I Peter 1:3

I Peter 1:3

(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)

April 25, 2013

 

In our initial session in I Peter we saw that this letter was directed toward Christians scattered throughout northern Asia Minor.  The letter was written shortly after the Neronian persecution of Christians began in Rome in the mid-sixties of the 1^st century.  Peter wrote to warn Christians of the coming persecution and to remind them of the resources available to them to help them through difficult times.  We saw that in the opening verses Peter identifies himself (“an apostle”), his readers (“aliens … scattered … chosen”), and offers a salutation (“grace…peace”)

 In this session we are going to begin looking at the main body of I Peter.  I Peter 1:3-12 is one of my favorite passages in the entire Bible.  These verses touch on many of the major themes of the New Testament.  In this single paragraph are truths about mercy, the new birth, hope, the resurrection of Jesus, heaven, God’s protection of His people, faith, dealing with trials, joy, discovering spiritual truth, and much more.  We could spend months on this one paragraph of I Peter and not exhaust all the truths in it.  In this session we are going to focus primarily on verse 3 which contains several great truths about salvation.

 

It seems to me the main theme which is interwoven throughout this paragraph, the theme which is the stack pole around which everything else is built is the theme of salvation.  In my opinion, the thesis statement around which this paragraph is built is v.9 where Peter speaks of “...obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” And three times in this paragraph the word “salvation” is used in the ten verses of this paragraph. 

 

According to survey conducted by the Barna Research Group:  

·         More than one-half of people in our nation believe if a person is good enough or does enough good things for other people, that person can earn his/her way into heaven. 

·         More than one-third of those who identified themselves as born again Christians expressed the belief that a good person can earn his/her way into heaven. 

·         44% said all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, experience the same outcome after they die. 

Those opinions are nowhere near what the Bible teaches about salvation.  From I Peter 1:3 I want to point out several basic biblical principles about salvation.  I know that you have heard these principles many times, but they cannot be over-emphasized.

 

I.            SALVATION IS GOD’S WORK, NOT OURS

1.      Notice the opening phrase of verse 3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”  The word translated “blessed” is not the same word used in Matthew 5 in those sayings of Jesus known as “The Beatitudes.”  That word is makarios and it essentially means fulfilled or prosperous, and in the context of Matthew 5 it means spiritually prosperous.  The word in I Peter 1:3 is eulogetos.  Our word eulogy comes from his word.   The first part of the word (eu) means well or good, and the last part of the word (logetos) means to speak a word.  So the word “blessed” essentially means to speak a good word about someone, as we would do in a eulogy. 

2.      Why are we to speak a good word about “…the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…?”  Because He has done an extraordinary thing.  He “…has caused us to be born again…”  How that is worded is extremely important.  We did not cause ourselves to be born again; God did it!

3.      Actually this entire paragraph stresses the activity of the entire godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—in the salvation process.  God the Father is the central figure in verses 3–5, God the Son, in verses 6–9, and God the Holy Spirit, in verses 10–12. ^[1]

4.      And because salvation is the work of God, it necessarily follows that it is not our work.  Our salvation does not depend on what we do.  We are not saved by being good or going to church or by abstaining from certain things.  We cannot in anyway achieve salvation.  All we can do is receive the salvation God has made available to us through Jesus.  And if we fall into the trap of believing that we must do something to earn or merit salvation, we will never feel secure because we will never be sure if we have done enough.

 

II.            SALVATION IS ROOTED IN THE MERCY OF GOD

1.      Notice the verse says that “…according to His great mercy…” we’ve been “…born again…”  There are several significant things about that phrase:

·         “…according to…” – One writer (Wuest, Kenneth) suggests this should be translated “impelled by” rather than “according to…”  God’s mercy was the driving force that caused Him to provide for our salvation.  His mercy compelled Him.

·         “…great…” – The root of the word means much or many.  Our word abundant would capture the idea behind this word.  His mercy is overflowing, extravagant, more than enough.

