In 1 Peter 2:11, the word “pilgrims” in the Greek is “parepidemos” (Strong’s 3927), which is a combination of three words: para — (alongside of), epi – (upon), demos — (people of a foreign country or city).The term is defined as (#1) “One who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives”; (#4) “in the NT metaph. in reference to heaven as the native country, one who sojourns on earth.”
Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia Of The Bible defines pilgrim as, “One who stays in a place as a stranger or visitor; to describe Christians whose final citizenship is in heaven and who are regarded as temporary dwellers on earth.”
Beloved, with reference to life on this earth, we are merely strangers and pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13-16), just passing through on a temporary visa, and we dare not allow earthly lusts to take control or win the battle for our souls (1 Peter 2:11-12; cf. Psalm 39:7-13).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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