10 ¶ But the God of all grace, who hath called us
unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful
brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and
testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 13 The church that is at Babylon, elected
together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity.
Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Paul was called to be an Apostle.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be
an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Christians are called to be separated to God and holy.
Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God,
called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
God has called us to eternal glory by Jesus Christ. This
particular calling is referred to by Paul.
Romans 8:26 ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our
infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the
hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession
for the saints according to the will of God. 28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose. 29
¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he
also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he
justified, them he also glorified.
Peter prays that after these Christians have suffered a
little while they are finished, completed, and perfected. In his next letter
Peter spoke of growing in grace toward a goal of being a complete Christian.
Paul also wrote;
Romans 5:1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; 4 And
patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Silvanus is the secretary, called an amanuensis, by which
Peter dictated this letter. Often, the Bible authors dictated to a ready scribe
who would write down what they said.
Romans 16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you
in the Lord.
For instance, Moses had to have someone write his own words
as this person recorded Moses’ death.
Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there
in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD…7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old
when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
Peter is having this written from Babylon, which was a
thriving center of Jewry at this time and later after Roman persecution
dispersed Jews from Israel, from which the Babylonian Talmud came. There is no
historical evidence that Peter ever saw Rome, however, we have his word here
that he wrote from Babylon. There is no literal, physical reason from the point
of view of this evidence to say that Babylon is a symbol for Rome. However, one
might make the argument that Babylon means Rome because of the references written
by John in Revelation, chapters17 and 18.
The identity of that Babylon with Rome is based on the
mention of seven mountains, or hills.
Revelation 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The
seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
However, if it must be understood that Jerusalem is also
said to be set on seven hills.(9)
Regarding the kiss of
charity, that is not a custom in the present United States. Men would feel
uncomfortable with that practice and it would seem inappropriate, typically,
although certainly not in every circumstance. This calls us to remember that before
we insist a New Testament practice must be exercised by the church for the church
to be Biblically correct we must determine if the practice is based on the
culture of the time or if it is a command for all Christians. Charity, or love
for the brethren, is required for all Christians everywhere but things like
kissing each other in charity, long hair on women, or men wearing robes are
cultural practices in context. Use proper discernment and, if you have a
conviction be wary of trying to impose it on others.
Is this Marcus the Mark who wrote the gospel with that name
on it? We don’t know. That Mark is also thought to be John Mark of Acts. However,
that Mark is closely associated with Paul, being last mentioned in 2Timothy 4:11.
It is an interesting point to ponder, though.
(9) Ernest L. Martin, “The Seven
Hills of Jerusalem,” on Associates for Scriptural Knowledge, http://askelm.com/prophecy/p000201.htm.
(updated February 1, 2000).
I hope you have enjoyed studying
1Peter as much as I have and that you will also study it on your own. Let me
know if you have any comments or questions.
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