·         “…mercy…” – This is one of the great words in the Bible.  In the Old Testament the word is hesed and it is often translated kindness or loving kindness.  It carries the idea of doing something for another that the recipient does not deserve.  The motivation for the act is not in the worthiness of the recipient but in the heart of the one doing the acting.  In the New Testament this word is used in Luke 10:37 to describe the actions of the man who has become known as “the good Samaritan.”  He bound up the wounds of and tenderly cared for another person, expecting nothing in return.

Taken together the phrase “…according to His great mercy…” can be paraphrased “…compelled by His abundant loving kindness…”

2.      There is a very important theological truth to be gleaned from that.  The biblical message is that God’s basic stance toward us is one of mercy and grace, not condemnation and judgment.  That is engrained into the very nature of God. God created us to live in relationship with Him.  However, the Scripture makes it clear that every one of us has chosen our way over God’s way.  The Bible calls that choice sin and our sin has created a barrier between us and God.  Our fellowship with God, our relationship with God has been broken because of sin. 

3.      However, it is important to understand that our sin did not cause God to move away from us or give up on us.  The separation between us and God occurred because we moved away from Him.  And the wonderful news of the gospel is that God’s heart toward us has remained consistent.  He is ever the loving father yearning for us to return to Him.  We come into judgment and condemnation only if we reject God’s mercy and grace.

4.      God loves us and wants us to have the best life we can possibly have.  He’s not some mean, angry monster up in the sky just waiting to pounce on us.  He is a loving Heavenly Father who genuinely desires the best for us.  The starting point of salvation is the understanding that God is a God of mercy and grace and love to whom we can entrust our lives with confidence.

 

III.            SALVATION INVOLVES A RADICAL CHANGE IN OUR LIVES

1.       Twice in this brief letter, once in the verse on which we are focusing in this session and again in 1:23, Peter describes Christians as those who have been “born again.”  He also speaks of Christians as being “like newborn babes” in 2:2.  Now Peter didn’t just make-up that concept.  No doubt, he learned it from Jesus, Himself.  For it was Jesus who said to Nicodemus in John 3, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

2.      Using the analogy of birth to describe the salvation process tells us, among other things, that salvation involves a radical change in us.  One writer put it this way: “The Christian is a [person] who has been reborn; [a person] who has been begotten again by God to a new and a different kind of life.  Whatever else this means, it means that, when a [person] becomes a Christian, there comes into his/her life a change so radical and so decisive that it can only be described as being born again.” [Paraphrase of Barclay, p.202]

3.      Salvation inevitably involves change in our lives.  It’s not that we have to change ourselves.  But when God takes up residence in our hearts, He begins to change us.  He changes us from the inside out.  The old desires, old loves, old priorities are gradually replaced by new desires, new loves, and new priorities.  The Apostle Paul put it this way in II Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

4.      Notice that Peter says we’ve been “…born again to a living hope…”  We are going to explore that phrase in more detail in the next session, but at this time I want you to notice the word “living.”  That is one of Peter’s favorite words and is a recurring theme of this letter.  It is used in 1:3, 23; 2:4, 5, 24; and 4:5, 6.  Salvation is the process of moving from spiritual death to spiritual life.  There is no greater change than that!

 

IV.            SALVATION IS BASED ON THE WORK OF JESUS

1.      At the end of this verse Peter tells us that it is “…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...” that we have “…been born again to a living hope…” 

2.      What want you to see in that is God accomplished our salvation through Jesus.  While Peter mentions specifically the resurrection of Jesus, it is impossible to get to the resurrection apart from the other significant historical facts about Jesus’ life.

3.      From earliest days of Christianity has been a dangerous tendency by some to de-emphasize the historical events in the life of Christ.  The tendency is to think of Christianity in broad, philosophical terms and to de-emphasize its historical basis.  It is important to understand that our salvation does not rest on a philosophy or a creed or a code of ethics or a set of rules.  Our salvation rests squarely on the acts of God in Jesus---

--Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem of Judea...

