11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
The words “dearly beloved” are the translation of one word in Greek, plural in number, the distinctive word used of God’s divine love. … While it is Peter writing, yet it is the great God of the universe saying to His blood-bought children, “I beg of you, please.” — Wuest, page 58.
__________
The word “stranger” [sojourners] is the translation of a Greek word meaning “to have one’s home alongside of.” “Pilgrims” is from a word which literally means “to settle down alongside of pagans.” — Wuest, page 58
__________
As “strangers” these sojourners longed for their homeland. Although they never saw the fulfillment of the promises in their lifetime, these believes will enjoy the blessings of the Promised Land in the resurrection. For the them then present, Peter’s countrymen were “pilgrims,” that is, resident foreigners among the Gentiles which meant they had no rights. — Sadler, page 85.
abstain (v.11) = lit. “hold yourself constantly back from”
lusts (v.11) = lit. “craving, strong desires,” good or bad, depending upon the context. Peter used it here of bad, sinful cravings.
“Having” has a durative aspect in the Greek. It is a steady holding of our conversation up to a certain standard. “Conversation” [conduct] is the translation of Greek word speaking of one’s manner of life. … The word “honest” [honorable] is the translation of a Geek word that speaks of goodness which is beautiful, an outer goodness that strikes the eye. Our manner of life is honest when our lives are in accordance with what we are inwardly, cleansed. — Wuest, page 59.
Gentiles (v.12) — In spite of the attempts of many commentators and preachers to make this word mean “unsaved” (in contrast to the Church, the Body of Christ), it’s the same word used throughout the New Testament to refer to anyone not a Jew. When Paul wrote “For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles …” (Romans 11:13), he used this word. Obviously, he wasn’t just using the word to mean unsaved because his readers in the church in Rome were saved Gentiles. When he wrote, “That He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles …” (Romans 9:24), he used this word. Again, the Gentiles mentioned in this verse were saved.
Yes, in some contexts, it refers to people who are unsaved, but in all contexts, it refers to people who are not Jews. So this is yet more evidence that Peter was writing to Jews and not to the church.
speak against (v.12) = criticize
The word “visitation” is the translation of the Greek word which is also rendered “bishop, overseer.” It means “to observe, inspect, oversee” in its verb form, and “one who oversees or observes,” in its noun form which is used here. The day of visitation is “the day of looking upon.” Wherever this word is used in the New Testament and translated “visit” or “visitation,” it refers to the visitation of God’s mercy and grace. Here it refers to the day when … God shall look upon these wanderers as a pastor over his flock, and shall become the overlooker or bishop of their souls. The same Greek word is translated [“Overseer”] in 2:25. — Wuest, page 60.
__________