In this series we offer brief introductions to the books of the Bible, including background, authorship, content, and application to the lives of today’s Christians.
The Latin words dum spiro spero (“while I breathe, I hope”) appear on South Carolina’s state seal. Under the Latin is an image of Spes, the Roman goddess of hope. The Roman philosopher Cicero (d. 43 B.C.) wrote the words. He looked upon the stone-cold, lifeless goddess, and spoke of hope as a wish that would vaporize with his last breath.
South Carolina state seal
Peter wrote otherwise about hope. In about A.D. 62, he addressed a letter to “the Dispersion”—persecuted Christians scattered in the Roman provinces of Asia Minor (Turkey). For as an “apostle of Jesus Christ” he had looked upon the living God! (1:1-2) Peter calls them “elect exiles”—chosen by the Father in connection with the Spirit’s work “for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood.” They were “born again to a living hope” — to an “inheritance” in heaven through Christ’s resurrection—and God was guarding their faith and hope. (1:3-5)
In this they rejoiced, even as their faith was tested by various trials. So Peter writes that they are, “obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1:9) While Gospel-grace was already working for their soul’s salvation, that salvation was a case of “already but not yet!” “Therefore,” Peter says, “preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1:13)
Sober thinking is a key concept in Peter’s letter, connected with “self-control” (4:7), and being “watchful.” (5:8) As sober-minded “obedient children,” they are not to return to the “passions” of their “former ignorance.” For they are to be holy, like their Father, an impartial judge. Peter adds, “Conduct yourselves with fear, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers not with perishable things, such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.” (1:17-19)
Above all, they are to show “sincere brotherly love” for one another—not only true affection, but self-sacrificing love (Greek agape) as Christ had for them. (1:22; 3:8; 4:8) “Born again” of “imperishable seed” through “the living and abiding word of God,” they are to “long for the pure spiritual milk” of that Word, “like new-born infants” that they “may grow up unto salvation.” For as they “come to him” in His Word, they are “being built up” as a “spiritual house,” a “chosen race,” a “royal priesthood,” a “holy nation,” so that they “may proclaim the excellencies of him who called” them “out of darkness unto his marvelous light.” (1:23-2:10)
So, to the end of his letter, Peter urges his beloved fellow-Christians to abstain from fleshly passion and to live honorably among the Gentiles. They are to be subject to their rulers. Servants are to be subject to their masters, even to the unjust. Wives are to be subject to their husbands
(3:1-6), and husbands are to honor their wives (3:7). All are to have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Even if they “suffer for righteousness sake” (3:14), they are always to be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks” (3:15), and to give an answer for their hope. Shepherds and overseers of God’s flock are to serve willingly and eagerly. All are to clothe themselves with “humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” (5:5)
Therefore, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of
God. . . . And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (5:6, 10-11)
is a retired pastor and a member of the CLC Board of Doctrine. He lives in West Columbia, South Carolina.