1 Peter Exegesis
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1 Peter Exegesis
BIB-621: New Testament Exegesis: Epistles and Revelation
04/05/2022
Dean
1 Peter Exegesis (1 Peter 2:4-10)
Historical background and introductory issues in 1 Peter:
As noted by Donelson, (2010) 1
“the very first word of 1 Peter has proved to be the most contentious word in the epistle. Although, the letter starts with a standard letter opening: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect . . .” To read the letter means that the apostle Peter had to be connected to the origin and theology of the letter. However, piecing together a picture of the Apostle Peter with the text of this letter has proved to be arduous.” Donelson went on to say that perhaps the most alarming situation is the character and quality of the Greek because it consisted of too many different and connected parts and shows little Semitic influence.” He also noted that although “the Apostle Peter cited many of the Old Testament passages that relied chiefly on the Greek instead of Hebrew version, there aren’t many references to the life and teachings of Jesus in 1 Peter except that the writer was an observer to the sufferings of Christ” (1:11). Thus, Donelson went on to describe how, “the occasional and localized enmity between Christians who
were once Gentiles and their Gentile neighbors that this letter describes, coheres wonderfully with the end of the first century and awkwardly with its middle.” However, even amid all these various issues including suggestions that Silvanus, who is mentioned in 1 Peter 5:12, was responsible for the Greek, while Peter was responsible for the ideas, Donelson concluded that, “the Apostle Peter is maintained as the author of 1 and 2 Peter even though his role is reduced.”
1
Donelson, Lewis R. (2010
). I & II Peter and Jude: A Commentary
. Louisville: Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Accessed April 5, 2022. ProQuest E-book Central. 1
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Tracing The Passage: 4a As you come to him; a living stone rejected by men 4b but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5a you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, 5b to be a holy priesthood, 5c to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6a For it stands in Scripture: 6b “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7a So the honor is for you who believe, 7b but for those who do not believe, 7c “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8a and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” 8b They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9a But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, 9b that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10a Once you were not a people, 10b but now you are God's people; 10c once you had not received mercy, 10d but now you have received mercy. Explaining the Tracing:
4b concludes from 4a that (Jesus), “him” in God’ sight is chosen and precious. 5a is an outcome of the assertion from 4a for them/us to remain in him (Jesus) because they/we have been chosen and are also precious in God’ sight. 5c concludes from 5b that they/we are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to give sacrifices to God and 5b-c is the outcome of 5a; they/we are priests because they/we are chosen in him (Jesus Christ). 6b is the
foundation for the announcement in 6a that the scriptures call Jesus the chosen one. Verse 6 is 2
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the foundation for the assertion in verse 4 and 5, The Apostle Peter is strengthening his affirmations with the authority of scripture. 7a is a conclusion from 6a-b that Christians are the recipients of the blessing. 7c is the foundation for the Apostle Peter claim that unbelievers will not get the blessings of God’ people. 7b. 8b is a conclusion from 8a that because they do not believe because they are not compliant to the Word of God. Verse 8 bears the weight of and repeats the facts in verse 7. 7b-8b bears the weight of a negative pliable assertion for 6a-6b, what
transpires with an obedient Christian is compared to the unbelieving insubordinate person. 9b concludes from 9a that if those chosen are a priesthood, it is to declare the excellencies of God. 10a-10d are negative positive affirmations that strengthen the conversion of God’ people. 10a-
10d is the conclusion from 9a-b. Lastly, 6a-10d is the reiteration and clarification of the notions expressed is 4a-5c, (Schreiner, 2011). 2
Word study in the passage that is significant for in-depth analysis:
In 1 Peter 2:4 the word ἐκλεκτὸν interpreted as chosen in the ESV, appears. This word is vital in word study because it aid the interpreters understanding and outcome of proper exegesis. Understanding who is chosen and who is doing the choosing will impact the perception of those exegeting the text and those hearing the text. Also, understanding that the connection between lemma ἐκλεκτός (people/person) is key to the Apostle Peter’ flow of thought and message.
2
Schreiner, T.R., (2011). Interpreting the Pauline Epistles/ Tracing the Argument
: (pgs. 112-124). Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
3
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1 Peter 2:4: “you … in the sight of God chosen (ἐκλεκτὸν) There the connection is flipped. The ἐκλεκτὸν is the accusative and θεῷ the dative. In this way it is the same assertion just reversed. The elect is recognized by having a connection to God’ seeing them.
1 Peter 2:6: “a cornerstone chosen (ἐκλεκτὸν) … whoever believes in him.” This precise connection is stated in vs. 6 however, the “him”, is recognized in connection to being the ἐκλεκτὸν. Thus, Apostle Peter’ audience should understand that the ἐκλεκτὸν is the one to be believed in.
1 Peter 2:9: “you are a chosen (ἐκλεκτὸν) race.” As shown in vs. 9 the ἐκλεκτόν becomes
the subject, nominative case, and the object is the (περιποίησιν), that is changed to possession in the ESV. Thus, the elect in this way is, identified as the possession of God.the words in the page header to edit the words. You should not have to edit the page numbers, as the pagination is preset in the template, (Mounce, 1993). 3
Theological exegesis and theological synthesis with similar themes elsewhere in 1 Peter and/or 2 Peter- Exegesis:
The Apostle Peter writes to Christians in various regions of Asia Minor, the area we know today as Turkey. The recipients of the letter were primarily Jewish believer’ (but included some Gentile believer’) since the Apostle Peter refers to them as sojourners of the dispersion (“dispersed abroad,” 1:1). As noted by Kelly, (2001) 4
“the point Apostle Peter is attempting to emphasize, in view of his readers' difficult situation is that as Christians they have no abiding 3
All Greek words taken from- Mounce, W.D., (1993). The Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament
.
Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan.
4
Kelly, J. N. D. (2001). Epistles of Peter and Jude
. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Accessed April 5,
2022. ProQuest E-book Central.
4
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home on earth.” Therefore, as can be seen considering the text, “diaspora adopted as a euphemism for the harsher expressions conveyed a wistful hope of returning to their homeland. This hope is more frankly stated in settled temporarily, a term which connotes one who is merely
passing through a territory, with no intention of permanent residence. So, what the writer is suggesting is that, just as the Jews of the Dispersion were a scattered people cut off from their country but with the prospect of ultimately going back, so Christians are bound, wherever they are, to be transitory sojourners yearning for home.” The Greek term diaspora, which is behind that phrase, referred to Jews who were separated from their homeland. Although, they had been previously involved in idolatry, (4:3) were ignorant, (1:14) and empty, (1:18) before converting to Christianity, they had since been accepted as “God’ people,” (2:9-10) and they were experiencing persecution for their faith, (1:6; 2:19; 3:16 & 4:12-19). As noted by Feldmeier, (2008) 5
“the opening formula with information about the sender and addresses points out the special character of the writing. In this way the double reference to the status of the recipients as minorities and outsiders, is strengthened by the designation foreigners. This points to the special agenda of the writing to interpret foreigners of the essence of being Christian.” In other words, the epistle’ recipients, as Jewish and Gentile Christians, are viewed as exiled Israel and it continues in Christ Jesus for those who identify with Him. Thus, “the Apostle Peter not only quoted but applied an Old Testament quote as written by the Prophet Isaiah (28:16). In this way the action is for the recipient as seen in 1 Peter 2:4 with the remaining
passages explaining both positive and negative assertions that detail the results of coming to him,
while establishing who they are coming to. The Apostle Peter thus pictures the ones that come to Christ as being in his (Jesus’) image.” In other words, He (Christ) is “a living stone” and those 5
Feldmeier, R., (2008). The First Letter of Peter: A Commentary on the Greek Text
. Waco, Tex. Baylor University Press. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=222668&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
5
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that come to Him are “like living stones.” The visual description of the temple is where the believers in Christ have become living temples for God ready to give spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God and declare the excellencies of Him who summoned them. Erland Waltner, and J. Daryl Charles, (1999) 6
explains that “Peter begins with blessing God, inviting the same in
his hearers, and bidding them to view their life experiences from the perspective of the Christian hope. This hope is both their gift from God and their message to proclaim in word and life. They have been born anew into a life characterized and transformed by Christian hope. This hope in turn changes both their inner experience and their outer relationships and conduct.” Therefore, the goal of their life of hope is salvation, which Peter perceives will be completed in the future. Already, however, they may experience joy, even while they are being tested in their faith in Christ. Theirs is an inheritance that cannot be destroyed nor corrupted because it is being kept securely for them in heaven. And thus, “while in the world as resident aliens, they will be misunderstood, misinterpreted, mistreated, and maligned but their position in and with God as His chosen people is one of high privilege.”
Synthesis:
Lea, (1982) 7
details how “the passage connects to the larger conversation of the Apostle Peter as an explanation of God’ people.” Another way to view this point is to look at the passages preceding 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 where Lea describes these passages as a declaration for holiness. The phrase “obedient children in 1:14 is an indicator of those that are “disobedient” to the Word of God in 1 Peter 2:10. Therefore, the visual descriptive language in 1 Peter 2:4-10 is 6
Erland Waltner, and J. Daryl Charles. (1999). 1 & 2 Peter, Jude: Believers Church Bible Commentary. Believers Church Bible Commentary. Scottdale, Penn: Herald Press. https://search-ebscohost-
com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=28000&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
7
Lea, Thomas D., (1982). “
1 Peter: Outline and Exposition
.” Southwestern Journal of Theology 25 (1): 17–45. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0000795026&site=ehost-live&scope=site
6
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the foundational notion for the entirety of the Apostle Peter’ Epistle. The best way to understand this is in view of 1 Peter 3:7 where the Apostle admonishes husbands to “honor the woman as the
weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life.” He then goes on to admonish the wife as an heir with the husband of the grace of life to act together in holiness, which is their prime motivation as one. In this way the Apostle Peter is making an urgent request to the shared nature that is outlined in 1 Peter 2:9: And thus, through the entirety of the text he will encourage audience to be emotionally prompted in practical action and holiness for the Glory of the Lord because they are His possession.” Thus, in the final words of the Apostle Peter, the precious blood of Jesus Christ is the “bride price and thus, we must have a Christianity that can be seen, even in a world that opposes and rejects us.
7
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Bibliography:
Donelson, Lewis R. (2010). I & II Peter and Jude: A Commentary. Louisville: Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Accessed April 5, 2022. ProQuest E-book Central.
Erland Waltner, and J. Daryl Charles. (1999). 1 & 2 Peter, Jude: Believers Church Bible Commentary. Believers Church Bible Commentary. Scottdale, Penn: Herald Press. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=28000&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Kelly, J. N. D. (2001). Epistles of Peter and Jude. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Accessed
April 5, 2022. ProQuest E-book Central.
Lea, Thomas D., (1982). “1 Peter: Outline and Exposition.” Southwestern Journal of Theology 25 (1): 17–45. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0000795026&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Mounce, W.D., (1993). The Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI.
Zondervan.
Feldmeier, R., (2008). The First Letter of Peter: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Waco, Tex. Baylor University Press. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=222668&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Schreiner, T.R., (2011). Interpreting the Pauline Epistles/ Tracing the Argument: (pgs. 112-124). Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
8
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