1 Peter2
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
2as newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that with it you may grow,
3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4Come to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
5You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious. He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
7For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,”
8and, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
12having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation.
13Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme,
14or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.
15For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
16Live as free people, yet not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
17Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
19For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
20For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.
21For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
22who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
23When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.
24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.
25For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Peter 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A temper suitable to the Christian character as born again, is recommended. (1–10). Holy conversation among the Gentiles directed. (11, 12). Subjects exhorted to pay all proper obedience to their civil governors. (13–17). Also servants to their masters, and all to be patient, according to the example of the suffering Saviour. (18–25).
vv1-10
Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart; and hinders our profiting by the word of God. A new life needs suitable food. Infants desire milk, and make the best endeavours for it which they are able to do; such must be a Christian's desires after the word of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is very merciful to us miserable sinners; and he has a fulness of grace. But even the best of God's servants, in this life, have only a taste of the consolations of God. Christ is called a Stone, to teach his servants that he is their protection and security, the foundation on which they are built. He is precious in the excellence of his nature, the dignity of his office, and the glory of his services. All true believers are a holy priesthood; sacred to God, serviceable to others, endowed with heavenly gifts and graces. But the most spiritual sacrifices of the best in prayer and praise are not acceptable, except through Jesus Christ. Christ is the chief Corner-stone, that unites the whole number of believers into one everlasting temple, and bears the weight of the whole fabric. Elected, or chosen, for a foundation that is everlasting. Precious beyond compare, by all that can give worth. To be built on Christ means, to believe in him; but in this many deceive themselves, they consider not what it is, nor the necessity of it, to partake of the salvation he has wrought. Though the frame of the world were falling to pieces, that man who is built on this foundation may hear it without fear. He shall not be confounded. The believing soul makes haste to Christ, but it never finds cause to hasten from him. All true Christians are a chosen generation; they make one family, a people distinct from the world: of another spirit, principle, and practice; which they could never be, if they were not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit. Their first state is a state of gross darkness, but they are called out of darkness into a state of joy, pleasure, and prosperity; that they should show forth the praises of the Lord by their profession of his truth, and their good conduct. How vast their obligations to Him who has made them his people, and has shown mercy to them! To be without this mercy is a woful state, though a man have all worldly enjoyments. And there is nothing that so kindly works repentance, as right thoughts of the mercy and love of God. Let us not dare to abuse and affront the free grace of God, if we mean to be saved by it; but let all who would be found among those who obtain mercy, walk as his people.
vv11-12
Even the best of men, the chosen generation, the people of God, need to be exhorted to keep from the worst sins. And fleshly lusts are most destructive to man's soul. It is a sore judgment to be given up to them. There is a day of visitation coming, wherein God may call to repentance by his word and his grace; then many will glorify God, and the holy lives of his people will have promoted the happy change.
vv13-17
A Christian conversation must be honest; which it cannot be, if there is not a just and careful discharge of all relative duties: the apostle here treats of these distinctly. Regard to those duties is the will of God, consequently, the Christian's duty, and the way to silence the base slanders of ignorant and foolish men. Christians must endeavour, in all relations, to behave aright, that they do not make their liberty a cloak or covering for any wickedness, or for the neglect of duty; but they must remember that they are servants of God.
Key Words
οὖν (oûn): (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἀποτίθημι (apotíthēmi): to put away (literally or figuratively)
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
κακία (kakía): badness, i.e. (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δόλος (dólos): compare G1185 (δελεάζω)); a trick (bait), i.e. (figuratively) wile
ὑπόκρισις (hypókrisis): acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy")
φθόνος (phthónos): ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy (spite)
καταλαλία (katalalía): defamation
ὡς (hōs): which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Cross References
1 Peter 2Peter explicitly quotes this messianic foundation stone prophecy ("Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone").
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter quotes this verse verbatim regarding the stone disallowed by the builders becoming the head corner.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Verbal echo of God's covenant promise that His people would be a "kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter adapts Hosea's prophecy concerning "not my people" becoming "the people of God."
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Quoted verbatim: "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth."
Supported by JFB
Prophetic source for Christ's silent endurance under accusation, reviling not again.
Supported by JFB
Directly quoted for the famous substitutionary clause: "by whose stripes ye were healed."
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The clear textual source of Peter's description of "sheep going astray."
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Peter directly alludes to the wording "taste and see that the Lord is good/gracious."
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct verbal source for the "stone of stumbling and a rock of offence."
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ explicitly sets an example of humble service and suffering for his disciples to follow.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel instruction to lay aside all filthiness/malice and receive the word.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the metaphor of spiritual milk, but with different focal points regarding maturity.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Theological parallel of believers built upon Christ as the chief cornerstone into a holy temple.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's parallel synthesis of Isaiah 28:16 and Isaiah 8:14 regarding the stumbling stone.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's systematic instruction on submitting to governing authorities for the Lord's sake.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Christ's absolute sinlessness linked directly to Him bearing our sins.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ as the supreme pattern of enduring hostility and shame while looking to God.
Supported by JFB
Old Testament law identifying crucifixion on "the tree" with bearing a curse and guilt.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identifies Christ as the "great Shepherd of the sheep," reinforcing the recovery theme.
Supported by JFB
Christ's foundational call for believers to become humble and simple like little children.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Illuminates the self-identity of believers as "strangers and pilgrims" on the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels the warning not to abuse Christian liberty as an excuse or cloak for sin.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel exhortation to servants to be obedient and subject to their masters.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter reiterates that since Christ suffered in the flesh, we must arm ourselves likewise.
Supported by JFB
Christ on the cross actively committing His spirit to His righteous Father.
Supported by JFB
Theological parallel: being dead to sin in order to live unto righteousness.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Christ names Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Old Testament prayer of a straying sheep seeking to be sought and returned.
Supported by JFB