1 Peter 1:1,2

The Addressees, Scattered Strangers

It is such an author who writes this book "To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (1 Peter 1:1). The ones addressed are strangers in that they no longer lived in their native land. At the time of Peter's writing, they lived in the Roman provinces in Asia Minor, which today is Turkey. In the LXX (Greek Old Testament), the word for dispersion was used for the Jews scattered to foreign nations (compare John 7:35). Here Peter seems to use it for the Christians who had been scattered by the persecution. It is good to also note 1:14 where Peter refers to his readers as those who formerly lusted in ignorance. Such would not ordinarily be used of Jews.

Certainly, they are members of the Lord's church because they are also called "elect" (1:2). Some would say the letter is only to those of Jewish background because Peter preached to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:9). However, that seems to stretch a point. Paul did not go exclusively to the Gentiles (Acts 13:5; Acts 14:1). Why should we suppose Peter would go, or write, exclusively to the Jews? In fact, Peter describes them as those called "out of darkness into His marvelous light" and those who "once were not a people" (2:9-10). Would the Gentiles think it strange that Jews abstained from their sinful excesses (4:1-4)? These things point to the book being written to all Christians scattered abroad in the world.

The book was written when these Christians were experiencing persecution (1:6; 3:13-17; 4:12-19). They were suffering as Christians. The book was either written immediately before the start of Nero's encouragement of persecution directed through the provincial governors toward Christians, or during it, thus 64-65 A.D. Peter wrote the book with the purpose of encouraging them to stand fast for the truth (5:12). Knowing that Christ suffered quietly, though falsely charged, would encourage them to carry on (2:21-25). May all who read the book today find the same patient determination!

God's Elect

Thayer says elect means "picked out, chosen," and foreknowledge means "forethought, pre-arrangement." So, they were specially selected according to a plan God had previously made. Christians are chosen by God (John 15:16-19). It is important to ask if this choosing is conditional, or unconditional. Since Peter goes on to indicate God does not have respect of persons, it must be concluded it is conditional based upon one's actions (1:17). One must be "in Christ" to receive all spiritual blessings. "In him" he is holy and without blame. He has redemption through "his blood." In Christ, "we have obtained an inheritance." In Christ Christians are "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:3-4; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 1:13). Obviously then, the selection is pre-planned by God in Christ. Whatever conditions found to being in Christ will also be conditions of one's being of the elect (Galatians 3:26-27; 1 John 1:6-10; 1 John 2:5-6; 1 John 2:23-25).

Those picked-out ones are set apart of the Holy Spirit. Since Christians are sanctified by the word of God and it was the Holy Spirit who inspired men to write and speak the word, the sanctification of the Holy Spirit must take place when one obeys the word (John 17:17; John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:21). Christians are set apart unto obedience, that is, set apart to keep on obeying. Christ is going to punish those who do not keep on obeying the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8). So also is Christ's blood set apart to continually cleanse his followers of those sins of ignorance into which they might fall (1 John 1:7). To these elect ones, Peter would extend greetings with the words grace and peace (1 Peter 1:2).