1 Peter 2:

• v.1-3 New Beings
• v.4-10 A Spiritual Building & a Chosen People
• v.11-16 Live as Godly Examples in a Pagan Society
• v.17-21 How we do it
• v.22-25 Jesus our example

[Chapter 2 Synopsis: Again, against a background of being scattered and persecuted, Peter gives the churches goals to aim for, reminding every believer that they are new creations, a special people in God’s sight, all because of what Christ did, and therefore when we consider our places in ungodly society we are to stand out by our goodness and the way we respect authorities and take the opposition now being received, just like Christ did]

v.1-3 New Beings

[Passage Synopsis: Having been born-again, get rid of the old and start living as new spiritual babes]

v.1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

v.2,3 Like new-born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

[Note: Get rid of your old-life selfish attitudes, see yourselves as babes in Christ needing feeding to grow.]

v.4-10 A Spiritual Building & a Chosen People

[Passage Synopsis: Jesus was the rejected cornerstone against whom we are now built, a building and a special people]

v.4,5 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

v.6 For in Scripture it says: See, I lay a stone in Zion,  a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him  will never be put to shame.”

v.7,8 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

v.9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

v.10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

[Note: Christ is the locating corner of the house of which we are part, a place of self-sacrifice. The OT prophecy spoke of him in this way [Isa 28:16], our keystone [Psa 118:22] but rejected by unbelievers who stumble over him [Isa 8:14]. So we’re now God’s special people to proclaim Him, His people receiving His mercy.]

v.11-16 Live as Godly Examples in a Pagan Society

[Passage Synopsis: Be different, casting off your old ways, living good lives, obeying authorities, and silencing the critics by your good examples of holy freedom]

v.11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

v.12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

v.13,14 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

v.15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

v.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

[Note: As people of His kingdom live differently, being examples of good and godly lives. Respect & obey authorities who are God-sent to keep order. Our good lives are to silence the ignorant, demonstrating a holy freedom.]

v.17-21 How we do it

[Passage Synopsis: in this questionable world, let there be no questions over your life, attitudes and outlook, whether in daily life or the way you cope with unfairness]

v.17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

v.18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

v.19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.

v.20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

v.21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

[Note: Give respect & honor where due, and if an employee, demonstrate good attitudes. Cope well with injustice and be a blessing to God, letting Christ’s example guide you.]

v.22-25 Jesus our example

[Passage Synopsis: In the face of suffering (persecution), let the way Christ refused to respond to insult or opposition be your guide]

v.22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

v.23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

v.24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

v.25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

[Note: After all Jesus never spoke a word out of place [Isa 53:9], he didn’t respond to insults and persecution, simply trusted his Father, giving his life for us so we might have transformed lives. Once we were lost sheep but now part of His flock [Isa 53:4,5,6].

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: