1st Peter was written by the Apostle
Peter to encourage believers for whom
the storm clouds of persecution were
gathering, just because they were
Christians.
To encourage them he first reminds them
that suffering is temporary, and that
faithful living in times of suffering
will produce eternal benefits. He
develops this theme to show that such a
lifestyle, lived out in difficult and
dangerous circumstances, is an
effective witness to unbelievers, and
will result in church growth - the very
opposite effect intended by those who
persecuted them.