1 Peter

This is the sixteenth in a series of twenty-one summaries of the New Testament letters.  The sixteenth is 1 Peter, and the outline comes from John Paul Heil:

a   Peace in Attaining the Salvation to be Revealed by God, 1:1-13
     b   Through Christ You are Faithful for God with Purified Souls, 1:14-25
           c   Offer Up Spiritual Sacrifices Acceptable to God Through Jesus Christ, 2:1-17
                d   Endure Unjust Suffering on Account of a Conscience Toward God, 2:18-21a
                     e   Christ Did No Sin or Deceit so that to Righteousness We Might Live, 2:21b-25
                          f   The Inner Human Being of the Heart is of Great Value Before God, 3:1-7
                     e'  Do Not Speak Deceit or Do Evil but Do Good on Account of
                          Righteousness, 3:8-17
                d'  The Saving Water of Baptism is a Pledge of a Good Conscience for God, 3:18-22
           c'  In All Things God May be Glorified for Eternity Through Jesus Christ, 4:1-11
      b'  The Suffering Entrust Their Souls to the Faithful Creator in Doing Good, 4:12-19
a'   Peace in Attaining the Eternal Glory to be Revealed by God, 5:1-14

The 'a' pattern speaks of what God's people will attain.  The first section speaks of salvation.  The second section speaks of glory.  Both sections speak of enduring trials. (1:6, 5:10)  Both caution the believers to be alert and sober (1:13, 5:8)

The 'b' pattern links Christ in the first section to his faithful people in the second section.  In the first section, the precious blood of Christ redeems people from an empty way of life. (1:18-19)  In the second section, the believers participate in the sufferings of Christ. (4:13)  As Christ is a lamb without blemish or defect (1:19), so Christ's people suffer not as lawbreakers but as Christians, because of the name of Christ. (4:14-16)

The 'c' pattern conveys a church rooted in Christ and living godly lives in a pagan society.  In the first section, the church is described as stones built upon the Living Stone of Christ. (2:4-5)  They are a "chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him..." (2:9).  In the second section, people should use their gifts, words, and service "so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." (4:11).  In the first section, God's people are to do good, causing pagans to either glorify God (2:12) or be silenced from their foolish and ignorant talk. (2:15)  In the second section, the wicked will have to "give account" when they are surprised the righteous don't join them and then "heap abuse" on them. (4:3-5)

The 'd' pattern conveys comfort in the midst of suffering.  In the first section, Peter shows how Christ's suffering can encourage slaves suffering under harsh masters. (2:18-21)  In the second section, Peter shows how Christ's suffering encourages imprisoned spirits who were disobedient in the time of Noah. (3:20)

The 'e' pattern links Christ's blamelessness with that to which believers should aspire.  In the first section, Jesus did not retaliate or make threats when he suffered or received insults. (2:23)  In the second section, believers are not to fear threats or be frightened but should be prepared to give a reason for the hope within. (3:15)

The central 'f'' section focuses upon winning over those who don't believe the "word" by winning them over without "words." (3:1)  Pointing to women in marriage, Peter emphasizes the purity and reverence of their lives, (3:2) and the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, "which is of great worth in God's sight." (3:4)