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1 Peter 2:12 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

12 Having G2192 your G5216 conversation G391 honest G2570 among G1722 the Gentiles: G1484 that, G2443 whereas G1722 G3739 they speak against G2635 you G5216 as G5613 evildoers, G2555 they may G1392 by G1537 your good G2570 works, G2041 which they shall behold, G2029 glorify G1392 God G2316 in G1722 the day G2250 of visitation. G1984

Cross Reference

Matthew 5:16 STRONG

Let your G5216 light G5457 so G3779 shine G2989 before G1715 men, G444 that G3704 they may see G1492 your G5216 good G2570 works, G2041 and G2532 glorify G1392 your G5216 Father G3962 which G3588 is in G1722 heaven. G3772

1 Peter 3:16 STRONG

Having G2192 a good G18 conscience; G4893 that, G2443 whereas G1722 G3739 they speak evil G2635 of you, G5216 as G5613 of evildoers, G2555 they may be ashamed G2617 that falsely accuse G1908 your G5216 good G18 conversation G391 in G1722 Christ. G5547

Philippians 2:15-16 STRONG

That G2443 ye may be G1096 blameless G273 and G2532 harmless, G185 the sons G5043 of God, G2316 without rebuke, G298 in G1722 the midst G3319 of a crooked G4646 and G2532 perverse G1294 nation, G1074 among G1722 whom G3739 ye shine G5316 as G5613 lights G5458 in G1722 the world; G2889 Holding forth G1907 the word G3056 of life; G2222 that G1519 I G1698 may rejoice G2745 in G1519 the day G2250 of Christ, G5547 that G3754 I have G5143 not G3756 run G5143 in G1519 vain, G2756 neither G3761 laboured G2872 in G1519 vain. G2756

2 Corinthians 8:21 STRONG

Providing G4306 for honest things, G2570 not G3756 only G3440 in the sight G1799 of the Lord, G2962 but G235 also G2532 in the sight G1799 of men. G444

Titus 2:7-8 STRONG

In G4012 all things G3956 shewing G3930 thyself G4572 a pattern G5179 of good G2570 works: G2041 in G1722 doctrine G1319 shewing uncorruptness, G90 gravity, G4587 sincerity, G861 Sound G5199 speech, G3056 that cannot be condemned; G176 that G2443 he that is of G1537 the contrary part G1727 may be ashamed, G1788 having G2192 no G3367 evil G5337 thing G3367 to say G3004 of G4012 you. G5216

1 Thessalonians 4:12 STRONG

That G2443 ye may walk G4043 honestly G2156 toward G4314 them that are without, G1854 and G2532 that ye may have G2192 lack G5532 of nothing. G3367

Philippians 1:27 STRONG

Only G3440 let your conversation be G4176 as it becometh G516 the gospel G2098 of Christ: G5547 that G2443 whether G1535 I come G2064 and G2532 see G1492 you, G5209 or G1535 else be absent, G548 I may hear G191 of your G5216 affairs, G4012 that G3754 ye stand fast G4739 in G1722 one G1520 spirit, G4151 with one G3391 mind G5590 striving together G4866 for the faith G4102 of the gospel; G2098

1 Timothy 4:12 STRONG

Let G2706 no man G3367 despise G2706 thy G4675 youth; G3503 but G235 be thou G1096 an example G5179 of the believers, G4103 in G1722 word, G3056 in G1722 conversation, G391 in G1722 charity, G26 in G1722 spirit, G4151 in G1722 faith, G4102 in G1722 purity. G47

Romans 13:13 STRONG

Let us walk G4043 honestly, G2156 as G5613 in G1722 the day; G2250 not G3361 in rioting G2970 and G2532 drunkenness, G3178 not G3361 in chambering G2845 and G2532 wantonness, G766 not G3361 in strife G2054 and G2532 envying. G2205

Matthew 5:11 STRONG

Blessed G3107 are ye, G2075 when G3752 men shall revile G3679 you, G5209 and G2532 persecute G1377 you, and G2532 shall say G2036 all manner G3956 of evil G4190 G4487 against G2596 you G5216 falsely, G5574 for my sake. G1752 G1700

Luke 19:44 STRONG

And G2532 shall lay G1474 thee G4571 even with the ground, G1474 and G2532 thy G4675 children G5043 within G1722 thee; G4671 and G2532 they shall G863 not G3756 leave G863 in G1722 thee G4671 one stone G3037 upon G1909 another; G3037 because G473 G3739 thou knewest G1097 not G3756 the time G2540 of thy G4675 visitation. G1984

