Skip to content
Logo Devotion Header

1 Peter 2 Living Stones and a Chosen People

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

2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 The Living Stone and a Chosen People
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—

5 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.

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.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,”

8 and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

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

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.

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

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.

13 Submission to Rulers and Masters
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,

14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

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

16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Previous Chapter 1 Peter 1 Next Chapter 1 Peter 3

Analysis of 1 Peter Chapter 2

The second chapter of the First Epistle of Peter offers rich theological insights and practical guidance for Christians. Authored by the Apostle Peter, this epistle addresses early believers in Asia Minor, who were experiencing trials and persecutions. The themes in Chapter 2 center around spiritual growth, the identity and role of believers, and moral exhortations on living a Christ-like life. This analysis seeks to delve into each verse, providing a detailed and reflective interpretation.

Verses 1-3: Exhortation to Spiritual Growth

The chapter begins with an exhortation to abandon negative behaviors and to ‘crave pure spiritual milk,’ akin to newborn infants. Here is the text:

  • “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
  • “Like newborn 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.”

Peter begins by urging believers to rid themselves of behaviors that are counter to Christian love and community. The use of the term “all” before each negative trait underscores the complete and all-encompassing nature of this purging process. These traits—malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander—destroy relationships and hinder spiritual growth. The call to crave pure spiritual milk illustrates a fundamental desire for what is nourishing and essential for growth. This analogy is vivid and relatable, evoking the image of a newborn’s instinctual longing for milk, which is pure, life-giving, and unadulterated.

The ‘pure spiritual milk’ can be interpreted as the Word of God, which provides sustenance for spiritual growth. The phrase ‘now that you have tasted that the Lord is good’ suggests a personal experience of God’s goodness, encouraging continued pursuit of spiritual maturity. The believers are encouraged to deepen their understanding and experience of their faith.

Verses 4-10: The Living Stone and a Chosen People

In these verses, Peter introduces the metaphor of believers as ‘living stones’ being built into a spiritual house. He ties this imagery to Christ, the cornerstone. Here’s the text:

  • “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.”
  • “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.’
  • “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.”
  • “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.”
  • “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.”

Jesus is described as “the living Stone”—a recognition of His resurrection and how He continues to be active and life-giving. Despite being rejected by men, He is chosen and precious to God, highlighting the divine valuation that contrasts human rejection. Believers, too, are called ‘living stones,’ emphasizing their role in the spiritual edifice God is building. The imagery of a spiritual house highlights the communal and collective aspect of the faith, whereas the ‘holy priesthood’ indicates a sanctified role, responsible for offering spiritual sacrifices.

Peter quotes several Old Testament scriptures to demonstrate Christ’s role as the cornerstone, rallying believers in their faith. The cornerstone is essential for the stability and alignment of a building—here representing the foundation of the Church. Those who trust in Him align with this cornerstone and will not be put to shame, whereas those who reject Him stumble and fall.

The identity of believers is further elaborated in verses 9-10. They are described as a “chosen people,” “a royal priesthood,” “a holy nation,” and “God’s special possession.” These terms collectively emphasize the transformed and exalted status of believers. This identity is not for self-glorification but to ‘declare the praises’ of God, who delivered them from darkness into light. The contrast between ‘once not a people’ to ‘now the people of God’ and ‘once had not received mercy’ to ‘now have received mercy’ underscores the transformative power of divine grace.

Verses 11-12: Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

Peter then appeals to the believers to abstain from sinful desires and maintain good conduct among non-believers:

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

Addressing the believers as ‘foreigners and exiles’ reminds them of their temporary status on Earth and their ultimate citizenship in Heaven. This perspective encourages a disconnection from worldly desires that can lead to moral decay. Peter acknowledges the internal struggle against sinful desires, describing them as waging war against the soul, thus necessitating vigilance and self-control.

Peter emphasizes the importance of living exemplary lives that serve as a testimony to non-believers. The aim is that their good deeds would counteract false accusations and ultimately lead observers to glorify God. This call to visible integrity stresses the importance of one’s witness in a non-Christian environment, highlighting the missional aspect of Christian life.

Verses 13-17: Submission to Authorities

Next, Peter addresses the conduct of believers towards government authorities:

  • “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.”
  • “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”
  • “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.”
  • “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

Peter’s instructions on submission to human authorities reflect an imperative for order and lawfulness. This submission is ‘for the Lord’s sake,’ signifying that it is an act of obedience to God. The role of authorities to punish wrong and commend right aligns with a God-ordained structure for society. This acknowledgment asserts that civil obedience contributes to the common good and the silencing of ignorant criticisms against Christians.

The call to live as ‘free people’ yet as ‘God’s slaves’ presents a paradox—to use Christian freedom responsibly, not as an excuse for wrongdoing. Peter emphasizes that within this framework of respectful and loving conduct, they should honor all individuals, love fellow believers, fear God, and honor the emperor.

Verses 18-25: Suffering for Doing Good

The remaining verses address the issue of suffering, particularly targeting household servants:

  • “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.”
  • “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.”
  • “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.”
  • “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
  • “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
  • “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.”
  • “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.”
  • “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Peter addresses servants, advocating submission to masters, irrespective of their nature. He elevates the concept of enduring unjust suffering for the sake of consciousness of God as commendable. The differentiated response to suffering for wrongdoing versus suffering for doing good is pronounced—highlighting the moral high ground and divine commendation linked to the latter.

Peter draws upon Christ’s example to illustrate the ultimate model of suffering. Christ, who was sinless and without deceit, non-retaliatory in the face of insults, is posited as the paradigm to emulate. His trust in divine justice serves as a template for believers enduring similar circumstances. This perspective is not merely consolatory but transformative, redirecting the focus from the immediate injustice to eternal justice entrusted to God.

The mention of Christ bearing sins on the cross fosters a deeper understanding of atonement. It accentuates the purpose—enabling believers to die to sin and live righteously. The phrase “by his wounds, you have been healed” encapsulates the redemptive and restorative power of Christ’s suffering. The final verse reflects on the believers’ transformation—from wandering sheep to returning to the Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who is the shepherd and overseer, ensuring their spiritual well-being.

In conclusion, Chapter 2 of 1 Peter reflects comprehensive guidance on spiritual growth, the identity of believers, their conduct in a non-Christian society, submission to authorities, and enduring unjust suffering by following Christ’s example. It blends theological profundity with practical exhortations, offering a timeless roadmap for Christian living amid trials. The imagery and metaphors used by Peter create a rich tapestry, intertwining individual faith, communal identity, and ethical living in the shadow of Christ’s exemplary life and sacrificial death.