1The apostle exhorteth the Christian converts to lay aside all uncharitableness. 4He sheweth their privileges through Christ the chief corner stone. 11He beseecheth them to abstain from fleshly lusts, and by their good conversation to promote God's glory among the Gentiles. 13He enforceth obedience to magistrates; 18and teacheth servants to obey their masters, and to suffer patiently for well doing, after the example of Christ.
1WHEREFORE1 layinga aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1 Namely, seeing you are born again from this incorruptible seed of the living God; for, this exhortation flows from the preceding doctrine.
a Mat. 18:3; Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:8; Heb. 12:1.
22As newborn babes, 3desire the 4sincere 5milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2 That is, as people who are now recently regenerated by God’s Spirit and Word.
3 Namely, unto your spiritual food, and strengthening of the new man, which is already in you.
4 Peter adds this because as pure milk gives the true nourishment, even so also the Word of God, which is unadulterated, gives the true nourishment for the soul and the spiritual man.
5 That is, the spiritual milk, contrasted to the physical milk, which the newborn babes desire, as this Greek word logikon is also taken, Rom. 12:1. Others take it for verbal milk, that is, which consists in God’s Word, to show that as the Word of God is the spiritual seed of our regeneration, the same Word also is the spiritual food in the same.
3If so be ye have 6tastedb that 7the Lord is gracious.
6 That is, have felt, have perceived in your mind, namely, by the power of God’s Word and Spirit. He therefore proceeds still in the similitude of children, who are easily apt by their taste to discern the true milk of their nurses from that which is counterfeit, to receive the one and to reject the other. See John 10:4, 5.
b Psalm 34:8.
7 Namely, Jesus Christ, as the following verse implies.
48To whomc coming, as unto 9a living stone, disallowed indeed 10of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
8 Namely, Lord Jesus, as the following verses require.
c Eph. 2:20.
9 That is, a spiritual Stone. Christ is so called in opposition to the lifeless stones of the ceremonial temple, which was a representation of the spiritual house of God, that is, of His congregation, in which God dwells by His Spirit and grace, 1 Cor. 3:16, of which Christ is the Foundation Stone, 1 Cor. 3:11, and the Cornerstone, upon Which both Jews and Gentiles are built unto a temple of God. See also Eph. 2:20, etc.
10 That is, of a great part of men, worldly and unbelieving, especially the Jews and their rulers.
5Ye also, 11as lively stones, are 12built up ad spiritual house, ane holy priesthood, 13to offer up spiritualf sacrifices, acceptable to God 14by Jesus Christ.
11 That is, spiritual stones, as is declared in what follows.
12 That is, more and more united through faith.
d Heb. 3:6.
e Rev. 1:6; 5:10.
13 Namely, of thankfulness, which in the New Testament is now only required of all believers, as there is the sacrifice of our bodies, that is, of ourselves, to be the Lord’s possession, Rom. 12:1, 2, and the offering of praise and of our prayers before God, and along with the liberality towards our neighbor, verse 9; Heb. 13:15, 16; Rev. 8:3, 4.
f Rom. 12:1; Heb. 12:28.
14 For, as our persons are not acceptable to God but by faith in Jesus Christ, Rom. 5:1; 8:39, so neither can our works, by reason of their imperfection, be pleasing unto God but in Christ Jesus, and for His sake. See Heb. 11:4; 13:15, 21.
615Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold,g I lay in Sion 16a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall 17not be confounded.
15 Namely, partly in Isa. 8:14 and 28:16, and partly in Psalm 118:22; out of which places the apostle Peter quotes these words, leaving out some words which served not for his purpose, but sincerely relating the sense of them. Others translate it, Therefore he (namely, God) also containeth in the scripture.
g Isa. 28:16.
16 See the annotation on verse 4.
17 That is, not be deceived in his expectation, as Rom. 5:5; 10:11.
7Unto you therefore which believe he is 18precious: 19but unto them which be disobedient, theh stone which the builders disallowed, 20the same is made the head of the corner,
18 Or, glorious. Gr. preciousness, or, gloriousness, that is, very glorious or precious.
19 Namely, in Psalm 118:22; Isa. 8:14, whereof see the exposition in Mat. 21:42; Eph. 2:20.
h Psalm 118:22; Mat. 21:42; Acts 4:11.