Romans 12:17 STRONG

Recompense G591 to no man G3367 evil G2556 for G473 evil. G2556 Provide G4306 things honest G2570 in the sight G1799 of all G3956 men. G444

1 Timothy 2:2 STRONG

For G5228 kings, G935 and G2532 for all G3956 that are G5607 in G1722 authority; G5247 that G2443 we may lead G1236 a quiet G2263 and G2532 peaceable G2272 life G979 in G1722 all G3956 godliness G2150 and G2532 honesty. G4587

1 Peter 4:14-16 STRONG

If G1487 ye be reproached G3679 for G1722 the name G3686 of Christ, G5547 happy G3107 are ye; for G3754 the spirit G4151 of glory G1391 and G2532 of God G2316 resteth G373 upon G1909 you: G5209 on G2596 G3303 their part G846 he is evil spoken of, G987 but G1161 on G2596 your part G5209 he is glorified. G1392 But G1063 let G3958 none G3361 G5100 of you G5216 suffer G3958 as G5613 a murderer, G5406 or G2228 as a thief, G2812 or G2228 as an evildoer, G2555 or G2228 as G5613 a busybody in other men's matters. G244 Yet G1161 if G1487 any man suffer as G5613 a Christian, G5546 let him G153 not G3361 be ashamed; G153 but G1161 let him glorify G1392 God G2316 on G1722 this G5129 behalf. G3313

2 Peter 3:11 STRONG

Seeing then G3767 that all G3956 these things G5130 shall be dissolved, G3089 what manner G4217 of persons ought G1163 ye G5209 to be G5225 in G1722 all holy G40 conversation G391 and G2532 godliness, G2150

1 Peter 4:11 STRONG

If any man G1536 speak, G2980 let him speak as G5613 the oracles G3051 of God; G2316 if any man G1536 minister, G1247 let him do it as G5613 of G1537 the ability G2479 which G3739 God G2316 giveth: G5524 that G2443 God G2316 in G1722 all things G3956 may be glorified G1392 through G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 to whom G3739 be G2076 praise G1391 and G2532 dominion G2904 for G1519 ever G165 and ever. G165 Amen. G281

Psalms 37:14 STRONG

The wicked H7563 have drawn out H6605 the sword, H2719 and have bent H1869 their bow, H7198 to cast down H5307 the poor H6041 and needy, H34 and to slay H2873 such as be of upright H3477 conversation. H1870

Psalms 50:23 STRONG

Whoso offereth H2076 praise H8426 glorifieth H3513 me: and to him that ordereth H7760 his conversation H1870 aright will I shew H7200 the salvation H3468 of God. H430

Isaiah 10:3 STRONG

And what will ye do H6213 in the day H3117 of visitation, H6486 and in the desolation H7722 which shall come H935 from far? H4801 to whom will ye flee H5127 for help? H5833 and where will ye leave H5800 your glory? H3519

Romans 15:9 STRONG

And G1161 that the Gentiles G1484 might glorify G1392 God G2316 for G5228 his mercy; G1656 as G2531 it is written, G1125 For G1223 this G5124 cause G1223 I will confess G1843 to thee G4671 among G1722 the Gentiles, G1484 and G2532 sing G5567 unto thy G4675 name. G3686

2 Corinthians 1:12 STRONG

For G1063 our G2257 rejoicing G2746 is G2076 this, G3778 the testimony G3142 of our G2257 conscience, G4893 that G3754 in G1722 simplicity G572 and G2532 godly G2316 sincerity, G1505 not G3756 with G1722 fleshly G4559 wisdom, G4678 but G235 by G1722 the grace G5485 of God, G2316 we have had our conversation G390 in G1722 the world, G2889 and G1161 more abundantly G4056 to G4314 you-ward. G5209

Ephesians 4:22 STRONG

That ye G5209 put off G659 concerning G2596 the former G4387 conversation G391 the old G3820 man, G444 which G3588 is corrupt G5351 according G2596 to the deceitful G539 lusts; G1939

