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10 Once you were not a people,
    but now you are God’s people.
Once you had not received mercy,
    but now you have received mercy.

God’s People in a Hostile World[a]

11 Lead a Good Life amidst Pagans.[b] Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles not to succumb to the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles so that, although they now malign you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:11 The author sets forth a few practical implications of what it means to be God’s people in a hostile world. Christians are to be submissive to others—to civil authority, to masters, and to spouses in imitation of Christ’s submissiveness. He ends up citing five virtues from Christ’s life that should be of help to all.
  2. 1 Peter 2:11 Christians are to be on their best behavior in the midst of pagans even if for a time they are greeted with criticism and hostility because they do not accept the morals of the age. On the day of the Lord’s arrival, everything will be made clear. While they wait for that day, Christians are on earth as a pilgrim people, i.e., they do not put their stamp of approval on any society and any culture.

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;(A) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

11 Dear friends,(B) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,(C) to abstain from sinful desires,(D) which wage war against your soul.(E) 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds(F) and glorify God(G) on the day he visits us.

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