The First Epistle Of Peter

Who is the Author?

1 Peter is an example of a pseudepigraphal writing. Pseudepigraphy was a common ancient practice where an author (often unknown) would assign his or her work to someone other than themselves. In the case of 1 Peter, an anonymous source wrote the letter and assigned it to Simon Peter of Galilee. It must be clarified that pseudepigraphy was not considered ‘deceptive’ in the same way it would be today. For many in the early church, pseudepigraphy was only deceptive if the letter or work contained suspicious content.1 Moreover, sometimes, an author required the name of an authoritative figure for his/her writing(s) to be received.2 At other times, disciples would use the name of their teachers on their writings instead of their own out of respect and humility.3 Some have suggested Silvanus or Mark to be the author (1 Pet 5:13), but these hypotheses cannot be proven.4 Unfortunately, little can be said about the author of 1 Peter. Despite the authors pseudonymity, however, most churches received and accepted the letter at an early stage.5