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NASB | 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, ¶ To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, To those [elect--both Jewish and Gentile believers] who live as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia [Minor], and Bithynia, who are chosen [Heb 13:14] |
Subject: Aliens in the World, but Chosen by God |
Bible Note: Study of 1 Peter 1:1.............................. Sir Pent recently suggested that it might be beneficial to study books of the Bible, rather than simply commenting on and asking questions about the same passages over and over again. Thus, I volunteered to start with a study of 1 Peter. Please feel free to ask questions or make comments as the Spirit moves! 1 Peter reads very much like a how to manual. If I were to sum up the message of 1 Peter in one sentence, I would say, "1 Peter tells us how to live the Christian life in a hostile world." The very first verse sets the stage for this message by focusing upon the contrast between the audience’s spiritual status and their social status. Peter uses three words to describe his audience. Two of the words are found in this verse and one in 1 Pet. 2:11. They are: a) Elect - 1 Pet. 1:1. b) Strangers - 1 Pet. 1:1, 2:11. c) Aliens - 1 Pet. 2:11. Unfortunately, most have viewed the last two terms as descriptions of a metaphorical spiritual journey. However, given the context, the best view is that these two terms describe the social status of Peter’s audience. If this is the case, these two terms are very meaningful. Strangers is a translation of the Greek word ‘paroikos.’ It refers to people who live in a certain place, but without the legal protection and rights that citizens would have. Aliens is a translation of the Greek word ‘parepidemos." It is a word which refers to people who live in a certain place, but have no lasting roots. They are temporary residents. If these were the kinds of people to whom Peter was writing, it is not surprising that much of the letter deals with suffering and injustice, brought about because of faith. Peter was writing to people who had no legal recourse. There was no one to whom they could turn to when their employer fired them because they were Christians. There was no one to whom they could turn to when people treated them unfairly simply because they believed differently than their neighbors. Would it not be tempting to get even? Would it not be difficult to keep from developing a harsh attitude toward those who were abusing you? Thus, much of 1 Peter deals with the issue of how to respond to injustice and persecution. But, here at the beginning of the letter, Peter makes a very important point about his audience. They may be temporary residents in their countries. They may not have any legal standing among their peers. They may be slaves, or worse. But, with God, they were chosen - elect! This is the reality that Peter will appeal to time and again in this letter. It doesn’t matter what the world thinks of you! It doesn’t matter what you boss thinks of you! It doesn’t matter what your family thinks of you! God has chosen you! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |