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.

Put Off Sin, Desire the Word

1
Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, ​
2
as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow, ​
3
if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

Christ the Living Cornerstone

4
coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. ​
5
You 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 Yeshua the Messiah. ​
6
Because 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.” ​
7
For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone,”
8
and, “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. ​
9
But 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: ​
10
who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. ​

Live as Strangers and Pilgrims

11
Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ​
12
having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. ​

Submission to Civil Authorities

13
Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; ​
14
or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.
15
For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ​
16
as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. ​
17
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ​

Christ's Example in Unjust Suffering

18
Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. ​
19
For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. ​
20
For 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.
21
For to this you were called, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, ​
22
who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” ​
23
Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; ​
24
who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. ​
25
For you were going astray like sheep; but now 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