“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).
One commentator offers a brief overview that helps us navigate from our starting point in the Biblical letter of 1 Peter to the next stage of our journey through this epistle: “Peter now turns to address the conduct of Christians as God’s people in the world (2:11-4:11). If they are God’s people (1:3-12; 1:13-2:10), they must act as God’s people.” (1)
It is also interesting to note the Apostle Peter’s approach as he begins this new section of his letter. While Peter could have sought to compel his audience to act by virtue of his apostolic authority, he chose to encourage and exhort them instead. Much like the Apostle Paul writing to the members of the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 1:24, Peter had no dictatorial aspirations. Instead, he sought to urge (CSB), encourage (GW), or beseech (KJV) his readers to do what was right.
That exhortation grew from their status as “sojourners [or strangers] and pilgrims.“ Peter laid the groundwork for that appeal right in the very first sentence of this epistle as he referred to his readers as “…temporary residents in the world” (GW). Here now in chapter two, Peter returns to that idea by referencing those who are passing through this life on the way to another place.
Two additional commentators expand upon the meaning and application of this concept…
“The word ‘stranger’ is the translation of a Greek word meaning ‘to have one’s home alongside of,’ thus a ‘sojourner.’ ‘Pilgrims’ is from a word which literally means ‘to settle down alongside of pagans.’ The two words describe the Christian in his position in this world. He has made his home alongside of the unsaved and settled down amongst them, a sojourner and one that is a stranger to them in that he is different from them.” (2)
“As sojourners, Christians must exemplify the values and standards of their permanent home, heaven. Paul reiterates that theme in Philippians 3:20, reminding the church that ‘our citizenship is in heaven.’ We are sojourners here, ambassadors for our Father, the King (2 Corinthians 5:20). This world is not our home. The knowledge that we are sojourners on this earth keeps us from setting our hearts on its treasures.
Christians don’t pour their hearts and passions into things that won’t last. The wise Christian is one who lives every day with bags packed, ready to move on when God directs and eager to vacate this world when our Father calls us home.” (3)
(1) Kendall, David W. “B. Act as God’s People (2:11-4:11)” In Asbury Bible Commentary. 1190. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1992.
(2) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [1 Peter 2:11-17] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(3) GotQuestions.org, “What is a sojourner in the Bible?” Retrieved 27 October, 2023 from https://www.gotquestions.org/sojourner-in-the-Bible.html