1 Peter 2:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13-25

The general rule of a Christian conversation is this, it must be honest, which it cannot be if there be not a conscientious discharge of all relative duties. The apostle here particularly treats of these distinctly. I. The case of subjects. Christians were not only reputed innovators in religion, but disturbers of the state; it was highly necessary, therefore, that the apostle should settle the rules and measures of obedience to the civil magistrate, which he does here, where, 1. The duty... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 2:18-25

2:18-25 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and equitable, but also to those who are perverse, for it is a real sign of grace when a man bears pains in unjust suffering because of his consciousness of God. It is to live like this that you were called, because Christ too suffered for us, leaving behind him an example that we should follow in his steps. He did no sin nor was any guile found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he did not return... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 2:18-25

Into this situation came Christianity with its message that every man was precious in the sight of God. The result was that within the Church the social barriers were broken down. Callistus, one of the earliest bishops of Rome, was a slave; and Perpetua, the aristocrat, and Felicitas, the slave-girl, met martyrdom hand in hand. The great majority of the early Christians were humble folk and many of them were slaves. It was quite possible in the early days that the slave should be the president... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 2:18-25

But Christianity did not leave the matter in that merely negative form. It introduced three great new principles into a man's attitude as a servant and a workman. (i) Christianity introduced a new relationship between master and man. When Paul sent the runaway slave Onesimus back to Philemon, he did not for a moment suggest that Philemon should set Onesimus free. He did not suggest that Philemon should cease to be the master and that Onesimus should cease to be the slave. What he did say was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 2:18-25

(1) The Shepherd Of The Souls Of Men In the last verse of this chapter we come upon two of the great names for God--the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls--as the King James Version has it. (i) God is the Shepherd of the souls of men. The Greek is poimen ( Greek #4166 ) and shepherd is one of the oldest descriptions of God. The Psalmist has it in the best-loved of all the Psalms: "The Lord is my shepherd" ( Psalms 23:1 ). Isaiah has it: "He will feed his flock like a shepherd: he will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray ,.... This is a proof of their being healed, namely, their conversion; in which an application of the blood of Christ, and pardon, and so healing by it, was made to their souls. The apostle has still in view the prophecy of Isaiah 53:6 . God's elect are sheep before conversion; not that they have the agreeable properties of sheep, as to be meek, harmless, innocent, clean, and profitable, for they are the reverse of all this; nor can some things be said of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray - Formerly ye were not in a better moral condition than your oppressors; ye were like stray sheep, in the wilderness of ignorance and sin, till Christ, the true and merciful Shepherd, called you back from your wanderings, by sending you the Gospel of his grace. Bishop of your souls - Unless we consider the word bishop as a corruption of the word επισκοπος episcopos , and that this literally signifies an overseer, an inspector, or one that has the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:25

Verse 25 25For ye were as sheep This also has Peter borrowed from Isaiah, except that the Prophet makes it a universal statement, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” (Isaiah 53:6.) But on the word sheep there is no particular stress; he indeed compares us to sheep, but the emphasis is on what the Prophet adds, when he says that every one had turned to his own way. The meaning then is, that we are all going astray from the way of salvation, and proceeding in the way of ruin, until Christ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray ; rather, with the best manuscripts, for ye were going astray like sheep . The apostle is probably still thinking of the great prophecy of Isaiah, and here almost reproduces the words of the sixth verse, "All we like sheep have gone astray." He who had been thrice charged to feed the sheep and the lambs of Christ would think also of the parable of the lost sheep, and of the people of Israel who were "as sheep having no shepherd" ( Matthew 9:36 ). But... 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

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