wrote to the Romans, sending greetings by name to many in Rome, he omitted Peter. Had Peter been a leading overseer there, this would have been an unlikely omission. Also, Peter’s name is not included among those sending greetings in Paul’s letters written from Rome (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Philemon, Hebrews).

FIRST PETER

The Christians to whom the apostle Peter addressed his first letter were experiencing severe trials. (1 Pet. 1:6) Additionally, the “end of all things” had drawn close—evidently the end of the Jewish system of things foretold by Jesus. (Compare Mark 13:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16; Hebrews 9:26.) It was, therefore, a time for them to be “vigilant with a view to prayers.” (1 Pet. 4:7; compare Matthew 26:40-45.) They also needed encouragement to endure faithfully, the very encouragement provided by the apostle.

Repeatedly Peter reminded fellow Christians of the blessings they enjoyed. Because of God’s mercy, they had received a new birth to a living hope, giving them reason for rejoicing. (1 Pet. 1:3-9) They had been bought with Christ’s precious blood. (1 Pet. 1:18, 19) By putting away the filth of the flesh and making request to God for a good conscience, they had received their request. (1 Pet. 3:21–4:6) As living stones they were being built on Christ Jesus to become a spiritual house or temple. They were “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession.”—1 Pet. 2:4-10.

In view of what God and his Son had done in their behalf, Christians, as Peter showed, had reason to endure sufferings and to maintain fine conduct. They were to expect sufferings, for “even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous person for unrighteous ones.” (1 Pet. 3:17, 18) Sharing in the sufferings of Christ was in itself a reason for rejoicing, as it would result in being overjoyed at the revelation of Christ’s glory. To be reproached for the name of Christ constituted an evidence of having God’s spirit. (1 Pet. 4:12-14) The trials themselves resulted in faith of tested quality, which was needed for salvation. (1 Pet. 1:6-9) Moreover, by faithfully enduring, they would continue to experience God’s care. He would make them firm and strong.—1 Pet. 5:6-10.

However, as Peter emphasized, Christians were never to suffer because of being lawbreakers. (1 Pet. 4:15-19) Theirs was to be exemplary conduct, which would serve to silence ignorant talk against them. (1 Pet. 2:12, 15, 16) This involved every aspect of a Christian’s life—his relationship to governmental authority and to masters, family members and Christian brothers. (1 Pet. 2:13–3:9) It called for right use of the organs of speech, holding a good conscience (1 Pet. 3:10-22) and remaining free from the defiling practices of the nations. (1 Pet. 4:1-3) Inside the congregation, older men serving as shepherds were not to lord it over the sheep, but do their work willingly and eagerly. The younger men were to be in subjection to the older men. (1 Pet. 5:1-5) All Christians were to be hospitable, seek to build one another up, have intense love for one another, and gird themselves with lowliness of mind.—1 Pet. 4:7-11; 5:5.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I. Salutation and pronouncement of blessing (1:1, 2)

II. Manner in which Christians who had received new birth to living hope should conduct selves (1:3–5:11)

A. Rejoice despite trials, as trials result in tested quality of faith, which is needed for salvation (1:3-12; compare 4:12, 13)

B. Brace up mind for activity, keep senses completely, become holy, conduct selves with fear, love brothers intensely, and put away moral badness, deceitfulness, hypocrisy, envies and backbiting (1:13–2:3)

C. As part of God’s spiritual temple built on Christ Jesus and also of God’s holy nation, they are aliens and temporary residents and should ‘maintain conduct fine among nations’ (2:4-12)

1. Show proper subjection (2:13–3:6)

a. To king and governors (2:13-17)

b. House servants to owners, even if hard to please; take Christ as example if suffering unjustly (2:18-25)

c. Wives to husbands (3:1-6)

(1). May win unbelieving husbands through good conduct (3:1, 2)

(2). Not outward adornment, but quiet and mild spirit important; imitate Sarah (3:3-6)

2. Husbands to assign honor to wives (3:7)

3. All be like-minded among selves, exercising brotherly love and not paying back injury for injury; even if suffering for righteousness’ sake results, will be happy; be ready to make defense of hope; hold good conscience (3:8-22)

4. Have same mental disposition as Christ and keep clean from debased practices of nations (4:1-6)

5. “End of all things” having drawn close, be sound in mind and vigilant with view to prayers, have intense love for fellow Christians, be hospitable, and build one another up (4:7-11)

6. Suffer for Christ’s name but never as lawbreaker (4:12-19)

7. Proper relationships to be maintained inside the congregation (5:1-5)

a. Older men to shepherd flock willingly, not lording over sheep but being examples to them (5:1-4)

b. Younger men to be in subjection to older men; all to gird themselves with lowliness of mind (5:5)

8. Humble selves under hand of God; take stand against Devil (5:6-11)

III. Concluding encouragement and greeting (5:12-14)

SECOND PETER

The purpose of Peter’s second letter was to assist Christians to make their calling and choosing sure and to avoid being led astray by false teachers and ungodly men within the congregation itself. (2 Pet. 1:10, 11; 3:14-18) Christians are urged to have faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godly devotion, brotherly affection and love (2 Pet. 1:5-11), and are admonished to pay attention to the inspired “prophetic word.” (2 Pet. 1:16-21) Examples of past executions of Jehovah’s judgments against ungodly persons are cited to show that those abandoning the path of righteousness will not escape God’s wrath. (2 Pet. 2:1-22) Despite what ridiculers might say in the “last days,” the coming of Jehovah’s day, a day for the execution of ungodly men, is just as certain as what befell the world of Noah’s day. Also, God’s promise of new heavens and a new earth is sure and should inspire diligent efforts to be found unblemished from God’s standpoint.—2 Pet. 3:1-18.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I. Salutation (1:1)

II. Reminder to Christians concerning requirements for divine approval and entrance into kingdom (1:2–3:18)

A. Faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godly devotion, brotherly affection and love needed (1:2-15)

B. Should pay attention to prophetic word, which is a product of God’s spirit and made more sure by transfiguration vision (1:16-21)

C. Must guard against false teachers and other corrupt persons (2:1-22)

1. False teachers to arise among Christians; not to escape judgment, as shown by what befell disobedient angels, world of Noah’s day and Sodom and Gomorrah (2:1-10)

2. Description of those desiring to defile flesh and looking down on lordship (2:10-19)

3. Persons departing from path of righteousness like dog returning to vomit and like bathed sow going back to rolling in mire (2:20-22)

D. Should keep in mind Jehovah’s day and promise of new heavens and a new earth (3:1-18)

1. Coming of Jehovah’s day certain; ridiculers ignore past destruction of ungodly in Noah’s day (3:1-7)

2. Jehovah not slow, but patient, giving persons opportunity to repent and escape destruction (3:8-10)

3. Need for maintaining proper conduct and guarding against being led astray, in view of coming destruction and ushering in of new heavens and a new earth (3:11-18)

See the book “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” pp. 249-253.