The Epistles of Peter

The character of Peter’s epistles is in keeping with Peter the person. Certainly it is the restored Peter, the Apostle, feeding the flock of God; nevertheless we see in them the experiences of the Gospels (John 21:15-19). The first epistle was probably written from Babylon (1 Peter 5:13), while the nearness of his martyrdom suggests that the second could be from Rome (2 Peter 1:14). The reference to Babylon is not symbolic; the verse should read, “She that is elected with you in Babylon salutes you” (JND)—it refers to an individual, not the church. (Election is individual.)
Both epistles are addressed to the Jewish believers scattered throughout Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:1). They had forsaken Judaism for Christianity, their inheritance was heavenly, and their Messiah glorified. Physically and spiritually they were strangers and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11). The Apostle encourages them in their earthly path, a way fraught with trials and persecution. Salvation in its fullness is a future thing (1 Peter 1:4-5). The government of God is especially brought before us—in the first, towards the righteous, while in the second, in the judgment of the wicked.