The Concept of Glory in First Peter

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept of glory in 1 Peter. To that end, it has endeavoured to explore and analyse the words and concepts applied by Peter, which could be described as representing or shaping the overall concept of glory.

Influenced by the narrative approach taken by previous studies, this thesis has examined 1 Peter in light of the Old Testament and the unfolding narrative of Scripture, while seeking to present its findings in systematically theological terms. In addition, the influence of the life and teachings of Jesus as a significant factor in the life of Peter as well as the influence of the Roman Imperial context of the time have also been considered. The questions that guided the research for this study were as follows:

1. How do we define which words and concepts relate to the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter? 2. What factors influence Peter’s understanding and use of the concept of glory in 1 Peter? 3. Which words or concepts does Peter use to communicate the glory concept? 4. Is Peter’s use of language related to the glory concept uniform throughout his letter or does he apply terminology differently in different places? 5. What other concepts in 1 Peter are related to the concept of glory and affect or help define the overall concept of glory? 6. What theological categories characterise the overall concept of glory in the epistle?

Glory language and related concepts permeate the epistle and therefore the text is exegeted and examined to ascertain Peter’s concept of glory. To this end, the letter is divided into twelve sections or exegetical units. This process discovered that there are many words and concepts in 1 Peter that are related to or define the overall concept of glory that Peter presents in this letter.

As one might expect, the most prominent way the concept of glory was seen in the epistle was through the presence of the “glory” lexemes δόξα and τιμή and their semantically related derivatives. It is the presence of these terms that initially make the reader aware that the concept of glory is prominent in 1 Peter. It is also in the manner that other language relates to these lexemes, through various levels of context, that we understand that they are relating to or modifying the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter. In multiple places throughout the epistle, the concept of glory is identified with or modified by other concepts. For example, the concept of identity plays a role in shaping Peter’s concept of glory. Peter’s identity, and that of his audience, is intrinsically linked to their connection to Jesus and his identity. Jesus, as the eschatological Israel, is the narrative fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures and their identity with him will also mean their participation in the future revelation of his glories. Related to this identity theme is the presentation of Jesus as the “Cornerstone” and “Living stone”, while his followers are described as a “Chosen Race”, a “Royal Priesthood”, a “Holy Nation” and a “People for His Own Possession”.

There are also several other concepts that influence and shape Peter’s overall concept of glory. The concepts of hope, joy, faith, grace, salvation, life, inheritance, and blessing fill out the concepts of deliverance and vindication. The concepts of holy living, characterised by honourable conduct, and suitable submission within relevant social contexts, are also seen to be contributing to the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter.

Building on these findings, theological categories that communicate the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter are created. These categories are Glory as a Possession of a Person or a Group of People, Glory as an Experience of God’s Presence, Glory as a Superior Quality in Comparison to Others, Glory as a Concept in Relation to Time, and Glory as the Vindication of God’s People. In addition to these categories, within the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter, Peter distinguishes between the concept of eternal, salvific, Christian glory and the concept of temporal, non-salvific, pagan glory.

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept of glory in 1 Peter. To that end, it has endeavoured to explore and analyse the words and concepts applied by Peter, which could be described as representing or shaping the overall concept of glory.

Influenced by the narrative approach taken by previous studies, this thesis has examined 1 Peter in light of the Old Testament and the unfolding narrative of Scripture, while seeking to present its findings in systematically theological terms. In addition, the influence of the life and teachings of Jesus as a significant factor in the life of Peter as well as the influence of the Roman Imperial context of the time have also been considered. The questions that guided the research for this study were as follows:

1. How do we define which words and concepts relate to the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter? 2. What factors influence Peter’s understanding and use of the concept of glory in 1 Peter? 3. Which words or concepts does Peter use to communicate the glory concept? 4. Is Peter’s use of language related to the glory concept uniform throughout his letter or does he apply terminology differently in different places? 5. What other concepts in 1 Peter are related to the concept of glory and affect or help define the overall concept of glory? 6. What theological categories characterise the overall concept of glory in the epistle?

Glory language and related concepts permeate the epistle and therefore the text is exegeted and examined to ascertain Peter’s concept of glory. To this end, the letter is divided into twelve sections or exegetical units. This process discovered that there are many words and concepts in 1 Peter that are related to or define the overall concept of glory that Peter presents in this letter.

As one might expect, the most prominent way the concept of glory was seen in the epistle was through the presence of the “glory” lexemes δόξα and τιμή and their semantically related derivatives. It is the presence of these terms that initially make the reader aware that the concept of glory is prominent in 1 Peter. It is also in the manner that other language relates to these lexemes, through various levels of context, that we understand that they are relating to or modifying the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter. In multiple places throughout the epistle, the concept of glory is identified with or modified by other concepts. For example, the concept of identity plays a role in shaping Peter’s concept of glory. Peter’s identity, and that of his audience, is intrinsically linked to their connection to Jesus and his identity. Jesus, as the eschatological Israel, is the narrative fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures and their identity with him will also mean their participation in the future revelation of his glories. Related to this identity theme is the presentation of Jesus as the “Cornerstone” and “Living stone”, while his followers are described as a “Chosen Race”, a “Royal Priesthood”, a “Holy Nation” and a “People for His Own Possession”.

There are also several other concepts that influence and shape Peter’s overall concept of glory. The concepts of hope, joy, faith, grace, salvation, life, inheritance, and blessing fill out the concepts of deliverance and vindication. The concepts of holy living, characterised by honourable conduct, and suitable submission within relevant social contexts, are also seen to be contributing to the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter.

Building on these findings, theological categories that communicate the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter are created. These categories are Glory as a Possession of a Person or a Group of People, Glory as an Experience of God’s Presence, Glory as a Superior Quality in Comparison to Others, Glory as a Concept in Relation to Time, and Glory as the Vindication of God’s People. In addition to these categories, within the overall concept of glory in 1 Peter, Peter distinguishes between the concept of eternal, salvific, Christian glory and the concept of temporal, non-salvific, pagan glory.