Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect strangers of the diaspora of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father in sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, I wish for grace and peace to you to be multiplied (1 Peter 1:1–2).
In his first letter, the apostle Peter writes to the elect sojourners scattered throughout several regions. This dispersion was in part due to the persecution Saul brought upon the Church in Jerusalem after the slaying of Stephan (Acts 7:58; 8:1). Since these saints are coming from Jerusalem, they would be Israelites who were transitioned into the Church starting on the day of Pentecost, as they expressed faith in Christ’s resurrection, and thus sacrifice for sins (Acts 2:38). At the time of Saul’s persecution, the assembly in Jerusalem would have been well over 8,000 strong, not counting the women and children (Acts 2:41; 4:4). As these Christians spread out into predominantly Gentile areas, they faced being ostracized by both Jew and Gentile because of their faith and refusal to walk in the debauchery of the Nations (1 Peter 4:3–4).
A few passages in our English Bible were translated in a way that imposed theology onto the text rather than conveying what the original language stated. There are no textual variation issues with these passages, so it is not a matter of preferred readings. One such change appears in 1 Peter 1:1–2, where the word “elect” is moved from its original position before “strangers” to in front of “foreknowledge” to support the teaching of pre-election. Although this change is not found in the Latin or Bishop Bibles, both of which played a significant role in the KJV, the KJV introduced it into English translations starting with the 1611 version. Because the King James Bible has such a strong influence on American Christians, versions that sought to adhere to the KJV did not correct it, while others like the ESV, NIV, YLT, and ASV place “elect” in its proper position in the sentence.
Election can be a sensitive and divisive subject. Since divisions are a work of the flesh, those who hold to pre-election to such a degree that they are willing to separate from the saints or cause division among the saints over this teaching are carnal.
It is clear in Scripture that in our dispensation God is the one who chooses, or elects. No one seeks God today (Romans 3:11). Mercy is not obtained by the work of man, nor through the desirous will of man (Romans 9:16). As for election, 2 Peter 1:10 links election and calling directly. “Wherefore, even more, brethren, you all be diligent to do your sure call even election. For the one doing these things will never at any time stumble.” This does not change the fact that to be saved a person must base their salvation solely on Christ’s death on behalf of our sins and His resurrection three days later (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). This is the means through which a person is saved today (1 Corinthians 15:2). Although this is not an exhaustive study on election, whether someone believes in pre-election or not, this conviction does not give anyone the right to change Scripture or modify the gospel for salvation. Nor does it justify the carnal works of divisions, heresy, selfish ambitions, or contentions among Christians.
Peter is writing to the elect sojourners, thus, the Christians. He even uses this term later in his letter (1 Peter 4:16). It was the Jews in Antioch that first labeled those who believed in the resurrection of Christ as Christians (Acts 11:26). They employed this term in a derogatory manner to warn others. Peter is the only apostle who uses this term to encourage the saints. When we understand its origin, it makes sense that he uses it when writing that, when a person suffers as a Christian, they are not to be ashamed.
When we go back to the original language in which Scripture was written, Peter is specifically writing to those of the Church, referring to them as elect sojourners in the regions they have been scattered into. 1 Peter 1:1–2 reveals that God foreknew this scattering, not their election. We see Christ Himself alluding to this in Matthew 28:19–20 when He instructs the apostles to make disciples of all nations. “Having been caused to go, make disciples of all the nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to guard all the things, as much as I have commanded you.” Although this passage is often used for a Missionary call, the imperative is to make disciples, not go. In the Diaspora of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, they were caused to go forth out from Jerusalem into the Nations, just as God foreknew would happen. Although not all the apostles were forced to go, those whom they taught the words of the Lord went out, and the message of the cross spread, and many among the nations became Christians as a result.
