1 Peter 2 Commentary

Peter instructs believers who have experienced the grace of God to set aside their sinful natures and stop behaviors that destroy our relationships with others. Putting away these hateful behaviors, like envy and slander, we should instead commit to read and understand God’s word to grow in spiritual maturity.

Peter uses the illustration of believers being like living stones building a spiritual house—the church of Jesus. Jesus is the most valuable stone upon which we build our lives. We point others to Him through acts of service and love.

Peter quotes Isaiah and the psalms to demonstrate that Jesus is the perfect cornerstone upon which the spiritual building of believers is being built. By faith, we gain benefit in Jesus the Cornerstone, but through disobedience to the word we lose that benefit and stumble over Him.

Peter describes the incredible position believers have in Christ as members of a royal family. Each believer has an appointment as a priest in God’s spiritual kingdom. Understanding the mercy which He granted us should lead us to turn aside from darkness and walk in His light, so that we can declare God’s goodness to the rest of the world.

Since our future is with Jesus in His kingdom, Peter challenges believers to have an eternal perspective which will motivate us to live holy lives and avoid sin. Even people hostile to Jesus and His followers will be silenced if believers have integrity, such that those who slandered believers might themselves change their minds, believe in the Messiah, and praise God when Jesus returns.

Since our true home is with Jesus in His kingdom, we should live in peace with the authorities on earth. Peter exhorts his readers to submit to earthly governments for the purpose of silencing the ignorance of foolish people. If we live with good character as good citizens, it will be difficult and inaccurate for anyone to speak badly of believers in Jesus.

Peter instructs believers to use our freedom to be effective servants of God. Rather than abuse God’s grace and live sinfully, we ought to dedicate our choices to God’s will. We can do this by treating all people, unbelievers and especially believers, with honor and love. We should live in submission to the highest human authority in our earthly life, but our ultimate king whom we should seek to please is God.

Peter addresses the Christian slave’s responsibility to submit to his master’s authority. This submission must be done regardless of the personality of his master, even if it means having to endure unjust sufferings for doing the right thing. If may be painful, yet worthwhile because he will be rewarded by God.

In God’s perfect plan, He invites believers to suffer for the sake of Christ, even if it means suffering unjustly. Jesus suffered for us, providing a model for us to follow. He always did and said the right thing. Even while the Savior suffered, He did not try to get even or take revenge but trusted God, because God is the ultimate righteous judge and will right all wrongs with perfect judgment.

Jesus Christ’s death on the cross paid the penalty for all our sins, freeing us from the power of our sinful natures. Because His death has healed us spiritually, we can now live to please God with our actions. It is as though we are sheep, and Jesus is our shepherd and protector who leads us to live rightly before God to our health and benefit.