Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as strangers in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Grace to you and peace be multiplied ...  Judging from the frequent use of this greeting in the letters of Paul, it would appear to have been the general practice of the early church to avoid slighting either Jewish or Gentile elements in the churches, which generally were composed of both, by combining the Greek and Hebrew greetings, with strong Christian overtones, to give the marvelous "Grace ... and peace" of the New Testament.