1. AUTHOR. — Peter the Apostle, also called Simon.

2. DATE. — Uncertain; probably between 63 and 66 A. D.

3. TO WHOM WRITTEN. — To the Christians generally in Asia Minor, who were probably for the most part of a Gentile origin, though it is also claimed that those ad dressed were Jewish believers.

4. HISTORICAL OCCASION. — At a time when Christians were threatened with extreme persecution, when it was needful to show that God's true people were distinct from the Jewish theocracy. It was written from “Babylon,” which by some is under stood to mean Rome.

5. LEADING TOPICS. — The fact that the church was set apart by God for obedience to the Word and to become holy as God is holy; in the world it is passing through a period of wandering and deprivation, but it has a hope of an inheritance that is eternal and incorruptible. There are also injunctions to obedience and submission with mutual love.

6. CHIEF PURPOSE. — To show the relation of the church to the Old Testament Theocracy; that the former is the true people of God, a chosen nation, royal priesthood, and thus to give assurance to those who were about to pass through severe trial that even in that they were to glorify God.

7. GENERAL ANALYSIS.

(a) Christians are chosen to obedience and holiness, Ch. 1.

(b) Being the true chosen people, Christians are to be submissive, even if they suffer as Christ did, Ch. 2, 3.

(c) To abstain from unholiness and rejoice in suffering, Ch. 4.

(d) Exhortation to various classes, Ch. 5.

8. SPECIAL TEACHING OF THE BOOK. — The inheritance of the Christian is in the future; the prophets foretold Christ's suffering and glory; Christ bore our sins, suffering for the unjust.

9. RELATION TO OTHER N. T. BOOKS. — While Hebrews shows the relation of the worship of the Old Testament to the facts of the gospel, this book shows the relation of the chosen people of the Old Testament to the church.

10. TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDY. — The history of Peter; his relations with Paul.