1 Peter | Christian Library

Suffering, Step One

What would you say is the first wise step when God visits you with suffering? Read this article for a helpful reflection on humility, as it finds biblical direction from 1 Peter 5:6–7.

The article discusses the problem of suffering among believers. By reference to 1 Peter, the author dismisses unbiblical views about suffering and provides guidelines to follow for Christians to be able to handle suffering.

Respect Your Elders

The article discusses the application of the commandment to respect and submit to elders. This is done with the help of the text in 1 Peter 5.

Love One Another

Christian love is a must among believers. From 1 Peter 1:22 this article explains four characteristics of love that must be displayed among believers.

The Price Christ Paid for Your Church

This article explains by way of 1 Peter 1:18-21 the price that Christ paid for the redemption of the church.

The Use of the Old Testament for Christian Ethics in 1 Peter

1 Peter makes extensive use of the Old Testament. This article reflects on how the author of 1 Peter used the Old Testament to develop Christian ethics. It indicates how Peter's selection of texts was based upon the correlation between the situation of the people of God in the Old Testament and that of his readers. The teaching from the Old Testament was then developed in the author's own terminology to show its relevance for the suffering Christian churches.

1 Peter 1:4-5 – Our Eternal Inheritance

This article is a consideration of our eternal inheritance as Peter describes it in 1 Peter 1:4-5.

1 & 2 Peter and Jude – A Letter to Elect Exiles (1 Peter 1:1-2)

Chapter 1 is an exposition of 1 Peter 1:1-2.

1 Peter 1:13 - Sober and Hopeful

Looking at 1 Peter 1:13, this article shares some valuable lessons on how to live the Christian life in today’s age. The author calls for sobriety and hope, with a confidence for the coming of Christ.

1 Peter 1:1-2 - Elect Pilgrims

This article on 1 Peter 1:1-2 is about our place as pilgrims in this world.

1 Peter 1:3 - The Great Mercy of God

We can praise God and have joy in the midst of prosperity and adversity because we have the mercy of God (1 Peter 1:3).

1 Peter 2:11-12 – Why Good Works Are Crucial for the Christian Life

Using 1 Peter 2:11-12 as framework, this article discusses the necessity of good works in the life of a Christian. The article gives a survey of what the New Testament epistles say about good works.

1 Peter 2:13-15 – The Duty of the Christian to the Civil Government

This article considers 1 Peter 2:13-15 and its expression of the Christian's duty to the government.

Fire in God's House: Imagery from Malachi 3 in Peter's Theology of Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19)

This article examines how Peter in 1 Peter 4:12-19 uses the imagery of Malachi 3 of the Lord coming as the refiner's fire to refine his servants. By using this imagery Peter identifies believers as the new temple of God, and encourages them in their suffering.

Does Peter Draw a Line?

Looking at cessationism through the eyes of Mark 16, Acts 5, and 1 Peter 2, this article shows that to claim the cessation of special gifts is not equal to claiming that God has ceased to do spectacular acts. God has the power and the liberty to call on spectacular ways.

1 Peter 2:2 - Like a Baby Craves Milk

This article on 1 Peter 2:2 is about spiritual growth.

1 Peter 2:24 - Christ our Sin Bearer

This article on 1 Peter 2:24 is about the atonement.

1 Peter 2:1-3 - A Healthy Appetite for God's Word

This article on 1 Peter 2:1-3 is about our hunger for the Word of God.

1 Peter 2 – A Chosen Generation

This article offers an exposition of 1 Peter 2:9, which provides God's description of his church, and his programme for his church.

1 Peter 2:9 - Our Identity in Christ

This article on 1 Peter 2:9 is about our identity and mission in Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-5 - No Rolling Stones!

In this article on 1 Peter 2:4-5, the church as fellowship of believers is discussed, as well as the service of the church.

1 Peter 2:13 - Submit Yourselves

In this article on 1 Peter 2:13, the author shows that a good life among the unbelievers (ungodly) also means submitting to the authority of the government, the master and the husband. Our submission is a service to the Lord, and to win over our neighbours for Christ.

The First Epistle of Peter 2:1-3

This article is a bible study on 1 Peter 2:1-3. In this chapter the great Apostle continues and further presses upon all Christians the study and growth in holiness, which he had started in the thirteenth verse of the previous chapter.

The First Epistle of Peter 1:22-25

This article is a bible study on 1 Peter 1:22-25. Here the apostle continues the practical application of the doctrine of redemption, which he had started in verse 13. We have already seen in our previous studies of this Epistle, that the grand design of the apostle is to unfold before these persecuted Christians the great redemption, which the Lord wrought for them. His intent, in doing so, is to strengthen, encourage, assure and comfort these Christian people, whose faith was sorely tried by persecution at this time.

The First Epistle of Peter 1:10-12

The great object of the Apostle in writing this Epistle, as we have seen, is to sustain the minds and hearts of these Christians – to enable them to remain "steadfast and unmovable" in the faith – amid the manifold trials to which they were exposed. This article is a bible study on 1 Peter 1:10-12.

On the Trail of the Spirits in Prison

This article offers a unique interpretation of 1 Peter 3:18-20, about the "spirits in prison." The author finds a key to the interpretation in the letter's background in Isaiah. The author ends with a section on whom Peter was writing to.

