[Robinson offers a very precise date for I Peter: ‘the end of April 65,’ with Nero’s persecution of Christians imminent but not yet fully raging.] In his letter to the Galatians Paul had written that when he visited the leading apostles in Jerusalem, the group had divided up the responsibility for bringing the gospel to the lands beyond Judea: Paul and his team would go to the Gentiles, and Peter, James, and John would take the responsibility to take the message to the Jews scattered in communities around the eastern Mediterranean world (Galatians 2:9).

The term ‘dispersion’ (διασπορά, diaspora) is the word used to describe the situation of Jewish individuals and communities living not in Israel, but other parts of the world. The word shows up three times in the New Testament: and as it happens, these three occurrences are in the books bearing the name of those three men (I Peter 1:1, James 1:1, John 7:35). In today’s reading we see Peter addressing himself to those in “the Dispersion” who “have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ” (1:2) – another of the many proto-trinitarian texts of the New Testament.

He has much to say about accepting the suffering that comes our way: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal” that they are about to experience, or perhaps are already experiencing (4:12). “If any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name” (4:17). And again, “in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord, and always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you” (3:15).

The specific for that last sentence is imminent active persecution: how will you explain your faith when they arrest you and put you on trial? Yet it certainly has an application in less rigorous settings as well: we need to have grasped the details of our faith well enough to explain its content to ordinary people around us.

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We get nervous at the thought of defending our faith, Lord, or even at the thought of having to explain it to an interested friend. Grant us the diligence to be good students of your word, that we may have a growing understanding of your truth; prepare our hearts and minds, so that we can speak with clarity the words you give us.

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