--He lived a sinless life...

--He died on the cross for the sins of the world...

--And by the power of God he rose from the dead...

Those are facts of history, not assertions of philosophy.  Our salvation is based on what Jesus did in history.

 

 

I Peter 1:3 –  ^“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

·         SALVATION IS GOD’S WORK, NOT OURS

·         SALVATION IS ROOTED IN THE MERCY OF GOD

·         SALVATION INVOLVES A RADICAL CHANGE IN OUR LIVES

·         SALVATION IS BASED ON THE WORK OF JESUS

 

It is no wonder the writer of Hebrews exclaimed, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation!” (Hebrews 2:3)

           

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^[1] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader (1 Pe 1:3). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

I Peter 1:1-2

I Peter 1:1-2

(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)

April 18, 2013

 

1.      When Peter wrote this letter, ominous and dark clouds were gathering on the horizon for the Christians in Asia Minor to whom this letter was originally addressed.  Near the end of the letter Peter says that he is writing from a place he calls “Babylon.”  While a few scholars say that means the literal Babylon on the Euphrates River, most see it as a reference to Rome.  1^st century Christians often used the code word “Babylon” as a secret way of referring to Rome.  Like ancient Babylon, Rome was characterized by evil, immorality, and idolatry.

2.      In July of 64 A.D. a great fire broke out in Rome and much of the city was destroyed.  Hundreds of public buildings were burned and thousands of people were left homeless.  It is widely believed that Nero, the Roman Emperor, had the fire started the fire so he could rebuild Rome to his liking and erect some monuments that he thought would establish his place in history.  The people were so incensed at Nero that they were ready to revolt and overthrow him, so he needed someone on whom to blame the fire.  Unfortunately, he chose to place the blame on the misunderstood religious sect known as Christians.

3.      Christians were a convenient scapegoat for Nero.  They were a relatively unknown group practicing what seemed to the average Roman a bizarre religion: 

·         They followed a man named Jesus who had been crucified in Judea and who they claim had been resurrected.

·         They refused to believe in more than one god, thus according to 1^st century religious standards they were basically atheists. 

·         Rumor was that they practiced cannibalism because they spoke of eating the body and drinking the blood of Jesus.

·         Some accused them of participating in sexual orgies because they had a custom of greeting each other with a “holy kiss” and they met in homes for what they called “love feasts”...

So when Nero needed a scapegoat for the great fire, Christian who were already misunderstood and looked upon with suspicion by many people, were an obvious choice.

4.      At Nero’s prompting, a brutal persecution of Christians broke out in Rome...during this time Christians were: 

·         Dipped in tar and burned as torches to light the gardens of Nero when he threw outdoor parties...

·         Tied to chariots and dragged through the streets of Rome until they were dead...

·         Tied in leather bags and dipped in water until the bags shrank enough to suffocate them...

And the Christians who received the letter of I Peter could see these dark clouds of persecution moving their way.  In light of that, it is not surprising that The major issue discussed is suffering and persecution. This is done in two ways.

1)      Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of suffering and rejection (cf. 1:11; 2:21, 23; 3:18; 4:1, 13; 5:1).

2)      Jesus’ followers are called on to emulate His pattern and attitude (cf. 1:6–7; 2:19; 3:13–17; 4:1, 12–19; 5:9–10).^[1]

5.      I believe that Peter wrote this letter sometime to warn Christians of the coming persecution sometime shortly after the great Neronian persecution began in Rome.

Verse 1 – Reveals the writer and the recipients

“Peter…” (The following summary of Peter’s life is copied verbatim from Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series

Peter, the Man

HIS FAMILY

A.  Peter’s family lived in Galilee of the Gentiles in the city of Bethsaida on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (or the Sea of Tiberias cf. John 1:44), but apparently moved to Capernaum at some point (cf. Mark 1:21, 29).

