1. 1 Peter 2:11–12 (ESV)
  2. Structure and outline

The connection of 1 Peter 2:11–12 to 1 Peter 1:3—2:10

1 Peter 2:11–12 (ESV)

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

Peter’s letter has three main sections (aside from the introduction, 1 Peter 1:1–2 and the conclusion, 1 Peter 5:12–14):

  1. The opening section, describing the blessed identity of his readers (1 Peter 1:3 – 2:10)

  2. How persons of that identity are to live in this world (1 Peter 2:11 – 4:11)

  3. What comfort suffering Christians may have (1 Peter 4:12 – 5:11).

The present verses form Peter’s introduction to the second (and central) part of his letter. It is precisely because those readers have the blessed identity described in 1 Peter 1:3 – 2:10 that they need to live publicly the sort of life outlined in 1 Peter 2:11 – 4:11.