2:1 Therefore, rid [constantly and deliberately; to lay aside as one removing filthy clothes; rid yourself of everything inconsistent with your new life] yourselves of [1] all malice [wickedness; a general term for that which is morally evil; cf. Eph. 4:31] and [2] all deceit [that which is fake; speaking or acting from selfish motives], [3] hypocrisy [being two-faced; the insincerity and pretense of professing Jesus but play acting as a Christian], [4] envy [wanting what someone else has (includes material possessions as well as praise and prestige); cf. Ex. 20:17], and [5] slander [evil speech directed to others; gossip] of every kind.

2:2 Like newborn babies [Gr. “brephos” is the same word used of baby Jesus in the manger (Lk. 2:16); here refers to new converts in Christ], crave [to deeply long for; cf. Matt. 5:6] pure spiritual milk [the Word of God (cf. 1 Pet. 1:23,25) which nourishes believers lives], so that by it you may grow up in your salvation [begins with the new birth; includes growing and maturing in holiness; one day will include salvation from presence of sin],

2:3 now that you have tasted [means to experience for yourself] that the Lord is good [cf. Ps. 34:8].

2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—

2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

2:6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

2:7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, “

2:8 and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2:10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

2:11 Dear friends [beloved; these believers were well-known to Peter], I urge [to appeal to; to beg, invite, or request] you, as aliens [refers to foreigners who reside for a time in a foreign land] and strangers [refers to people who are just passing through a foreign land] in the world [cf. 1 Pet. 1:1], to abstain from [a reminder that believers have not yet lost their capacity to desire or to do wrong things] sinful [or fleshly desires; fleshly refers to everything human that stands in opposition to God] desires, which war against your soul [or against you; the whole person; cf. Rom. 7:13-25].

2:12 Live such good [honorable, decent] lives [believers are to live their lives in the light of eternity and in the light of the holiness of God] among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong [because they misunderstand your motives and actions; cf. Matt. 5:11], they may see your good deeds and glorify God [cf. Matt. 5:16] on the day he visits us.

2:13 Submit [accept the authority of; not when it means violating God’s Word and sinning against God (cf. Acts 5:29)] yourselves for the Lord’s sake [so that the spread of the gospel will not be hindered] to every authority [literally means “creature;” cf. Rom. 13:1-2] instituted among men [human institutions]: whether to the king [in Peter’s time Emperor Nero, a cruel tyrant who ruled from AD 54–68], as the supreme authority,

2:14 or to governors, who are sent by him [the king or emperor] to [this word introduces the God-ordained functions (that help maintain peace and safety) of those in authority] punish [legal punishment] those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Note: Recall a time when you rebelled against authority. What consequences did you suffer?

2:15 For it is God’s will that by [defines the will of God] doing good [refers to what is written in 2:13-14] you should silence [muzzle, gag, restrain] the ignorant talk [about Christianity] of foolish [those without reason; those who lie about and slander believers] men.

2:16 Live as free [this does not mean that we are free to do whatever we want] men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up [pretext] for evil; live as servants [Christ frees people to serve God] of God.

2:17 Show proper respect [honor, value, esteem] to everyone [because all are made in the image of God]: Love [volitional, self-sacrificial kind of love] the brotherhood [the family of believers] of believers, fear [show deep respect, reverence, awe] God, honor [Gr. “timao;” the word “respect” is translated from same verb] the king.

2:18 Slaves [Gr. “oiketes” which means household servant; some of Peter’s readers may have been servants serving in pagan homes], submit [cooperate, willingly obey, be loyal] yourselves to your masters [one who has authority] with all respect [our attitude matters; Gr. “phobos” which refers to healthy fear], not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh [hard to deal with; cruel].

Note: How can you endure an extremely difficult situation in a way that would honor God?

2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up [endure, put up with] under the pain [mental anguish] of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

2:20 But how is it to your credit [reputation] if you receive a beating [to hit with the fist (as in Mk. 14:65); to treat roughly] for doing wrong and endure it? But [repeats thought of 2:19] if you suffer [under the hands of a harsh master] for doing good and you endure [without lashing back] it, this is commendable before God.

2:21 To this [the patient endurance of unjust treatment when you least deserve it] you were called, because Christ suffered [cf. Jn. 15:20] for you, leaving you an example [Gr. “hupogrammaton” refers to model of handwriting set up by teachers for pupils to copy], that you should follow in his [Jesus’] steps [footprints].

2:22 [note how Jesus was an example] “[cf. Isa. 53:9] He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

2:23 [cf. Isa. 53:7] When they hurled [they did so repeatedly] their insults [vile and abusive language] at him, he did not retaliate [to return abuse]; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted [to commit; kept entrusting] himself to him [God] who judges justly [according to justice; God will have the final say].

2:24 He himself bore our sins [cf. Isa. 53:12] in his body on the tree, so that we might die to [in reference to] sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds [a cut which bleeds] you have been healed [cf. Isa. 53:5].

2:25 For you were like sheep going astray [cf. Isa. 53:6], but now you have returned [from going astray down the way of sin] to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.