1 Peter 2

1. The Apostle further exhorts them to the putting off of diver vices. 2. And to a desire of the unsophisticated milk of God’s word, to grow up in that which is good. 3. And to taste God’s goodness. 4. Afterwards admonisheth them that as living stones they are built up in Christ unto a spiritual house and Priesthood. 6. Forasmuch as Christ is by God made a corner-stone, precious believers, but a stumbling block to the disobedient. 9. Testifieth that they are now this chosen generation and people of God, on whom he hath mercy. 11. Therefore exhorts them to a holy conversation, that they may glorify God thereby. 13. And further exhorts them to obedience to their Magistrates, high and low. 18. And servants to their Masters, even unto hard ones. 21. To this end sets before their eyes the suffering of Christ, and his patience. 24. And comforts them with the fruits of the same suffering, as a cause of their conversion.

1. Therefore lay aside all wickedness [Namely, seeing ye are born again of this incorruptible seed of the living God: for this exhortation flows from the former doctrine] and all guile, and hypocrisy, and envy, and all backbiting,

2. And as new born babes [That is, as men who are now newly regenerated by Gods Spirit and word] be very desirous [namely, for your spiritual food, and strengthening of the new man, which is already in you] after the reasonable [that is, the spiritual milk, opposed to the corporal milk which the new-born babes desire, as this Greek word logicon is also taken, Romans 12:1. Others take it for verbal milk, i.e. which consisteth in God’s word, to show that as the word of God is the spiritual food in the same] sincere milk [this Peter adds because as pure milk gives the true nourishment, even so also the word of God which is unfalsified, gives the true nourishment for the soul, and the Spiritual man] that ye may grow by the same.

3. If so be that ye have tasted [That is, have felt, have perceived in your mind, namely by the power of God’s word and spirit. He proceeds still therefore in the similitude of children, who use easily by their taste to discern the true milk of their nurses, from that which is counterfeit, to receive the one, and reject the other. See John 10:4, 5.] that the Lord [namely, Jesus Christ as the following verse imports] is kind.

4. Unto whom [Namely, Lord Jesus as the following verses require] coming (as unto) a living stone, [that is, a spiritual stone. And Christ is so called in opposition to the liveness stones of the Ceremonial Temple, which was a representation of the spiritual house of God, i.e. of his Church, in which God dwelleth by his Spirit and grace, 1 Cor. 3. 16. of which Christ is the foundation stone, 1 Cor. 3. 11. And the corner stone, upon which both Jews and Gentiles are built unto a Temple of God. See also Ephes. 2. 20. & c.] rejected indeed of men, [that is, of a great part of men, worldly and unbelieving, especially the Jews and their Rulers] but chosen by God (and) precious:

5. Be ye also yourselves, as living stones [That is, spiritual stones, as is declared in that which followeth] built unto a spiritual house, [that is, more and more united by faith] (unto) a holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices [namely, of thankfulness, which now in the new Testament are only required of all believers, as there are the sacrifice of our bodies, i.e. of ourselves, to be the Lord’s peculiar, Romans 12:1, 2. and the offering of praise and of our prayers before God, and withal of Liberality towards our neighbor, Heb. 13. Ver. 15, 16. Revel. 83, 4. And hereafter ver. 9.] which are acceptable to God, but by faith in Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1. And 8. 39. So neither can our works, by reason of their imperfection, be pleasing unto God but in Christ Jesus, and for his sake. See Hebrews 11:4. and 13 15, 21.]

6. Therefore it is also contained in the scripture, [Namely, partly Isaiah 8:14. and 28. 16. And Psal. 118. 22. Out of which places the Apostle Peter rehearseth these words, leaving out some words which served not for his purpose, but sincerely relating the sense of them. Others translate it, therefore be (namely God) also containeth in the Scripture] Behold I lay in Sion an utmost corner stone, [see before the annotate ver. 4] which is elect (and) precious: and he that believeth in him, shall not be ashamed. [that is, not be deceived of his expectation, as Romans 5:5. And 10. 11.]

7. To you then, that believe, he is precious, [or, honourable, Gr. Preciousness, or, honourableness, i.e. very honourable or precious] but to the disobedient (it is said) [namely, in Psal. 118. 22. and Isaiah 8:14. the exposition whereof see on Matthew 21:42. Ephesians 2:20.] The stone which the builders rejected, this is become an head of the corner, [namely, for God’s Church, notwithstanding all the resistance and tumult which the disobedient made against it] and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. [namely, for the disobedient themselves, who opposed themselves against this stone by unbelief, as the following verse declares.]

8. To them (namely) who stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto they were also set, [That is, whereunto they were also ordained; as the word set or put is also taken, Job 15:16. Acts 13:47. 1 Thes. 5. 9. Not that God doth set or ordain any man to be disobedient to his word, as far forth as it is sin. For this should be contrary to God’s nature, Psal. 5. 5. James 1:13. But because God by his judgement hath given up these obstinate men unto their obstinacy, to discover this their disobedience more and more to pull down the deserved judgement and wrath of God upon their own heads. See Isaiah 8:14. Matthew 21:44. And the annotate on Romans 1:24. And 9. 17.]

9. But ye [Namely, who have received Christ by a true faith] are a chosen generation, [that is, all those priviledges and titles of honour do really belong to you, which are every where, and especially, Exodus 19:5, 6. Deu. 26. V. 18, 19. Given to all the people of Israel, in respect of the outward Covenant. See also Malach. 3. 16, 17. And Romans 9:8.] a Royal Priesthood, [that is, Kings and Priests as John speaketh, Revelation 1:6. Moses, Exodus 19:5. Saith a Priestly kingdom but the Apostle followeth the Greek translation, the sense being all one] a holy people, a purchased people: [Gr. a people for purchase i.e. which God hath purchased to himself by his blood for a propriety, Acts 20:28.] that you might publish the virtues of him [that is, the properties. Namely, the wisdom, power, justice, grace and mercy of God] who hath called you out of darkness [namely, of ignorance and natural wickedness] into his marvelous light. [that is, unto holiness and true knowledge of God. See Acts 26:18.]

