Scholars disagree on this issue. Some contend that First Peter was written to Hebrew Christians as it was written to 'the strangers scattered' or more literally 'pilgrims of the Dispersion' (1:1). This coupled with the injunction to keep their behaviour 'honourable among the Gentiles' (2:12), gives the initial appearance that the bulk of the readership are Hebrew Christians. A closer look, however, forms the opposite view that most of these believers were Gentiles. They were called 'out of darkness' (2:9), and they 'once were not a people but are now the people of God' (2:10). Their former 'aimless conduct received by tradition from their fathers' was characterized by ignorance and futility (1:14,18; cf. Eph 4:17). Because they no longer engage in debauchery and idolatry, they are maligned by their countrymen (4:3,4).

These descriptions do not fit a predominantly Hebrew Christian readership. Though Peter was an apostle 'to the circumcised' (Gal 2:8), he also ministered to Gentiles (Acts 10:34-48; Gal 2:12), and a letter like this would not be beyond the scope of his ministry.

(This addition was adapted from The Open Bible Expanded New King James Version's (Thomas Nelson Publishers) opening words on First Peter.)

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