1 & 2 Peter and Jude

A Critical & Exegetical Commentary

Gareth L Reese

• Publisher: Scripture Exposition Books LLC
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9780971765290
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Criticism & Interpretation

This is a phrase-by-phrase commentary & exposition of the New Testament books of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude. This commentary is in use as a college textbook, yet is suitable for the lay church member. The author seeks to harmonize the teachings of these NT books with other relevant NT Scripture.The epistles ofPeter and Jude provide Christians wtih guidance on how to rightly respond to suffering, trials and persecution; provide instruction to church leaders on how to shepherd the congregations under their care; offer inspired teaching regarding God's intended consummation of history; and respond to those who criticize the Christian doctrine presented by Jesus and His apostles.

Thiscommentary is conservative, evangelical Christian in its outlook, yet skillfully examines the Scriptures from multiple theological viewpoints. Thebook includes Introductory Studies for each of the three NT epistles, covering authorship, date of writing, original target audience of the letter, historical background out of which the letter was written, and the original author's purposefor writing the letter. This commentary presumes the God-inspired nature of all Biblical writing, and so helpfully examines the original language in which the epistles were written.

This volume continues the author'sseries of commentaries on the books of the New Testament written from the unique standpoint of the Restoration Movement, a position which allows him to approach Scripture with no special theological doctrine or dogma to defend and explicate. This approach provides an unhindered freedom to listen to what the Holy Spirit would tell us within the pages of the sacred Scriptures. By deliberately employing the time-honored grammatico-historical method of interpretation, the Word of God is allowed to impress upon our minds the intent the Divine Author had in mind.

The epistles of Peter and Jude can play a key role in the 21st century church's attempt to correct the cultural drift and to arrest the slide into gnostic-like New Age ideas that have become part of the average man's worldview. The religion taught by Jesus and His apostles is still the "grace of God"- "stand firm in it!"and "contend earnestly for the faithonce for all delivered to the saints!" Includedin this commentary isa fully annoted bibliography of other commentaries on these NT booksso that readers are encouraged to continue their ownstudy of the teachings of Peter and Jude.

The author is Professor Emeritusof the New Testament at Central Christian College of the Bible (Moberly, MO).

Commentary On

1 Peter

1 PETER

INTRODUCTORY STUDIES

I. Preliminaries

1 Peter belongs to that group of New Testament books which are now called Catholic or General Epistles. The seven epistles written by James, Peter, John, and Jude were so designated in the Greek text issued by Stephanus in AD 1550,¹ though he was not the first to use the term. Stephanus intended by this designation to indicate to his readers that these letters were addressed generally, that is, to more than one congregation.² A general letter is not quite the same as an encyclical letter, for an encyclical is addressed to all churches everywhere, whereas Peter's letters were addressed to several provinces (1 Peter 1:1) in a large geographical region.

Of all these general epistles, perhaps it can be said that 1 Peter is the best known, most read, and most loved. It is one of the easiest of the New Testament letters to read and understand. Edgar J. Goodspeed called it "one of the most moving pieces of persecution literature" which men can read. If Old Testament people could turn to Job for help when facing persecution, New Testament people, while being persecuted for their faith, turn to 1 Peter for guidance and comfort.

In the NASB the title is "The First Epistle of Peter." As is true for all our New Testament books, it is generally assumed that the autographs had no titles affixed to the outside of the scroll, and that the titles presently found on the books were added by men. The letters were intended to be read in the churches; when a congregation, after making copies of neighboring church's letters, had its own collection of letters,³ and one in particular was wanted for the day's Scripture reading, the added titles helped identify them quickly without having to open each one and begin reading to find out which letter one had in hand. Since the oldest copies we have of the New Testament letters all bear titles, it must be said that the titles reflect the traditional views of the early church.⁴ It may also be affirmed that the older the manuscript, the shorter is the title. The oldest known Greek manuscripts have simply Petrou a (Peter 1) or Petrou Epistole a (Epistle of Peter l).⁵ The numeral added to Peter's name for this letter indicates the acceptance (at the time when the titles were added) of a second epistle by Peter. The designation "epistle" was added very early and simply reflects the epistolary formula (1 Peter 1:1,2); it indicates early Christians took this formula at face value. An epistolē, from which we get our word "epistle", was something sent by a messenger, whether an oral or written message. It came to be the common term for a written message from one individual or group to another, whether private or general. Such epistles arose from definite historical or life situations and were intended to address specific needs. To appreciate what these are, we shall study the historical allusions found in each letter, and also reflect on what the Bible and early Christian tradition tells us about the life of Peter.

II. HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS

A. Beginning of the letter, 1:1-7

In verse 1, the writer signs his name, "Peter," and identifies which Peter it is by calling himself an "apostle of Jesus Christ." He then names the provinces in which the intended readers live. They are "Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia."

As he continues on, Peter characterizes the readers as being "chosen," as having "obeyed Jesus Christ," and as having been "sprinkled with His blood." This identifies the readers as being Christians. Already we have learned something about the historical circumstances behind this epistle. The date of writing can be no earlier than AD 30 (that is, after Christ has died and risen, and after the gospel has begun to be preached [remember Peter's first recorded sermon in Acts 2]). The date of writing is also after AD 50, since there were no Christians that we know about (at least among ethnic Gentiles) in any of those provinces until after Paul's first missionary journey, AD 45-48.⁶

Peter also describes the readers as "strangers scattered" (KJV) or "who reside as aliens" in these provinces. In 2:11 he calls them "aliens and strangers." How did they come to be scattered? Were they ethnic Jews, "dispersed" by earlier anti-Jewish persecutions? Were they ethnic Jews "scattered" by earlier anti-Christian persecutions? Has a term that used to be applied to Israel now been applied to the church, so that the readers are "scattered Christians" of whatever ethnic background – strangers and pilgrims away from their heavenly homeland? Whatever the answer to these questions, already the underlying theme of persecution has surfaced. We wonder, in passing, what persecution it is the readers are enduring.

In verse 3, we are told that the "resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" is something that has already happened. Furthermore, there is an "inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away" awaiting the faithful Christian. Christians who are being persecuted and whose property is being confiscated need to hear promises like this. In fact, it is precisely those who are faithful (verse 5) who have a promise about such an inheritance. Is it not implied that the persecution was severe enough that some were tempted to quit the faith? Finally, verse 7 holds out hope of the second advent of Jesus Christ, when all the faithful will receive "praise and glory and honor." Now there is a motive to faithfulness, whatever the persecution that may be faced!

B. At the close of the letter, 5:6-14

Historical allusions are found not only in the epistolary opening, but some also were regularly included in the closing words of a 1^st century letter. 1 Peter 5:6 reads "humble yourselves ... under the mighty hand of God." Is this a reminder that all of the difficulties the readers faced were known by God, and even permitted by Him for their eternal good? It is a very precious reminder to His suffering children that "it matters to Him about you."

Verse 8 speaks about the devil as a roaring lion prowling about. Is it possible there is an allusion to the persecution by Nero in Rome, when Christians were thrown to the lions in the Circus Maximus? Does Peter so word his warning so that Christians will recognize that it is not just Nero who has ordered the persecution, but that behind Nero's edict lay none other than the devil's own prompting, as that evil one tried to get Christians to defect? Well, says Peter, ‘Don't defect! Resist him, firm in your faith!’ And you resist, not only for your own benefit, but also for the benefit which others, who being similarly persecuted, can gain from your example of faithfulness to Jesus no matter the exigencies.

Verse 10 seems to promise that after a little time of suffering (Christians should not expect to be exempt from suffering) God will restore all the missing body parts lost to the lions. In the great resurrection morning, when the dead in Christ arise, the Christians' bodies will be whole and complete.

Verse 12 introduces Silvanus as being the secretary, or amanuensis, who actually penned the letter; we know him as "Silas" in the book of Acts. Peter (1 Peter 1:1) dictated it, or gave directions for its contents, and Silas did the actual writing. Peter summarizes the whole thrust of 1 Peter in these words, "This [Christianity] is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!" Don't let the persecution cause you to waver and lose heart and eventually quit Christ!

