What is the context?
The letter opens in Peter’s name as an apostle of Jesus Christ and addresses believers scattered through five regions of Asia Minor. They are described both as chosen people and as exiles: their difficult place in the world does not exhaust who they are before God.
The word behind exiles describes people living as strangers in a place. The letter will return to that picture as it considers how believers should live among their neighbors.
Their identity is described in relation to the Father, the Spirit and Jesus Christ. They are chosen according to the Father’s foreknowledge, set apart by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus, and sprinkled by His blood. The greeting joins God’s saving work with the life to which His people are called.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Readers differ over the audience’s background. Calvin and Wesley emphasize Jewish believers living outside their homeland. The USCCB introduction sees clues elsewhere in the letter pointing to a largely Gentile audience. Both approaches recognize the letter’s concern with people living as God’s own among a surrounding society.
Christians also differ over how God’s choice relates to faith. The Reformed Westminster Confession, 3.5–6, teaches that God chooses people for salvation from His free grace, rather than because He foresees their faith, and brings those chosen to faith and obedience.
Wesley instead describes God’s appointment in terms of His gracious promise to save those who believe and persevere. Faith remains God’s gift, while the person’s continuing response matters to the final outcome.
The Catholic Catechism, 600, says God’s eternal plan includes each person’s free response to grace. These readings all speak of God’s initiative, but explain the relationship between His purpose and human response differently.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The sprinkling language recalls Exodus 24:3–8, where blood marks the people’s covenant relationship with God alongside their commitment to obey. Hebrews 12:24 explicitly speaks of Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant and of His sprinkled blood. That connection places the greeting within God’s work of bringing a people into relationship with Himself through Christ.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.