1 Peter - Chapter 2
Peter teaches strongly that believers are to lay aside those things that keep them from living in love toward others. He shows the faithful that Christ is the foundation upon which they are built and that they should abstain from worldly lusts, be obedient to leaders and remember the duty of servants.
1:
Wherefore (because of that which was spoken before), all the evils of behavior to be found in the believer must be cast aside. The character of a believer is seen both in the words they use and the actions of their lives. Jesus himself taught this message in Matthew 12:33-37.
2 – 3:
Christians should be eager to read and listen to the Word of God, which will help them to mature into a more fruitful life, bearing fruit for the kingdom. We should seek the word as “spiritual milk”, meaning it is to nurture the spirit inside us, not the body.
4 – 10:
David’s son, Solomon, built the temple about 950 years before the birth of Christ. In approximately 587 BC, the Babylonian army destroyed the temple and some 70 years later it was rebuilt. (1 Kings 6-8)(2 Chron 36:19)(Ezra 3-6).
When the temple was built there had to be first a clearing of the land and it had to be leveled. Then enormous stones were brought in with the cornerstone being one of the first stones laid to allow all other stones to extend from it to assure they are level & plumb. If done correctly, the strength of the building is mighty and it will stand through any storms.
Peter now calls Jesus the stone that is living and He is precious, with great honor. Now Peter teaches us that Christians are like living stones, made alive (quickened) and with these spiritual stones the Lord builds a living temple, His true church.
Believers are holy priests now allowed direct access to God through their faith in Jesus Christ. There is no longer any need for the priests of Levi to make access. The curtain separating the believer from the Lord is now split and the door is forever opened to the throne directly. No man is required to provide a path to the Lord. Christ’s work on the cross has provided it. Spiritual sacrifice is what the faithful now offer to God and these efforts prove the love we have for the Lord. Our love for Him is seen by:
We give our whole life to God (Romans 12:1).
We praise and thank God (Hebrews 13:15).
We do good works and share what we have with others (Hebrews 13:16).
We support those who preach and teach the Gospel (Philippians 4:18).
Verses 6-8 are OT prophecies concerning Jesus. He is the cornerstone and head of the church and is precious both to God the Father and believers.
Those who say they believe in God but not in this precious cornerstone will “stumble” and will not receive eternal life. None come to the Father except by the Son.
In Exodus 19:5-6 God taught that those who obeyed would be “royal priests” and form a “holy nation”. Those who are among those chosen should move away from the “darkness” of Satan and accept God’s light. Remember Jesus taught that He was the light of the world (John 8:12).
In verse 10 Peter compares what people were like before and after they have accepted Christ. These words are directly from Hosea 2:23 and also were explained by Paul in Romans 9:22-26. The promises of the OT have now been given to the church headed by Jesus.
11 – 12:
Peter now begins the effort to teach believers how to live as faithful followers. He calls them “dear” and urges them (and us) to remember their home is not in this world. Peter wants the evil acts to end and for each one to fight the evil desires which Satan places before us.
Christians should live their lives as examples of goodness. Others are watching our actions and are quick to see when we yield to temptation and sin. Our behavior should bring honor to God, not dishonor. One measure of our devotion may be how we act when we think we are not being seen.
13 – 17:
Peter instructs as to how we should respect the authority of leaders and we should obey them as God has placed them in positions of authority. However, we cannot continue to obey when they demand evil action (Acts 4:19).
Although Christ has freed us from the power of sin by his atoning sacrifice, we are not free to act in a way that is not honorable or proper. Refusing to sin shows our love for our Lord. We should respect our leaders, but never worship them. Worship is reserved for God.
18 – 24:
As we serve others, we should do so in a way that does not disrespect our faith. Judgment is not ours but belongs to God only.
There surely may be suffering in our lives and Peter teaches that we should copy the example of Christ who suffered but never deserved the suffering.
Verses 24-25 are taken from Isaiah 53:5-6 and provide a unique view of the definition of salvation. Our sins were borne by Jesus and we who were dead in sin should live unto His righteousness (justified) for by His stripes were we healed. Let’s never forget Paul’s words to the Ephesians that we were “quickened”, made alive, when we are dead in trespass and sin.
We were like sheep that had lost their way. Sheep wander around seeking fresh grass to eat. But they must come back to the shepherd for safety from those who seek to take them. Following Christ, our good shepherd, provides that safety and He will never allow one of His sheep to remain lost.