Exposition of 1 Peter 2:11 for Believers as Foreigners
First Peter 2:11 exhorts believers to live distinctly in the world: "Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" [1]. This verse serves as a transitional point in Peter's letter, either concluding the first section or initiating the second, and it encapsulates a central theme: Christians must embody the principles of the Gospel in a challenging environment to draw others to faith [4].
The letter of 1 Peter is addressed to "God’s chosen people" who are "living as foreigners" or "exiles of the dispersion" in various Roman provinces, including Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia [6]. Peter uses the concept of exile metaphorically, reminding Christians that they reside in a world often hostile to their values and way of life [6]. This understanding of believers as "strangers and pilgrims" (as rendered in the Webster translation [2]) is foundational to Peter's exhortation [5]. The term "sojourners" (often translated as "foreigners" or "strangers") describes settlers who have a dwelling in a city but lack the full rights of citizenship, while "pilgrims" refers to those temporarily residing in a foreign land [5]. This imagery underscores the Christian's temporary status on earth and their ultimate belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven [4].
The concept of believers as "pilgrims and strangers" is a recurring theme in biblical thought. Saints are described as being called to this status, as seen in Abraham's journey (Genesis 12:1) and the broader confession of figures like David (1 Chronicles 29:15) and the author of Psalm 39:12 [3]. The author of Hebrews also notes that Old Testament figures "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth," looking for a heavenly country [3]. This perspective implies a detachment from worldly attachments and a focus on an eternal inheritance [3].
Peter's exhortation to "abstain from fleshly lusts" directly follows this identification of believers as foreigners [1]. The phrase "fleshly lusts" refers to desires that are contrary to God's will and are depicted as actively "war[ring] against the soul" [1]. This call to abstain is not merely a negative command but a positive call to live out their calling worthily, distinguishing themselves from their former way of life and glorifying God before unbelievers [5]. The apostle Paul similarly encourages believers in Philippi to live as citizens of heaven, even as foreigners in this world, by standing strong despite persecution [8].
The broader context of 1 Peter emphasizes holiness and distinct living. Peter begins his letter by reminding suffering Christians of their elevated status through God's actions [6]. He urges them to "lay aside" various vices, such as malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, which are characteristic of the old nature [7]. This "laying aside" is presented as a decisive act, akin to shedding a garment, enabling the "inward man" to manifest a renewed life externally [7]. The struggle against "fleshly lusts" is therefore part of a larger spiritual battle, where believers are strengthened by God and actuated by faith, keeping their focus on the promised heavenly city [3].
Sources
- 1 Peter “Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; -- 1 Peter 2:11”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:11 (Webster) — Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pilgrims and Strangers — Described -- Joh 17:16. Saints are called to be -- Ge 12:1; Ac 7:3; Lu 14:26,27,33. All saints are -- Ps 39:12; 1Pe 1:1. Saints confess themselves -- 1Ch 29:15; Ps 39:12; 119:19; Heb 11:13. As saints they Have the example of Christ. -- Lu 9:58. Are strengthened by God. -- De 33:25; Ps 84:6,7. Are actuated by faith. -- Heb 11:9. Have their faces toward Zion. -- Jer 50:5. Keep the promised in view. -- Heb 11:13. Forsake all for Christ. -- Mt 19:27. Look for a heavenly country. -- Heb 11:16. Look for a heavenly city. -- Heb 11:10. Pass their soj”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:11: 2:11-12 These verses are transitional. They can be viewed as the finale to the first section of the letter or as the opening statement of the second section of the letter. They enunciate the letter’s central theme: Christians living in hostile territory need to live out the principles of the Good News so that they can win other people to the Lord. 2:11 “temporary residents and foreigners”: Believers belong not to this world but to the Kingdom of Heaven (see 1:1, 17).”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:11: As heretofore he exhorted them to walk worthily of their calling, in contradistinction to their own former walk, so now he exhorts them to glorify God before unbelievers. Dearly beloved--He gains their attention to his exhortation by assuring them of his love. strangers and pilgrims-- (Pe1 1:17). Sojourners, literally, settlers having a house in a city without being citizens in respect to the rights of citizenship; a picture of the Christian's position on earth; and pilgrims, staying for a time in a foreign land. FLACIUS thus analyzes the exhortat”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 1:1: 1:1 to God’s chosen people: Peter opens his letter to suffering Christians by reminding them of the status they enjoy because of God’s act on their behalf (1:2). • living as foreigners (literally exiles of the dispersion): An exile had been uprooted from his or her homeland and taken to live in a foreign country. Peter uses the concept metaphorically to remind Christians that they are living in a world dominated by anti-Christian values and ways of life. • Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia were Roman provinces in what is now Turkey. They might be lis”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2 (introduction): EXHORTATIONS. (1Pe. 2:1-25) laying aside--once for all: so the Greek aorist expresses as a garment put off. The exhortation applies to Christians alone, for in none else is the new nature existing which, as "the inward man" (Eph 3:16) can cast off the old as an outward thing, so that the Christian, through the continual renewal of his inward man, can also exhibit himself externally as a new man. But to unbelievers the demand is addressed, that inwardly, in regard to the nous (mind), they must become changed, meta-noeisthai (re-pent) [STEI”
- Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:27: 1:27-30 Paul encourages the Philippian Christians to live in a way that is worthy of the Good News (cp. Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1 Thes 2:12), particularly by standing strong despite persecution. 1:27 As foreigners in this world, the Philippian believers are to live as citizens of heaven (cp. 3:20; 1 Pet 2:9-11).”