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.
NOTE: It is always
important to establish the audience when studying a letter or book or speech.
First, in this case, it will be better understood by the person with a Jewish
background since it is written to the dispersed Jews (the Hellenistic Jews). This
is also different from writing to the Jews in Jerusalem. Secondly,
"sprinkling with his blood" is an immediate reference to the Old
Testament sacrificial system, but in the case it is not the blood of bulls and
goats but that of Jesus' blood, sprinkled just once for the cleansing of our
sin. The third thing that catches my intention is foreknowledge and elect. The
elect exist according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. I always prefer
this simple explanation of election. It is the same formula used in Romans.
Foreknowledge precedes election. In my simple mind it helps me to understand
free will. God knew our hearts beforehand and he knew our choice, and so we are
the elect. We are elected by God in foreknowledge of our free will, and we are
elect because we chose, elected, Jesus as our savior.
PRAYER: Father,
thank you so much for the word of God and its clear, logical, and consistent
instruction. Open my eyes to its further riches.
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