1 Peter
A survival guide for living on the margins
Attributed to the Apostle Peter, this letter was written to scattered groups of early Christians across modern-day Turkey. While some scholars believe Peter dictated it to a scribe named Silas in the mid-60s AD, others suggest a later follower wrote it in his name. Either way, it addresses a young movement facing a growing social crisis.
These early believers weren't facing state-sponsored execution yet, but they were dealing with heavy social stigma, slander, and economic marginalization for abandoning Roman gods and customs. Their neighbors viewed them as strange, anti-social, and disloyal to the empire.
First Peter offers a survival guide for anyone who feels alienated for their convictions. It doesn't promise an easy escape from suffering. Instead, it reframes hardship, showing how to live with quiet dignity, fierce love, and resilient hope while navigating life as an outsider.