1.
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Verse 2
As newborn babes; referring to the mode of expression adopted in of the preceding chapter.--Desire the sincere milk of the word; desire constant instruction in the principles of religious truth and duty.
3.
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Verse 3
Have tasted, &c.; have begun to experience the grace of God.
4.
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Verse 4
Living; durable, permanent.
5.
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Verse 5
A spiritual house; a spiritual temple. The meaning is that the community of believers forms such a spiritual temple, Jesus Christ being the corner-stone.--A holy priesthood. The metaphor is here suddenly changed,--the followers of Christ being now represented, not as the building, but as the priests officiating in it.
6.
Wherefore 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.
Verse 6
Elect; chosen.
1 Peter 2:7,1 Peter 2:8. The head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, &c. The meaning is, that the stone, being placed prominently and conspicuously at the corner, was at the same time a chief support of the building, and also an exposed projection, against which the careless would be most in danger of coming into collision, as it were; that is, a rock which they run against.--Whereunto; that is, to the destruction above described. (See Luke 22:22.Romans 9:17-19.)
7.
Unto 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,
8.
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9.
But 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:
10.
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Verse 10
Were not a people; a people of God.
11.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12.
Having 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.
Verse 12
Your conversation; your conduct and demeanor.--In the day of visitation. It is uncertain what the sacred writer intended by this expression, though a great many conjectural interpretations have been offered by commentators.
13.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Verse 13
Of man; that is, of the civil government.
14.
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16.
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17.
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Verse 17
Honor all men; treat them with the respect and the consideration which are their due.
18.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
Verse 18
These servants were in bondage. They are required to be submissive to their masters, and patient under the ills of their lot; for, however great may have been the wrongs they suffered, either in the very fact of being unjustly held in bondage by their masters, or in the particular acts of oppression which individuals endured, resistance, disobedience, or sullenness, on their part, would only have aggravated the evil.
19.
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20.
For 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.
Verse 20
Buffeted; reproached or punished in any way.
21.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Verse 21
For even hereunto; that is, for this purpose, namely, that you might exhibit a spirit of patient endurance, under the pressure of injustice and suffering, in accordance with the example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
22.
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23.
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24.
Who 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.
Verse 24
Bare our sins; the penalty for our sins.--By whose stripes; by means of whose stripes.
25.
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.