Definition

Proper noun: * First Epistle of Peter: The first of two letters (epistles) in the New Testament of the Christian Bible traditionally ascribed to Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. It is a general letter addressed to early Christian communities, offering encouragement and instruction on living faithfully amid suffering and persecution.

Usage

• The word "First Epistle of Peter" is used as the title of a specific biblical book. It is always capitalized.
• It is commonly abbreviated as 1 Peter.
• It is used to refer to the text itself, its content, or its teachings.

Examples

• As a title:
  • The sermon was based on a passage from the First Epistle of Peter.
  • Please turn your Bibles to 1 Peter, chapter four.
• Referring to content:
  • The First Epistle of Peter emphasizes hope and holiness.
  • Her thesis analyzed the theme of suffering in 1 Peter.

Advanced Usage

• Scholarly Context: In academic biblical studies, the authorship and dating of the First Epistle of Peter are often discussed, with some scholars debating whether it was written by Peter himself or by a later follower writing in his name (Petrine tradition).

Variants and Related Words

• 1 Peter: The standard and most common abbreviated form.
• I Peter: An alternative abbreviated form using a Roman numeral.
• The First Letter of Peter: A synonymous full title.
• Petrine Epistles: A term referring collectively to the First and Second Epistles of Peter.
• Second Epistle of Peter (2 Peter): The second, shorter letter traditionally attributed to Peter.

Synonyms

• 1 Peter (the direct synonym as an abbreviation).
• The First Letter of Peter.

Related Phrases

• A passage from 1 Peter: A specific section of text from this book.
• The authorship of 1 Peter: Discussion concerning who wrote the letter.
• The recipients of 1 Peter: Refers to the early Christian communities ("the exiles of the Dispersion") to whom the letter was addressed.

Noun

1. the first New Testament book traditionally attributed to Saint Peter the Apostle