Changes

1 Peter primarily focuses on the [[Theology|theological]] themes of [[salvation]], [[suffering]], [[holiness]], and hope.<ref>[https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/4-major-themes-in-first-peter-and-the-story-of-god 4 Major Themes in First Peter and the Story of God], Zondervan Academic</ref><ref>[https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/1-peter-introduction/ Introduction to 1 Peter], The Gospel Coalition</ref><ref>[https://enterthebible.org/courses/1-peter/lessons/theological-themes-in-1-peter#:~:text=God%20and%20History,world%20most%20of%20the%20time. Theological Themes in 1 Peter], Enter the Bible website</ref>  The letter encourages Christian believers to [[Perseverance|persevere]] in their Christian [[faith]] regardless of suffering. The book emphasizes Christians new identity as a chosen generation and a royal priesthood through Christ. It also highlights the importance of imitating Christ's holy lives, [[humility]] and submitting to [[God]]'s authority and will in all aspects of life.<ref>[https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/4-major-themes-in-first-peter-and-the-story-of-god 4 Major Themes in First Peter and the Story of God], Zondervan Academic</ref><ref>[https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/1-peter-introduction/ Introduction to 1 Peter], The Gospel Coalition</ref><ref>[https://enterthebible.org/courses/1-peter/lessons/theological-themes-in-1-peter#:~:text=God%20and%20History,world%20most%20of%20the%20time. Theological Themes in 1 Peter], Enter the Bible website</ref>  

1 Peter primarily focuses on the [[Theology|theological]] themes of [[salvation]], [[suffering]], [[holiness]], and hope.<ref>[https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/4-major-themes-in-first-peter-and-the-story-of-god 4 Major Themes in First Peter and the Story of God], Zondervan Academic</ref><ref>[https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/1-peter-introduction/ Introduction to 1 Peter], The Gospel Coalition</ref><ref>[https://enterthebible.org/courses/1-peter/lessons/theological-themes-in-1-peter#:~:text=God%20and%20History,world%20most%20of%20the%20time. Theological Themes in 1 Peter], Enter the Bible website</ref>  The letter encourages Christian believers to [[Perseverance|persevere]] in their Christian [[faith]] regardless of suffering. The book emphasizes Christians new identity as a chosen generation and a royal priesthood through Christ. It also highlights the importance of imitating Christ's holy lives, [[humility]] and submitting to [[God]]'s authority and will in all aspects of life.<ref>[https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/4-major-themes-in-first-peter-and-the-story-of-god 4 Major Themes in First Peter and the Story of God], Zondervan Academic</ref><ref>[https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/1-peter-introduction/ Introduction to 1 Peter], The Gospel Coalition</ref><ref>[https://enterthebible.org/courses/1-peter/lessons/theological-themes-in-1-peter#:~:text=God%20and%20History,world%20most%20of%20the%20time. Theological Themes in 1 Peter], Enter the Bible website</ref>  

This epistle is addressed by [[Saint Peter]] to Christian communities of dispersed believers (see Acts 11:19) located in five provinces of [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]], including areas evangelized by the [[Saint Paul|Apostle Paul]] (Acts 16:6-7; 18:23). He encourages Christians there to remain faithful to their standards of [[belief]] and conduct in spite of threats of persecution. Numerous statements in the letter suggest that the communities addressed were largely Gentile in membership (1&nbsp;Peter 1:14, 18; 2:9-10; 4:3-4) even though abundant use is made of the [[Old Testament]] (Peter 1:24; 2:6-7, 9-10, 22; 3:10-12), which suggests also that they had become acquainted with the scriptures in their [[catechesis|catechetical instructions]] before becoming committed Christians.

This epistle is addressed by [[Saint Peter]] to Christian communities of dispersed believers (see Acts 11:19) located in five provinces of [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]], including areas evangelized by the [[Saint Paul|Apostle Paul]] (Acts 16:6-7; 18:23). He encourages Christians there to remain faithful to their standards of [[belief]] and conduct in spite of threats of persecution. Numerous statements in the letter suggest that the communities addressed were largely [[Gentile]] in membership (1&nbsp;Peter 1:14, 18; 2:9-10; 4:3-4) even though abundant use is made of the [[Old Testament]] (Peter 1:24; 2:6-7, 9-10, 22; 3:10-12), which suggests also that they had become acquainted with the scriptures in their [[catechesis|catechetical instructions]] before becoming committed Christians.

After the opening address the contents are intended to both inspire and [[Admonition|admonish]] these "chosen sojourners" (1&nbsp;Peter 1:1), who feel an alienation from their previous [[religion|religious]] roots and the society around them even while seeking to live as God's people. Peter appeals to Christ's resurrection, and the confident expectation of future hope it provides (1&nbsp;Peter 1:3-5), and to the experience of the new birth of [[baptism]] (1:3, 23-25; 3:21). The suffering and death of Christ can serve simultaneously as both source of [[salvation]] and example (1:19; 2:21-25). As a people who have received mercy and have a sacred duty to proclaim and live according to God's call (2:9-10), Christians are in Christ, and Peter repeatedly spells out for them what they are to be in him in all kinds of situations, in society (2:11-17), in work (even as slaves, 2:18-20), in the home (3:1-7), and in their general conduct (3:8-12; 4:1-11). But there remains the overall possibility of suffering as a Christian (3:13-17). In 1&nbsp;Peter 4:12-19 he describes persecution as already occurring, so that some readers and [[Exegesis|exegetes]] have supposed that the letter was addressed both to places where such a "trial by fire" was already a reality and to places where such a trial might break out.

After the opening address the contents are intended to both inspire and [[Admonition|admonish]] these "chosen sojourners" (1&nbsp;Peter 1:1), who feel an alienation from their previous [[religion|religious]] roots and the society around them even while seeking to live as God's people. Peter appeals to Christ's resurrection, and the confident expectation of future hope it provides (1&nbsp;Peter 1:3-5), and to the experience of the new birth of [[baptism]] (1:3, 23-25; 3:21). The suffering and death of Christ can serve simultaneously as both source of [[salvation]] and example (1:19; 2:21-25). As a people who have received mercy and have a sacred duty to proclaim and live according to God's call (2:9-10), Christians are in Christ, and Peter repeatedly spells out for them what they are to be in him in all kinds of situations, in society (2:11-17), in work (even as slaves, 2:18-20), in the home (3:1-7), and in their general conduct (3:8-12; 4:1-11). But there remains the overall possibility of suffering as a Christian (3:13-17). In 1&nbsp;Peter 4:12-19 he describes persecution as already occurring, so that some readers and [[Exegesis|exegetes]] have supposed that the letter was addressed both to places where such a "trial by fire" was already a reality and to places where such a trial might break out.