1 Peter 2 11

1 Peter 2:11 kjv

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

1 Peter 2:11 nkjv

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

1 Peter 2:11 niv

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:11 esv

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:11 nlt

Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

1 Peter 2 verses

1 Peter 2 11 Meaning

First Peter 2:11 serves as an exhortation for believers, addressed as God's dearly loved ones. It calls them to live with an understanding of their temporary residence on earth, acknowledging they are not truly at home in this world. This transient identity demands a spiritual discipline: actively refraining from desires that stem from their fallen nature. These "fleshly lusts" are personified as waging a relentless war against the innermost being, the soul, thereby threatening their spiritual well-being and their witness in a hostile world. The verse stresses the internal struggle and the necessary commitment to a life distinct from the world's ways.

1 Peter 2 11 Context

First Peter chapter 2 flows from an overarching theme of Christian identity and conduct in a hostile world. Earlier in the chapter, Peter encourages believers to "crave pure spiritual milk" for growth (2:2) and to "be built up as a spiritual house" (2:5), emphasizing their identity as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people" (2:9). This divine identity stands in stark contrast to their earthly status. Verse 11 serves as a bridge, transitioning from a declaration of their high calling to practical admonitions regarding ethical behavior in their earthly sojourn. It lays the groundwork for subsequent instructions on submitting to human authorities and enduring suffering for righteousness' sake (2:13-25). Historically, the letter addresses scattered Christians, primarily Gentiles, facing social pressures and potential slander in Roman provinces of Asia Minor. This instruction is particularly pertinent as they navigate life as a spiritual minority in a pagan society, where distinct practices and beliefs might invite suspicion or scorn.

1 Peter 2 11 Word analysis

• Beloved (Ἀγαπητοί - Agapetoi): This is a term of endearment, signaling Peter's deep affection for his readers and affirming their standing as objects of God's love. It sets a pastoral and gentle tone for the exhortation, grounding the command in relationship rather than harsh obligation.
• strangers (παροίκους - paroikous): Refers to someone dwelling in a foreign land, a sojourner, an alien resident without full citizenship rights. They have a temporary home but are not native to the place. It emphasizes their social marginality and temporary status in the earthly realm.
• pilgrims (παρεπιδήμους - parepidemous): Literally "one who stays for a short time," a transient sojourner or foreign resident who has come from another place. It stresses an even greater degree of temporariness and detachment from the earthly dwelling. Together with "strangers," it underscores the Christian's ultimate citizenship is elsewhere, highlighting a profound sense of otherness.
• abstain (ἀπέχεσθαι - apechesthai): Means to hold oneself away from, to keep off, or to refrain entirely. It implies a deliberate and disciplined act of self-control, a conscious rejection of something harmful or inappropriate for believers. It's an ongoing, active choice, not passive avoidance.
• fleshly lusts (σαρκικῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν - sarkikon epithymion): "Fleshly" (sarkikon) refers not merely to the physical body but to the sinful human nature, alienated from God and prone to evil desires. "Lusts" (epithymion) are strong desires or cravings, which, in this context, are unholy and destructive. These are urges that originate from the unregenerate self, operating in opposition to the Spirit.
• war (στρατεύονται - strateuontai): This verb means "to serve as a soldier," "to engage in battle," or "to campaign." It paints a vivid picture of intense, active hostility and a strategic, continuous assault. It’s not a skirmish but an ongoing campaign.
• soul (ψυχῆς - psychēs): In the Greek context, psychē can mean life, breath, or the seat of consciousness, will, and emotion—the core of one's being. Here, it signifies the spiritual, eternal part of a person, against which sinful desires wage a damaging campaign, aiming to corrupt and ultimately destroy spiritual life and well-being.
• Beloved, I urge you as strangers and pilgrims: This phrase highlights the foundational identity that underpins the exhortation. Because believers are aliens to this world and citizens of heaven, their conduct must reflect that higher allegiance. Their transient status dictates a lifestyle separate from the world's ways.
• to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against your soul: This clause identifies the specific danger and the required response. The exhortation to abstain is a command for spiritual warfare. It implies that these internal desires are not passive urges but aggressive enemies constantly attacking the core spiritual identity and integrity of the believer, aiming to divert them from their true home and purpose.

1 Peter 2 11 Bonus section

The instruction in 1 Peter 2:11 to "abstain from fleshly lusts" also carries the implicit meaning that such abstinence is essential for believers to effectively "maintain good conduct among the Gentiles" (v. 12). The battle waged by fleshly lusts against the soul directly impacts external behavior and testimony. When these desires are not kept in check, they lead to actions that contradict Christian principles and thus diminish their evangelistic witness. The idea of Christians as sojourners resonates deeply with the Old Testament concept of the people of Israel as gerim (strangers) and toshavim (sojourners) in various lands, continually reminded that their ultimate inheritance and belonging were with God in His promised land. This rich theological heritage emphasizes God's sovereign guidance and protection of His people during their earthly pilgrimage.

1 Peter 2 11 Commentary

First Peter 2:11 is a crucial ethical instruction rooted in eschatological identity. Peter commands believers to actively separate from destructive worldly desires because their true home is not on earth. The concept of being "strangers and pilgrims" is foundational; it means believers are temporary residents in a world not their own, implying a detached perspective on its values and a deep longing for their true, heavenly homeland. This understanding empowers them to "abstain" — a strong, continuous effort of self-control against "fleshly lusts." These lusts are not just passive temptations but active, internal adversaries, "waging war" against the very essence of their being, their soul. The struggle is serious, constant, and directed at the spiritual life of the individual. Therefore, ethical conduct is not merely moralistic but a necessary aspect of spiritual self-preservation and consistent witness for those living "in exile" awaiting Christ's return. It emphasizes that while Christians live in the world, they are not of the world, demanding a holy distinction that is visible to those around them.