1 Peter — Chapter 2
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1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;
3if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious:
4unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,
5ye 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.
6Because 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.
7For 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;
8and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9But ye are a 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:
10who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul;
12having 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.
13Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord`s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
14or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.
15For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16as free, and 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 fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.
20For 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.
21For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:
24who 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.
25For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
2And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation,
3if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness.
4So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,
5you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.”
7So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,
8and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul,
12and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.
13Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme
14or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good.
15For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.
16Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves.
17Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.
18Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.
19For this finds God’s favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly.
20For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.
21For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.
22He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.
23When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.
24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.
25For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
1Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
2as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,
3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:
4coming 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 stone of stumbling, 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:
10who in time past were no 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 by your good works, which they see, 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:
16as free, and 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 fear; 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 to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
22who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
23Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, 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; by whose stripes you were healed.
25For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Summary
Believers are living stones built into a spiritual house, a royal priesthood and holy nation — Peter urges them to live honorably among pagans, submit to authorities, and follow Christ's example of suffering without retaliation.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers spiritual growth, the living stones, believer identity, submission to authority, and Christ's example of suffering.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "By His Stripes We Are Healed" on v.24 (MTP Vol. 11, No. 649) "His own self — not another, not an angel, not a priest — Himself. Bare our sins — carried them, bore their weight, suffered their penalty. In His own body — physically, really, not symbolically. On the tree — the cross, the cursed tree. That we, being dead to sins — the purpose: our death to sin. Should live unto righteousness — the goal: our life to God. By whose STRIPES ye were healed — His wounds are your medicine. His pain is your cure. His death is your life." Sermon: "A Royal Priesthood" on v.9 (MTP Vol. 20, No. 1200) "A chosen generation — chosen by God. A royal priesthood — kings and priests combined. An holy nation — set apart for God. A peculiar people — God's own possession. Four titles, four dignities, four responsibilities. You are not common — you are chosen, royal, holy, and specially owned. Live up to your identity."
Videos
The Bible Project — 1 Peter Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word" (v.2). Do you crave Scripture like a baby craves milk? Is your appetite for God's Word growing or diminishing?
- 2. "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood" (v.9). Do you live according to your identity — chosen, royal, holy, specially owned? Or do you live beneath your calling?
- 3. "Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (v.11). What fleshly desires are warring against your soul? Are you abstaining or indulging?
- 4. "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example" (v.21). When you suffer unjustly, do you follow Christ's pattern — no retaliation, no threats, committing yourself to God? Or do you fight back?
- 5. "By whose stripes ye were healed" (v.24). Christ's wounds healed yours. His suffering purchased your wholeness. Have you received this healing — spiritually, relationally, emotionally?