Pilgrims Passing Through

1 Peter 1:1

It has been said that a vagabond has no home, a stranger is away from home, and a pilgrim is on his way home.[1] The word pilgrim can be simply understood as one who is on a journey in a foreign land. A pilgrim lives somewhere that is not their permanent home. They may live there for a while, but their citizenship is somewhere else. The apostle Peter in his first epistle applies the term pilgrim to a group of Christians who lived in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). While this may at first seem to be an unusual term for a Christian, as we look more closely, we discover it fits perfectly well.

In Peter’s first epistle, he is writing to Christians in Asia Minor who are experiencing a variety of difficulties such as rejection and hostility. As they seek to live in this type of environment, Peter reminds them that even though they are strangers on earth, they are never strangers to God. Peter is in good company with this line of thought. The Apostle Paul uses a similar phrase in Philippians 3:20 stating that Christians’ citizenship is ultimately in heaven. We also find this concept in the book of Genesis in regard to Abraham (Heb. 11:8-16).

“In Peter’s view, his readers were sojourners, that is people scattered throughout a specific region. In his thinking, heaven is the real home of the Christian, and he is in this world only temporarily.”^[2]

Peter’s use of the word “pilgrim” originates from the Greek word parepídēmos from which we get the English translations alien, pilgrim, and sojourner. This root word reinforces that believers are temporary residents whose ultimate allegiance and identity lie elsewhere. Christians are like pilgrims who live on earth but belong to heaven. What a beautiful truth to open a letter dealing with the difficult subject of suffering. These Christians who lived in this region were living in a “foreign” land. They should not be surprised then that they stand out and are often unjustly misunderstood. This also serves to remind them that they needed to live with eyes and hearts focused on their true home.

“This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue; The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.”^[3]

Like those Christians Peter was originally addressed, this is a good reminder that we should never feel fully at home on earth. It also changes our perspective by refocusing our attention on eternal things. So often we are consumed with earthly concerns; instead, may we grow in grace so that our lives honor Him. We can do this by reflecting Christ in a world that knows Him not. And then, while suffering, we can remember that we will one day be in a true home with the Lord.

Lord, often I am prone to think in terms of the world and culture around me. I confess that I often try to fit into a world that simply is not my permanent home. Help me to live as a citizen of my true home, in heaven with You. Amen.

[1] Roy Zuck. The Speaker’s Quote Book, pg. 384.

[2] Lou Barberi. First & Second Peter, pg. 44.

[3] “This World Is Not My Home, I'm Just a Passing Through." Hymnary.org accessed on August 15, 2026.