Seven years ago, I set out on a project that I knew would take me several years. Last week with over 8,000 pages now saved on my computer (and multiple backup drives), I began what I thought was my last chapter. The project has been to exegete the New Testament from the original Greek language. This included a mechanical layout of each verse—you know the ones most of us hated in high school English class. Of course, I did this in Greek. I defined each word, noted the various and significant grammar issues, theological implications, important thoughts from commentators, and my translation. Then to my surprise, I discovered I had not exegeted First Peter. After struggling through the first two chapters, I remembered why I skipped it. The grammar and wording are so difficult I had decided I would put it off until later but I forgot.
Peter includes 175 words used nowhere else in the New Testament and even more words used by Peter and only one other writer. Teachers know that after a few months of grading student’s essays and term papers you can recognize the author just by the writing style. Peter’s style is nothing like any other NT writer. His grammar is difficult to follow. I began thinking this must have resulted from his lack of education and maybe his Galilean dialect. When I researched the grammar and literary style of Peter to my astonishment, I discovered the exact opposite is the case. Writers describe this epistle as probably the greatest literary composition in the NT; writes with a sophisticated vocabulary; the author has a strong command of the techniques of Hellenistic rhetoric. In fact, it is so well written that liberal scholars who try to disprove the Bible say the author was highly educated thus, proving Peter could not have composed it.
Yes, Peter was uneducated, rough around the edges, unsophisticated, and an ordinary fisherman. Yet when the rulers, elders, scribes, Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, and all who were of high-priestly descent examined Peter and John for preaching the gospel they were amazed. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Act 4:13). The noteworthy phrase here is these men had been with Jesus. We live in an age with an ever-increasing number of specialist—medical, law enforcement, industry, etc. and the church. This can leave the uneducated, those who are rough around the edges, unsophisticated and working common jobs feeling they will never do anything important for the Lord. Anyone who feels this way should also remember that Andrew, James, and John were also fishermen. John wrote five books including Revelation. When writing his Gospel he used vocabulary simple enough that a child can understand yet at the same time, his words carry deep symbolic meaning referring to complex spiritual truths.
Jesus chose ordinary men, trained them, and then sent them out to build His Church. All through scripture, God’s job qualification standards never followed the criteria of the world. The writer of Hebrews in chapter eleven, which has become known as heroes of faith, list men and women who served and glorified the Lord by their faith. Note a few: Noah built a boat; Abraham was a rancher; Sarah was a homemaker; Joseph was a slave and ex-con; Rahab was a prostitute. The only educated and highly trained individual was Moses and God retrained him in the wilderness as a shepherd for forty years. Nothing is wrong with education and training however, Christians without these accomplishments should not allow this to become a mental stumbling block for serving God in some area of ministry. Pastors are familiar with the 80/20 principle—20% of the congregation does 100% of the work. This has never been God’s plan. Peter wrote, But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you (1 Pet 5:9 MSG). God makes all believers priest to do His work, gives each one at least one spiritual gift, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Peter wrote this epistle that some call a great literary composition using sophisticated vocabulary about 30-35 years after Jesus’ ascension. This uneducated and ordinary fisherman had been with Jesus for three years, and continued being with Jesus by way of the Holy Spirit through the years who constantly taught and trained him. Peter acknowledged he had help with this writing. With the help of Silas . . . I have written to you briefly (1 Pet 5:12 NIV). Silas serves as an amanuensis or secretary. Paul also utilized them. Yet, that does not lessen the quality. Without a computer, spell check, grammar check, and two excellent editors, you would not want to read my writing. From an uneducated, rough around the edges, unsophisticated, and an ordinary fisherman God transformed him to write a letter I struggle to exegete today.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Don’t stumble over your lack of ability. Be with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to teach and train you.