The First Epistle Of Peter

Mid-levelBusy pastors, General readers, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
Last updated: December 20, 2025
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Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.7/10

A faithful and pastorally rich exposition of 1 Peter that serves the church with clarity and depth.

Publication Date(s): 1990
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780802825196
Faithfulness to the Text: 9/10
We find careful attention to language, structure, and Old Testament background throughout the exposition.
Christ Centredness: 8.5/10
We see Christ’s suffering and glory consistently shaping the letter’s theology and pastoral appeal.
Depth of Insight: 8.5/10
We gain thoughtful theological reflection on identity, holiness, and suffering rooted firmly in the text.
Clarity of Writing: 8.5/10
We find the prose clear, well organised, and accessible without sacrificing depth.
Pastoral Usefulness: 9/10
We find it especially helpful for preaching and teaching in contexts of pressure and perseverance.
Readability: 8.5/10
We find it well suited to sustained reading and regular consultation.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
352 pages
Type
Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective
Broadly Evangelical
Overall score
8.7 / 10
Strength
Strong integration of exegesis and pastoral application.
Limitation
Less engagement with newer critical approaches.

We find The First Epistle Of Peter by Peter H. Davids to be a careful, pastorally alert exposition of a letter written to strengthen believers living under pressure. Davids reads 1 Peter as a coherent pastoral message addressed to real congregations facing marginalisation, misunderstanding, and suffering. His treatment keeps the flow of the letter clear, tracing how identity in Christ shapes endurance, holiness, and hope.

We appreciate Davids’s attention to the letter’s Old Testament foundations and its sustained use of Scripture to frame Christian identity. Themes such as election, holiness, suffering, and glory are handled with theological seriousness, while remaining firmly rooted in the text itself. The commentary consistently resists abstraction and keeps the pastoral aim of the letter in view.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary because it combines strong exegesis with a clear sense of how 1 Peter functions as encouragement for the church. Davids works carefully with the Greek text and historical context, yet his conclusions are regularly shaped toward proclamation and teaching.

We also value the way this volume handles suffering and perseverance. Davids shows how Peter grounds present hardship in the living hope secured by Christ’s resurrection, without softening the cost of discipleship. This makes the commentary especially useful for pastors serving congregations facing cultural pressure or discouragement.

Finally, we find the work balanced and restrained. Scholarly debates are engaged where necessary, but they never overwhelm the exposition. The focus remains on understanding the letter and serving the church.

Closing Recommendation

We commend this volume as a reliable and pastorally sensitive guide to 1 Peter. It is well suited to preaching, teaching, and sustained study, and it continues to reward careful use.

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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, General readers, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

Reviewed by

An Expositor