Philippians 4:8 STRONG

Finally, G3063 brethren, G80 whatsoever things G3745 are G2076 true, G227 whatsoever things G3745 are honest, G4586 whatsoever things G3745 are just, G1342 whatsoever things G3745 are pure, G53 whatsoever things G3745 are lovely, G4375 whatsoever things G3745 are of good report; G2163 if there be any G1536 virtue, G703 and G2532 if there be any G1536 praise, G1868 think G3049 on these things. G5023

James 3:13 STRONG

Who G5101 is a wise man G4680 and G2532 endued with knowledge G1990 among G1722 you? G5213 let him shew G1166 out of G1537 a good G2570 conversation G391 his G846 works G2041 with G1722 meekness G4240 of wisdom. G4678

Matthew 9:8 STRONG

But G1161 when the multitudes G3793 saw G1492 it, they marvelled, G2296 and G2532 glorified G1392 God, G2316 which G3588 had given G1325 such G5108 power G1849 unto men. G444

1 Peter 3:1-2 STRONG

Likewise, G3668 ye wives, G1135 be in subjection G5293 to your own G2398 husbands; G435 that, G2443 if any G1536 obey not G544 the word, G3056 they G2770 also G2532 may G2770 without G427 the word G3056 be won G2770 by G1223 the conversation G391 of the wives; G1135 While they behold G2029 your G5216 chaste G53 conversation G391 coupled with G1722 fear. G5401

Hebrews 13:18 STRONG

Pray G4336 for G4012 us: G2257 for G1063 G3754 we trust G3982 we have G2192 a good G2570 conscience, G4893 in G1722 all things G3956 willing G2309 to live G390 honestly. G2573

Hebrews 13:5 STRONG

Let your conversation G5158 be without covetousness; G866 and be content G714 with such things as ye have: G3918 for G1063 he G846 hath said, G2046 I will never G3364 leave G447 thee, G4571 nor G3761 G3364 forsake G1459 thee. G4571

Ephesians 2:3 STRONG

Among G1722 whom G3739 also G2532 we G2249 all G3956 had our conversation G390 in times past G4218 in G1722 the lusts G1939 of our G2257 flesh, G4561 fulfilling G4160 the desires G2307 of the flesh G4561 and G2532 of the mind; G1271 and G2532 were G2258 by nature G5449 the children G5043 of wrath, G3709 even G2532 as G5613 others. G3062

2 Corinthians 13:7 STRONG

Now G1161 I pray G2172 to G4314 God G2316 that ye G5209 do G3361 G4160 no G3367 evil; G2556 not G3756 that G2443 we G2249 should appear G5316 approved, G1384 but G235 that G2443 ye G5210 should do G4160 that which is honest, G2570 though G1161 we G2249 be G5600 as G5613 reprobates. G96

1 Corinthians 14:25 STRONG

And G2532 thus G3779 are G1096 the secrets G2927 of his G846 heart G2588 made G1096 manifest; G5318 and G2532 so G3779 falling down G4098 on G1909 his face G4383 he will worship G4352 God, G2316 and report G518 that G3754 God G2316 is G2076 in G1722 you G5213 of a truth. G3689

Acts 24:13 STRONG

Neither G3777 can G1410 they prove G3936 G3165 the things G4012 whereof G3739 they G2723 now G3568 accuse G2723 me. G3450

Acts 24:5-6 STRONG

For G1063 we have found G2147 this G5126 man G435 a pestilent G3061 fellow, and G2532 a mover G2795 of sedition G4714 among all G3956 the Jews G2453 throughout G2596 the world, G3625 and G5037 a ringleader G4414 of the sect G139 of the Nazarenes: G3480 Who G3739 also G2532 hath gone about G3985 to profane G953 the temple: G2411 G2532 whom G3739 we took, G2902 and G2532 would G2309 have judged G2919 according G2596 to our G2251 law. G3551

Acts 15:14 STRONG

Simeon G4826 hath declared G1834 how G2531 God G2316 at the first G4412 did visit G1980 the Gentiles, G1484 to take G2983 out of G1537 them a people G2992 for G1909 his G846 name. G3686

Luke 6:22 STRONG

Blessed G3107 are ye, G2075 when G3752 men G444 shall hate G3404 you, G5209 and G2532 when G3752 they shall separate G873 you G5209 from their company, and G2532 shall reproach G3679 you, and G2532 cast out G1544 your G5216 name G3686 as G5613 evil, G4190 for the Son G5207 of man's G444 sake. G1752

