ACC ~ 1 Peter 1 v1

THE TRAJECTORY OF PETER’S GENTILE MISSION. EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA: Peter seems to have preached in Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia and Asia to the Jews of the dispersion, and afterwards, having come to Rome, he was crucified head downwards, for he himself had asked to suffer so. HISTORY OF THE CHURCH 3.1.

A PILGRIM AND STRANGER. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: Why does Peter, an apostle to the Jews, write to those who are scattered in the dispersion, when most of them were still living in Judea at that time? To understand his meaning, we have to compare what he says with texts like “I am a pilgrim and stranger on earth, as were all my forefathers.” The souls of all are like strangers who are joined to bodies for as long as they dwell in time. If these souls were thought to be the substance of the body, they would be natives on earth. But these souls are concealed in a covering of flesh and are in fact like strangers on earth. They feel the pains of the flesh because they are quite assimilated into natural bodies. This is why terrors are brought on the inhabitants of the earth, which affect both the things which are earthly in themselves and the souls which are covered in an earthly image. COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER.

TO JEWS IN DIASPORA. ANDREAS: This apostle was appointed to preach to those of the circumcision, but he deliberately did not limit his preaching to those who lived in Judea. Instead, by sending this circular letter, he sought to preach to Jews scattered all over the world, to the effect that they must hold onto the faith which they have received, for by keeping it they would inherit many great, good, eternal and heavenly things. CATENA.

TO ALL JEWS EVERYWHERE. OECUMENIUS: Like James, Peter was an apostle to the Jews, but he was sent to all Jews everywhere, and not just to those who lived in Palestine. COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER.

COMPARED WITH THE PETER OF ACTS. ISHO’DAD OF MERV: This epistle is by somebody called Peter, but although its teaching is more sublime and perfect in both style and arrangement than James, it is very inferior to the exactness of the teachings of Peter as they are found in the Acts of the Apostles. COMMENTARIES.

1 Pet