1 Peter 1:2-

Sermon

1 Peter 1:1–2 ESV

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

I had planned to move on to verse 3 next week because I dont want to dig in to this, not moving on to verse 3 just for the sake of “really digging in” or some attempt to sound like we are going to take a while.

But, It looks like there really may be some more meat here in the introduction.

We have already established who Peter is, his calling, and his involvement in this letter. No need to revisit.

I want to pick up with the second half of verse 1.

“Those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion”

Who are these elect exiles and is there anything important about these places?

Nasb says “to those who reside as aliens”

KJV says “to the strangers scattered”

Greek words (transliterations)

to the strangers - parepidēmos

scattered - diaspora

ESV may be the closest in this instance.

To be scattered could be something random, but according to historians, its not random.

Diaspora can be a generic term. Just a people group that is living outside their homeland.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/diaspora/#

So in 722 and 586, technically a diaspora was created out of Israel.

So who are these diaspora peoples in 1 Peter?

Michaels says that the elect part refers to God’s chosen people. The Diaspora was a specific event of jewish christians, and so this is talking to Jewish Christians that were living in exile throughout asia minor.

He says that their identity seems to be more important to Peter than his own since he spends much more time introducing this than his own title. (Word Commentary, 1 Peter, p6)

If this is true, then I will need to spend time contemplating why.

Green says that unlike other diasporas of Jewish people, Peter never says this is for their own sin. (1 Peter, THNTC on Logos)

This becomes very important because of how aggressive Peter is towards hope in suffering. He makes it very clear that God sees their suffering and is there for them. Ill get in to this soon as we look at verses 3-4.

So is it to the Jews or Christians?

This article has a lot of evidence. I literally have 2 commentaries that come to two different conclusions on this.

https://derekdemars.com/2019/09/28/audience-of-1-peter-jews-or-gentiles/

Fall out for either:

Dispersed Jews - This seems to point to a grafting of families to be what we would we call New Israel or God’s people currently.

Romans 11 ESV

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.” 11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. 25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” 28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 9:1–8 ESV

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

It is also important to understand that Jews would have been called chosen or elect from Old Testament times. There are various legitimate explanations if Peter is calling Gentiles “elect” but this does take off the burden of God predestining these people to be christians and to go through persecution by God’s choosing. I dont have a problem with that statement or with God doing that, but I dont think its true here. It seems like we see more of an identity of chosen, than a verbal action of God placed on their lives.

2. Only to Gentiles that are spiritually isolated from Jerusalem

This means that Israel is bankrupt and even gone now. They have been replaced as God’s people by the Gentiles.

This brings up questions like:

What about the Israelites then? We are back to Romans 11 again at this point.

Did God just give up on Israel?

Does this mean that the Old Testament is important to know history but thats about it? is it still theologically relevent?

Does that mean all we need is the New Testament?

If this theory is true, then we must do something with the chosen or elect part. If gentile, these people would not have identified with being God’s chosen people. So Peter must be telling them they need to understand and identify as a people chosen by God for these circumstances and this salvation.

So who is the Diaspora of Asia Minor if it is Jews?

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/asia-minor

I think i have to settle on Jews that just arent home. Im not 100% sure if they got here in 586-722 bc or a later date.

The point is, they are isolated in Asia Minor.

Its interesting to note that Timothys mother would technically be diaspora in Lystra (Acts 16)

My next question is:

How did Peter know these people?

I found an interesting note that there were Jews dispersed from all over the world in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost for the yearly celebration. (Acts 2) and so Peter would have right off known Jews from Asia Minor. Are they the same ones? I have no idea, but it is possible.

Acts 16:1–10 ESV

1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

None of this is in isolation either. Pauls first missionary journey was through this same area that Peter is writing to.

Paul would be called away from there on a journey pointed to Rome, but on his first adventure, he was traveling around this area of the isolated Diaspora spoken of in 1 Peter.