Luke 1:68 STRONG

Blessed G2128 be the Lord G2962 God G2316 of Israel; G2474 for G3754 he hath visited G1980 and G2532 redeemed G3085 his G846 people, G2992 G4160

Matthew 10:25 STRONG

It is enough G713 for the disciple G3101 that G2443 he be G1096 as G5613 his G846 master, G1320 and G2532 the servant G1401 as G5613 his G846 lord. G2962 If G1487 they have called G2564 the master of the house G3617 Beelzebub, G954 how much G4214 more G3123 shall they call them of his G846 household? G3615

Genesis 13:7-8 STRONG

And there was a strife H7379 between the herdmen H7462 of Abram's H87 cattle H4735 and the herdmen H7462 of Lot's H3876 cattle: H4735 and the Canaanite H3669 and the Perizzite H6522 dwelled H3427 then in the land. H776 And Abram H87 said H559 unto Lot, H3876 Let there be H1961 no H408 strife, H4808 I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen H7462 and thy herdmen; H7462 for we H582 be brethren. H251

Acts 25:7 STRONG

And G1161 when he G846 was come, G3854 the Jews G2453 which came down G2597 from G575 Jerusalem G2414 stood round about, G4026 and G2532 laid G5342 many G4183 and grievous G926 complaints G157 against G2596 Paul, G3972 which G3739 they could G2480 not G3756 prove. G584

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.

  • I. His advice is to lay aside or put off what is evil, as one would do an old rotten garment: "Cast it away with indignation, never put it on more.'
    • 1. The sins to be put off, or thrown aside, are,
      • (1.) Malice, which may be taken more generally for all sorts of wickedness, as Jam. 1:21; 1 Co. 5:8. But, in a more confined sense, malice is anger resting in the bosom of fools, settled overgrown anger, retained till it inflames a man to design mischief, to do mischief, or delight in any mischief that befals another.
      • (2.) Guile, or deceit in words. So it comprehends flattery, falsehood, and delusion, which is a crafty imposing upon another's ignorance or weakness, to his damage.
      • (3.) Hypocrisies. The word being plural comprehends all sorts of hypocrisies. In matters of religion hypocrisy is counterfeit piety. In civil conversation hypocrisy is counterfeit friendship, which is much practised by those who give high compliments, which they do not believe, make promises which they never intend to perform, or pretend friendship when mischief lies in their hearts.
      • (4.) All envies; every thing that may be called envy, which is a grieving at the good and welfare of another, at their abilities, prosperity, fame, or successful labours.
      • (5.) Evil speaking, which is detraction, speaking against another, or defaming him; it is rendered backbiting, 2 Co. 12:20; Rom. 1:30.
    • 2. Hence learn,
      • (1.) The best Christians have need to be cautioned and warned against the worst sins, such as malice, hypocrisy, envy. They are but sanctified in part, and are still liable to temptations.
      • (2.) Our best services towards God will neither please him nor profit us if we be not conscientious in our duties to men. The sins here mentioned are offences against the second table. These must be laid aside, or else we cannot receive the word of God as we ought to do.
      • (3.) Whereas it is said all malice, all guile, learn, That one sin, not laid aside, will hinder our spiritual profit and everlasting welfare.
      • (4.) Malice, envy, hatred, hypocrisy, and evil-speaking, generally go together. Evil-speaking is a sign that malice and guile lie in the heart; and all of them combine to hinder our profiting by the word of God.
  • II. The apostle, like a wise physician, having prescribed the purging out of vicious humours, goes on to direct to wholesome and regular food, that they may grow thereby. The duty exhorted to is a strong and constant desire for the word of God, which word is here called reasonable milk, only, this phrase not being proper English, our translators rendered it the milk of the word, by which we are to understand food proper for the soul, or a reasonable creature, whereby the mind, not the body, is nourished and strengthened. This milk of the word must be sincere, not adulterated by the mixtures of men, who often corrupt the word of God, 2 Co. 2:17. The manner in which they are to desire this sincere milk of the word is stated thus: As new-born babes. He puts them in mind of their regeneration. A new life requires suitable food. They, being newly born, must desire the milk of the word. Infants desire common milk, and their desires towards it are fervent and frequent, arising from an impatient sense of hunger, and accompanied with the best endeavours of which the infant is capable. Such must Christians' desires be for the word of God: and that for this end, that they may grow thereby, that we may improve in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, 2 Pt. 3:18. Learn,
    • 1. Strong desires and affections to the word of God are a sure evidence of a person's being born again. If they be such desires as the babe has for the milk, they prove that the person is new-born. They are the lowest evidence, but yet they are certain.
    • 2. Growth and improvement in wisdom and grace are the design and desire of every Christian; all spiritual means are for edification and improvement. The word of God, rightly used, does not leave a man as it finds him, but improves and makes him better.
  • III. He adds an argument from their own experience: If so be, or since that, or forasmuch as, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, v. 3. The apostle does not express a doubt, but affirms that these good Christians had tasted the goodness of God, and hence argues with them. "You ought to lay aside these vile sins (v. 1); you ought to desire the word of God; you ought to grow thereby, since you cannot deny but that you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.' The next verse assures us that the Lord here spoken of is the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence learn,
    • 1. Our Lord Jesus Christ is very gracious to his people. He is in himself infinitely good; he is very kind, free, and merciful to miserable sinners; he is pitiful and good to the undeserving; he has in him a fulness of grace.
    • 2. The graciousness of our Redeemer is best discovered by an experimental taste of it. There must be an immediate application of the object to the organ of taste; we cannot taste at a distance, as we may see, and hear, and smell. To taste the graciousness of Christ experimentally supposes our being united to him by faith, and then we may taste his goodness in all his providences, in all our spiritual concerns, in all our fears and temptations, in his word and worship every day.
    • 3. The best of God's servants have in this life but a taste of the grace of Christ. A taste is but a little; it is not a draught, nor does it satisfy. It is so with the consolations of God in this life.
    • 4. The word of God is the great instrument whereby he discovers and communicates his grace to men. Those who feed upon the sincere milk of the word taste and experience most of his grace. In our converses with his word we should endeavour always to understand and experience more and more of his grace.

