First Peter has been called the epistle of the living hope and could be called the epistle of suffering, the Job of the New Testament.
Author
First Peter 1:1 says that Peter wrote it. The similarities between 1 Peter and Peter’s sermon in Acts suggest this also. Early church history as well as tradition support this view also.
Recipients
The book repeatedly mentions suffering which is why many have concluded that 1 Peter was written after the outbreak of the persecution of Nero, which was in the Autumn of 64 AD. Others, however, point out that there is no evidence in the epistle that the persecutions being referred to had yet resulted in martyrdom. Therefore, they conclude the letter was written on the eve of the outbreak of Nero’s persecution. The date therefore is either late 63 or early 64 AD. First Peter 1:1 says, To the pilgrims of the dispersion. The instruction that the recipients should keep their behavior excellent among the Gentiles (1 Pet. 2:12), gives the impression that the readers were Jewish Christians. Yet the content of the letter indicates that they were Gentiles (1 Pet.2:9, 10, as well as 1:14, 18, 4:34). Both conclusions are probably right. Jewish and Gentile believers lived in Asia Minor in regions not focused on in the book of Acts, but other historical documents talked about communities of Greek and gentile believers in Pontus, Cappadocia, and Bithynia.
The background of the letter was the news of growing opposition to the Christian faith. Believers were being slandered and attacked because of their faith (1 Pet.4:14, 15). They were hated because of their withdrawal from societal practices they saw as sinful, like sacrificing to the emperor. Because of this, charges of disloyalty to the state were made against them (1 Pet. 2:13-17). Peter calls these things fiery trials (1 Pet. 4:12).
Message
The message of the book is the salvation of the soul. (1 Pet. 1:9 says so). The message is that believers save themselves from spiritual damage by living a holy, loving, submissive, serving life, even during experiencing suffering.
Structure
First Peter is a letter. It begins with a standard salutation, followed by a thanksgiving. After the body of the book there are personal greetings and a closing benediction. The main body of the book covers the following areas.
I. 1:1-2:10 High status for God's people
II. 2:11-3:12 Christian relationships
III. 3:13-4:19 Suffering for Christ's sake
IV. 5:1-14 Leadership, humility, and watchfulness
Purpose
The first purpose of 1 Peter is to encourage the original readers. Peter says he wrote to exhort and to testify (1 Pet. 5:12). The book offers quite detailed rigid advise. Thirty-four requirements are given in the book. Peter exhorts believers to holiness, love, growth, submission, service, etc., all of which can be summarized as the fruits of salvation (1 Pet. 1:9), or the grace of God (1 Pet. 5:12).
The second purpose of 1 Peter is to testify to the need to remain resolute. His urging to stand fast in the faith constitutes his testimony to the fact that this is when we experience the true grace of God (1 Pet. 5:12). Christians were facing and would face persecution in the future (1 Pet. 3:14), suffering, and even “fiery trials” he had mentioned earlier (1 Pet. 4:12). Such pressure was in danger of tempting them to doubt or show faintheartedness and even failure. Peter assures them that they are right despite the opposition they were experiencing.
Summary:
Peter wrote to the Jewish and Gentile Christians to testify concerning the true grace of God and to exhort them to save themselves from a life of worldly lust by submitting to the will of God, even in the face of suffering. Believers save themselves from spiritual damage by living a holy, loving, life, submitted to God, continuing to serve Him even amid suffering.