B.  Peter’s father’s name was Jonah (cf. Matt. 16:17) or John (cf. John 1:42; 21:15–17).

C.  His given name was Simon (cf. Mark 1:16, 29, 30, 36), which was common in Palestine of the first century. It was the Jewish form of Symeon (cf. Acts 15:14; II Pet. 1:1).

Jesus renamed him Peter (Petros, which means “rock,” meant to describe his eventual strength and stability) in Matt. 16:18; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; and John 1:42. The Aramaic form is Cephas (cf. John 1:42; I Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Gal. 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14). Often in the NT these two names are given together (cf. Matt. 16:16; Luke 5:8; John 1:40; 6:8, 68; 13:6, 9, 24, 36; 18:10, 15, 25; 20:2, 6; 21:2–3, 7, 11, 15).

D.  Peter’s brother’s name was Andrew (cf. Mark 1:16). He was a disciple of John the Baptist (cf. John 1:35, 40) and later a believer and follower of Jesus (cf. John 1:36–37). He brought Simon to Jesus (cf. John 1:41). Several months later Jesus confronted them by the Sea of Galilee and called them to be His official full-time disciples (cf. Matt. 4:18–20; Mark 1:16–18; and Luke 5:1–11).

E.   He was married (cf. Mark 1:30; I Cor. 9:5), but there is no mention of children.

HIS OCCUPATION

A.  Peter’s family owned several fishing boats and even hired servants.

B.  Peter’s family may have been partners with James, John, and their father, Zebedee (cf. Luke 5:10).

C.  Peter briefly returned to fishing after Jesus’ death (cf. John 21).

HIS PERSONALITY

A.  Peter’s strengths

1.   He was a dedicated follower, but quite impulsive (cf. Mark 9:5; John 13:4–11).

2.   He attempted acts of faith, but often failed (e.g. walking on water, cf. Matt. 14:28–31).

3.   He was brave and willing to die (cf. Matt. 26:51–52; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:49–51; John 18:10–11).

4.   After His resurrection, Jesus addressed him personally as the discredited leader of the Twelve in John 21 and provided an opportunity for repentance and restoration to leadership.

B.  Peter’s weaknesses

1.   He had initial tendencies toward Jewish legalism

a.   eating with Gentiles (Gal. 2:11–21)

b.   food laws (Acts 10:9–16)

2.   He, like all the Apostles, did not fully understand Jesus’ radical new teachings and their implications

a.   Mark 9:5–6

b.   John 13:6–11; 18:10–11

3.   He was personally and severely chastised by Jesus (Mark 8:33; Matt. 16:23)

4.   He was found sleeping instead of praying in Jesus’ great hour of need in Gethsemane (Mark. 14:32–42; Matt. 26:36–46; Luke 22:40–60)

5.   He repeatedly denied knowing Jesus (Mark 14:66–72; Matt. 26:69–75; Luke 22:56–62; John 18:16–18, 25–27)

HIS LEADERSHIP OF THE APOSTOLIC GROUP

A.  There are four lists of the Apostles (cf. Matt. 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13). Peter is always listed first. The Twelve were divided into three groups of four. I believe this allowed them to rotate home to check on their families.

B.  Peter often serves as the spokesman for the Apostolic group (cf. Matt. 16:13–20; Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–21). These passages have also been used to assert Peter’s authority within the group (cf. Matt. 16:18). However, within this very context he is chided by Jesus as a tool of Satan (cf. Matt. 16:23; Mark 8:33).

Also, when the disciples are arguing over who is greatest, Peter is not assumed to take that position (cf. Matt. 20:20–28, especially v. 24; Mark 9:33–37; 10:35–45).

C.  Peter was not the leader of the Jerusalem church. This fell to James, Jesus’ half-brother (cf. Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; I Cor. 15:7; Gal. 1:19; 2:9, 12).

