When we think of the "Pastoral Epistles," most of us have been taught and trained to think of Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus. However, a number of commentators refer to Peter's first epistle as a "pastoral epistle." E. G. Selwyn called I Peter "the model of a pastoral charge." Peter Davids, commentator in the NIC series, wrote, "First Peter is a significant work of NT theology and pastoral care." Jay Adams states, "In this letter, Peter's concerns are distinctly pastoral."

Paul's epistles to Timothy and Titus are called "pastoral" in an entirely different sense than Peter's pastoral epistle. The letters to Timothy and Titus are not pastoral because they directly addressed the needs of the congregation, but because they were written to pastors, to equip Timothy and Titus, to pastor their respective congregations. 4 Peter's epistle is truly an example of pastoral preaching because it was written to feed and strengthen the sheep. Peter never forgot Jesus' words, "Feed my sheep;" John 21:15ff. Peter's first epistle is truly an example of "pastoral preaching," its necessity, nature, and prerequisites.