10. You that formerly were no people [this place is taken out of Hosea 2:22. Which the Apostle here expounds of the scattered Jews which were converted unto Christ, and Paul, Romans 9:25. Of the converted Gentiles also, who are now both one people of God in Christ, Ephes. 2. 13, & c.] but are now the people of God: who (formerly) were not pitied, but now are pitied.

11. Beloved, I exhort (you) as sojourners [Or, cohabitants, of which word see the annotate on chapter 1. 17.] and strangers, that ye abstain from fleshly lusts, which make war against the soul: [that is, against the salvation of the soul, namely, to destroy it. It is another thing of which Paul speaketh, Romans 7:23. And Galatians 5:17. When he describes the combat of the flesh and spirit one against the other.]

12. and have your conversation honest amongst the Gentiles: that in that which they speak evil of you as of evil doers, by the good works which they see in you, they may be glorify God, in the day of visitation. [that is, in that time when the Lord shall visit them by his grace unto repentance. See the like, Luke 1:68. And 19. 44. Others take it for the day wherein believers are visited or persecuted, are thereby brought to bethink themselves; and begin to praise that God themselves, whose children before they persecuted.]

13. Be subject therefore [Namely, in all that they command you; if it be not contrary to God and his command. See Acts 4:19.] to every human Ordinance, [Gr. human creature: which words some take for Magistracy itself, which is so called, because it consists of men, and is ordinarily appointed by men. Others understand it for preservation of civil unity and welfare. But the first exposition agrees as well with the following words] for the Lord’s sake, [that is, because it is Gods will to govern you by them. See Romans 13:1. And 1 Tim. 2. 2.] whether it is to the King [by whom here the Roman Emperor is understood, under whose command those Provinces then were] as having the supreme power.

14. Or to Governors, as being sent by him, for the punishment indeed [Or vengeance] of evil doers, but (for) praise of them that do good.

15. For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should stop the mouth of the ignorance of foolish men: [That is, that he may have no occasion to reproach you. A similitude taken from horses, or bullocks, in whose mouth men put a bit, or muzzle them, to hinder them from doing hurt. See Matth. 22. 34. 1 Cor. 9. 9.]

16. As free [That is, as being indeed made free by Christ from the dominion of the Devil and of sin, but not under this pretext to withdraw yourselves from obedience to Magistrates, or to do evil: but to serve God, and to obey his Laws] and not having liberty as covering of wickedness, but as servants of God.

17. Honour every one, [Namely, with the honour which belongs unto him, according to his state and calling] love the brotherhood, [that is, brethren and their Christian Assembles: as hereafter, chapter 5. 9.] fear God, honour the King.

18. Ye servants, be subject to your Masters [Namely, in the Lord, as Paul adds, Ephesians 6:1.] with all fear, [namely, not only of punishment, but also of transgressing of their commandments, and with care not to provoke them as much as lyeth in you] not only to the good and moderate, but also to the hard. [Gr. to the wrested, crooked, sroward, perverse.]

19. For that is grace [Namely, with God, as is added thereunto in the end of the 20. ver. i.e. it is acceptable to God] if any one for conscience before God [Gr. for conscience of God, because he holds himself bound in his own conscience, to serve and obey God above all] endure trouble [Gr. grief’s] suffering wrongfully.

20. For what praise is it [Namely, before God, as in the end of the verse] if ye endure when ye sin [that is, when ye despise or transgress the lawful command of your Masters] and are beaten [Gr. smitten with fists] (for it?) But if ye endure when ye do well [that is, serve God, and obey his commandments] and suffer (for it) that is grace with God.

21. For hereunto ye are called [Namely, as Disciples of Christ, that ye should bear his cross, Matth. 10. 38. and 16. 24, & c] seeing Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example [Or pattern, copy. A similitude taken from Painters or writing-Masters] that ye might follow his footsteps. [namely, not in his suffering, but also in his patience, as followeth.]

22. Who did no sin, neither was there guile found in his mouth.

23. Who when he was reviled, reviled not again, and when he suffered, threatened not: but gave it up, [That is, gave up his cause, or committed his cause. Or gave up himself, or gave up revenge] to him that judgeth righteously.

24. Who himself bare our sins in his body [Namely, as a sacrifice for our sins, by the punishment which he suffered for the same in body and soul to abolish sin, as the sins of the people were laid upon the goat of expiation, Levit. 16. 21. and as Isay Prophesieth of it, Isaiah 53:4. And Paul declares, 2 Cor. 5. 21.] on the wood, [or in the wood, i.e. on or in the cross] that we being dead to sin [Gr. being come off, or being separated. Namely, by the power of his death and his satisfaction] might live to righteousness: by whose stripes [Gr. stripe. Namely, which he bare for our sake: which word the Apostle the rather useth here, forasmuch as servants, because they were Christians, were constrained oftentimes to bear the like stripes from their hard Masters] ye are healed.

25. For ye were as straying sheep [Namely, in your ignorance and blindness. And the Apostle here hath respect to the 6. ver. of the 53. chapter of Isaiah] but ye are now turned unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. [Gr. Episcopon, i.e. looker to, or Overseer, i.e. who taketh care for the salvation of your souls, although your bodies are oftentimes abused here. See Matth. 10. 28.]