Before I start I must apologize for taking this long to get an update up. I said I would do it sooner but have failed in the regard. I will try to be more frequent as well as give a better declaration as to when I can post from now on.
Now onto what I wish to talk about.
1 Peter ch 2
1 peter is a very interesting book of the bible. Many try to say this might not of been written by Peter but I feel the type of fire and preaching is very much like that we see from Peter at Pentecost in Acts also I have a strong belief God would of not allowed its inclusion into the bible if their was deception involved to the author. After all God does not lie or use deception as is stated in the Chapter we will be reading Ch 2 as well as all through out the bible Old and New. The whole book of 1 Peter is again something everyone should read especially the Christian facing adversity, persecution or even the threat of death like is happening in places across the world today. As Peter is explaining in this book how we should deal with such issues when the world is starting to show us its dislike. So lets began a verse by verse break down of Chapter 2. I wish to talk about this chapter as many I feel need a reminder on what God believes we should do when faced with a Hostel Government, Ruler or Masters how we as Christians should endure as well as why it is good to patiently endure. The Entire letter of 1 Peter explains why So please read ch 1 as well as the other chapters.
2 Peter Ch 2 (KjV)
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
Verse 1 is a bit of a continuation from chapter 1 as wells as introduction. We the reader are told as being a follower of Christ we are laying aside the sins and corruption that we were born with to follow God. Also that this happens automatically when we believe we from that point have the desire to put aside are sins and strive to live a more faithful life.
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Here followers in Christ are compared to a new born infant desiring the “milk” of the Word. The word as told in John ch 1 is Christ. The milk is the understanding of the Verse John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that any who believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Paul refers to the milk of the Gospel as well in his letter in 1 Corinthians talking about how he gave them the basic understanding of God so that as the matured in their faith they may latter have the meat of the Gospel as well but he wished to wait tell the better understood the milk.
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Here he tells the reader if you have tasted the milk then you know the Lord is gracious or merceful, kind, compassionate.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Here we are told the Word, Jesus was rejected by men but Chosen of God and considered precious.
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Peter tells the reader that as a believer in Christ that like Christ we are also stones to build the Body of Christ the spiritual bride. As believers of God we are of the same priesthood as Jesus who is the head of the Priesthood. That are spiritual sacrifice or works we do in his name are acceptable to God by Jesus the Christ. (note: being acceptable does not mean works are needed to be saved.)
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
We are told about a prophecy that in Israel Jesus would be brought up being singled out, special and that any who believe in him will not be confused about his nature.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
We are given two Groups people who accept and believe and people who reject. We are reminded the builders rejected the stone but it is made the chief stone of the corner.
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
We are told how people who reject the stone who is Jesus causes confusion and hatred in their hearts.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Peter tells us here people who accepted are a chosen generation made into priests and a nation a special people that will give Jesus praise for he called us out of darkness into his light. For the Jews who accepted it is the fulfillment of many promises God made to them. For the Gentile that accepted it allows them to be counted and grafted into the promises God made. Paul in Romans speaks of the wild Olive being grafted into the Good olive. So we see Peter is mirroring and supporting what Paul had said in Romans.
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
We are told how this people the Church did not exists previously but that now thanks to God are people of God and have attained mercy when earlier all mankind was condemned.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Peter begs the reader to abstain from the temptations of sin which try mankind’s soul.
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
What is being said is to always be honest and do Good even when we are accused of in fact being evil. For by are works we Glorify God.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Peter is saying not to rebel against the Government for the Sake of God. Whoever it be for rebellion is not in keeping with the word of God. As Jesus said in the temple give to Ceaser what is Ceaser’s and to God what is God’s.
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Again peter is stressing that we are to submit to all authority of the rule of law.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
We are told the reason to submit for by submitting is what God wishes so that He may show the ignorance of people who accuse Christians of being evil.
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
We are told to not use are freedoms and liberties as a excuse or reason to be mean, or cruel. But as servants to God we should Honor all man. Love are fellow Christians, fear God and honer the ruler over us.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
Servant was more a reference to slaves but in this day it goes good for employees to bosses and renters to Land Lords that we should be subject even when they are cruel to us.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Peter is saying it is an Honer for a servant of God to endure wrongful suffering.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
We are told we would take a justified punishment for a mistake, But that to do it when we have done nothing wrong is seen as acceptable to God. We are told earlier why God wishes us to submit it is to show them His righteousness.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
This is simply explained as follow Christ’s example.
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
We are reminded Jesus did no sin and was found to have never lied.
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
That when hated over and over again that he suffered and was threatened he gave himself to him the judgeth righteously
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
He did this to bare mankind’s sins in his own self on the cross. So that we would no longer be dead but made alive unto righteousness. By his suffering we were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Finally we are reminded that before we were saved we were lost sheep and now have returned to are Shepherd and Head Priest of our souls. That being Jesus who is God.
In Conclusion
So that is 1 Peter ch 2 and I hope it helps put into perspective what God wishes us to do in relation to Government and authority. Which is to not actively rebel against it and to submit to it as long as it does not require us to go against are beliefs. But even then that we endure the punishment and judgment that comes are way even if it is not deserved and right. For that is what God wishes from us.
For example we are given How Jesus who was being wrongfully crucified submitted to the Sanhedrin and Pilate. That three of Daniels friends who did not bow to the statue of Nebecunazer submitted to the judgment of being thrown in to the fiery furnace. Later even Daniel was subject to a similar wrongful judgment and thrown into a lions den. The apostles all of them were wrongfully imprisoned and went through horrific tortures. All but John were executed. They didn’t rebel but submitted to the judgment that came down. Knowing it was what God wished.
May God watch over and protect all who call on his name.
benedictionofandrew 