CHAPTER II
(Vs 1) "Therefore" --A conclusion to be drawn. You have been born
again, thus something is now to be different. The old
man is to be crucified -- Cf. Gal. 2:20
"putting away" There are some things the child of god cannot
engage in. Separate yourself from!!! As one would
discard dirty garments, so must the Christian discard
these characteristics. Rom. 13:12; Col. 3:8-10; Jas.
1:21. The old man put away. The new man put on. Gal.
3:27. cf. 1:14
"Wickedness"--(KJ-"malice") evil disposition; a desire to
injure another.
"guile"--opposed to sincerity; to catch with bait;
craftiness.
"hypocrisies" -- deceptive and deceitful actions and
attitudes.
"envies"--another has that which one desires. 1 Cor 13:4
"evil speakings" -- slanderous statements about others.
"Backbitings" --2 Cor 12:20.
NOTE: These are all actions which seek to destroy the
brotherly relationship brought about by our obedience
to the truth; our begettal of the word. cf. 1 Jn. 4:20
(vs 2) "Newborn babes" -- New birth introduced already (1:3; 2:23)
John 3:3,5; 1 Cor 4:15; 1 Jn. 5:1, etc.
Children are teachable, guileless
"long for"--eagerness for Word of God. Babes are dependant
mother for their very life, so must child of God
realize dependance upon God's Word for life.
"without guile" -- it alone can sustain us.
Infants do not have to be constantly urged and
admonished to seek nourished. Unless they are
ill.
"may grow"-- End result of spiritual milk. One feasting on
the Word of God will grow, mature.
cf. Heb. 5:11-14 -- some do not grow, develop, mature.
Must develop beyond simple, primary.
(vs 3) "If ye have..." -- Not doubt; but fulfilled condition-"Since"
"gracious" -- good. Ps. 34:8
"tasted" --the Word of God delights the partaker and he/she
returns again and again to feast.
(vs 4) The writer turns from the figure of milk to the illustration
of a building. Cf. Paul in 1 Cor 3:1-11.
"Unto whom coming" -- Christ, the living stone.
"living stone" -- not lifeless or dormant as earthly stones,
but energized, alive, active, FOUNDATION!!
Having been raised from the dead, He lives
evermore.
"rejected" -- to reject after examination and cast aside.
The Jews did just exactly that. He did not fit their
expectations, their mold. Jn 1:11.
"elect"--chosen by God, fit for His use.
"Precious" -- worthy of honor. the very opposite of what the
Jews thought. ( and STILL DO)
NOTE: Vs 1:19 --precious blood. Different word in Greek
(1:19) that which has intrinsic value.
(2:4) God's recognition of that value.
The Jews did not recognize Christ as of any
value, but God did.
(vs 5) "ye also"--God includes "US," as "living stones," who derive
our very life from Him.
"spiritual house" -- the church, to worship and serve.
"priesthood" -- "Holy" - under the Law of Moses, the priest
were a special group authorized to officiate in
worship. NOW all Christians are priests.
"spiritual sacrifices" -- in contrast to the sacrifices of
the Law. As priests, we serve under our High Priest.
Heb. 9:11, 24; 13:15, 16.
"through Christ" -- our sacrifices please God,
"acceptable" -- not only received, but that which brings
pleasure to the recipient.
WHAT ARE OUR SACRIFICES??? Prayer, praise, contribution,
our lives, etc. Rom. 12:1-2
(vs 6) Isa. 28:16; Rom. 9:33.
"corner stones" -- uniting and binding together the walls of
building. Cf. Eph 2:13-22; 4:4.
The stone laid in Jerusalem--1 Kings 8:1--Zion
It was there that Christ died, removed the Law.
(vs 7) Only those who believe, obey Christ, are blessed, precious.
That which the Jewish leaders rejected has now become the
cornerstone.
(vs 8) What a contrast!!!
"stumbling"--to collide with something, thus injury.
"offense" -- caught in a trap.
This is more than mere vexation or annoyance; but ruin
and loss because of disobedience.
"they were appointed" -- Some use this verse to teach
predestination. But, whatever is befallen to them, it
was because of their unbelief. God has decreed, you
disobey me and you shall suffer.
(vs 9) "But" -- a contrast, as for you, you are not like the Jews
who rejected Him.
"elect race" -- chosen unto salvation.
"royal"--because of its relationship to the King.
"holy"--dedicated to a sacred purpose
"show forth"-- declared, proclaim, to publish abroad.
"excellencies" -- virtues, gracious love -- salvation.
"darkness" -- sin, called from life of sin.
"light" -- freedom. Eph 5:8; 1 Jn 1:5.
