UNDERSTANDING 1 PETER

NTW 806

Prof. Stenschke and Dr. Janse van Rensburg

University of Pretoria

George Matthee
U17380635
11 December 2021
 Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2

2. Exegeses ............................................................................................................... 2

2. Applying the theology to circumstances today ....................................................... 4

Bibliography ............................................................................................................... 6

1
 1. Introduction
This assignment has the goal to pay close attention to the social context of the first
hearers of First Peter in an attempt to understand how the author employs the way
they understand their social world to guide them to hope. To reach the goal of the
assignment, I will refer to exegeses of the text, to answer the question of how Peter
comforted and motivated the believers in the hostile society. In the section after the
exegeses, I will attend to the question of how this can still be relevant to us in our
society.

Marshall (2003:655) states that the main message the author tries to convey is a
lifestyle, believers in Christ ought to follow despite the hostile attacks from their
society. In so doing the Peter applies a format to his letter wherein he guides the
believers on how they should live and how their relationship with the rest of society
ought to be. According to Eve (2001:1264) it is the aim of Peter’s letter to motivate
the hearers to hold fast to their faith in the face of hostility, rather than to dictate a set
of rules associated with the religion. Motivation for this motive in Peter can be found
in 1 Peter 5:12:

“Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short
letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand
fast in it.” (NRSV)

Eve (2001:1264) applies a threefold strategy to 1 Peter in how the author achieves
this goal. The first strategy has the aim to remind the believers of the tremendous
value of the gift they have received as believers. Secondly, 1 Peter assures the
hearers of the reward that awaits them in the future and lastly, he emphasizes the
suffering Christ had to endure by focuses on the blamelessness of Christ suffering.

2. Exegeses
According to Hagner (2012:691) the suffering that Peter writes about cannot be
linked to martyrdoms and an empire wide persecution. Instead Hagner suggests that
it was sporadic and local outbreaks because the loyalty to Christ stood in contrast
with the expectation of emperor of the Greco-Roman world. DeSilva (2018:746)
explains that the author sees the situation of the believers as twofold. Peter
describes it as a great privilege and substantial distress. Although they endure

2
distress Peter approach the situation in such a way that the privilege outweighs the
distress. Hagner (2012:695) describes the privilege as follows (cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10):
The language used in the text were restricted to Israel in the Salvation history, but
now applies to all gentile believers. The church is, therefore, in possession of the full
status and privilege of Israel. Furthermore, Hagner (2012:695) explains that the letter
is aimed at asserting the faith community’s identity in Christ as the people of God.

Following the argument of DeSilva (2018:746-747) it becomes clear that the people
who converted to Christianity, swore of all the practises of their previous lives that
were now in direct conflict of the Gospel. This included all the social gatherings that
involved even a hint of idolatry. In so doing the believers were labelled by their
associates as atheistic and antisocial for not being part of the religious practices of
their society. Therefore, their previous friends and neighbours slandered, shamed,
and marginalized them in an effort to guide them back to their previous religion. The
Christians were cast out. This, according to DeSilva (2018:746), was standard
practise of society’s social control. Accordingly, the Christians were left desolated
without any identity. Hence, Peter’s attempt to remind them of their identity as God’s
people. They also questioned the value that their newfound religion added to their
lives if they endured such harsh hostility, and started to wonder if their believes
justified the disruption of families, friendships, and to some extend social order.
Hagner (2012:695) points out that they most probably felt that the hostility was self-
inflicted. Peter asserts them about the value they have already received through
Christs’ gracious act on the Cross (DeSilva 2018:747).

Marshall (2003:657) writes that the author uses theology to back up the practices he
uses to encourage the recipients of the letter. Hagner (2012:696-697) identifies six
main theological themes that follows below. De Silva (2018:751) follows the same
line of argument but calls this rhetorical strategies in a pastoral response.

