1 Peter 1:1

Apostolic salutation, 1 Peter 1:1-2.

1. Peter The Greek for Cephas. See Introduction.

An apostle And therefore entitled to a hearing. Unlike St. Paul, his apostleship was never questioned. Here, if anywhere, would be the place for an assertion also of his dignity as prince of the apostles, and head of the Church, had he possessed it; its omission is good proof that this popish pretence was then unknown.

To the strangers scattered Literally, to the elect sojourners of the dispersion. On the dispersion, see notes on James 1:1 and Acts 26:7.

Pontus Among St. Peter’s hearers on the Pentecost, were “dwellers in… Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia,” (Acts 2:9-10;) and this epistle is addressed to about the same regions. One writing at Babylon would naturally take the provinces in the order named.

Pontus In the north-east, on the Black Sea, the country of Aquila. Acts 18:2. To the south-west of Pontus lay Galatia, to whose Churches St. Paul, their founder, addressed an epistle. Further to the south and east was Cappadocia, where, we may believe, the gospel was early planted by converts of the Pentecost. Asia means here the Proconsular Asia of the Romans, including the countries west of those already named, in which were prosperous and well known Churches. See note on Revelation 1:11.