20 Namely, for God’s congregation, notwithstanding all the resistance and tumult which the disobedient made against it.
8Andi21a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: 22whereunto also they were appointed.
i Isa. 8:14; Rom. 9:33.
21 Namely, for the disobedient themselves, who opposed themselves against this stone by unbelief, as the following verse declares.
22 That is, whereunto they were also ordained, as the word set or put is also taken, John 15:16; Acts 13:47; 1 Thes. 5:9. Not that God does set or ordain any man to be disobedient to His Word, as far as that would be sin, for, this would be contrary to God’s nature, Psalm 5:4; James 1:13, but because God, by His just judgment, has delivered up these obstinate men unto their obstinacy, to discover this their disobedience against Christ more and more, Luke 2:34, and so by their disobedience to pull down more and more the deserved judgment and wrath of God upon their own heads. See Isa. 8:14; Mat. 21:44, and the annotations at Rom. 1 on verse 24 and 9 on verse 17.
9Butj23ye are 24a chosen generation, 25a royalk priesthood, an holy nation, 26a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth 27the praises of him who hath called you 28out of darkness into his 29marvellous light:
j Exod. 19:5; Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Eph. 1:14.
23 Namely, who have received Christ by a true faith.
24 That is, all those privileges and titles of honor do really belong to you, which are generally and especially Exod. 19:5, 6; Deut. 26:18, 19 given to all the people of Israel, in respect of the outward covenant. See also Mal. 3:16, 17 and Rom. 9:8.
25 That is, kings and priests, as John speaks in Rev. 1:6. Moses, in Exod. 19:5, says a priestly kingdom. But the apostle follows the Greek translation, the sense being all one.
k Rev. 1:6; 5:10.
26 Gr. a people for purchase, that is, which God has purchased to Himself by His blood for a possession, Acts 20:28.
27 That is, the attributes; namely, wisdom, power, justice, grace and mercy of God.
28 Namely, of ignorance and natural wickedness.
29 That is, unto holiness and true knowledge of God. See Acts 26:18.
1030Whichl in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
30 This place is taken out of Hosea 2:22, which the apostle here expounds of the scattered Jews who were converted unto Christ, and Paul in Rom. 9:25, also of the converted Gentiles, both of whom are now one people of God in Christ, Eph. 2:13, etc.
l Hosea 1:10; 2:22; Rom. 9:26.
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you 31as strangers and pilgrims, abstainm from fleshly lusts, which war 32against the soul;
31 Or, sojourners, of which word see the annotation on 1 Peter 1:17.
m Rom. 13:14; Gal. 5:16.
32 That is, against the salvation of the soul, namely, to destroy it. It is another thing of which Paul speaks in Rom. 7:23 and Gal. 5:17, when he describes the combat of the flesh and spirit one against the other.
12Havingn your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that,o whereas they speak against you as evildoers, theyp may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God 33inq the day of visitation.
n Rom. 12:17; 2 Cor. 8:21; Philip. 2:15.
o Titus 2:8; 1 Peter 3:16.
p Mat. 5:16.
33 That is, in that time when the Lord shall visit them by His grace unto repentance. See the like, Luke 1:68; 19:44. Others take it for the day wherein believers are visited or persecuted by unbelievers; because it oftentimes comes to pass that the persecutors, beholding the godliness and patience of the persecuted, are thereby brought to bethink themselves, and begin to praise this God themselves, Whose children they persecuted before.
q Luke 1:68; 19:44.
1334Submitr yourselves to every 35ordinance of man 36for the Lord's sake: whether it be to 37the king, as supreme;
34 Namely, in all that they command you, if it be not contrary to God and His command. See Acts 4:19.
r Rom. 13:1; Titus 3:1.
35 Gr. human institution; which words some take for magistracy itself, which is so called, because it consists of men, and is ordinarily appointed by men. Others understand it of the ordinances and laws which magistrates make for the preservation of civil unity and welfare. But the first exposition agrees as well with the following words.
36 That is, because it is God’s will to govern you by them. See Rom. 13:1 and 1 Tim. 2:2.
37 By whom here the Roman Emperor is understood, under whose command those provinces were at that time.
14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the 38punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
38 Or, vengeance.
15For so is the will of God, thats with well doing ye may put 39to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
s Titus 2:8.
39 That is, that he may have no occasion to slander you. A similitude taken from horses, or bullocks, in whose mouth men put a bit, or muzzle them to hinder them from doing hurt. See Mat. 22:34; 1 Cor. 9:9.
1640Ast free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
40 That is, as being made free indeed by Christ from the dominion of the devil and of sin, but not under this pretext to withdraw yourselves from obedience to magistrates, or to do evil, but to serve God and to obey His laws.
t John 8:32; Rom. 6:18; Gal. 5:1.
1741Honouru all men. Lovev42the brotherhood. Fear God. Honourw the king.
41 Namely, with the honor which is due unto him, according to his state and calling.
u Rom. 12:10; 1 Peter 5:5.
v Rom. 12:10; Eph. 4:3; Heb. 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22.
42 That is, the brethren and their christian assemblies, as hereafter in 1 Peter 5:9.
w Mat. 22:21.
18Servants,x be 43subject to your masters 44with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to 45the froward.
x Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22; 1 Tim. 6:1; Titus 2:9.
43 Namely, in the Lord, as Paul adds, Eph. 6:1.
44 Namely, not only of punishments, but also of transgressing of their commandments, and with care not to provoke them as much as lies in you.
45 Gr. to the wrested, crooked, hardened, perverse.
19Fory46this is thankworthy, if a man 47for conscience toward God endure 48grief, suffering wrongfully.
y Mat. 5:10.
46 Namely, with God, as is added thereunto in the end of the 20th verse, that is, it is acceptable to God.
47 Gr. for conscience of God, that is, because he holds himself bound in his own conscience to serve and obey God above all.
48 Gr. grieves. Or, sorrows.
2049For what glory is it, if, when ye be 50buffeted for 51your faults, ye shall take it patiently? butz if, when ye 52do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
49 Namely, before God, as in the end of the verse.
50 Gr. smitten with fists.
51 That is, when you despise or transgress the lawful command of your masters.
z 1 Peter 3:14; 4:14.
52 That is, serve God and obey His commandments.
21For even 53hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving usaa54an example, that ye should follow 55his steps:
53 Namely, as disciples of Christ, that you would bear His cross, Mat. 10:38; 16:24, etc.
aa John 13:15; Philip. 2:5; 1 John 2:6.
54 Or, pattern, copy. A similitude taken from the painters and writing-masters.
55 Namely, not only in His suffering, but also in His patience, as follows.
22Whoab did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
ab Isa. 53:9; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 3:5.
23Who,ac when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but 56committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
ac Mat. 27:39; John 8:48, 49.
56 That is, gave up His cause, or committed his cause. Or, gave up himself, or, gave up revenge.
24Whoad57his own self bare our sins in his own body 58on the tree, thatae we, 59being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose 60stripes ye were healed.
ad Isa. 53:4; Mat. 8:17.
57 Namely, as a sacrifice for our sins, to abolish sin by the punishment which He suffered for the same in body and soul, as the sins of the people were laid upon the goat of reconciliation, Lev. 16:21, and as Isaiah prophesies of it in Isa. 53:4, and Paul declares, 2 Cor. 5:21.
58 Or, to the wood, that is, on or to the cross.
ae Rom. 6:11.
59 Gr. being come off, or, being separated; namely, by the power of His death and His satisfaction.
60 Gr. stripe; namely, which He did bear for our sake; which word the apostle rather uses here, forasmuch as servants, because they were Christians, were constrained oftentimes to bear similar stripes from their hard masters.
25For ye were 61asaf sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and 62Bishop of your souls.
61 Namely, in your ignorance and blindness. The apostle has respect here to Isa. 53:6.
af Isa. 53:6; Ezek. 34:6; Luke 15:4.
62 Gr. episcopon; that is, Superintendent, or, Overseer, that is, Who takes care for the salvation of your souls, although your bodies are oftentimes ill-treated here. See Mat. 10:28.