1 Peter 2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:16

As free - That is, they were to consider themselves as freemen, as having a right to liberty. The Jews boasted much of their freedom, and regarded it as a birthright privilege that they were free, John 8:33. They never willingly acknowledged their subjection to any other power, but claimed it as an elementary idea of their civil constitution that God only was their Sovereign. They were indeed conquered by the Romans, and paid tribute, but they did it because they were compelled to do it, and it... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:17

Honor all men - That is, show them the respect which is due to them according to their personal worth, and to the rank and office which they sustain. See the notes at Romans 13:7.Love the brotherhood - The whole fraternity of Christians, regarded as a band of brothers. The word used here occurs only in this place and in 1 Peter 5:9, where it is rendered “brethren.” The idea expressed here occurs often in the New Testament. See the notes at John 13:34-35.Fear God - A duty everywhere enjoined in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:18

Servants, be subject to your masters - On the duty here enjoined, see the notes at Ephesians 6:5-9. The Greek word used here (οἰκέται oiketai) is not the same which is employed in Ephesians, (δοῦλοι douloi.) The word here means properly “domestics” - those employed about a house, or living in the same house - from οἶκος oikos, “house.” These persons might have been slaves, or might not. The word would apply to them, whether they were hired, or whether they were owned as slaves. The word... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:19

For this is thank-worthy - Margin, “thank.” Greek, “This is grace,” (χάρις charis). Doddridge renders the expression, “This is graceful indeed.” Various interpretations of this expression have been proposed; but the meaning evidently is, that it is acceptable to God, (see 1 Peter 2:20, “this is acceptable to God” - χάρις παρὰ Θεῷ charis para Theō;) that is, this will be regarded by him with favor. It does not mean that it was worthy of thanks, or that God would thank them for doing it,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:20

For what glory is it - What honor or credit would it be.If, when ye be buffeted for your faults - That is, if you are punished when you deserve it. The word “buffet” (κολαφίζω kolaphizō) - means, to strike with the fist; and then to strike in any way; to maltreat, Matthew 26:67; Mar 14:65; 1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7. Perhaps there may be a reference here to the manner in which servants were commonly treated, or the kind of pun ishment to which they were exposed. They would be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called - Such a spirit is required by the very nature of your Christian vocation; you were called into the church in order that you might evince it. See the notes at 1 Thessalonians 3:3.Because Christ also suffered for us - Margin, “some read, for you.” The latest editions of the Greek Testament adopt the reading “for you.” The sense, however, is not essentially varied. The object is, to hold up the example of Christ to those who were called to suffer, and to say to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin - Who was in all respects perfectly holy. There is an allusion here to Isaiah 53:9; and the sense is, that he was entirely innocent, and that he suffered without having committed any crime. In this connection the meaning is, that we are to be careful that, if we suffer, it should be without committing any crime. We should so live, as the Saviour did, as not to deserve to be punished, and thus only shall we entirely follow his example. It is as much our duty to live so as not to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again - He did not use harsh and opprobrious words in return for those which he received:(1) He was reviled. He was accused of being a seditious man; spoken of as a deceiver; charged with being in league with Beelzebub, the “prince of the devils” and condemned as a blasphemer against God. This was done:(a)By the great and the influential of the land;(b)In the most public manner;(c)With a design to alienate his friends from him;(d)With most cutting and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self - See the notes at Hebrews 1:3, on the phrase “when he had by himself purged our sins.” The meaning is, that he did it in his own proper person; he did not make expiation by offering a bloody victim, but was himself the sacrifice.Bare our sins - There is an allusion here undoubtedly to Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:12. See the meaning of the phrase “to bear sins” fully considered in the notes at those places. As this cannot mean that Christ so took upon himself the sins of people as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray - Here also is an allusion to Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” See the notes at that verse. The figure is plain. We were like a flock without a shepherd. We had wandered far away from the true fold, and were following our own paths. We were without a protector, and were exposed to every kind of danger. This aptly and forcibly expresses the condition of the whole race before God recovers people by the plan of salvation. A flock thus wandering... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:25

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands