1 Peter2

First Peter chapter two exhorts believers to shed evil and desire spiritual growth, presenting Christ as the living cornerstone, rejected by men but precious to God. Believers, as a chosen people and royal priesthood, are called to live honorably among Gentiles and submit to human authorities for the Lord's sake. The chapter concludes by urging patient endurance of suffering, following Christ's sinless example, who bore their sins and returned them to the Shepherd of their souls.

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Put Off Sin, Desire the Word

Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;

if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

Christ the Living Cornerstone

unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,

ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;

and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Live as Strangers and Pilgrims

Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Submission to Civil Authorities

Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;

or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Christ's Example in Unjust Suffering

Servants, bein subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:

who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Study Notes for 1 Peter 2

Verse 1

Peter begins the practical application of the gospel by listing five destructive interpersonal sins that must be actively 'laid aside' for spiritual maturity to occur.

Verse 2

The 'sincere milk of the word' implies pure, unadulterated teaching. Like newborns, believers must crave consistent spiritual nourishment to ensure growth into salvation.

Verse 4

Christ is called the 'living stone,' contrasting Him with the dead stones of the physical temple. He was rejected by human religious authorities ('disallowed of men') but chosen by God to be precious.

Verse 5

Believers are 'lively stones,' participating in Christ's life and forming the new 'spiritual house' (the church). They function as a 'holy priesthood,' offering spiritual sacrifices (worship, obedience, service) rather than animal sacrifices.

Verse 6

This verse cites Isaiah 28:16, confirming that Christ’s role as the foundation stone was prophesied and guarantees security for those who trust in Him.

Verse 8

Citing Isaiah 8:14 and Psalm 118:22, Peter shows that Christ is either the foundation of faith or the obstacle to unbelief. Those who reject the Word find Christ a 'stone of stumbling.'

Verse 9

Peter applies terminology originally used for Israel (Exodus 19:5-6) to the New Testament church (both Jew and Gentile). This defines the church’s corporate identity as those chosen to proclaim God’s redemptive work.

Verse 10

Citing Hosea 1:6, 9 and 2:23, Peter highlights the transformative power of God’s mercy, noting that those who were outsiders are now formally recognized as God's people.

Verse 11

Christians are reminded that they are resident aliens ('strangers and pilgrims') in this world, which necessitates abstaining from desires that harm the soul and conflict with their heavenly citizenship.

Verse 12

Conduct ('conversation') must be honorable among non-believers. The goal is that even hostile observers, seeing good deeds, might eventually 'glorify God'—perhaps at a future judgment or conversion.

Verse 13

Submission to governing structures is mandatory 'for the Lord's sake.' This is an ethical mandate that treats obedience to human law as an act of obedience to God, who established authority.

Verse 15

Well-doing is presented as a strategic tool to silence the unfounded accusations and 'ignorance' of those who slander Christians.

Verse 16

Christian liberty (freedom in Christ) must not be used as an excuse ('cloke') for malicious behavior or disregard for social order, but rather as an opportunity to serve God.

Verse 17

This verse provides four concise ethical commands summarizing the Christian’s duty to society (honor all), the church (love the brotherhood), and God (fear God), concluding with respect for the state (honor the king).

Verse 18

Peter now addresses household servants or slaves ('servants/oiketai'). They are commanded to submit even to 'froward' (unjust, difficult) masters, setting up the theological parallel with Christ’s suffering.

Verse 19

'Thankworthy' (charis) means pleasing or commendable to God. Suffering unjustly for the sake of conscience toward God earns divine commendation.

Verse 21

Unjust suffering is part of the Christian calling, designed to follow the pattern ('example') left by Christ, who suffered perfectly and innocently.

Verse 22

Peter quotes Isaiah 53:9, emphasizing Christ's absolute sinlessness, which makes His suffering the ultimate example of enduring injustice.

Verse 23

Christ modeled patient endurance by refusing to retaliate when reviled, instead entrusting Himself to God, the righteous Judge.

Verse 24

This verse presents the substitutionary atonement (Christ bearing our sins on the cross) and its dual purpose: freedom from sin ('dead to sins') and empowerment for righteous living ('live unto righteousness').

Verse 25

The chapter concludes by contrasting the believers' former state of spiritual wandering with their current state of security, having returned to Christ, the 'Shepherd and Bishop' (Overseer/Guardian) of their souls.

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1 Peter2

Put Off Sin, Desire the Word

Christ the Living Cornerstone

Live as Strangers and Pilgrims

Submission to Civil Authorities

Christ's Example in Unjust Suffering

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