1 Peter 2
Grow as a Newborn Child (2:1–3)
1 Therefore setting aside every evil and any deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, 2 hunger instinctively like newborn babes for the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow in it unto salvation; and 3 if you have done so, then you will “have tasted that the Lord is useful” [Ps. 34:8].
Become the People of God (2:4–10)
4 In that manner, come unto the Lord and to him alone, who is a living stone. While he has been rejected by men, he was chosen and honored by God. 5 And you yourselves are also like living stones set in place to construct a spiritual temple household, for the purposes of the holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God on account of Jesus Christ. 6 Indeed, this is contained in scripture: “Behold I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen cornerstone, honored, and he who trusts in him shall not be put to shame” [Isa. 28:16]. 7 Honor, therefore, is to you who are faithful. But to the unfaithful, “the stone, which the builders rejected, but which has become the head of the corner” [Ps. 118:22], has become 8 “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence” [Isa. 8:14], particularly to those who stumble upon the divine word, being disobedient even to the position to which they were appointed. 9 But you are a “chosen generation” [Isa. 43:20], a “royal priesthood” [Ex. 19:6], an “holy nation” [Exod. 19:6], a people that is “purchased of God” [Isa. 43:21; Ex. 19:5], so that you might proclaim the great goodness of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.10 You—who before were not a people—are now the people of God. You—who had not been given mercy—have now obtained mercy.
Avoid Problems with the Government (2:11–17)
11 Dearly beloved, I call upon you as a minority religious group to keep away from the desires of the flesh, especially those that war against the soul,12 and keep your public conduct beyond reproach so that even though people speak against you, calling you evildoers, when they come to know your good works, they shall glorify God in a day when he will oversee them. 13 Because of the Lord, stay in line with every political authority established by man, whether it be the king as the supreme authority 14 or governors in the capacity of those who are sent by him to punish evildoers and give praise to those who do well, 15 for it is the will of God that with well-doing you may put to silence the ignorance of imprudent men.16 Act as free men, not using liberty as a cloak or cover-up of evil but acting as servants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love your priesthood brethren. Revere your God. Honor your King.
Advice to Servants: Follow the Example of Christ’s Suffering (2:18–25)
18 Workers in the household, be submissive and respectful to those who are in charge, not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. 19 For in such a relationship, if you act with the conscious awareness of God, it is properly your duty to bear pain and suffering, even unjustly. 20 For what kind of good repute do you deserve if you endure beatings when you are at fault? But if you do good things and then endure sufferings, God will see your endurance as pleasing. 21 For unto this were you called, for indeed Christ suffered on your behalf, leaving us a master copy in order for us to follow closely in his footprints: 22 He “did nothing wrong, neither was guile found in his mouth” [Isa. 53:9]; 23 when reviled, he did not revile back; suffering, he did not threaten; but committed himself to God who judges righteously. 24 He “himself has borne our sins” [Isa. 53:4] in his body “upon the tree” [Deut. 21:22], so that we, having departed from the life of sins, should live in righteousness; and he “by whose stripes you were healed” [Isa. 53:5], 25 for you were “as sheep going astray” [Isa. 53:6], but now you are fully converted to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