What's the Purpose of ... Pastors

Pastors are not CEOs or priests. According to 1 Peter 5:1-5 pastors are placed in the church to be shepherds of God's people.

Descended into Hell or Ascended to Heaven

Looking at 1 Peter 3:18-22, this article explains what Peter meant by saying Christ preached to the spirits in prison.

Another Brick in the Wall

From 1 Peter 2:1-10, this article shows that Christians are called to active membership in the church.

1 Peter 3:8-22 – Following Christ

What does it mean to follow Christ as your Lord? In 1 Peter 3:8-22, the author helps us understand how Christians should live, and why we should live that way. Further, the author gives practical examples of what happens when a believer follows Christ with commitment.

1 Peter 3:1-7 - Marriage as Unjust Suffering

Looking at 1 Peter 3:1-7, this article is on the topic of marriage. The marriage relationship will have its struggles, but it also will have beauty and joy. The author also discusses the respective roles of the husband and the wife in marriage.

1 Peter 3:7 – A Word to Husbands

This article on 1 Peter 3:7 is about the ministry (task) of the husband in his family—the motive and the manner of his ministry. Things like the husband as head of the family, his service to his family, his relation to Christ, and his task in family worship are all discussed. This article also helps to see the task of the man in general.

1 Peter 3:15 - Be prepared to Give an Answer

This article on 1 Peter 3:15 is about the task each Christian has to talk about the gospel (evangelism).

The Interpretation of the "Stone" Passages by Peter and Paul: A Comparative Study

This article wants to investigate the stone passages in Romans 9:33 and 1 Peter 2:4-10. The author reflects on Paul and Peter's use of the so-called Old Testament "stone" passages—Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14, and Isaiah 28:16.

Petrine Redemption: Its Meaning and Extent

How is redemption depicted in 1 Peter and 2 Peter? The paper argues that the apostle Peter presents redemption in his letter primarily as the work of Christ that sets people free from a previously futile lifestyle. The emphasis is on a changed lifestyle.

1 Peter 4:1-3 – New Life in Christ

With reference to 1 Peter 4:1-3, the article defines the mindset and lifestyle that a believer has to have in the new life, especially in view of sin and the commandments of God.

1 Peter 4:1 – The Fruit of Suffering

This article on 1 Peter 4:1 is about the fruit of suffering, and the relation of suffering and sin.

1 Peter 5:5-6 - Clothed With Humility

How important is humility in the church? And how does it enhance our fellowship?

The First Epistle of Peter 1:13-21

This article is a bible study on 1 Peter 1:13-21. It discusses the Christian call to obedience and holiness and the motives to pursue this holiness.

He Cares for You Lessons on Anxiety Series: Part 8

1 Peter 5:6-7 calls us to cast our worry and anxiety on Christ. We can do this because we know that he is sovereign and he cares for us.

The Compositional Function of the Petrine Prescript: A Look at 1 Peter 1:1-3

What is the function of 1 Peter 1:1-2 in the composition of the letter? The essay discusses this, and also analyzes the transitional relationship between the end of verse 2 and the blessing contained in 1 Peter 1:3-12.

The Message of the General Epistles in the History of Redemption – An Eternal Inheritance: Salvation in 1 Peter

Crowe explores in Chapter 1 the significance of salvation in 1 Peter. He reflects on the meaning of the believers being called exiles/aliens/sojourners in 1 Peter and Scripture generally. Next he discusses the blessings of salvation. At the end of the chapter he provides some questions for reflection and discussion.

Interpreting First Peter

1 Peter is not the easiest book in the New Testament to interpret. This article considers the origin and destination of the letter and the interpretation of 1 Peter 3:20-22 about the preaching in the time of Noah.

1 Peter 5:6 - Under God's Mighty Hand

This article on 1 Peter 5:6 is about the hand of God and our suffering.

1 Peter 1:1-12 – A Song of Rejoicing

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:1-12.

1 Peter 1:1-2 - Privileged Pilgrims!

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:1-2.

1 Peter 1:1-2 - Three for All

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:1-2.

1 Peter 1:3-12 - Singing about Salvation Still to Come

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:3-12.

1 Peter 1:3-12 - Singing About Salvation Still to Come

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:3-12.

1 Peter 1:3-5 - The Living Hope

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:3-5.

1 Peter 1:6-9 - The Glorious Joy

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:6-9.

1 Peter 1:10-12 - The Wondrous Grace

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:10-12.

1 Peter 1:13-25 – A Summons to Walk in Godliness

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:13-25.

1 Peter 1:13-25 - Holy Living in a Hostile World

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:13-25.

1 Peter 1:13-17 - The True Good Life

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:13-17.

1 Peter 1:18-21 - Redemption: Paid

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:18-21.

1 Peter 1:21 - Redemption Applied

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:21.

1 Peter 1:22-2:3 - The Enduring Word of God

This article is a Bible study on 1 Peter 1:22-1 Peter 2:3.

1 Peter: Strategies for Counseling Individuals on the Way to a New Heritage

The aim of this article is to provide some indication of the fruitfulness of exegetical study of one particular text, 1 Peter, for the counselor's task. It wants to motivate the counselor to integrate ever more completely the study of Scripture with pastoral care. The author discusses the Christian's position in this world, suffering, the church as household of God, and the task of elders.