1. Peter offers hope as the countering aspect to the suffering they endure. This
hope has the goal to give the hearers confident expectations for the future
that is held by God in his hands. This is not a ‘wishful thinking’ antidote
2. Christ and what he had to endure, acts as a model for righteous suffering.
Furthermore, Christ also motivates them to swore off their previous life and
follow in his footsteps and way of living.

3
 3. The resurrection of Christs reminds the hearers of the blessing from God they
are part of. Because of this the community can be assured about the favour of
God they carry, and that Christ had conquered death so that no one would
have to be eternally dead. The return of Christ acts as a full stop and an
exclamation mark in the sense that he has the last say. The final judgement
will ascend on those who install the hostile society.
4. The Church gives the community as sense of belonging, and gives them an
identity. The associate with each other in their times of trial as brothers and
sisters in Christ.
5. This family, and newfound identity in Christ calls them to live a righteous life in
the world as children obeying the Father. In this righteous living, good deeds
are important.
6. This point, although not purely Theological links to the argument of Peter: He
uses commonly known household codes as metaphor of God’s house. Thus,
Peter is writing in a way the hearers can understand it in their own context.

2. Applying the theology to circumstances today

Just to summarize: The faith community Peter is addressing, experience hostility
from their former friends and neighbours, because of the fact that they renounced
their previous religion and believes and converted to Christianity. This has the effect
that they are seen as the outcasts of society. Peter motivates them to stand fast in
their faith and continue to live a righteous and godly life. He reminds them of the
value they received in Christ and the eternal blessing from God. Jesus acts as model
for righteous suffering which they endure, just like Jesus on the cross. Furthermore,
Jesus gives them a new identity as the people of God, making the suffering they
endure for turning from their old ways, null-and-void.

In answering the question how we can use the theology and apply it to situations we
might endure in our lives today; many examples jump to mind, but in keeping in
mind, the time sensitive matter of grading these papers, I would only focus on one.

In the media we must face every day in the context of South Africa, many unlawful
and outright arrogant business practises make the headlines. A few names (who
shall remain nameless) in particular stand out. These people, corporations and
businesses underscore one huge challenge South Africa faces, that cripples our

4
countries growth and intern have an effect on our living standers and political
stability. I am, here, referring to the challenge of corruption. This in turn, make it very
troubling to find peace in this country as well as to be completely proud of it. These
challenges derive, maybe not from sexual or fleshly desirers, but from the same
selfish intentions of those in Peter’s days.

Although I love my country and would probably die here before I go elsewhere, I still
need to endure the challenges and the effects in/on my life caused by someone
else’s greediness and selfishness. This text reminded me, that my identity firstly lays
in Christ who is my Lord and my savour and not as a South African. Therefore, it
motivates me to life righteously in my suffering and not become part of the problem.
Although this may be counterproductive according to today’s standards, I will not
judge, nor encourage the way some of the people referred to above, equip their
lives.

I do not know what to do with Peter’s theology of the final judgement in my context,
because I believe that even these crooked businessmen will see the Kingdom of
God. What I want to derive from the theology of the final judgement, is that even
where I fail, God frees me so that I can life a live as a freed slave. This gives me the
opportunity to live a full live in the presence of my Savour, in Whom I find my
Identity, not minding the ‘hostile’ effects other people’s bad practises having in my
life. All I want to focus on is living my live in following of Christ’s example, spreading
the Good News, and making God known to everybody my path crosses with. In so
doing I might just show the Kingdom of God to somebody struggling with the same
hostility in society.

5
 Bibliography
De Silva, D. A., 2018. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, methods &
ministry formation. 2nd ed. Downers Grove: IVP Acedemic.

Eve, E., 2001. 1 Peter. In: J. Barton & J. Muddiman, eds. The Oxford Bible
Commentary. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 1284-1287.

Hagner, D. A., 2012. The new testament: A historical and Theological Introduction.
Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Marshall, I. H., 2003. New Testament Theology; Many witnesses, one Gospel.
Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.