Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. - 1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
First Peter is likely written from Rome during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero around 62 AD. It occurs roughly in the middle of the events of Acts, after Peter has been imprisoned and freed and before Nero's persecution (AD 64). It is written to the Jews scattered from Jerusalem to different regions of modern-day Turkey. The letter chock-full of instruction and encouragement to bear up well under suffering and persecution. It offers believers a whole program for life while suffering and includes warnings against living in a way that dishonors God. The example of Christ in chapter two is the main anchor for how to think about and go through suffering.
The letter is concerned with how the people conduct themselves before God and neighbor. It is also concerned to encourage and motivate the reader to have a right perspective of life and to encourage worship and honoring of God always. We are not in the Dispersion, but to live in the world is to expect to suffer some, and this letter gives instruction to us that needs almost zero translation.
The Big Idea of 1 Peter
I have taught the Big Idea of 1 Peter as the following: Suffer Well. As the passage above indicates, suffering is not to be treated as a surprise nor as a reality to be avoided at all costs. Instead, Christians, if they have to suffer, should do so in a way that honors God, by entrusting themselves to Him and doing good.
An Outline of 1 Peter
1 Peter 1:1-25: Rejoice in Suffering and Grow in Holiness
Peter emphasizes the need to rejoice in suffering and grow in holiness in the first chapter. He reminds his readers of the salvation that is the outcome of their faith. The suffering they are experiencing is temporary but the salvation will be forever. All the prophets looked forward to the time that his readers are now living, which helps to reinforce for them that their faith and hope are in God and not in comfortable circumstances. Since this is true, they must continue pursuing love for each other from a pure heart, motivated by God’s word and their new birth by the Spirit.
2:1-3:12: Mature Together and Submit to Authority
In 2:1-3:12, Peter instructs his readers to mature together and submit to authority. They are being built together into a spiritual house and therefore need to continue to grow as individuals so that they can be formed together by God. Because of this, they must submit to the different authorities in the world and not just to God. Citizens should submit to governments, servants to masters, and wives to husbands. Husbands, however, must live with their wives in an understanding way. They must focus on doing good and living honorably, not centered on the things of the world but on the righteousness from God that brings blessing.
3:13-4:19: Entrust Yourself to God in Suffering
In 3:13-4:19, Peter returns to the issue of suffering and tells his readers to entrust themselves to God. Peter recognizes that they may suffer unjustly. However, this is no different from how Christ suffered. Christ’s suffering is the basis of their salvation and He is now at the right hand of God with all things subject to Him. Just like Christ, believers should arm themselves with the pattern of Christ. It makes no sense to live as they did formerly, when they were characterized by sin. Since they are following Christ, they should live as Christ did and not be surprised at suffering when it comes. As they do, they can trust God and be confident in their future.
5:1-14: Suffer Humbly to Suffer Well
In 5:1-14, Peter concludes the letter by exhorting his readers to humility in suffering. He begins by exhorting the elders to shepherd as those who are under-shepherds of the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. All of them, young and old alike, need to be dressed with humility. Peter reassures them that God will comfort and strengthen them. Meanwhile, they have a real devil to deal with and must be careful of his attacks. Their suffering is not unique but part and parcel of what it means to be a Christian in other places as well.
Benefits of 1 Peter
First Peter has a large emphasis on suffering. Therefore, its primary benefit can be seen in that light. There are several takeaways with regard to suffering.
We can expect suffering. This letter is difficult to account for in some movements within Christianity (or that claim the name Christian), such as the health and wealth movement. Suffering is not an exception but an expectation. Nevertheless, Christians can glorify God in their suffering. Our suffering may be a deviation from our plans but it is not a deviation from God’s.
However, the caveat in 1 Peter is that we should not think that suffering the direct consequences of our sin is the same as suffering for doing good. There is a world of difference in that. We sometimes forget that. We can tend to think that as long as we have one point right, or even as long as we are Christians, then our suffering must be despite our righteousness. This is not always the case. Sometimes, Christians suffer and are treated harshly because we misbehave and do wrong.
If and when we suffer, we should examine our lives. Is there anything about my life that could have brought my current suffering upon my own head? Is there anything of which I need to repent? First Peter teaches us that Christians do not always suffer for doing evil. Christians have often suffered for doing good. If we suffer for doing good, we should accept it as God’s will rather than railing against it or avoiding it at all costs. For the Christian, not all suffering is avoidable or should be avoided. There are worse things than suffering for righteousness’ sake. And we can know that, when we suffer, it is not at all a necessary sign of God’s displeasure. It is instead a sign of God’s working out His purposes in the world. God does not forget us in our suffering, nor is He distant. Indeed, our suffering may be a sign of the closeness of our following in Christ’s footsteps. As we follow Christ, we need to be prepared to suffer well, just as He did.