HIS MINISTRY AFTER JESUS’ RESURRECTION

A.  Peter’s leadership role is clearly seen in the early chapters of Acts

1.   He led in the election of Judas’ replacement (cf. Acts 1:15–26).

2.   He preached the first sermon on Pentecost (cf. Acts 2).

3.   He healed a lame man and preached the second recorded sermon (cf. Acts 3:1–10; 3:11–26).

4.   He spoke boldly to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4.

5.   He presided over the church discipline of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.

6.   He spoke at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:7–11.

7.   Several other events and miracles are attributed to him in Acts.

B.  Peter, however, did not always embody the gospel’s implications

1.   He retained an OT mind-set (cf. Gal. 2:11–14).

2.   He had to have a special revelation to include Cornelius (cf. Acts 10) and other Gentiles.

THE SILENT YEARS

A.  There is little or no information about Peter after the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15

1.   Galatians 1:18

2.   Galatians 2:7–21

3.   I Corinthians 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5

B.  Early church tradition

1.   Peter’s being martyred in Rome is mentioned in Clement of Rome’s letter to the church at Corinth in a.d. 95.

2.   Tertullian (a.d. 150–222) also notes Peter’s martyrdom in Rome under Nero (a.d. 54–68).

3.   Clement of Alexandria (a.d. 200) says Peter was killed in Rome.

4.   Origen (a.d. 252) says Peter was martyred by crucifixion, head down, in Rome.^[2]

 

“…an apostle…” – ”apostolos” means “one sent on a mission”...commissioned by and given the full authority of the sender...

 

“of Jesus Christ” – This established Peter’s right to speak on behalf of and with the full authority of Jesus...

 

Question:  Are there apostles in the church today, people who speak with the full authority of Christ?  Obviously, there are those who call themselves “apostles.”  The mainstream of Christian thought is that once the Scripture was put together, it serves the purpose of the role of “apostle” in the early church.

 

“…to those who reside as aliens…” – This phrase tells us two very significant things about the life to which God calls us.

1)      We are not called to live this life alone – Notice word “aliens” is plural...there’s more than one...not alone... part of larger group...what great comfort in that simple little thought must brought to little bands of Christians scattered over very large territory...just to know that when trouble and persecution came would not have face alone was source of tremendous encouragement...things that seem so frightening when faced alone, not nearly as bad when others walk with us through them...that’s one of  basic reasons we need to be involved in a Christian fellowship...and I’m not just talking about sitting in a church somewhere…I’m talking about being in a fellowship where over time we develop deep, meaningful personal relationships…

2)      This world is not our ultimate destination – The word “aliens” implies this is not where we really belong.  The word Peter uses here means sojourners.  They are called “strangers and pilgrims” in 1 Peter 2:11. These people were citizens of heaven through faith in Christ (Phil. 3:20), and therefore were not permanent residents on earth. Like Abraham, they had their eyes of faith centered on the future city of God (Heb. 11:8–16). They were in the world, but not of the world (John 17:16).^[3] As we deal with the struggles that come our way in this life, it is helpful to remember that this world is not our final destination... we are here only temporarily...we are like aliens, strangers, and pilgrims...we’re on our way to a better place... remembering our ultimate destiny will help keep us from taking this life too seriously...when understand that this world not all there is, see it through different eyes...things that burden us not quite so important/pressing /overpowering...

 

“…scattered…” – This is literally “diaspora,” which means “to sow.” This term was usually used by Palestinian Jews to refer to Jews living outside of Palestine (cf. John 7:35). Peter uses it to refer to churches made up of Gentiles and Jews in northern Asia Minor.^[4] Believers are God’s seed (Matt. 13:38), and He plants them where He will. Sometimes He uses persecution to scatter the seed (Acts 8:1; 11:19ff).^[5] This is a reminder that sometimes things that we interpret as being negative or bad may actually be the hand of God putting us in a position to be more useful to Him.  It is reassuring to remember that God works through all of our circumstances to accomplish His purposes in this world.