1Pe 2:4-12

  • I. The apostle here gives us a description of Jesus Christ as a living stone; and though to a capricious wit, or an infidel, this description may seem rough and harsh, yet to the Jews, who placed much of their religion in their magnificent temple, and who understood the prophetical style, which calls the Messiah a stone (Isa. 8:14; 28:16), it would appear very elegant and proper.
    • 1. In this metaphorical description of Jesus Christ, he is called a stone, to denote his invincible strength and everlasting duration, and to teach his servants that he is their protection and security, the foundation on which they are built, and a rock of offence to all their enemies. He is the living stone, having eternal life in himself, and being the prince of life to all his people. The reputation and respect he has with God and man are very different. He is disallowed of men, reprobated or rejected by his own countrymen the Jews, and by the generality of mankind; but chosen of God, separated and fore-ordained to be the foundation of the church (as ch. 1:20), and precious, a most honourable, choice, worthy person in himself, in the esteem of God, and in the judgment of all who believe on him. To this person so described we are obliged to come: To whom coming, not by a local motion, for that is impossible since his exaltation, but by faith, whereby we are united to him at first, and draw nigh to him afterwards. Learn,
      • (1.) Jesus Christ is the very foundation-stone of all our hopes and happiness. He communicates the true knowledge of God (Mt. 11:27); by him we have access to the Father (Jn. 14:6), and through him are made partakers of all spiritual blessings, Eph. 1:3.
      • (2.) Men in general disallow and reject Jesus Christ; they slight him, dislike him, oppose and refuse him, as scripture and experience declare, Isa. 53:3.
      • (3.) However Christ may be disallowed by an ungrateful world, yet he is chosen of God, and precious in his account. He is chosen and fixed upon to be the Lord of the universe, the head of the church, the Saviour of his people, and the Judge of the world. He is precious in the excellency of his nature, the dignity of his office, and the gloriousness of his services.
      • (4.) Those who expect mercy from this gracious Redeemer must come to him, which is our act, though done by God's grace-an act of the soul, not of the body-a real endeavour, not a fruitless wish.
    • 2. Having described Christ as the foundation, the apostle goes on to speak of the superstructure, the materials built upon him: You also, as living stones, are built up, v. 6. The apostle is recommending the Christian church and constitution to these dispersed Jews. It was natural for them to object that the Christian church had no such glorious temple, nor such a numerous priesthood; but its dispensation was mean, the services and sacrifices of it having nothing of the pomp and grandeur which the Jewish dispensation had. To this the apostle answers that the Christian church is a much nobler fabric than the Jewish temple; it is a living temple, consisting not of dead materials, but of living parts. Christ, the foundation, is a living stone. Christians are lively stones, and these make a spiritual house, and they are a holy priesthood; and, though they have no bloody sacrifices of beasts to offer, yet they have much better and more acceptable, and they have an altar too on which to present their offerings; for they offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Learn,
      • (1.) All sincere Christians have in them a principle of spiritual life communicated to them from Christ their head: therefore, as he is called a living stone, so they are called lively, or living stones; not dead in trespasses and sins, but alive to God by regeneration and the working of the divine Spirit.
      • (2.) The church of God is a spiritual house. The foundation is Christ, Eph. 2:20. The builders are ministers, 1 Cor. 3:10. The inhabitant is God, Eph. 2:22. It is a house for its strength, beauty, variety of parts, and usefulness of the whole. It is spiritual foundation, Christ Jesus,-in the materials of it, spiritual persons,-in its furniture, the graces of the Spirit,-in its connection, being held together by the Spirit of God and by one common faith,-and in its use, which is spiritual work, to offer up spiritual sacrifices. This house is daily built up, every part of it improving, and the whole supplied in every age by the addition of new particular members.
      • (3.) All good Christians are a holy priesthood. The apostle speaks here of the generality of Christians, and tells them they are a holy priesthood; they are all select persons, sacred to God, serviceable to others, well endowed with heavenly gifts and graces, and well employed.
