1 Peter 1:1
1 Peter [Petros], an apostle [apostolos] of Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos], to the strangers [parepidemos] scattered [diaspora]
throughout Pontus [Pontos], Galatia [Galatia], Cappadocia [Kappadokia],
Asia [Asia], and [kai] Bithynia [Bithunia], KJV-Interlinear
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus
Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
NASB
Peter is addressing
his first letter, not to the Jews living in Judah, but to Christians (both Jews
and Gentiles), living in the outer provinces, typically those in modern day
Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, but primarily to those living in the Greece
and Turkey regions.But of course
through the Bible, Peter addresses us all.
These were believers
who had heard of the gospel of Christ, whom had gone to the Cross only a couple
of decades prior to this letter, and so this indicates the spread of the gospel
and to the extent of its spread, in such a short space of time.
Peter identifies
himself as the one (among others) whom Jesus had selected, an Apostle, and he clearly
states that this same Jesus, is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior promised by
the scriptures.And that as an Apostle,
he, Peter, was one of several direct witnesses of Jesus, throughout His ministry,
up to the time of the Cross, His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
And that it is these
people who have been chosen.
And by chosen, Peter
refers to their belief in Christ, which makes them believers in Jesus Christ,
and because of their faith, God chose them to be members of His family, as He
chooses all who believe in Him, to become members of His family. God does not choose those who reject Him (those
never having believed in Christ).