The First Epistle of Peter (The New International Commentary on the New Testament | NICNT)

by Peter H. Davids

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1990

Overview

The First Epistle of Peter constitutes an important work of New Testament theology and pastoral care, serves as an example of how the early church applied Jesus’ sayings and the Old Testament writings to contemporary concerns, and presents some extremely useful perspectives on living the Christian life today. This commentary by Peter Davids does an excellent job of mining the rich wealth of instruction to be found in this very significant section of Scripture.

Davids’ commentary contains several notable features: a unique grasp of 1 Peter’s structure, a systematically arranged introduction that summarizes the commentary proper, a perceptive excursus on suffering in 1 Peter and the New Testament, Davids’ own study translation, thorough and incisive comments on each verse of the text, frequent parallels to ancient literature, an exceptionally clear and lively writing style, and one of the most comprehensive bibliographies on 1 Peter available anywhere.

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Key Features

• Verse-by-verse commentary
• In-depth discussion of textual and critical matters
• Introduction to the authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology of 1 Peter

Contents

Top Highlights

“While the Christians’ adversaries might destroy all they have in this world, there is a reward that no force on earth can touch. This inheritance should give them hope in the darkest times.” (Page 53)

“The knowledge that they do not belong does not lead to withdrawal, but to their taking their standards of behavior, not from the culture in which they live, but from their ‘home’ culture of heaven, so that their life always fits the place they are headed to, rather than their temporary lodging in this world.” (Page 95)

“It was, then, in his postresurrection state that Christ went somewhere and preached something to certain spirits in some prison. All these terms call for an explanation.” (Page 138)

“We conclude that Peter cites a proverb in general use to point out that love will forgive or overlook the faults of others in the church and thus is a most valuable virtue in a community that needs to preserve its solidarity in the face of persecution.” (Page 158)

“Peter does not focus on the past, the new birth itself, but on the future, for the goal of this regeneration is ‘a living hope’; that is, it points to a bright future ahead, which will be discussed in the next verse. This fits the birth analogy in that birth, while wonderful, does not exist for itself but rather to start a child on its way to maturity and adult life. Pastorally this future orientation is important for our author, for a suffering people who may see only more pain and deprivation ahead need to be able to pierce the dark clouds and fasten on a vision of hope if they are to stay on track. This hope is not a desperate holding-on to a faded dream, a dead hope, but a living one, founded on reality, for it is grounded in ‘the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’” (Page 52)

Praise for the Print Edition

Davids’ commentary is well researched, conversationally written, and exegetically helpful. It is particularly perceptive in its treatment of ‘the spirits in prison’ (3:19), the preaching to those who have died (4:6), and the role of Silas as Peter’s secretary (5:12). Especially useful for seminary students and intelligent laity, this book is a worthy addition to a distinguished series.

—E. Earle Ellis, research professor of theology emeritus, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

A comprehensive, up-to-date, and well-balanced presentation. This commentary adopts a moderate but enlightened approach to the interpretation of 1 Peter and will be a boon to all students of the New Testament, to teachers, and to pastors.

—Joseph A. Fitzmyer, professor emeritus of biblical studies, Catholic University of America

Not often will a biblical commentary offer both scholarly discussion and easy accessibility for nonspecialists, but Peter Davids on 1 Peter does just that. Scholars will profit much from his commentary. Pastors and serious-minded laypeople will profit equally much.

—Robert H. Gundry, professor emeritus of New Testament and Greek, Westmont College

Product Details

• Title: The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The First Epistle of Peter
• Author: Peter H. Davids
• Series: The New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT)
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 1990
• Pages: 288

About Peter H. Davids

Peter H. Davids is professor of biblical theology at St. Stephen’s University, St. Stephen, New Brunswick. He is also the coeditor of Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments.