The letter is addressed to in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. These are all provinces in Asia Minor, what is modern day Turkey. And from reading the letter it’s clear the Christians are experiencing varying degrees of discrimination, marginalization, and social hardship for their faith in Jesus. To be clear, it's not not empire-sponsored persecution. But growing dislike and suspicion that led to all sorts of social mistreatment … they’re struggling, being marginalized, ostracized, insulted, and threatened. Peter writes to show them how to live and honor God under such circumstances.