Book overview · 5 chapters
5 chapters · 41 video commentaries · covered in 11 courses
First Peter is a New Testament epistle traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter. It addresses Christians in Asia Minor, encouraging them to endure suffering and live righteously amidst trials and persecution.
Our commentary on 1 Peter delves into the significant debate surrounding its authorship, questioning how an illiterate Galilean fisherman could produce such elegant Greek, as Bart Ehrman discusses. We explore the letter's strong Pauline character, noting how its theology and language echo Paul's writings, leading some to suggest it could be mistaken for a Pauline epistle if Peter's name were absent. The use of 'Babylon' as a cipher for Rome, and the implications for dating the letter after Peter's traditional martyrdom, are also examined. Furthermore, we unpack cryptic passages like Jesus' proclamation to 'spirits in prison' (1 Peter 3:19-20), an early reference to the 'harrowing of hell' tradition, and the imagery of Satan as a 'roaring lion' (1 Peter 5:8), connecting it to the social opposition faced by early Christians.
Introduction drafted from the lecture transcripts by AI, pending the team's edit.
First Peter is written in highly elegant and sophisticated Greek, employing advanced rhetorical techniques and grammatical structures. This level of literary skill is far beyond what an uneducated Aramaic-speaking fisherman like Peter could have produced, even with years of education, suggesting he was not the author.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · But Could Peter Write Anything? · watch the clip
The author of First Peter demonstrates extensive knowledge of the Old Testament, but specifically the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. This suggests the author was a Greek-speaking Jew living outside Israel, rather than an Aramaic-speaking Galilean fisherman like Peter, who would likely have been familiar with the Hebrew Bible.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · But Could Peter Write Anything? · watch the clip
The primary reason to attribute First Peter to Peter is its opening self-identification. However, the theology presented in the letter is remarkably similar to that of the Apostle Paul. If the letter had been attributed to Paul, it would likely be considered an authentic Pauline epistle, further questioning Peter's authorship.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · But Could Peter Write Anything? · watch the clip
Christian writings, particularly apologies from the second century onwards, defend Christianity against accusations from opponents. Some scholars identify apologetic tendencies even within the New Testament, specifically in the book of 1 Peter, suggesting early efforts to counter negative perceptions.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Were Early Christians Known to Be Moral Reprobates? · watch the clip
The New Testament letters of 1 and 2 Peter are traditionally attributed to Peter, though their authorship is debated. An interesting feature of these letters is their effort to align the author with Paul, suggesting a unified apostolic front. This contrasts with non-canonical writings attributed to Peter, which sometimes depict him as critical of Paul.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Was Peter a Rock or Shifting Sand? Jesus' Closest Disciple in History and Legend. · watch the clip
The letter of 1 Peter, though attributed to Peter, contains passages that strongly resemble Paul's writings in theological content and rhetorical style. This similarity suggests an effort to present Peter and Paul as simpatico, even if the historical Peter, an uneducated Aramaic speaker, likely did not author such a sophisticated Greek text.
Summarized by AI · Did Peter Hate Paul? Apostolic Conflict in the Early Church · Lecture 2: Disputes in the History of the Dispute · watch the clip
In the early 2nd century, around 112 CE, Roman officials like Pliny the Younger, with Emperor Trajan's authorization, began persecuting Christians in specific regions like Pontus and Bithynia. Christians were seen as troublemakers for not worshipping Roman gods, leading to localized persecutions, but not yet an empire-wide campaign.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Where Was Christianity on its 100th Birthday? · watch the clip
The New Testament canon deliberately excluded writings that expressed negative views of prominent figures like Paul. For instance, texts claiming to be by Peter that depicted Paul as an 'enemy of the church' were not included, while canonical letters like 1 and 2 Peter, which affirm Paul, were accepted.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Who Chose the Books of the New Testament? · watch the clip
The Apocalypse of Peter, a non-canonical book, nearly made it into the New Testament canon and was accepted by major church fathers until the 4th century. It was ultimately excluded because it promoted a view of universalist salvation, where everyone would eventually be saved, a doctrine that conflicted with the proto-orthodox belief in damnation for non-believers.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Most Early Christians Believed “Heresies” · watch the clip
The Gospel of Peter, another non-canonical text, was initially accepted in some Christian circles but was later rejected by church fathers. The concern was that its portrayal of Christ could be interpreted as denying his full humanity, suggesting he was solely divine and therefore unable to truly suffer or die for human sins. This potential for heretical interpretation led to its exclusion from the canon.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Most Early Christians Believed “Heresies” · watch the clip