who in time past were no people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
By Peter's use of no people" in this verse, it should be concluded that Peter's letter was to Christians of Gentile origin.  Mason pointed out that "no people" also refers to all, regardless of race, who are in rebellion against God, and that it is quite obvious that Peter was writing to Christians of both Jewish and Gentile origins who were then "one new man in Christ."