The letter is written to ecclesias in Asia Minor many of which had been founded by the apostle Paul and had received epistles from him. Why is Peter writing? Where is Paul?
Consider this possibility: Paul had been executed in Rome. The ecclesial world would have been devastated, particularly the Gentile converts. Perhaps Peter went to Rome to strengthen the brethren with
the help of John Mark and Silas (5:12,13). He recognized the immediacy of writing to the brethren in Asia Minor where Paul had so faithfully labored (note the reference to Paul’s writings in II Peter 3:15-16).
The readers described
The brethren and sisters are termed the “chosen of God,” “precious” and “strangers and pilgrims” (2:4,11). To God, they had been set apart through the cleansing work of the Spirit and the blood of Christ; through his resurrection, they had been reborn to a living hope. But to the people of their own lands, they had become aliens, strangers to their past friends and even family. They had become part of the true diaspora of God, part of spiritual Israel scattered amongst all nations.
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action” (1:13 NIV). Peter endeavored to encourage the brethren to live holy lives regardless of their circumstances even when persecution should arise.
Their trials were two-fold: persecutions from government and religious authorities; and pressures to join in with the old way of life. Families were divided (3:1); neighbors would encourage participation in social functions (4:3,4); pagan masters might mistreat Christian slaves (2:18,19); they would even be slandered by those looking for reasons to speak evil against them (3:16; 2:15; 5:8).
They were exhorted to cultivate a deep love for each other; a desire to be of service to one another. They were to develop humility and submissiveness. They were to accept suffering, recognizing that Jesus Christ had suffered, the just for the unjust, without opening his mouth in complaint.
Obedience begins in the mind with a determined submission to God; it includes an awareness of the strength of our enemy and the availability of the power to overcome through the help of God in Christ. The forgiveness of sins we have in Jesus Christ should stir us to action. Gold may perish, even though refined by fire, but we will not if our faith is genuine.
We are not given commands in an arbitrary or capricious fashion. If we are obedient, our obedience will bring results, now and in the age to come. If we ignore God, if we choose to conform ourselves to the world around us, what will we have to look forward to? “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (4:17-18).
The identity of Babylon
Peter states that “the church that is at Babylon…saluteth you.” (5:13) Which Babylon is this? The small village of Babylon which then sat on the ancient site of the once great city? Peter’s reference implies an established ecclesia and there is no mention in Acts of any ecclesia in that location. Is Jerusalem being termed Babylon? If Babylon had become a symbolic name for Jerusalem, why didn’t Paul or Luke (in the Acts) ever use such a term? Is he referring to Rome? That is easily the most likely answer as the evidence points to Peter writing this epistle from Rome.
Paul had requested that Timothy bring Mark with him to Rome to be of comfort to Paul while he was in prison. Peter makes mention that Mark is with him when writing the epistle. Historical tradition has Paul and Peter being executed by Nero in Rome in the middle 60’s which fits in with the movements of John Mark. The evidence thus points to Rome being termed “Babylon” from this early date.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One