(Vs 10) Suggests they were Gentiles. Scattered, no people;
NOW, through Christ, people of God
CONDUCT BEFORE UNBELIEVERS (2:11, 12)
(Vs 11) "Beloved" _ a term of endearment, often used in N.T. (4:12)
(1 Cor 10:14; 15:58; 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Jn 3:2, etc.)
close, intimate relationship
"I beseech you" -- to call to one's side and tenderly
admonish, to exhort, to plead with.
"sojourner"--one who lives as a foreigner in a strange
country.
"pilgrim"--one who remains in one place only a short time.
We life here on this earth, but only temporarily, for
brief period, but our citizenship is in heaven.
Phil 3:20.
Cf. Abraham. Heb 11:9,13.
"to abstain" -- we just cannot become involved with fleshly
lust. (present indicative) thus, constant, daily
"soul" -- man's higher nature, immortal part of man derived
from God.
(vs 12) "behavior" (K.J.--"conversation")
"Gentiles"-- the unconverted, the ungodly,
"seemly" -- beautiful, lovely, harmonious. The life of the
Christian is a life of beauty, attractive.
"speak"--vocal opposition, critical
"evil doers"--Same word used by chief priests against Christ
cf. 1 Pet.2:21--Christians suffer as He suffered
NOTE: Acts 17:6,7 -- against Caesar
Acts 19:27, 29--against Diana
Every evil that came upon mankind was blamed on
these early Christians.
"behold your good works"--morally good, but also beautiful
Best way to answer these false charges was to live them
down.
cf. Mt. 5:16--Let light shine...
Deeds speak louder than words.
"glorify God"--Ultimate design of our lives. Our very lives
are to glorify and honor the Father.
"day of visitation"--Christ used same language to describe
the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 19:44). Thus,
a time of great affliction and suffering
cf. Isa 10:3--When Assyria was brought against
Israel.
The term is also used with reference to God's
visitation with salvation. (Ps. 106:4)
THREE VIEWPOINTS:
(1) The day of judgment, when all mankind will
confess Christ. Phil 2:10,11
(2) The day when the unbeliever would be visited by
God with forgiveness. The Gentiles would be
lead to obey because of the lives of the
believers. This surly taught in 3:1.
(3) When the test comes upon these disciples in the
form of persecutions (day of visitation); the
Gentiles will be lead to glorify God.
NOTE: Whichever position is accepted, the major
thrust of the passage is that the good lives
of the disciples will cause the Gentiles to
glorify God.
SUBMISSION TO CIVIL AUTHORITY
(VS 13) "be subject"-- to place oneself under subjection--OBEY
"ordinance"--laws of man, no particular type of government
is identified; whatever system one lives under.
NOTE: Acts 4:19; 5:29--cannot disobey God.
"for Lord's sake"--Christ commanded this, Mt. 17:26,27.
"King"--most likely refers to Nero, one of the most wicked,
depraved who ever reigned. Rom. 13:1-ff.
"supreme" --higher rank, Peter recognizes a rank; from
Caesar down to the others.
(vs 14) "governors"--proconsuls and magistrates of the provinces;
authority as it is passed down.
"vengeance"--purpose of government. Even evil rulers keep
the people in check. Were it not for civil
authority, anarchy would rule.
(vs 15) The life of the Christian should give no occasion for others
to speak out against them.
"silence"--to gag, muzzle. The world cannot (justly) accuse
the Christian of evil.
(vs 16) "free" -- Christians are often referred to as "free."
Gal. 5:1--free from the law, from sin, fear, etc.
Yet, still under law.
Some taught that since they were free, they were free
to do anything they wished.
Cf. Impossibility of apostasy. Statement by Sam Morris
Cecil Hook, book expressing idea of freedom,
allowing for all kinds of things to be brought in
Being free in Christ does not give us a license to
commit sin. Gal. 5:13. Yes, we are free (free from
sin) but still under obligation to obey Christ.
Liberty without restraint is license.
cf. "The alcoholic, the dope addict, because they
recognize no restraint, are in the most
helpless slavery." (Woods)
Cf. We live in a country called "The Land of the Free"
But, my freedom is limited on the Freeways.
"Your freedom stops where my nose begins."
(vs 17) "Honor"--Respect our fellow mankind. All made in His image
"Brotherhood"--God's spiritual family; with a common
parentage, interests, aims, etc. Jn. 13:34,35.
"Fear God"--reverence and honor
"King"--Civil rule.
These express various levels of responsibilities.
NOTE: The world is watching us. What we do, what we
think, say, etc. If we fail, the world says
religion is no good.