Also, not in isolation, Peter possibly writes the letter from Rome where Paul is heading.

1 Peter 5:12–13 ESV

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.

Although, there is never a NT mention of Peter in Rome. The Catholic church has written extensively about Peter starting the church in Rome, but it would seem thats just to give it authority.

Heres an article stating otherwise.

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/the-apostle-peter-in-rome/

Furthermore, v13 only says that someone (a she) who is a Babylon sends greetings. That is pretty vague. Actual Babylon would be east of here in Iraq. Rome was called Babylon. I will wait and dig in to this once I get to ch 5 if it seems important.

So where did he write it from?

ESV study notes say Rome.

https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-1-peter/

There is others that say the same.

https://www.biblesprout.com/articles/bible/peter-write/

What I am reading though, is that the church at Rome would have already been there when Peter arrived.

It really doesn’t matter unless we are establishing an authority to a particular church that holds the same authority as the scripture itself because it was directly started by the Apostle Peter.

That is of utmost importance.

If Peter did indeed start the church, and they have held to that exact formula all these years, they may indeed have a good argument that the church traditions are “canon.”

My understanding, though, is that its not true. Peter only came later, if at all.

So thats introduction. We are left with more questions than answers. But the questions that remain are ok to be unanswered. We have enough to go on that the book is authoritative and inspired.

Lets move to verse 2

1 Peter 1:2 ESV

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

We continue our thought process that this particular audience of people are isolated or aliens but chosen.

Whether that chosen-ness is nationality or situational doesn't really matter. They are products of the work of God. They are God’s people because He has worked to make it happen.

None of this has happened by surprise to all knowing God the Father.

I want to look at a few phrases here.

1. in the sanctification of the spirit

Sanctify - to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : CONSECRATE; to free from sin : PURIFY; to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to; to give moral or social sanction to; to make productive of holiness or piety (meriem-webster online)

These people were being sanctified by the active work of the Holy Spirit. Geography and tradition could not isolate them from the work that God was doing in theirs hearts and lives by the work of the Holy Spirit.

We are about to get to the word obedience, but you have got to understand this. ITS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

Jesus works first, then you work. Not the opposite.

Changing your behavior is useless if you do not have Jesus. if the holy spirit isn't working in you, then your behavior changes will not last and will be very weak and a waste of time.

For the sermon, i may need to spend some time figuring out why this would be important to a teenager.

2. For obedience to Jesus Christ

I told you we were about to get to obedience. Do you hate people telling you what to do?

Jesus is telling you what to do! If you have problems with others telling you what to do, then there is no way you will be ok with Jesus telling you what to do.

Is something missing in your life? You really need to spend some time here thinking through - “whats missing? Is it obedience to Jesus Christ?”

3. For sprinkling with His blood

I have no clue here. I mean i know about Jesus’ use of His blood and OT traditions but im Going to look at commentaries.

Gives more evidence that Peter is writing to a people that have knowledge of Old Testament history and theology. People were ceremonial cleansed by the sprinkling of blood on the altar in the OT. Its also mentioned that the ashes of red heifer as sprinkled to do the same (Numbers 19).

Peter is saying that by the sacrifice of Jesus we are purified and saved. Jesus has come and done what Old Testament sacrifice could never do.

Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said, I havent come to do away with the law but to fulfill it.

Hebrews 12:24 ESV

24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 10:29 ESV

29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

The commentary says its interesting that Peter doesn't use terms like the New Covenant, but it could be that he is describing this by using terms these people would already know.

(Word Commentary, 1 Peter, p12)

4. may grace and peace be multiplied to you

Similar phrase to how Paul writes.

What does it mean?

Grace is favor from God that is unmerited or undeserved.

Peace is a huge term that means complete or not lacking.

So Peter is telling these people that he hopes God continues to give them unmeritted favor and that they are so complete that there is no turmoil or war in their hearts.