Bible Commentaries
1 Peter 2

Verse 1

All [πασαν - παντα] . Lit., every, or all manner of.

Evil - speaking [καταλαλιας] . Lit., speakings against. A rare word. Only here and 2 Corinthians 12:20.

Verse 2

New - born [αρτιγεννητα] . Peculiar to Peter, and only in this passage. Lit., born but just now [αρτι] .

Babes [βρεφη] . The word signifying peculiarly a child at birth, or of tender years. See Luke 18:15; Acts 7:19. Of the infant Jesus, Luke 2:12,

1 Peter 2:16Here marking the recency of Christian life in the converts addressed. Desire [επιποθησατε] . The compound is intensive; earnestly desire. So Rev., long for. Compare Philippians 2:26.

The sincere milk of the word [το λογικον αδολον γαλα] . The A. V. has rendered logikon, of the word; but wrongly. It describes the quality of the milk as spiritual or rational, as opposed to liberal and ceremonial. In the only other place where it occurs (Romans 12:1) it is rendered reasonable; which Rev. gives here in margin.

Sincere [αδολον] is another epithet of the milk. Lit., without guile, unadulterated. Compare guile in ver. 1. Laying aside guile, desire the guileless milk, etc. Hence Rev., renders the whole passage, Long for the spiritual milk which is without guile.

That ye may grow thereby. The best texts add, unto salvation.

Verse 3

Ye have tasted [εγευσασθε] . Aorist tense. More literally, ye tasted. "A taste excites the appetite" (Bengel). Compare long for, ver. 2, and Psalms 34:8.

Gracious [χρηστος] . Actively benignant, "as distinguished from other adjectives which describe goodness on the side of its sterling worth and its gentleness" (Salmond). See on Matthew 11:30.

Verse 4

Coming [προσερχομενοι] . Indicating a close [προς] and an habitual (present participle) approach and an intimate association.

A living stone [λιθον ζωντα] . Omit as unto. So Rev. The words are in apposition with whom (Christ). Compare Peter's use of the same word, stone, in Acts 4:11, and Matthew 21:42. It is not the word which Christ uses as a personal name for Peter [πετρος] ; so that it is not necessary to infer that Peter was thinking of his own new name.

Disallowed [αποδεδοκιμασμενον] . Rev., rejected. See on the simple verb, ch. 1 7. The word indicates rejection after trial.

Of God [παρα θεω] . Of in the A. V. is equivalent to by; but para has a stronger sense, implying the absolute power of decisive choice which is with God. Render, as Rev., with God; i e., God being judge; and compare Matthew 19:26; Romans 2:11.

Precious [εντιμον] . At ch. 1 19 (precious blood) another word is used [τιμιος] , denoting essential preciousness. The word here indicates the preciousness as recognized or held in honor.

Verse 5

Living stones - built up - a spiritual house. It seems as though Peter must have had in mind the conception embodied in Christ 's commission to him, of a building erected upon a rock. The metaphor of a house built of living stones is violent, and sufficiently characteristic of Peter; yet it pictures, in a very striking way, the union of stability, growth, and activity in the ideal church. Note the transition from babes growing (ver. 2) to stones built up. But, as Salmond remarks, " In Paul we have even bolder instances of apparent confusion of metaphors, as when, in one breath, he represents believers as at once walking, rooted, and built up in Christ (Colossians 2:6, Colossians 2:7).

To offer up [ανενεγκαι] . The usual Old - Testament (Septuagint) term for offering of sacrifice. Lit., to bring up to the altar. Compare Hebrews 13:15. The force of ajna, up, appears in the fact of the altar being raised. The word is often used of carrying from a lower to a higher place. Thus Matthew 17:1; Luke 24:51. In this sense ver. 24 of this chapter is suggestive, where it is said that Christ bare [ανηνεγκεν] our sins : carried them up to the cross. See note there.

Verse 6

It is contained [περιεχει] . From peri, round about, and ecw, to hold. Hence, to contain or comprehend. So Luke 5:9, he was astonished [θαμβος αυτον περιεσχες] ; lit., astonishment held him encompassed. Also, Acts 23:25, " He wrote a letter after this manner [περιεχουσαν τον τυπον τουτον] ; lit., containing this form. The verb here is impersonal. The kindred word perioch occurs only in Acts 8:32, rendered place; i e., the passage of scripture : either the contents of the passage or the section of the book circumscribed or marked off.

In the scripture [εν γραφη] . The best texts reject the article. Grafh means a passage of scripture. See on Mark 12:10. Hence Rev., in scripture; margin, in a scripture.

Behold I lay, etc. See Romans 9:33.

Precious. See on ver. 4.

Verse 7

He is precious [η τιμη] . Wrong. Render, as Rev., For you therefore which believe is the preciousness (honor, in margin).