(vs 18) "servants" - the common word for "servant" is doulos, slave
(Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:1--servant of Jesus Chri
Here it is a milder term, oiketes, a domestic servant,
a household slave
Many N.T. Christians were in bondage, Eph 6:5-8;
Col. 3:22; 1 Tim 6:1,2
Since the Christian had been freed, and all men are
equal in Christ; it was very easy for them to
repudiate their present condition as a slave.
Thus, the need to be admonished to not disregard
their obligations. Paul sent Onesimus back to
Philemon.
"with all fear"-- many kinds of fear, fear of punishment,
offending God, bringing reproach on name of Christ
"good and gentle"--humane masters, kind,
"froward"-- crooked, perverse, evil, abusive, etc.
Whether their masters made it hard or easy, the
Christians were to be submissive.
(vs 19) "This"--obedience to masters, even wicked and oppressive one
God approves of the one who accepts suffering without
striking back. Note this is "suffering wrongfully
This is not to suggest that commendations (blessings)
come from God because of wrongful sufferings.
(vs 20) When one suffers because of sins, there is no glory. We
would be receiving just rewards; get what we bargain for
Ills: Servant punished for stealing, lying, etc.
But, to be punished when not guilty, to suffer when
you do well--this pleases God.
(vs 21) "called"--By the gospel; 2 Thess 2:13,14.
Their acceptance of the gospel placed most of these
early Christians in great persecutions.
Phil. 1:29,30; 2 Tim. 3:12, etc.
"Christ"--the disciple is not above his Lord; thus suffering
can be expected.
"example"--"to write under" "to copy"--thus, a pattern, or
model to follow. (cf. child learning to write.)
"follow his steps"--follow His footprints
(vs 22) "Who did no sin"--He suffered; wrongfully; yet, sinned not
Isa. 53:9--fullfilled prophecy.
"guile"--(2:1) opposed to sincerity; to catch with bait;
"found"--to search diligently. They tried over and over.
Perfect sinlessness--Heb. 7:26; 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Jn 3:5
(vs 23) Christ did not respond in like kind. He never reacted
wrongly to the abuse and mistreatment.
Look what they did:
(1) charged Him with being a Devil
(2) a winebibber
(3) a glutton
(4) in league with Beelzebub
(5) a blasphemer of God
(6) a violator of the Law
(7) Ridiculed and spit upon
NOTE: These early Christians likewise suffered wrongfully.
As slaves, how often they were tempted to react in kind
against ungodly masters.
But, their Lord did not so react. He made no defense of
Himself. Could have called legions of angels.
Christ not only taught non-retaliation (Mt 5:38-48); He
practiced it, under trying circumstances.
(vs 24) The reason and purpose for such actions; He suffered
"FOR YOU."
"His own self"--a personal redeemer, savior.
"bare"--used in O.T. to express the sacrificial victim
placed on the altar by the priests. Thus, Christ
became the sacrificial offering. Isa 53:11,12
"In His body" --He was the sacrifice, as well as the priest
who offered (bare).
"on the tree"--the cross
TWO FOLD RESULTS:
(1) Our sins removed
(2) live unto righteousness Rom 6:1-6.
"strips"--Isa. 53:5; He was bruised, cruel beatings, etc.
"healed"--salvation from sin, eternal scars
NOTE: Physical healing was never included in the gospel
as a part of salvation.
(1) Many saved still suffered bodily afflictions,
Phil. 2:27; 2 Tim. 4:20; 2 Cor 12:7; 1 Tim 5:23,
(2) If healing is a part of the atonement, then
sickness would indicate an unsaved condition.
(3) Salvation (healing) from sin--Whole context is
dealing with sin and forgiveness.
(4) Physical healings were used to confirm the truth
of the Gospel, John 20:30. Does the truth need
confirming in each succeeding generation? If so,
perhaps Christ must be crucified for each
succeeding generation.
(vs 25) "astray like sheep"--The figure (likeness) of sheep as
representative of people who are scattered, confused,
without a leader is used often in scriptures. Mt. 9:36;
Lk. 15:4; Num. 27:17; 1 Kgs. 22:17. There are few more
things more vulnerable (no claws, no strength, cannot
run fast, etc.) than a lost lamb, exposed to dangers.
So likewise, mankind was lost, without guidance, hope,
etc. Cf. Isa 53:6; John 10:1-16
"returned"--aorist tense, suggesting a single act; their
conversion. Saved from the dangers as a lost
lamb, wandering, exposed, etc.
"Shepherd"--He feeds, guides, protects, cares for, etc.
"Bishop"--overseer, supervisor, directs our lives.
Same word used to identify elders; who oversee,
supervise, etc. Acts 20:28; Heb 13:17; 1 Tim 3:5;
Titus 1:9; 1 Peter 5:4.
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