1 Peter 2:15-17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:15

Verse 15 15For so is the will of God He returns to his former doctrine, lest an occasion should be given to the unbelieving to speak evil, though he expresses less than what he had said before; for he says only that the mouths of the foolish ought to be stopped. The phrase which he adopts, “to stop up ignorance,” though it may seem harsh on account of its novelty, does not yet obscure the sense. (28) For he not only calls the unbelieving foolish, but also points out the reason why they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:16

Verse 16 16As free This is said by way of anticipation, that he might obviate those things which are usually objected to with regard to the liberty of God’s children. For as men are naturally ingenious in laying hold on what may be for their advantage, many, at the commencement of the Gospel, thought themselves free to live only for themselves. This doting opinion, then, is what Peter corrects; and he briefly shews how much the liberty of Christians differed from unbridled licentiousness. And,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:17

Verse 17 This is a summary of what is gone before; for he intimates that God is not feared, nor their just right rendered to men, except civil order prevails among us, and magistrates retain their authority. That he bids honor to be rendered to all, I explain thus, that none are to be neglected; for it is a general precept, which refers to the social intercourse of men. (29) The word honor has a wide meaning in Hebrew, and we know that the apostles, though they wrote in Greek, followed the... 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

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Peter 2:13-15

1 Peter 2:13-15. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man Greek, παση ανθρωπινη κτισει , to every human constitution of government, under which you are placed by Divine Providence, and which is formed instrumentally by men, and relates to you as men, and not as Christians. Macknight translates the clause, Be subject to every human creation of magistrates; observing that “the abstract word creation is put for the concrete, the person created; just as governments and powers are... read more

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