This is a typical beginning to a letter where the recipients have been scattered and are now living far from where they originate. Peter is using this method, which shows he is speaking of Jews in other lands, specifically Asia Minor, and helping them along in their faith. This is similar to Paul’s mission – only Paul was more mindful of the Gentile (not of Jewish descent) believers, while Peter was more mindful of those that were Jewish in blood (circumcised, living by the law, etc) and possibly were Jewish in faith as well.
One thing that can be hard to understand, but something that will help with understanding the Bible is that there are two ways in which one can be “Jewish.” Most of the time, in the New Testament, when one is called “Jewish” it means that they have Abraham to claim as their “father.” This means that they can trace their lineage to him and therefore are a member of God’s chosen nation – Israel – by blood and birthright.
This means that they harbor a long history of rebellion and disbelief with God, followed by periods of following Him and getting things together and growing in their deep faith of Him. This is partly due to the name, Israel, which means, literally, “wrestles with God.” Moses was Jewish, as was virtually everyone in the Old Testament worth writing about (btw – who are some non-Jewish heroes?). As a people, they also believe, as they were told, that the Messiah would be from their people. We as Christians believe He has already come, Jesus, and has freed this world from its normal pattern. Amen. Also, this means one can be “Jewish” (bloodline) and not believe in God at all – as the nation of Israel today is secular. Claiming to be Jewish (or Israeli) is no different from us saying, “I am American” (or German, Irish, Tutu, Chinese, etc). When I say, “American” I do not consider that to be a religious statement – so we have to figure out which one is being given to us. Is the person talking about a people group…
Or a religious group, which is the second meaning. You could say you are Jewish and this means that you actually believe the Jewish faith. You read the Tanakh (Jewish Scripture – basically our Old Testament), follow the law, practice the feasts and celebrations and mourn that the Messiah hasn’t come along with the destruction of the temple. A person who is Jewish does not believe that Jesus is the Messiah and a whole host of other things. If you hear someone say, “I am a Messianic Jew” that means they believe that Jesus is Messiah and are 1)following Him while being of Jewish descent and/or 2)are still practicing many Jewish customs within the freedom Christ has afforded through His blood.
Now that you are thoroughly bored or confused – which “Jewish” people is Peter writing to? For one, they are “The Chosen” which shows that they, in Peter’s writings, believe that Jesus is Messiah. They are Messianic Jews of some kind. We also see this by Peter’s statement – “grace and peace to you” as they are now free from the law and are saved by grace, not works. What gives you your salvation? Do you trust that being good will get you in? Sorry, this is not how it works. We must fall into the arms of Him who died on our behalf. Grace and peace to you – and more to come in the days ahead as we dive into Peter’s letter to the scattered.
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