This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
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).