From the first spread of the Gospel, there has been hostility, even violent opposition in many places brought about by: unbelieving Jews, local officials, whether by political purposes, or, because of false accusations from Gentiles whose profits from sin were threatened. Even if Peter did not have recent news of actual persecution currently being endured by Churches and Christians in a spread-out area, the Apostle would write as though some form of formal or informal persecution were possible.