In verse 13, the writer tells us he is in "Babylon" when he writes, and that Mark is with him. Both "she who is in Babylon" ("the church that is in Babylon," KJV)⁷ and "Mark"⁸ send their greetings to the readers. The verse implies that several folk who were with Peter, or in whose midst he lived and traveled, knew about this letter Peter was writing, knew about the needs of the readers, and wanted the readers to know of their concern for them. If we knew for certain the identity of the place here called "Babylon," we could identify the place of writing for 1 Peter.⁹

C. Middle of the letter, 4:12-19

Sometimes in ancient letters, one can find historical allusions in the midst of the letter. 4:12 speaks of a "fiery ordeal" coming on the readers to "test" them. It will be a time when they will "share the sufferings of Christ." One wonders if "fiery ordeal" has some reference to Nero's persecution, when some Christians were covered with pitch, crucified, and then set afire to serve as street lights so Nero could see to drive his chariots through his gardens at night. Anyone who can envision the horrible experience of grease or tar on their bodies and then being set afire can appreciate the agony these crucified people went through. There would be no way they could try to rub the sticky coating off their bodies, and the coating simply made the burn more severe and painful.

Peter encourages, 'Do not be ashamed to suffer as a Christian. Instead, glorify God in that name. Let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as you continue to do what is right!'

In fact, all through the letter are instructions about how to face persecution. Note, it is not suffering in general this letter talks about, but suffering because one is a Christian. The letter abounds with calls to heroic Christian living, being helpful to your fellow believers, submitting to your shepherd-leaders, and having your behavior winsome among the Gentiles. Non-Christians are to see in the believer's behavior that Christianity does change the way a man lives. It is a beneficial, beautiful, and lasting way to live, even if one is called on to suffer for it!

III. SURVEY OF THE LIFE OF PETER

A. His Youth – till he meets Jesus

John 1:41-44 and Matthew 8:14 tell us some details. Peter was probably as old as Jesus when they met, perhaps older. Traditionally, John was the youngest of Jesus' apostles, Peter the oldest. His father was named John (Jonas, KJV),¹⁰ his brother was named Andrew.¹¹ He was born at Bethsaida,¹² a fishing village on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. He owned a house at Capernaum,¹³ and he was married.¹⁴

What kind of boy and young man was Peter? Some say he was a rough, tough fisherman. It is true that he followed the trade of fisherman,¹⁵ but the idea that he was a rough, tough, foul-mouthed fisherman comes from a misunderstanding of the report of Peter's denial of Christ at His trials before Annas and Caiaphas. Peter did not at that occasion use curse words but rather took a solemn oath (Matthew 26:74), calling a curse upon himself if he were lying. We get some indication of his lifestyle from the housetop experience, where Peter says he has never touched anything common or unclean (Acts 10:14). Jesus selected only good men to be his apostles.¹⁶

B. The Period of his association with Jesus – until Jesus' ascension

When Peter first met Jesus, Peter was already a disciple of John the Baptist. He was brought to Jesus by Andrew, his brother (John 1:40-42). On his first meeting with Jesus, he received the surname "Cephas" – Peter, the man of rock. After sundry lessons and discipleship sessions, in the second year of His earthly ministry, Jesus chose from among his disciples twelve men to become apostles. Peter was among this group of twelve (Matthew 4:18-20, Luke 5:10,11). In the listings of the apostles, Peter's name is the first one given. He was one of the inner three (Peter, James, and John). He was accorded the dignity of being chosen by the apostles as their spokesman, perhaps because he was older than the rest.

There are a number of memorable things recorded that involved Peter during his travels with Jesus. There are his walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee;¹⁷ the good confession of Jesus as the Messiah;¹⁸ his wish to b...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Commentary on 1 Peter Page
• Commentary on 2 Peter
• Commentary on Jude
• 1 and 2 Peter
• Jude
• 1 Peter 1
• 2 Peter 1
• Jude 1