1 Peter 2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:6

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture - Isaiah 28:16. The quotation is substantially as it is found in the Septuagint.Behold, I lay in Sion - See the Isaiah 28:16 note, and Romans 9:33 note.A chief cornerstone - The principal stone on which the corner of the edifice rests. A stone is selected for this which is large and solid, and, usually, one which is squared, and worked with care; and as such a stone is commonly laid with solemn ceremonies, so, perhaps, in allusion to this, it is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:7

Unto you therefore which believe - Christians are often called simply “believers,” because faith in the Saviour is one of the prominent characteristics by which they are distinguished from their fellow-men. It sufficiently describes any man, to say that he is a believer in the Lord Jesus.He is precious - Margin, “an honor.” That is, according to the margin, it is an honor to believe on him, and should be so regarded. This is true, but it is very doubtful whether this is the idea of Peter. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:8

And a stone of stumbling - A stone over which they, stumble, or against which they impinge. The idea seems to be that of a cornerstone which projects from the building, against which they dash themselves, and by which they are made to fall. See the notes at Matthew 21:44. The rejection of the Saviour becomes the means of their ruin. They refuse to build on him, and it is as if one should run against a solid projecting cornerstone of a house, that would certainly be the means of their... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation - In contradistinction from those who, by their disobedience, had rejected the Saviour as the foundation of hope. The people of God are often represented as his chosen or elected people. See the notes at 1 Peter 1:2.A royal priesthood - See the notes at 1 Peter 2:5. The meaning of this is, probably, that they “at once bore the dignity of kings, and the sanctity of priests” - Doddridge. Compare Revelation 1:6; “And hath made us kings and priests unto God.” See also... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:10

Which in time past were not a people - That is, who formerly were not regarded as the people of God. There is an allusion here to the passage in Hosea 2:23, “And I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” It is, however, a mere allusion, such as one makes who uses the language of another to express his ideas, without meaning to say that both refer to the same subject. In... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:11

Dearly beloved, I beseech you strangers and pilgrims - On the word rendered “strangers,” (παροίκους paroikous,) see the notes at Ephesians 2:19, where it is rendered “foreigners.” It means, properly, one dwelling near, neighboring; then a by-dweller, a sojourner, one without the rights of citizenship, as distinguished from a citizen; and it means here that Christians are not properly citizens of this world, but that their citizenship is in heaven, and that they are here mere sojourners.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:12

Having your conversation honest - Your conduct. See the notes at Philippians 1:27. That is, lead upright and consistent lives. Compare the notes at Philippians 4:8.Among the Gentiles - The pagans by whom you are surrounded, and who will certainly observe your conduct. See the notes at 1 Thessalonians 4:12, “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without.” Compare Romans 13:13.That, whereas they speak against you as evil doers - Margin, “wherein.” Greek ἐν ᾥ en hō - “in what;”... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man - Greek, “to every creation of man,” (ἀνθρωπίνῃ κτίσει anthrōpinē ktisei The meaning is, to every institution or appointment of man; to wit, of those who are in authority, or who are appointed to administer government. The laws, institutes, and appointments of such a government may be spoken of as the creation of man; that is, as what man makes. Of course, what is here said must be understood with the limitation everywhere implied, that what is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:14

Or unto governors - Subordinate officers, appointed by the chief magistrate, over provinces. Perhaps Roman proconsuls are here particularly intended.As unto them that are sent by him - By the king, or the Roman emperor. They represent the supreme power.For the punishment of evil doers - One of the leading ends of government. “The Roman governors had the power of life and death in such conquered provinces as those mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1“ - Doddridge. Ulpian, the celebrated Roman lawyer, who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:15

For so is the will of God - That is, it is in accordance with the divine will that in this way you should put them to silence.That with well doing - By a life of uprightness and benevolence.Ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men - See the notes at Titus 2:8. The reference here is to men who brought charges against Christians, by accusing them of being inimical to the government, or insubordinate, or guilty of crimes. Such charges, it is well known, were often brought against them by... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:15

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