1 Peter 2 - Introduction

ANALYSIS.

Putting aside all the evils that are opposed to a holy and virtuous life, being therein as newborn babes in Christ, long after the unadulterated word, that ye may grow thereby. For, in fact, ye can not otherwise grow to the proper stature and strength of God's children. This you will do if you have tasted of the Lord's goodness in what he has already done for you, and will still do, if you walk in his commands. To him you come by your faith as unto a living stone. It is a precious stone, even a stone chosen by God himself, but was rejected by men. Acting as you have and should with regard to this stone, you yourselves are built upon it as a temple, and are made a holy priesthood in that same temple to offer spiritual sacrifices which God has ordained that you should offer to him through his Son. These are acceptable to him. In this you are a peculiar people in being chosen as a priesthood. In fact, you are a holy nation, and were purchased by Christ to be such. You were so purchased that you might show his praise and declare his perfections. In other words, you must let your light shine. In doing this, you are required to put away all evils that war against the soul. They are then exhorted to be good subjects of government, to obey all authorities over them, giving no occasion to have the cause of Christ evil spoken against or you as evil-doers, but that by your good acts not only prevent injury to the cause, but thereby work a conversion of others. Various duties are enjoined to magistrates and those in places of authority. How to act in the relations of life are pointed out. The example of Christ is then mentioned as a model. His patience under unjust suffering is mentioned as an incentive to steadfast devotion to the cause of right, knowing that the reward is as certain as it is great.