1 Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1 Peter 1:1

Author: Peter

This is Peter. You know him. He confessed Jesus as the Christ (Mt 16:16, Mk 8:29, Lk 9:20). He also denied Jesus three times (Mt 26, Lk 22, Mk 14, Jn 18). He got second place in a foot race (Jn 20:4). This is the same Peter who writes this letter.

Recipients: Elect exiles of the Dispersion

Elect

This, referring to those chosen or elected. More specifically, it is referring to those chosen or elected by God. God is the one who performs this action and he does this choosing individuals for salvation. Thus, these are Christians.

Exiles

Exiles are people forced to live away from their country. They are strangers in the land they live. They may have been forced out of their homelands due to their identity as Christians. This parallels the idea that all Christians are exiles in a way. They are people who do not have their true citizenship on this earth.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Philippian 3:20

As citizens of heaven, all Christians are living as strangers or foreigners in this land that is not truly our forever home.

Dispersion

The word refers to the scattering of Jews from Israel throughout the world. But these are not necessarily Jews. In fact, they are most likely Gentiles. So, here it is not referring to "dispersion" as the scattering of the Jews. Instead, these are Christians who have been dispersed spiritually. This meaning is similar to the word for Exile. Why did they have both words? I'm not sure. Perhaps to invoke a bit of the meaning and ideas from the scattering of the Jews.