Peter, The First Letter of

The first letter attributed to the apostle Peter (1Pet 1:1) and one of the seven “Catholic,” or General, Letters in the NT. Prominent themes include baptism, suffering, and submission to recognized authorities (both in the church and in secular society).

Outline of Contents

1 Peter

I. Letter opening (1Pet 1:1-9)

A. Address (1Pet 1:1-2)

B. Greeting (1Pet 1:2)

C. Thanksgiving (1Pet 1:3-9)

II. Christian identity (1Pet 1:10-2:4)

A. Place in salvation history (1Pet 1:10-12)

B. Call to holiness (1Pet 1:13-21)

C. Entrance ritual (1Pet 1:22-2:4)

III. As Christ, so Christian (1Pet 2:5-10)

A. Chosen stone (1Pet 2:5-6)

B. Precious, but rejected stone (1Pet 2:7-8)

C. Chosen people (1Pet 2:9-10)

IV. Christian righteousness: reciprocal duties (1Pet 2:11-3:22)

A. To all (1Pet 2:11-17)

B. To slaves (1Pet 2:18-25)

C. To wives (1Pet 3:1-6)

D. To husbands (1Pet 3:7)

E. To all (1Pet 3:8-22)

V. The future: results of Christian righteousness (1Pet 4:1-19)

A. Dead to flesh, alive in Spirit (1Pet 4:1-6)

B. The future (1Pet 4:7-11)

C. Purification and the church (1Pet 4:12-19)

VI. Reciprocal duties continued (1Pet 5:1-11)

A. To elders (1Pet 5:1-5)

B. To all (1Pet 5:6-11)

VII. Letter closing (1Pet 5:12-14)

A. Secretary (1Pet 5:12)

B. Greetings (1Pet 5:13)

C. Farewell (1Pet 5:14)