1 Peter 1:1

To the strangers; not only metaphorically strangers, as all believers are in the world, 1 Peter 2:11; but properly, as being out of their own land, and so really strangers in the places here mentioned.

Scattered; so James 1:1.

Throughout Pontus; a country of the Lesser Asia, bordering upon the Euxine sea, and reaching as far as Colchis.

Galatia; which borders upon Pontus, and lies southward of it. To the Gentile churches inhabiting here, Paul wrote his Epistle inscribed to the Galatians.

Cappadocia; this likewise borders upon Pontus, and is joined with it, Acts 2:9.

Asia; that part of Asia the Less, which was especially called Asia. viz. the whole country of Ionia, which contained in it Troas, Phrygia, Lydia, Carla, &c. See Acts 16:6,Acts 16:9; Acts 19:10,Acts 19:31.

And Bithynia; another province of the Lesser Asia, bordering upon Pontus and Galatia, and opposite to Thracia.

Question. Who were the strangers to whom this Epistle was written?

Answer. Chiefly the Christian Jews scattered in these countries, as appears by 1 Peter 2:12, and 1 Peter 1:18, where he mentions the traditions of their fathers, of which the Jews were so fond, Matthew 15:2; Galatians 1:14; but secondarily, to the converted Gentiles. As Paul, the apostle of the uncircumcision, wrote principally to the converted Gentiles, at Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, &c., but doth not exclude those Jews that were among them, who, being converted to the faith, were of the same mystical body with them; so Peter, though he firstly wrote to the converted Jews, as being an apostle of the circumcision, yet includes the Gentiles that were mingled among them, and joined in faith and worship with them.