1 Peter 2

Chap. II. Ver. 1—25. Christians exhorted to attention to the word of God, and to obedience to its precepts.—The apostle having, in the close of the preceding chapter, spoken of regeneration by means of the immortal word of God, here gives us a sketch of the evidences of this change in the temper and dispositions of the subjects of it—namely, meekness, simplicity, and attachment to the word of God; comparing young converts to “new-born babes,” whose first appetite is for their mothers’ milk, pure and unadulterated. So true believers thirst for the pure word of God. For as milk, when adulterated, contains less nutriment than in its natural state, so the word of God, when mingled with vain philosophy or human inventions, contains proportionably less of divine instruction and consolation, and our growth in grace is thereby checked, if not wholly stopped.

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” (1 Peter 4:11). Our apostle adds—‘“If so be,” or rather, “since ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious;” alluding to the case of infants, who, when they have tasted of their mothers’ milk, abhor and spurn all other kinds of food; so it is with many simple and pious Christians, who, though they have little or no systematical or critical knowledge in divinity, in a manner instinctively reject error, and especially those errors which have an evident tendency to depreciate the grace of God, and degrade the character of the Saviour. This Saviour is here, as in many parts of the Scriptures, represented as the only foundation of his church, both Jews and Gentiles: the former, “a holy nation,”

a peculiar people; the latter, not so formerly, but now turned from darkness unto light, and united with the former in being built upon the same foundation, joined in the same privileges, and cemented by the same grace. The latter part of the chapter contains chiefly moral precepts, especially with regard to submission to existing governments, of whatever nature they may be; for the apostles and first Christians were particularly careful not to disturb the order of political society, nor to give any occasion for reproach on that pretence. But on this and on almost every topic, the inspired writers of the New Testament frequently advert to the example of Christ, which on every subject was pertinent and complete; and in no point moreso than on his meek submission to insults and to injuries: with his example also our apostle connects his atonement, (doctrine and practice being inseparable with him,) who himself “bare our sins in his own body on the tree: by whose stripes we are healed, and by whose death we live.

Notes on the verses

Ver. 23. The word of God.—Some explain this of Christ the Logos; but ver. 25 evidently explains it of the preached gospel. Campbell renders this, “By the word of the living God, which abideth for ever.” Chap. ii. Ver. 2. Sincere—Doddridge, “unmingled.” Macknight, “unadul-

Ver. 3. If so be.—Doddridge, “Since ye have.” Macknight, “Because ye have,” &c.

Ver. 4—6. A living stone, &c.—See (Isaiah 28:16); and compare (Ephesians 2:20).

Ver. 7. Precious.—Greek, “preciousness” itself—that is, invaluable. Compare (1 Peter 1:19).

Ver. 8. Which stumble…… being disobedient.—Doddridge, “which being disobedient, stumble:” disobedience, or infidelity, being the true cause of their stumbling.

Ver. 10. Which…. were not a le.—See Hosea ii. 23.

Ver. 12. Honest—Or “good,” or the word is often rendered: perhaps the exact idea is, consistent or honest to their profession.

Ver. 13. To every ordinance of man.—Doddridge, “every human constitution.” Macknight, “Every human creation [of magistrates].” The meaning certainly comprehends every existing form of government, monarchical or republican.—To the king.—Including the Roman eet