1 Peter 2

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:12

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles. If we read ἀπέχεσθαι , in 1 Peter 2:11 (some ancient manuscripts have ἀπέχεσθε ) , there is a slight irregularity in the construction, as the participle ἔνοντες is nominative; it gives more force and vividness to the sentence (comp. in the Greek, Ephesians 4:2 ; Colossians 3:16 ). The conversation ( ἀναστροφή , mode of life or behavior) of the unconverted is described as " vain " in 1 Peter 1:18 ; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man. The aorist passive ( ὑποτάγητε ) is used, as often, in a middle sense. The word for "ordinance" is κτίσις , which in classical Greek means "foundation," as of a city; but in the New Testament is used elsewhere only of the works of God, in the sense of "creation," or "a creature". Hence some, as De Wette, translate the words, "to every human creature," supporting their view by 1 Peter 5:5 . But on the whole this seems unlikely; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:14

Or unto governors, as ante them that are sent by him ; literally, through him . Some commentators, following Calvin, understand the pronoun of the Lord. Certainly, governors are sent through him; he "ordereth all things, both in heaven and earth." But it seems more natural in this place to refer the pronoun to the nearer substantive, the king; it was through the Roman emperor that the various governors, legates, etc., were sent from time to time (as the Greek present participle implies)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:15

For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. The Gentiles speak against the Christians as evil-doers; they are to put their accusers to silence by well-doing; this is to be their answer rather than indignant self-vindication. The Greek word rendered "put to silence" ( φιμοῦν ) means literally "to muzzle". The word for "ignorance" ( ἀγνωσία ) occurs, besides this passage, only in 1 Corinthians 15:34 , where it evidently means... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:16

As free . This verse is not to be taken with what follows, for it does not well cohere with the contents of 1 Peter 2:17 ; but either with 1 Peter 2:14 ( 1 Peter 2:15 being regarded as parenthetical) or with 1 Peter 2:15 , notwithstanding the change of case in the original, which presents no real difficulty; the meaning being that Christian freedom must show itself, not in license, but in willing obedience to constituted authorities: "Not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:17

Honor all men. St. Peter illustrates the well-doing which he enjoins in 1 Peter 2:15 , drawing out his general exhortation into four rules of conduct. First, he bids us give honor to all men. The Christians of Asia Minor saw heathenism and vice all around them; they heard of the abominable life of Nero and his courtiers at Rome. They were conscious of a great and elevating change which had passed over themselves; St. Peter has just been enumerating the dignities and privileges of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:18

Servants . The word is not δοῦλοι , slaves,but οἰκέται , household servants, domestics. St. Peter may have used it as a less harsh term, in Christian kindliness and courtesy; or he may have chosen it purposely to include the large class of freedmen and other dependents who were to be found in the houses of the great. The frequent mention of slaves in the Epistles shows that many of the first Christians must have been in a condition of servitude. It was only natural that men should... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:19

For this is thankworthy ; literally, this is grace (comp. Luke 6:32 , ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί ; "What thank have ye?" where the parallel passage in St. Matthew is τίνα μισθὸν ἔχετε ; "What reward have ye?"). A comparison of these passages seems to show that χάρις and μισθός are used in a similar sense as expressive of God's condescending love. In his gracious tenderness he speaks of reward, though we deserve only punishment; he even speaks of thanks, though we deserve... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:20

For what glory is it? The word translated "glory" ( κλέος ), common in Greek poetry, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, first, "rumor, report;" then "fame, renown." If, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently ; literally, if sinning and being buffeted . The word translated "buffeted" ( κολαφιζόμενοι ), used by St. Matthew and St. Mark in describing our Savior's sufferings, has a figurative meaning in 1 Corinthians 4:11 ; 2 Corinthians... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called ; that is, to do good and to suffer patiently. Omit "even," for which there is no authority. St. Peter is speaking of slaves, but what he says of slaves is true in some sense of all Christians (comp. Acts 14:22 ). Because Christ also suffered for us ; rather, for you, with the oldest manuscripts. You do not suffer alone; Christ also suffered, and that for you slaves, on your behalf. "Christ himself," says Bengel, "was treated as a slave; he deigns to... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:14

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:16

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:17

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:18

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:19

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:21

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