1. This term was applied to any sojourning among the Israelites, who were not descendants of Israel. The law gave injunctions against the oppression of such. Numbers 15:14-30 .

2. Gentiles are also called 'strangers' from the covenants of promise ( Ephesians 2:12 ), showing that the covenants made with Israel did in no wise embrace the Gentiles, though God's grace at all times extended to them.

3. Those called strangers in 1 Peter 1:1 were Jews away from their own land: sojourners of the dispersion.

4. Both the O.T. and the N.T. saints were and are strangers upon earth. David said, "I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were." Psalm 39:12 . They "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Hebrews 11:13 . The same is true of the saints now. 1 Peter 2:11 . Their citizenship is in heaven, and this earth is no longer their home or their rest.