Is made the head of the corner [εγενηθη εις κεφαλην γωνιας] . Rev., correctly, "was made." The preposition eijv, unto, carrying the idea of coming unto the place of honor, is not rendered in A. V. or Rev. Lit., it would be, was made or became unto the head, etc.

Verse 9

Generation [γενος] . Better, Rev., race : a body with a common life and descent.

Nation [εθνος] . People [λαος] . The distinction between these three words cannot be closely pressed. Race emphasizes the idea of descent; nation, of community. Laov, people, occurring very often in the Septuagint, is used there mostly of the Israelites, the chosen people. The same use is also frequent in the New Testament; but it is employed in a more general sense, as by Luke 2:10. It would seem that this idea, however, in its metaphorical and Christian application, the chosen Israel of God, directed Peter's choice of the word, since he adds, a people for God 's own possession.

Peculiar [εις περιποιησιν] . Lit., a people for acquisition. Rev., a people for God 's own possession. Wyc., a people of purchasing. Cranmer, a people which are won. The word occurs 1 Thessalonians 5:9, rendered obtaining (Rev.); Ephesians 1:14, God 's own possession (Rev.). See Isaiah 43:21 (Sept.), where the kindred verb occurs : " This people have I formed for myself [περιεποιησαμην] .

Shew forth [εξαγγειλητε] . Only here in New Testament. Proclaim, tell abroad.

The praises [τας αρετας] . Lit., the virtues. So Rev., excellencies. The word occurs Isaiah 43:21 (Sept., see above), and is rendered praise. See, also, Isaiah 43:12 (Sept.), "Declare his praise [αρετας] in the islands."

Verse 10

People [λαος] . See on ver. 9, and note the choice of the term here. A people of God. Compare Romans 9:25, Romans 9:26.

Verse 11

Beloved [αγαπητοι] . A favorite term with Peter, occurring eight times in the epistles. See the phrase, our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Acts 14:25, in the letter sent by the council at Jerusalem to the Gentile Christians, the account of which, doubtless, came from Peter. Compare our beloved brother Paul, 2 Peter 3:15.

Strangers [παροικους] . Rev., sojourners. Compare ch. 1 17, "the time of your sojourning [παροικιας] ."

Which [αιτινες] . The compound pronoun denotes a class, of that kind which, classifying all fleshly desires in one category.

Verse 12

Conversation. Rev., behavior. See on ch. 1 Peter 1:15.

Whereas [εν ω] . Rev., correctly, wherein; in the matter in which. They speak against (katalalousin). Compare evil - speakings, ver. 1, and Acts 28:22.

Which they shall behold [εποπτευοντες] . Rev., beholding. Used by Peter only, here and ch. 3 2. The kindred noun ejpopthv, an eye - witness, occurs only at 2 Peter 1:16. It is a technical word, meaning one who was admitted to the highest degree of initiation in the Elensinian mysteries. Here it conveys the idea of personal witness; behold with their own eyes. Evil - doers [κακοποιων] . The word occurs four times in Peter, and nowhere else in the New Testament except John 18:30, where it is applied by the priests to Christ himself.

Visitation [επισκοπης] . The radical idea of the word is that of observing or inspecting. Hence ejpiskopov, an overseer or bishop. Visiting grows naturally out of this, as visitare from visere, to look at attentively. See Introduction, on Peter's emphasis upon sight; and compare behold, in this verse. The "day of visitation" is the day of looking upon : "When God shall look upon these wanderers, as a pastor over his flock, and shall become the overlooker or bishop of their souls" (ver. 25, Lumby).

Verse 13

Submit yourselves [υποταγητε] . Rev., be subject. See Romans 13:1 sq.

Ordinance of man [ανθρωπινη κτισει] . Lit., to every human creation or institution. Rev., creation, in margin.

King. The emperor, styled king by Greek writers.

Verse 14

Sent [πεμπομενοις] . The present participle. In the habit of being sent : sent from time to time.

By him. The king; not the Lord.

Punishment [εκδικησιν] . Not strong enough. Better, vengeance, as Rev. Compare Luke 18:7; Romans 12:19.

Them that do well [αγαθοποιων] . Only here in New Testament.

Verse 15

Put to silence [φιμουν] . A very graphic word, meaning to muzzle or gag. Compare 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18. See on Matthew 22:12. Ignorance [αγνωσιαν] . In classical Greek it is an ignorance arising from not coming into contact with the person or thing to be known. It occurs only once again in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 14:34. Here is signifies not want of acquaintance, but of understanding; a state of ignorance.

Of foolish men [των αφρονων ανθρωπων] . Of the foolish men; the article referring to those just mentioned, who speak against them as evil - doers.

Verse 16

Using [εχοντες] . Lit., having or holding.

