The issue of suffering for the Christian is as applicable today as it was during the first century when Peter wrote his two epistles. All Christians, and all people for that matter, suffer at some point in their lives. For the Christian, at one end of the spectrum are those who die for their faith and become martyrs. At the other end of the spectrum are the everyday Christians who live their lives in such a way that they suffer for what they believe and/or the daily sufferings which are common to man (i.e. death of a loved one, sickness, etc). These sufferings can be viewed as simple tests of faith for the Christian instituted by God in order to mold and make the person He desires for them to be. For the non-Christian these types of trials are simply nuisances. For the Christian trials are to be, as James says, "considered pure joy…because the testing of faith develops perseverance." Trials, which often produce sufferings, produce greater faith. Or, as Job found out, trials and the testing of faith are for the good of man and the glory of God.

In Peter’s first epistle he writes to the downhearted, and he writes in order to give encouragement in times of trial and disappointment. "First Peter anchors the Christian’s hope not on logic or persuasion, but on the matchless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who "suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (2:21). This is a letter of hope in the midst of suffering and testing.

In Peter’s first epistle he addresses his comments toward people who were living in what is today northern Turkey. These people were living as aliens in foreign lands because their true home was in heaven. Their many trials and sufferings had to do with their faith in Jesus Christ. The sufferings of Christ are related to their own sufferings as an example (1:11; 2:21; 4:1-2; 5:1). "The epistle presents Christ as the believer’s example and hope in times of suffering. Christ’s suffering is and example of what His followers may well face because they do what is right; personal suffering for the faith is also a means by which the Christians may share in the mind of Christ." In 4:12 suffering is to be sought after; in 4:19 suffering represents the will of God; in 2:23 and 3:9 suffering is to be endured patiently just as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount (5:38-42); in 4:13 suffering is not only to be endured but to be had with a spirit of rejoicing. Furthermore, Peter points out to his audience that others were suffering for their faith (5:9). He goes on to point out in passages like 1:6-7; 2:19-20; 4:14 that there is value in suffering, namely the strengthening of faith. These exhortations are of a practical nature throughout the book, and they precede any doctrine that may be found. This is what permeates the book giving the reader a sense of hope and security in what they are experiencing.

The second epistle of Peter is much shorter than the first and has a much different style. This epistle has even come under a great deal of attack concerning Petrine authorship through the years and whether or not it should even be canonized. All that aside, this epistle has many strong words against false prophets as well as encouragement to the believers that Christ will indeed return again.

Dr. Kenneth Gangel says the epistle could well be titled "The Believer’s Conflict in the Latter Days." Though there is a theme of victory at the beginning and end of the epistle most of the in-between is focused primarily on how to live when all the trials and tribulations come upon them in the end times. Peter tells of false teachers, fallen angels, decadence in society due to immorality, blasphemous scoffers at Jesus Christ and the promise of His coming, and total disregard for Scripture. In all this Peter encourages his audience to not only endure these hardships but to remain faithful during these times – even with rejoicing! This is the bottom line that Peter is trying to get across to his readers. His overall purpose is to call Christians to spiritual growth so that they can combat apostasy as they look forward to the Lord’s return.

As with any passage of Scripture or book of Scripture one must look into the reasons for its composition. Why did the writer address the issues at hand? Where was he when he wrote and to whom did he write? Once these issues have been established it is important to apply what it means to the reader today. Since it has already been fixed that Peter’s purpose was to encourage suffering Christians in the first century it must now be related to the here and now. Being almost 2000 years removed from Peter’s writing can there be any real application in his words today? The answer is an obvious yes because what was going on in the first century is also happening in the present century. The Roman government that Peter lived under and submitted to by his own teaching (1 Peter 2:13-14), however, seems to have been far more harsh towards Christians than present-day Western civilization governments. This adds even more validity to his teaching because he taught as Jesus taught and endured as Jesus endured – right up to death.

For the present day application Christians have suffered and will continue to suffer. Some suffering is what is common to man while other suffering will be specifically due to one’s faith in Christ. Whatever the circumstance for the Christian’s suffering Peter’s words ring as true today as they did in the first century. Christians must endure their trials with rejoicing, understanding that the trials they face today will work to bring about spiritual maturity with the strengthening of their faith – all to the glory of God.

 WORKS CITED

Carson, D.A., Moo, D., & Morris, L., 1992. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand

Gangel, K., 1983. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Victor Books: USA, Canada,

Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Charts, 1993 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

New Unger's Bible Dictionary, originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois,

New International Version Bible

Raymer, R.,1983. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Victor Books: USA, Canada,