      • (4.) This holy priesthood must and will offer up spiritual sacrifices to God. The spiritual sacrifices which Christians are to offer are their bodies, souls, affections, prayers, praises, alms, and other duties.
      • (5.) The most spiritual sacrifices of the best men are not acceptable to God, but through Jesus Christ; he is the only great high priest, through whom we and our services can be accepted; therefore bring all your oblations to him, and by him present them to God.
  • II. He confirms what he had asserted of Christ being a living stone, etc., from Isa. 28:16. Observe the manner of the apostle's quoting scripture, not by book, chapter, and verse; for these distinctions were not then made, so no more was said than a reference to Moses, David, or the prophets, except once a particular psalm was named, Acts 13:33. In their quotations they kept rather to the sense than the words of scripture, as appears from what is recited from the prophet in this place. He does not quote the scripture, neither the Hebrew nor Septuagint, word for word, yet makes a just and true quotation. The true sense of scripture may be justly and fully expressed in other than in scripture-words. It is contained. The verb is active, but our translators render it passively, to avoid the difficulty of finding a nominative case for it, which had puzzled so many interpreters before them. The matter of the quotation is this, Behold, I lay in Zion. Learn,
    • 1. In the weighty matters of religion we must depend entirely upon scripture-proof; Christ and his apostles appealed to Moses, David, and the ancient prophets. The word of God is the only rule God hath given us. It is a perfect and sufficient rule.
    • 2. The accounts that God hath given us in scripture concerning his Son Jesus Christ are what require our strictest attention. Behold, I lay, etc. John calls for the like attention, Jn. 1:29. These demands of attention to Christ show us the excellency of the matter, the importance of it, and our stupidity and dulness.
    • 3. The constituting of Christ Jesus head of the church is an eminent work of God: I lay in Zion. The setting up of the pope for the head of the church is a human contrivance and an arrogant presumption; Christ only is the foundation and head of the church of God.
    • 4. Jesus Christ is the chief corner-stone that God hath laid in his spiritual building. The corner-stone stays inseparably with the building, supports it, unites it, and adorns it. So does Christ by his holy church, his spiritual house.
    • 5. Jesus Christ is the corner-stone for the support and salvation of none but such as are his sincere people: none but Zion, and such as are of Zion; not for Babylon, not for his enemies.
    • 6. True faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to prevent a man's utter confusion. Three things put a man into great confusion, and faith prevents them all-disappointment, sin, and judgment. Faith has a remedy for each.
  • III. He deduces an important inference, v. 7. Jesus Christ is said to be the chief corner-stone. Hence the apostle infers with respect to good men, "To you therefore who believe he is precious, or he is an honour. Christ is the crown and honour of a Christian; you who believe will be so far from being ashamed of him that you will boast of him and glory in him for ever.' As to wicked men, the disobedient will go on to disallow and reject Jesus Christ; but God is resolved that he shall be, in despite of all opposition, the head of the corner. Learn,
    • 1. Whatever is by just and necessary consequence deduced from scripture may be depended upon with as much certainty as if it were contained in express words of scripture. The apostle draws an inference from the prophet's testimony. The prophet did not expressly say so, but yet he said that from which the consequence was unavoidable. Our Saviour bids them search the scriptures, because they testified of him; and yet no place in those scriptures to which he there refers them said that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. Yet those scriptures do say that he who should be born of a virgin, before the sceptre departed from Judah, during the second temple, and after Daniel's seventy weeks, was the Messiah; but such was Jesus Christ: to collect this conclusion one must make use of reason, history, eye-sight, experience, and yet it is an infallible scripture-conclusion notwithstanding.