Cloke [επικαλυμμα] . Only here in New Testament. Lit., a veil. The idea is that of using Christian freedom as a mask for ungodly license. Paul uses the kindred verb (Romans 4:7) of the covering of sins. On the sentiment, compare Galatians 5:13.

Verse 18

Servants [οικεται] . Household servants. So Rev., in margin. Not a common term in the New Testament, occurring only in three other passages : Luke 16:13; Acts 10:7; Romans 14:4. Some suppose that Peter intended to cover by it freedmen and other dependents in the household, or that he uses it with a conciliatory purpose, as presenting the slave in closer relation with the family.

Gentle (ejpieikesin). A common derivation of this word is from eikw, to yield. Hence the meaning, mild, yielding, indulgent. But the true derivation if from eijkov, reasonable; and the word implies rather the not being unduly rigorous : "Wherein not strictness of legal right, but consideration for one another, is the rule of practice" (Alford). Compare Philippians 4:5, where, for moderation [το επιεικες] , Rev. gives forbearance, with gentleness in margin. According to Aristotle, the word stands in contrast with ajkribodikaiov, one who is exactingly just, as one who is satisfied with less than his due.

Froward [σκολιοις] . Lit., crooked. See Luke 3:5. Peter uses the word in Acts 2:40 (untoward); and Paul, in Philippians 2:15 (crooked). The word froward is Anglo - Saxon fream - ward or from - ward, the opposite of to - ward. (See untoward, above.) Thus Ben Jonson :

"Those that are froward to an appetite;" i e., averse. Compare the phrases to - God - ward (2 Corinthians 3:4); to - us - ward.

Verse 19

Conscience toward God [συνειδησιν θεου] . Rev., in margin, conscious of God. The idea is not conscientiousness in the ordinary sense, but the conscious sense of one's relation to God; his consciousness of God. Thus one suffers patiently, not from a conscientious sense of dury, but from an inner consciousness of his relation to God as a son, and to Christ as a joint - heir, which involves his suffering with him no less than his being glorified with him.

Verse 20

What glory [ποιον κλεος] . Lit., what kind of glory. This word for glory occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.

Buffeted [κολαφιζομενοι] . See Matthew 26:67 : struck with the fist. This whole passage, vv. 19 - 24, bears the mark of Peter's memories of the scene of Christ 's last sufferings (see Introduction) - the blows of the servants, the scorn of the highpriest, the silent submission of Jesus, the cross, the stripes.

Verse 21

Leaving [υπολιμπανων] . Only here in the New Testament.

An example [υπογραμμον] . Only here in the New Testament. A graphic word, meaning a copy set by writing - masters for their pupils. Some explain it as a copy of characters over which the student is to trace the lines.

Follow [επακολουθησητε] . Lit., follow upon. The compound verb implies close following. From writers and painters, the metaphor changes now to a guide.

Verse 22

Found [ευρεθη] . Stronger than the simple was, and indicating a guilelessness which had stood the test of scrutiny. Compare Matthew 26:60; John 18:38; John 19:4, John 19:6. Christ 's sinlessness had also stood the test of Peter's intimacy.

Verse 23

Reviled - again [αντελοιδορει] . Only here in the New Testament. Committed himself [παρεδιδου] . But his gives a reflexive force to the verb which has no parallel. Commentators are divided, some supplying his cause, as Rev., in margin; others, his judgment; other, his revilers. Better, the subject of the contest - his insults and injuries. Salmond renders, but left it to him, etc.

Judgeth righteously. Compare without respect of persons, ch. 1 17.

Verse 24

Bare [ανηνεγκεν] . See on ver. 5. Bare up to the cross, as to an altar, and offered himself thereon.

The tree [ξυλον] . Lit., wood. Peter uses the same peculiar term for the cross, Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39.

Being dead [απογενομενοι] . Rev., more strictly, having died. Used here only in the New Testament. The rendering of the verb can be given only in a clumsy way, having become off unto sins; not becoming separate from sins, but having ceased to exist as regards them. Compare Romans 6:18. Stripes [μωλωπι] . Lit., bruise. So Rev., in margin. Only here in New Testament; meaning a bloody wale which arises under a blow. "Such a sight we feel sure, as we read this descriptive passage, St. Peter's eyes beheld on the body of his Master, and the flesh so dreadfully mangled made the disfigured form appear in his eyes like one single bruise" (Lumby).

Verse 25

For ye were as sheep going astray [ητε γαρ ως προβατα πλανωμενοι] ; i e., as commonly understood, ye were like straying sheep. But the ye were should be construed with the participle going astray, the verb and the participle together denoting habitual action or condition. Render, as Rev., ye were going astray like sheep. See on Mark 12:24. Bishop. See on ver. 12.