16 as free, and not as having liberty as a cloak of malice, but as God's bondmen.
But *now*, having got your freedom from sin, and having become bondmen to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end eternal life.
For the bondman that is called in [the] Lord is the Lord's freedman; in like manner [also] the freeman being called is Christ's bondman.
For *ye* have been called to liberty, brethren; only [do] not [turn] liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for *ye* do not enter, nor do ye suffer those that are entering to go in.
and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. They answered him, We are Abraham's seed, and have never been under bondage to any one; how sayest thou, Ye shall become free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Every one that practises sin is the bondman of sin. Now the bondman abides not in the house for ever: the son abides for ever. If therefore the Son shall set you free, ye shall be really free.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
Now, having got your freedom from sin, ye have become bondmen to righteousness.
not with eye-service as men-pleasers; but as bondmen of Christ, doing the will of God from [the] soul,
knowing that of [the] Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; ye serve the Lord Christ.
So speak ye, and so act, as those that are to be judged by [the] law of liberty;
promising them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a man is subdued, by him is he also brought into slavery.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Peter 2
Commentary on 1 Peter 2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 2
The general exhortation to holiness is continued, and enforced by several reasons taken from the foundation on which Christians are built, Jesus Christ, and from their spiritual blessings and privileges in him. The means of obtaining it, the word of God, is recommended, and all contrary qualities are condemned (v. 1-12). Particular directions are given how subjects ought to obey the magistrates, and servants their masters, patiently suffering in well doing, in imitation of Christ (v. 13-25).
1Pe 2:1-3
The holy apostle has been recommending mutual charity, and setting forth the excellences of the word of God, calling it an incorruptible seed, and saying that it liveth and abideth for ever. He pursues his discourse, and very properly comes in with this necessary advice, Wherefore laying aside all malice, etc. These are such sins as both destroy charity and hinder the efficacy of the word, and consequently they prevent our regeneration.
1Pe 2:4-12
1Pe 2:13-25
The general rule of a Christian conversation is this, it must be honest, which it cannot be if there be not a conscientious discharge of all relative duties. The apostle here particularly treats of these distinctly.