Table of Contents
1 Cover
4 Introduction Historical Overview and Genre Reception Historical Sources for 1, 2 Peter, and Jude Significant Ancient Interpreters Nineteenth‐ and Twentieth‐Century Perspectives Aims and Methods of this Commentary Literary Relationships: Which Came First – Jude or 2 Peter?
5 Chapter 1: The Transformed Life in the Context of Suffering, Grace, Hope, and Love (1:1–2:10) Author, Audience, and Abundant Grace (1:1–2) The Meaning and Purpose of Suffering (1:3–10) Consequences of the Transformed Life: Suffering Related to the Suffering of Christ (1:11–12) Consequences of the Transformed Life: Hope, Holiness, and Love (1:13–23) The Transformed Life: Three Metaphors (1:24 – 2:10) The Grass Metaphor (1:24, 25) The Milk Metaphor (2:1–3) The Living Stones Metaphor (2:4–10) Doctrinal Interpretations: The Priesthood of all Believers Doctrinal Interpretations: Eternal Security
6 Chapter 2: Three Practical Situations (1 Peter 2:11–3:17) Transition (2:11–12) The Governing Authorities (2:13–17) Slavery (2:18–25) Submission and Suffering for Doing Good Christ as Guardian of Our Souls, v.25 Marriage (3:1–7) Ornamentation (3:3–6) To “Husbands” (3:7) The “Weaker Vessel” (3:7) Transition: Summary and Concepts to Come (3:8–17) Summary: Live in Harmony and Mutual Love (3:8–12) Suffering for Doing Good (3:13–17)
7 Chapter 3: Christ’s Visit to the Spirits in Prison, 3:18–22 Christ’s Resurrection, the Ground of the Transformed Life The Preaching or Announcement in Hades The Audience for Christ’s Preaching Religious Traditions Opposition Summary of the Effects of 1 Peter 3:18–22 So Far Other Interpretations Effects in Literature Effects in Music Effects in Drama Effects in Art Relation to the Harrowing of Hell Tradition Summary/Observations
8 Chapter 4: The Transformed Life: The Believer as Sufferer (1 Peter 4:1–19) Suffering is in God’s Control (4:7–11) Love Covers a Multitude of Sins (v.8) Love Shown in Joyful Service and Hospitality (4:9–11) Suffering for Being a Christian (4:12–19) The Spirit of Glory … Rests upon You (v.14) Judgment Begins with the House of God (4:17) Scarcely Saved (vv.18–19)
9
Chapter 5: Final Exhortations and Greetings (1 Peter 5:1–14)
Message to Three Groups (5:1–10): “Elders” (vv.1–4); the “Younger” (vv.5–6); and “All” (vv.6–10)
The Message to “All”