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.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Put Off Sin, Desire the Word

1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. ​
2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, ​
3
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Christ the Living Cornerstone

4
As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, ​
5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ​
6
For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” ​
7
To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
8
and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. ​
9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ​
10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ​

Live as Strangers and Pilgrims

11
Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. ​
12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. ​

Submission to Civil Authorities

13
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, ​
14
or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
15
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ​
16
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. ​
17
Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. ​

Christ's Example in Unjust Suffering

18
Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. ​
19
For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. ​
20
How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: ​
22
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” ​
23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. ​
24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” ​
25
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer 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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options