 

“…throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…” – These Christians were scattered in five different parts of the Roman Empire, all of them in northern Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The Holy Spirit did not permit Paul to minister in Bithynia (Acts 16:7), so he did not begin this work. There were Jews at Pentecost from Pontus and Cappadocia (Acts 2:9), and perhaps they carried the Gospel to their neighboring province. Possibly Jewish believers who had been under Peter’s ministry in other places had migrated to towns in these provinces. People were “on the move” in those days, and dedicated believers shared the Word wherever they went (Acts 8:4).^[6]

 

“…who are chosen…” – There’s a wonderful thought in that...while may be exiles or aliens in world, were special to God!!...”chosen” sometimes translated “elect” is one of great words of the Bible...used in relation to Christ/angels/Israel/ Christians...as matter of fact third most commonly used word in NT describe Christians...only  disciples and saints used more to describe...means that those who turn to faith in Christ are chosen for special relationship with God and chosen for special task in world...in OT used to describe nation Israel...in NT used to describe those who have entered a faith relationship with Jesus Christ...­

 

Verse 2 tells us three significant things about this faith relationship.

(1)   It is “according to [on the basis of] the foreknowledge [purpose] of God…”  That is, it has always been God’s plan for those who turn to faith in Christ to become the elect.  We are not the elect because God chose us and gave us no choice but to respond to Him.  We are the elect because God chose to make all those who turn to faith in Christ the elect. 

(2)   It is “through sanctifying work [setting apart] of [by] the Spirit” (v. 2b). That is, we are elected to be set apart, prepared for service by God’s Spirit.

(3)   It is “that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood” (v. 2c). That is, the result of our election is obedience.  In Exodus 24:3–8 obedience and sprinkling of the blood are both associated with the establishment of God’s covenant with Israel. Here the meaning seems to be that Christians (the new Israel) are chosen with a view to a covenant relation with God.^[7]

      In these words (1 Peter 1:2) Peter laid the theological foundations for this letter of encouragement. “God” the Father in His grace had chosen them and God the “Spirit” had sanctified them through the atoning blood of God the Son, Jesus Christ. ^[8]

 

“May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.” – This verse reminds us of two great blessings we have has those chosen by God:

·         First, we have the blessing of “grace”...it has been said, and I think correctly so, that the word “grace” sums up Christian theology... one writer defines the word as “the free and undeserved giving by God to [people] what they cannot achieve themselves” [Moulton, quoted by Vaughan, p.20]...it is a reminder that in Christ we have something we could never have gained on our own initiative — the unmerited, undeserved favor/ acceptance/approval of God...Peter has a strong emphasis on God’s grace perhaps because he understood he was so in need of grace…in I Peter God’s grace is referred to ten times and the concept appears in every chapter…

·         Second, we have the blessing of “peace”...this word, which is used more than 100 times in the NT, doesn’t mean merely the absence of conflict...it carries the idea of a calmness of spirit, quiet trust in the Lord, in the midst of conflict...on the night before His crucifixion Jesus promised His followers peace...said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” [John 14:27]  In light of the coming persecution, these beleaguered Christians needed that calmness of spirit.

                                                   CONCLUSION

No-one can go through life avoiding difficulty…we all join what John Claypool calls “the brotherhood of suffering…” And at the very outset of this wonderful letter, Peter reminded the beleaguered Christians in the 1^st century and he reminds us that God has given us some special resources to deal with life’s difficulties…

         ‑‑‑have a great support system in our fellow believers...

‑‑‑have a great destiny and this world is not all there is to our existence...

‑‑‑have a great calling from God and we are special to him...

Remembering those things won't take the tough times away, but without a doubt remembering those things will help us deal with and get through the tough times.

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^[1] Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (209). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^[2] Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (1–2). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (1 Pe 1:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[4] Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (213). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (741). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (1 Pe 1:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[7] The teacher's Bible commentary. 1972 (F. H. Paschall & H. H. Hobbs, Ed.) (785). Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

^[8] Raymer, R. M. (1985). 1 Peter. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (1 Pe 1:1b–2). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.