1 Peter 2
2 Peter 2 emphasizes a new identity as Christians and practical life based on it. After mentioning faith as those who have been born again in the previous chapter, Chapter 2 shows the need for believers to grow spiritually and the concept of a “spiritual house” built with Jesus Christ at the center. It also goes on to discuss guidance for believers’ social and moral life and the attitude of keeping goodness even amid suffering.
1versePutting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
2verseas newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that with it you may grow,
3verseif indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4verseCome to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
5verseYou 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.
6verseBecause 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.”
7verseFor you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,”
8verseand, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
9verseBut 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.
10verseIn the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11verseBeloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
12versehaving good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation.
13verseTherefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme,
14verseor to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.
15verseFor this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
16verseLive as free people, yet not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
17verseHonor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18verseServants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
19verseFor it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
20verseFor 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.
21verseFor you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
22versewho didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
23verseWhen he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.
24verseHe himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.
25verseFor you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Spiritual Growth and New Identity of the Saints (Verses 1-10)
The opening section (verses 1-3) encourages believers to grow by discarding old habits and sinful ways and by longing for God’s Word. In the following verses (4-10), it describes the identity of the saints as a “spiritual house,” a community built on Jesus Christ as the “cornerstone.” It proclaims that the saints have been called as a “royal priesthood,” a “holy nation,” and “God’s possession,” and it makes clear that their purpose is to praise and testify to God.
Right Living in This World: Obedience and Good Works (Verses 11-17)
Verses 11-12 emphasize the identity of believers as “aliens” and “strangers,” urging them to keep their conduct pure in the midst of spiritual warfare. Verses 13-17 speak about obeying the world’s systems and authorities. It focuses importantly on living a life that does not do evil for the sake of God’s will under improper power, and that follows a good conscience.
Following the Example Even in Suffering (Verses 18-25)
Verses 18-25 begin with the reality of slaves and servants of that time, but fundamentally they present what attitude every believer should have when faced with suffering and unfair treatment. Jesus, too, suffered and endured without sin, and he served as an example by entrusting himself to God; the passage emphasizes that believers must put this kind of endurance and goodness into practice in everyday life.
Meditation Points
- Am I abandoning my old habits of speech and behavior in my life of faith?
- What can I do to help the community I belong to be built as a spiritual house?
- When facing difficult circumstances or unfairness, how can I learn to imitate Jesus’ endurance and love?
Apply It to Yourself
- As we reflect on our true identity and calling in the Word, let us think about ways to carry out our mission as a royal priesthood.
- In daily life, consider how we can obey authority with the right attitude and live in a way that creates good influence.
- When we face suffering or unfair treatment, let us look to Jesus and seek wisdom and strength to endure the situation with patience and love.
