Category Archives: Commentaries

How Jesus Suffered

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1 Peter 2:23

23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Jesus was abused with hateful language (especially at His trial and during His crucifixion). But He did not say anything back. Mathew records (in Matt. 27:12-14): “And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.”

The reason why he remained silent is because He knew it was His time to suffer, and He also knew that only His Father could deliver Him. So, He entrusted Himself (handed Himself over) to God whom He knew would judge Him righteously. His Father would let Him be crucified to pay for our sins, but in the end He would be resurrected and returned to heaven.

Called to Suffer as Christ Did

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1 Peter 2:21-22

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;

We are called to salvation, and in that calling we are also called to suffer as Christ did. Hence, we have His example to follow. And He did suffer unjustly, since He committed no sin or was ever deceitful. He was a perfect man. And if we try to be as He was, we will suffer as He did, inflicted from the hands of sinful men, from Satan and his demons, from the sinful world, and from our own sinful flesh.

Enduring Unfair Treatment

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1 Peter 2:19-20

19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

God is pleased with you when you endure unfair treatment—because you are keeping a good conscience toward God. But if you are treated harshly because of some sin, we must know that our harsh treatment is fair and is what we had coming.

Servant to be Submissive to their Masters

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1 Peter 2:18

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

I think this verse really belongs with the previous verse; when we are submissive to our masters (anyone who is in charge of us) we are serving God. For God has put our superiors over us. Even if they are harsh and unreasonable, they are put there for His purpose—for a good purpose (Rom. 8:28).It is never God’s will for those in charge of us to be harsh or mean; however, He will work their evil out for His, and our good, according to His sovereign will.

Bondslaves to God

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1 Peter 2:16-17

16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

The subject of our freedom in Christ is covered in 1 Corinthians 6:12. Here Paul explains freedom as that which is lawful for us, or that whatever we do, even if it is a sin, is covered by God’s forgiveness. But Paul also says that some things are not profitable in that they will master us. Hence, freedom in Christ is being able to live without being concerned with condemnation—because Christ has paid for our sins on the cross. Another verse which I like is in 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Here freedom in Christ is walking in the Light (notice that Light is capitalized) and therefore we are cleansed from all sins.

But Peter here says that we are not to use our freedom as a covering for evil. When we do sin (and we sin every day), we are not to say, Oh God’s grace will cover it, no worry (Rom. 6:1). God’s grace will cover it and cleanse it, but at the same time we must confess it as sin and determine not to do it again (1Jn. 1:9). And then also, we are to use our freedom as bondslaves of God; for we have a tremendous power (by our cleansing) to do great services for God. Yes, we can do service for God not with a load of guilt over us, but with the joy of the Lord over us because of His cleansing grace. Verse 17 shows us how we may serve the Lord: honor all people—respect all people as fellow humans whom God has created; love the brotherhood—love every member of the family of God because they are our family; fear God—pay close attention to what He tells you, and obey Him; honor the king—pay special respect to him, because he carries the authority of God upon him.

Doing Right

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1 Peter 2:15

15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

There seems to always foolish men (and women) around—those who are always thinking of reasons to criticize believers. These days are filled with foolish people who will put you down just for being a Christian, not for any good thing you do. But hopefully our good deeds will make some impact on even fools. Our prayers will help.

Submit to Every Human Institution

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1 Peter 2:13-14

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

Included in their excellent behavior (v. 12), they were to submit to the king (the authority figure), and also to local governors—those who carry out the kings orders to both punish evildoers and honor those who do right. Of course, every believer will try his best to be a good citizen and thus be a good testimony in front of his neighbors.

Keep Your Behavior Excellent

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1 Peter 2:12

12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Here Peter goes beyond his appeal to keep the thought life pure; he encourages them to have an excellent behavior while around Gentiles (unbelievers). The Greek word here for excellent behavior has the meaning of being virtuous, good, and honest.

During that time, under Nero, Christians were falsely accused of many evils. Peter wants them, in their good behavior, to remove any of those notions. Instead, they are to be known for good deeds, which will help to bring the unbeliever to believing faith, and therefore bring glory to God.

The War against the Soul

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1 Peter 2:11

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

Peter here is calling them “aliens” as he did in the beginning of his letter, intending to bring into focus their citizenship in heaven and that they are not of this world. Peter wants them to know that if they are to be a holy people of God they must begin their Christian journey by abstaining from fleshly lusts, because that behavior will give them trouble in the spiritual life. In fact, it will bring them back to the darkness of their previous life and put them at war against their new life with Christ. Therefore, the Christian is to “abstain” from (or retreat from) fleshly lusts (animal desires) so that he may continue a life of Christian joy and peace and love and all that the Holy Spirit brings into the soul.

The People of God

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1 Peter 2:10

10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Speaking to both believing Jews and Gentiles, Peter reminds them that they were “called out of darkness.” And in that state they were not the people of God but were of the devil and of darkness. In fact, Peter writes that they were “not a people.” I suppose he meant that being always guided by their fleshly desires, they were more like animals than people. Hence, they also did not receive God’s mercy. But when they came to the light and believed they were privileged as Children of God to receive His mercy.