1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2 is a continuation of Peter’s encouragement to believers about their identity in Christ and how they should live in response. This chapter highlights the believers’ status as God’s chosen people and their call to live as examples of holiness and righteousness in a world that is often hostile to their faith. Peter also addresses the importance of submitting to authority and enduring suffering with Christlike character.

1 Peter 2:1 (NKJV):
"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,"

Peter begins with a call to action, urging believers to cast off sinful attitudes and behaviors. These vices—malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander—destroy relationships and hinder spiritual growth. Believers must actively reject such harmful practices to foster love and unity within the Christian community. By abandoning these negative traits, Christians reflect the transformation that the gospel brings, living as new creations who seek purity in thought, word, and action.

1 Peter 2:2-3 (NKJV):
"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

Just as a newborn craves milk for sustenance and growth, believers should long for the Word of God as their spiritual nourishment. This desire for God’s truth helps them grow in maturity, strengthening their faith and character. Peter reminds them that since they have experienced the Lord's goodness, they should hunger for more of His grace through the study of Scripture, which sustains and transforms their lives.

1 Peter 2:4-5 (NKJV):
"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Peter draws on imagery from the Old Testament, describing Jesus as a "living stone," rejected by men but precious to God. Believers, too, are likened to living stones, being built into a spiritual house—a temple of God. As part of this holy priesthood, they are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, such as worship, service, and righteous living, made acceptable to God through Christ. This emphasizes the believers' active role in God's work and their collective identity as His people.

1 Peter 2:6-8 (NKJV):
"Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.' Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.' They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed."

Peter quotes Old Testament prophecies to show that Jesus is the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan. For those who believe, Jesus is precious and the foundation of their faith. However, for those who reject Him, He becomes a stumbling block, as their refusal to accept the truth leads to their downfall. The disobedient stumble over Christ because they reject the very foundation that could bring them salvation and eternal life.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV):
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

Peter contrasts the fate of unbelievers with the identity of believers. Christians are described as a "chosen generation" and a "royal priesthood," set apart to proclaim God's glory. Once alienated from God, they are now His people, recipients of His mercy and grace. Their transformation from darkness to light compels them to live in a way that glorifies God, reflecting His character and purpose to the world.

1 Peter 2:11-12 (NKJV):
"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation."

Peter reminds believers that they are temporary residents in this world, with their true home being in heaven. He urges them to resist sinful desires that wage war against their souls and to live honorably among unbelievers. Though Christians may face false accusations, their godly behavior can lead others to recognize the truth and glorify God, particularly when they witness the believers' integrity and good works.

1 Peter 2:13-14 (NKJV):
"Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good."

Peter instructs believers to submit to earthly authorities for the sake of the Lord, recognizing that governing bodies are established by God to maintain order and justice. By honoring and obeying the laws of the land, Christians demonstrate their commitment to righteousness and their respect for God's design for societal order. This submission, however, is always in the context of honoring God first.

1 Peter 2:15-16 (NKJV):
"For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God."

Peter highlights that it is God’s will for believers to do good, and in doing so, they can disarm and silence those who are ignorant and critical of their faith. Though Christians are free from the bondage of sin, they should not misuse this freedom as an excuse for sinful behavior. Instead, they are to live as servants of God, using their liberty to honor Him and show others the goodness of a life dedicated to Christ.

1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV):
"Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

This verse is a summary of how Christians are to interact with others. Peter calls for believers to respect all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. They are to especially love their fellow believers, showing a deep commitment to the Christian community. Additionally, they are to revere God above all and honor the king or governing authorities as a demonstration of their respect for the structures God has put in place.

1 Peter 2:18-19 (NKJV):
"Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully."

Peter addresses servants, urging them to submit to their masters, even if their masters are harsh or unjust. This submission is to be done out of reverence for God, not because of the worthiness of the master. When a servant endures suffering unjustly for the sake of their conscience before God, it is seen as commendable in God's eyes. It mirrors the suffering of Christ, who also endured injustice with grace.

1 Peter 2:20 (NKJV):
"For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God."

Peter makes a distinction between suffering for wrongdoing and suffering for doing good. There is no merit in enduring punishment when one has done wrong, but when a person suffers unjustly for doing what is right and patiently endures, God takes notice. Such suffering is an opportunity to display Christlike character, and God honors those who persevere in righteousness despite opposition.

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NKJV):
"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 'Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth'; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;"

Peter reminds believers that they are called to follow Christ’s example, especially in suffering. Jesus, though innocent, suffered unjustly, yet He did not retaliate or threaten His oppressors. Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, the righteous Judge. By following Christ’s example of humility, endurance, and trust in God, believers can face trials with confidence, knowing that God sees and will ultimately bring justice.

1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV):
"Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed."

Peter emphasizes the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, where He bore the weight of humanity’s sins. Through His sacrifice, believers have died to sin and are empowered to live lives of righteousness. The phrase "by whose stripes you were healed" refers to the spiritual healing and restoration that Christ’s suffering and death bring. His sacrifice not only saves believers from sin but also enables them to walk in newness of life.

1 Peter 2:25 (NKJV):
"For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

Peter concludes by reminding believers of their past state—lost like sheep without direction. However, through Christ, they have returned to the care of the true Shepherd and Overseer of their souls. This image of Christ as the Shepherd evokes both His guiding care and His authority. It is a comforting reminder that those who once wandered aimlessly are now under the loving protection and leadership of Jesus.