Reading for March 2nd

Read 1 Peter 1.1-9. In verses 1-2: Letter opening. In verse 1: Peter addresses Christians in Asia Minor, acknowledging their civil status as exiles. In verse 2: God their patron purifies them with the blood of Jesus, thus conferring worth on a valueless people. Patrons are high-ranking persons with great resources who enter into formal agreement with lower ranking suplliants or clients, patrons bestow protection, food, and the like, while clients maintain strong loyalty to their patrons and give them praise and honor. Thus the Christian God bestows lavish divine gifts on God's clients, the christian communities, but expects from them respect, exclusive allegiance, and praise. In verses 3-9: Thanking. Most christian letters begin with a thnaksgiving, this one is semitic in form (Blessed be the God; see 2 Cor1.3-7). It introduces themes developed later (new birth, inheritance, suffering). In verses 3-5: Peter reherses God's benefaction tothese exiles, especially the promise of resurrection. In verses 6-7: Loyalty fromgod's clients in diffiuclt circumstances brings paise, glory, and honor from their patron on judgment day. Comments or Questions..