5. Purpose
5. Purpose
Since many of the exhortations in 1 Peter concern faith and obedience, it may be suggested that the purpose of 1 Peter is to encourage the readers to grow in their trust in God and their obedience to him throughout their lives, but especially when they suffer. Peter accomplishes his purpose by pointing to what God has done for them in Christ, then applying that to the readers’ lives. These themes will be seen in much detail throughout the exposition of the text, but it is sufficient here to note one verse which, perhaps better than all others in the letter, summarizes these concerns: ‘Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator’ (1 Pet. 4:19). Here are found the themes of suffering (‘those who suffer’) and trust in God (the suffering is ‘according to God’s will’ and should result in continual entrusting of the readers’ souls [or lives] ‘to a faithful Creator’); moreover, such trust in God should also be accompanied by obedience, for they should continue to ‘do right’.
At the beginning of his valuable commentary on 1 Peter, Archbishop Robert Leighton writes:
This excellent Epistle (full of evangelical doctrine and apostolical authority) is a brief, and yet very clear summary both of the consolations and instructions needful for the encouragement and direction of a Christian in his journey to Heaven, elevating his thoughts and desires to that happiness, and strengthening him against all opposition in the way, both that of corruption within, and temptations and afflictions from without.
The heads of doctrine contained in it are many, but the main that are most insisted on, are these three, faith, obedience, and patience; to establish them in believing, to direct them in doing and to comfort them in suffering.