OUTLINE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER

The Fellowship of Christ’s Suffering and Glory

Salutation, 1Pe_1:1-2

I. The Conflict of Hope and Suffering, 1Pe_1:1-12

1. The Living Hope Born of Christ’s Resurrection, 1Pe_1:3-5

2. Trials and Sufferings, 1Pe_1:6-7

3. The Triumph of Hope, 1Pe_1:8-12

II. A Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation, 1Pe_1:13-25; 1Pe_2:1-10

1. The Call to Holiness, 1Pe_1:13-17

2. Christ’s Work of Redemption, 1Pe_1:18-21

3. The Believer’s Regeneration, 1Pe_1:22-25; 1Pe_2:1-3

4. The Stone Rejected by the Builders, 1Pe_2:4-8

5. The People of God, 1Pe_2:9-10

III. Christ’s Unparalleled Example, I Peter 2:11-4:19

1. The Obligations of the Christian Life, 1Pe_2:11-20

2. The Example of Christ, 1Pe_2:21-25

(His sinlessness)

3. The Obligations of the Christian Life, 1Pe_3:1-17

(Mutual Forbearance of Wives and Husbands, Brotherly Love, Pity, Courtesy, Overcoming Evil with Good)

4. The Example of Christ, 1Pe_3:18-22

(His suffering for sin)

5. The Obligations of the Christian Life, 1Pe_4:1-19

(Living to God, Watching, Praying, Hospitality, Suffering as a Christian)

IV. The Direction of the Church, 1Pe_5:1-9

1. Duties of Elders, 1Pe_5:1-4

2. Duties of Young Men, 1Pe_5:5-9

Conclusion, 1Pe_5:10-14

INTRODUCTION

This Epistle was addressed primarily to Christian Hebrews, though it does not exclude Gentiles who, by adoption and faith, become members of the true Israel of God. The countries named are from northeast to southwest in Asia Minor. As might have been expected, the paragraphs glow with Peter’s fervent zeal and ardent love. There is also a deep vein of patience and of desire to encourage those who were suffering. The fiery trial was the Neronian persecution, which the emperor instigated to divert from himself the stigma of having set Rome on fire. The date, therefore, is about 65 a.d.

{e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of 1 Peter in the printed edition}



REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER

Outline

(a) What is the theme of this Epistle?

(b) What are the main divisions?

(c) Why is the third division the heart of the Epistle?



Introduction

(d) To whom was this Epistle addressed?

(e) What was the fiery trial to which it refers?



I Peter 1-5

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.

1. Why is our faith subject to trials?

2. What is the price of our redemption?

3. What privileges are open to us through faith?

4. What are the duties of a Christian?

5. What is the distinguishing mark of the Christian character?

6. What are the qualities of Christian womanhood?

7. How can we best silence our opponents?

8. What is the evidence of being armed with the mind of Christ?

9. Why should a Christian rejoice in suffering?

10. What duties are incumbent upon leaders in Christian work?

11. Who is the Christian’s great enemy? How may his efforts be defeated?