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NASB | James 1:1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, ¶ To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 1:1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)! |
Bible Question: But what early Christian and other scholarly sources causes you to think that the dispersion that Peter addresses is made up of more than Jews? Couldn't Peter be addressing Jews only? Why think that "dispersion" would include other groups than Jews? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Robbert, The verse 1 Peter 1:1 includes "..To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen.." (NASB) First of all, the recipient audience of 1 Peter are to those who reside as 'aliens': in other words, "people temporarily residing on earth but whose home is in heaven (cf. 1 Chr 29:15; Ps 39:12; Heb 13:14)." (1) The NKJV uses the word 'pilgrims', with a footnote that suggests 'sojourners, temporary residents'. "These were strangers dispossessed in a land not their own-temporary residents or foreigners. Like all believers, they were residents of an eternal city (Phil. 3:20; Heb. 13:13,14)." (2) And Peter goes on to further describe his intended recipient audience by saying "..who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood.." (1 Peter 1:1,2) Therefore, it is quite clear that Peter, who is sending this letter from Babylon (1 Peter 5:13), is addressing Christians, both Jewish and Gentile alike. Secondly, you may ask: why would he be addressing Gentile Christians as well as Jews if he mentions 'the dispersion'? Simply because the Christians that are residing in the typically non-Jewish lands in which he is focusing his letter are in places where Gentiles live, suggesting that they have been able to win many Gentiles as converts over to the faith by spreading the gospel. "Jewish and Gentile Christians scattered throughout much of Asia Minor. People from this area were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:9-11). Paul preached and taught in some of these provinces (see, e.g., Acts 16:6; 18:23; 19:10,26)." (1) Thirdly, what is meant by 'dispersion' in 1 Peter 1:1-2? "With the Gr. definite article, "dispersion" is sometimes a technical term for the scattering of the Jews from Israel throughout the world (John 7:35; James 1:1). But here, without the article, it is used in a non-technical sense referring to spiritual pilgrims, aliens to the earth, whether Jews or Gentiles (cf. v. 17; 2:11), i.e., the church." (2) In James 1:1, it is clear that he is addressing Jewish Christians ("..To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad.." [NKJV]) However, it is clear here in 1 Peter 1:1 that the dispersion not only is referring to the Jewish Christians but also to Gentile Christians as well. James' primary intended audience were those who were scattered abroad because of persecution. Peter's intended audience are the spiritual pilgrims of the church. I believe that the context alone of 1 Peter 1:1-2 suggests that he is addressing a wider audience than just the Jewish Christians, not to mention the locations, etc. I hope that this helps. (1) Zondervan NASB Study Bible, pg. 1812, copyright 1999 by the Zondervan Corporation (2) The MacArthur Study Bible, pg. 1939, copyright 1997, Word Publishing Blessings to you, Makarios |