1. I Peter 1:1. What “dispersion” (exiles, foreigners) is being referenced?

The answer to this is not clear. Peter, the apostle to the Jews, could well be writing to Jewish believers outside of their normal home in Judea etc. Perhaps this is the scattering that took place because of Paul’s own persecution years before. The fugitives have settled down, but are still “strangers” in the provinces listed here.

He mentions that these are the “elect,” the chosen ones, a term that refers to the fact that they are not merely of the Jewish race, but that the Jewish Messiah had become their own.

2. I Peter 1:10-12. What did the prophets not know?

Who the Christ would be. When He would suffer. The Gospel message itself.

This passage seems especially to apply to the Prophet Daniel, who asks questions regularly in his book of the angels showing him the future. They finally tell him to go his way and rest until the time of his own resurrection, when he will see all things clearly.

3. I Peter 2:9. Are there valid priests today?

The Aaronic priesthood died when the Mosaic Law passed away. There are therefore no valid priests of the Old Testament sort.

From a thorough reading of the New Testament, further, we do not see a class of men set aside to be priests of God, that is, men who would offer sacrifices and intercessions for the Christian people.

Until one looks at the entire Body of Christ, he might think that priesthood has vanished altogether. But Peter denies such a conclusion by calling the elect of the dispersion [ a part of] “a holy priesthood.”

The priesthood of all believers was one of the points brought out by the Reformation but that is buried in our own time. The entire church is to offer the sacrifice of praise, and is called to intercede for the world’s salvation and the church’s progress. Yes, in this sense, there are valid priests today, but with no special uniforms or rituals in hand.

Though there are called pastors and teachers and such with specific works to perform, the priesthood’s membership is very broad. Come to Christ, and you qualify.

4. I Peter 3:3. Should women be externally beautiful also?

The word “merely” has been added to the NASB text here. Read as it is, the text says that women’s adornment must not be external. Period. No hair braiding, no gold jewelry, no fancy dresses. And many churches have adopted such standards, though the practice has become one that lifts to pride rather than true holiness at times.

Add “merely” and the thought is, sure, look beautiful, but let not that external beauty be the real you. Be sure there is a gentle and quiet spirit underneath the hair and the gold and the dress.

My own feeling? It is never safe to add a word to Scripture, though often it is done to clarify meaning. Here perhaps it is done to justify a prior notion. If so, this is not a good thing.

One must consider the motive of women who wear “flashy” clothes and other beauty enhancers when they attend worship. Are they looking for attention? From whom? Certainly not from their husbands, who know the truth about their appearance. Then from whom?

We blush to think that some younger women dress to entice a man and even cause him to sin. Oh that the mothers of the church could take these ladies aside and teach them the truth about clothing and the rest. Yes, even if done lovingly, some women will be offended by these attempts, and perhaps not return. Are such persons among the redeemed? Can a truly saved person be turned away by a loving gentle correction?

5. I Peter 3:13-14. Will not Christians be “harmed”?

These two verses must be taken together. Verse 13 standing alone gives one the impression that all believers are bulletproof. It is true that those who walk with the Lord will generally be protected from evil. But Peter leaves the door open in verse 14 to the fact that occasionally persecution must be ours, and in verse 17, that suffering for a right cause – Jesus – is a good thing. Even Jesus suffered, says Peter, and what wrong did He do? God will not give us more than we can bear, says James, but certainly the Enemy will be released to harm us occasionally. The harm is temporary, and the grace during the harm is real.

6. I Peter 3:19-20. Who are the “spirits in prison”?

Verse 20 seems to answer this question. These are the disobedient spirits of the world of Noah.

We have assumed that these are human spirits. Human spirits being given a second chance? That does not match well with what we know about the finality of death. “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.”

That’s why Macarthur and others assume these are demon spirits that were so active in Noah’s day that not one person obeyed the warnings of Noah. Here are bound demons being told by Jesus Himself that they have a new Master, One Who has conquered death and hell and every demonic power there is. His visit was a part of a victory tour. He has defeated all and is now proclaiming it to the underworld as he will soon proclaim it to those above ground at His resurrection. Truly, “It is finished!”

7. I Peter 3:21. How does baptism “save” us?

First, how does it not save us? Water baptism cannot take away sin. It cannot remove the filth of the flesh, whether that is literal or figurative dirt.

But that does not take away the need for baptism, and shame on any man or woman who simply disobeys the very first command given to new believers. Peter says that baptism is an appeal, a response, to a cleansed conscience. One’s first opportunity to tell the world what has happened here. Death to sin, new life, conscience clean. All of this is wrapped up in the water, and Peter, who supervised the baptism of hundreds on the day of Pentecost, goes so far as to say that baptism “saves” us. Pretty clear message!

8. I Peter 4:1-2. Suffering ends sin?

“Arm yourselves” implies having a mind-set, and of course this can also mean the real suffering that comes from persecution. If your mind is set to suffering with Christ, how can you be involved with sin? Taking Jesus’ cross cancels out the desires of the flesh. Verse 2 talks about living for God and not for pleasure once Jesus and His suffering and yours with Him, are enthroned in the human heart.

9. I Peter 4:6. How was the Gospel preached to the “dead”?

What a difficult passage this has proved to be over the years. Some want it to refer to chapter 3, again assuming that Jesus went into hell and preached Good News to spirits (human) in prison. Sounds like they are being given another chance.

I think I will stick with my explanation above (per Macarthur and others). This passage needs to be looked at in context. Check out verse 5:

God is ready to judge the living and the dead. Here, the dead are not being reached by some unusual descent of Jesus. The dead will all be raised. When they are, they and the living remaining shall be judged. If that is all verse 5 means, then verse 6 follows:

The Gospel was preached to those who are now dead. Some of these died a horrible death at the hands of cruel men. Perhaps even martyrs are being seen here. Their flesh was judged. But that is not the end of them. They shall be raised and live in the spirit with God.

This interpretation seems to fit more readily the first verses of the chapter, comparing godly men who suffer with pleasure-seeking men. All are coming to a judgment of sorts, those who have already died, those alive now and/or when Christ returns. Then will all be exposed.

He moves right on (in verse 7) talking about the end of all things. Seems to fit. What do you say?

10. I Peter 5:1-2. What titles are given to church leaders?

Elders. Shepherds/pastors. Overseers/bishops. The apostle Peter includes himself in this number. The three functions/titles are all one. We can only guess as to how they developed into a several-tier order of men, working their way to the top of a pyramid. Nothing of the sort is implied in all of Scripture, though it is quite visible in the Roman Empire, which serves as a backdrop to the early church. And from the Roman Empire to the Roman church is not a long distance at all. Papal Rome inherited Pagan Rome, with all its titles. Priests, bishops, cardinals. Some Scriptural, some pagan. The mix is awful. Lord give us discernment.

11. I Peter 5:13. What is “Babylon” in this verse?

Not a doctrinal question, so I leave you with choices:

The city of Babylon itself is number one choice. Though God had prophesied that Babylon would fall instantly, there was a Babylon still in the days of the early church. It was a gathering place for many Jews, and therefore many believers. Peter could have easily spent a lot of time here.