1 Peter 1:1

1 Peter 1:1 ‘to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…'

The word ‘alien' (sojourner ASV), denotes, ‘sojourning in. strange place, an exile' (Vine p. 45). The word ‘scattered', is the same word used of the Jews who were dispersed outside of Palestine (John 7:35). Hence some think that this letter was largely written to. audience of Christians from. Jewish background. But the language of the letter indicates. large percentage of Christians who would have come from. Gentile background, especially passages such as 1 Peter 2:10 ‘for you once were not. people..'. See also (1 Peter 1:14; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:3). Hence the expression ‘aliens, scattered' is. figurative way of describing Christians. ‘Scattered among Gentiles, these Christians were strangers to the current world view of the Gentiles and held the view appropriate to them as citizens of heaven.' [Note: Truth Commentaries,. Peter, Clinton D. Hamilton, p. xxxv] The Christian must always remember that this world isn't our final home. Therefore. don't have to strive for every ounce of pleasure that this life can provide or live simply for the moment.. have. whole eternity of happiness for which to look forward (Hebrews 11:13-16; 25-26; 1 Peter 3:20).

The provinces mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1 are five Roman provinces that existed in the northern, central and western regions of Asia Minor (which is now modern Turkey). ‘What is interesting is that the provinces are named in the order in which. messenger might visit them. If. person landed on the Black Sea coast of Pontus…he would travel southeast, crossing into Galatia and then Cappadocia, then swing west back across. piece of Galatia into Asia (depending on how far south in Asia he was headed, the messenger would either travel through the southern Pauline area of Galatia, including Pisdian Antioch, or through the northern area, passing through Ancyra) then north into Bithynia, departing by sea from Nicomedia..' [Note: The New International Commentary On The New Testament,. Peter, Peter H. Davids, p. 8]

The Christians in this region could have originated from various sources: a. Among those present on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, were individuals from this region (1 Peter 2:9). They may have returned with the gospel and converted others. b. Paul had preached in the Galatian region (Galatians 4:13). Or, Paul's converts in Asia Minor may have evangelized these northern regions (Acts 19:10). On one occasion, Paul was specifically forbidden to preach in the region of Bithynia (Acts 16:7).

The region of Bithynia was. mountainous, well-watered region, which contained fertile valleys, good timber, building stone, fruit, grain, and harbor facilities along the shores of the Black Sea. The name Cappadocia, at one time covered the whole eastern mass of Asia Minor, from the line of the Halys River to the upper stream of the Euphrates, and from the Black Sea down to Cilicia. It later became popular to call the northern portion, Cappadocian Pontus, or simply Pontus, and the southern portion Greater Cappadocia. The heartland of the region is. rolling plateau, well-watered but mountainous, timbered, and with. harsh winter climate. Only hardy grains and fruits could tolerate the weather, the area was chiefly pastoral, with some mining. In Roman times Cappadocia was. strategic buffer zone between what Rome ruled and her enemies to the east, the Parthians. The province known as Pontus occupied. considerable part of the southern coast of the Black Sea. It is. rugged region, formed by. series of mountain ranges parallel with the seacoast, enclosing deep valleys. The deltas of the Halys and Idris rivers formed two coastal plains. The region had good rainfall,. mild climate compared to the highlands, and staple product was the olive. These regions, compared to Corinth or Ephesus had retained much of their original character. Neither Greek or Roman culture had penetrated these cultures deeply or decisively.. different culture existed in the countryside than was found in the bigger cities.

Date And Occasion:

From within the letter we find that suffering had already come upon the Christians in this region (1 Peter 1:6-7). Some of this had come in the form of slanderous attacks (1 Peter 2:12), especially from their old acquaintances (1 Peter 4:3) in the world. More suffering was to be expected (1 Peter 4:12; 1 Peter 5:10). The congregations in these regions had elders (1 Peter 5:1), and it appears that many of the members had come from rough backgrounds (1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:2), or at least were surrounded by plenty of immorality in their communities.

Most date the letter between the years 64-68 A.D. Mark is mentioned as with Peter when the letter is written (1 Peter 5:13). From Colossians 4:10 we known that Mark was with Paul in Rome around 62 A.D. and had begun. journey east. By 67-68 A.D., he was near Timothy who was in Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:11) and was to come to Paul in Rome. The letter speaks of intense suffering in the near future (1 Peter 4:12). Nero started persecuting Christians after the fire that broke out in Rome (July, A.D. 64). In June A.D. 68, Nero committed suicide. Tradition (whatever it is worth) states that Peter was executed during the reign of Nero.

Place of Composition: