1 Peter

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-trainingTop choice
Bible Book: 1 Peter
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary
Last updated: February 6, 2026
Looking for alternatives? Compare 1 Peter commentaries.

Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.6/10

A hopeful and Christ centred 1 Peter commentary that equips us to preach suffering, holiness, and witness with steady confidence.

Publication Date(s): 2014
Pages: 264
ISBN: 978-1596384699
Faithfulness to the Text: 8.8/10
We find careful handling of Peter’s flow of thought, with consistent attention to how each paragraph advances the letter’s aims.
Christ Centredness: 8.7/10
Christ’s suffering and glory are kept central, so exhortation is framed by union with Christ and the hope of resurrection.
Depth of Insight: 8.4/10
We gain solid theological clarity on key themes, with enough depth to handle difficult passages responsibly.
Clarity of Writing: 8.6/10
Clear exposition and an accessible style make it usable for sermon preparation and teaching notes.
Pastoral Usefulness: 8.8/10
Especially strong for helping us apply 1 Peter to suffering, holiness, witness, and life together in the church.
Readability: 8.5/10
Readable and well paced for steady weekly use.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
264 pages
Type
Expositional
Theo. Perspective
Reformed
Overall score
8.6 / 10
Strength
Pastorally wise handling of suffering and hope.
Limitation
Not designed as a fully technical reference for detailed linguistic questions.

We find this volume a faithful companion for hearing Peter’s call to hope and holiness in a hostile world. It explains the letter’s flow clearly, and it helps us see how identity in Christ shapes endurance, love, and courage.

The exposition handles suffering with tenderness and realism. It keeps pointing us to Christ’s own path, and it shows how Peter’s exhortations are anchored in the gospel.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary when we need help preaching 1 Peter to a congregation facing pressure, fatigue, or fear. It repeatedly brings the text to bear on ordinary Christian life, without losing the glory of what God has done for us in Christ.

We also benefit from its clarity on key themes, such as election, holiness, submission, and the church as a pilgrim people. The application is thoughtful, and it avoids both harshness and vagueness.

For those teaching through 1 Peter for the first time, it gives a dependable route through difficult sections and helps us keep the tone of hopeful realism that runs through the letter.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a strong mid level expositional resource for 1 Peter, especially for preaching that aims to strengthen saints to suffer well and to live beautifully for Christ.

As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.


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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Top choice

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Commentary

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Reviewed by

An Expositor