In the opening greeting there is a great deal which is significant, presented in a concentrated form. The sender of the letter identifies himself as Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ. In this very brief and simple introduction we see Simon Peter of the gospels and Peter the great apostle of Acts 1-12. Peter's authority to preach and to teach others came not from anything in himself but from Jesus Christ, to whom he bore witness and by whom he was commissioned.

Peter sends his greetings to 'God's chosen people', the Christians scattered over five large provinces of Asia Minor. The extent of the area mentioned indicates the fast spread of the Gospel. God's people live as exiles or refugees in this world, waiting for the glorious Day when Jesus Christ will be revealed (1:7).

The Christian readers are assured that it was the purpose of God that they were chosen to be made into a holy people through the power of his Holy Spirit, to live in obedience to Jesus Christ 'and be purified by his blood' (R.S.V.-'for sprinkling with his blood'). In this reference to his blood is the belief of the early Church that through the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, that is, through the sacrificial shedding of his blood, the Christian is enabled to enter into a new relationship with God.

The old Covenant, sealed with the blood sprinkled on the altar of Sinai (Exodus 24:1-8) is superseded by the new Covenant, sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The blessing of the last line of I :2 is very similar to the blessing often used by Paul in his letters. Peter prays that the gifts of grace and inner peace, given with absolute generosity by God to his people, may fill them.