    • 2. The business of a faithful minister is to apply general truths to the particular condition and state of his hearers. The apostle quotes a passage (v. 6) out of the prophet, and applies it severally to good and bad. This requires wisdom, courage, and fidelity; but it is very profitable to the hearers.
    • 3. Jesus Christ is exceedingly precious to all the faithful. The majesty and grandeur of his person, the dignity of his office, his near relation, his wonderful works, his immense love-every thing engages the faithful to the highest esteem and respect for Jesus Christ.
    • 4. Disobedient people have no true faith. By disobedient people understand those that are unpersuadable, incredulous, and impenitent. These may have some right notions, but no solid faith.
    • 5. Those that ought to be builders of the church of Christ are often the worst enemies that Christ has in the world. In the Old Testament the false prophets did the most mischief; and in the New Testament the greatest opposition and cruelty that Christ met with were from the scribes, pharisees, chief priests, and those who pretended to build and take care of the church. Still the hierarchy of Rome is the worst enemy in the world to Jesus Christ and his interest.
    • 6. God will carry on his own work, and support the interest of Jesus Christ in the world, notwithstanding the falseness of pretended friends and the opposition of his worst enemies.
  • IV. The apostle adds a further description, still preserving the metaphor of a stone, v. 8. The words are taken from Isa. 8:13, 14, Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself-and he shall be for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence, whence it is plain that Jesus Christ is the Lord of hosts, and consequently the most high God. Observe,
    • 1. The builders, the chief-priests, refused him, and the people followed their leaders; and so Christ became to them a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, at which they stumbled and hurt themselves; and in return he fell upon them as a mighty stone or rock, and punished them with destruction. Mt. 21:44, Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind him to powder. Learn,
      • (1.) All those that are disobedient take offense at the word of God: They stumble at the word, being disobedient. They are offended with Christ himself, with his doctrine and the purity of his precepts; but the Jewish doctors more especially stumbled at the meanness of his appearance and the proposal of trusting only to him for their justification before God. They could not be brought to seek justification by faith, but as it were by the works of the law; for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone, Rom. 9:32.
      • (2.) The same blessed Jesus who is the author of salvation to some is to others the occasion of their sin and destruction. He is set for the rising and fall of many in Israel. He is not the author of their sin, but only the occasion of it; their own disobedience makes them stumble at him and reject him, which he punishes, as a judge, with destruction. Those who reject him as a Saviour will split upon him as a Rock.
      • (3.) God himself hath appointed everlasting destruction to all those who stumble at the word, being disobedient. All those who go on resolutely in their infidelity and contempt of the gospel are appointed to eternal destruction; and God from eternity knows who they are.
      • (4.) To see the Jews generally rejecting Christ, and multitudes in all ages slighting him, ought not to discourage us in our love and duty to him; for this had been foretold by the prophets long ago, and is a confirmation of our faith both in the scriptures and in the Messiah.
    • 2. Those who received him were highly privileged, v. 9. The Jews were exceedingly tender of their ancient privileges, of being the only people of God, taken into a special covenant with him, and separated from the rest of the world. "Now,' say they, "if we submit to the gospel-constitution, we shall lose all this, and stand upon the same level with the Gentiles.'
      • (1.) To this objection the apostle answers, that if they did not submit they were ruined (v. 7, 8), but that if they did submit they should lose no real advantage, but continue still what they desired to be, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, etc. Learn,
        • [1.] All true Christians are a chosen generation; they all make one family, a sort and species of people distinct from the common world, of another spirit, principle, and practice, which they could never be if they were not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit.
        • [2.] All the true servants of Christ are a royal priesthood. They are royal in their relation to God and Christ, in their power with God, and over themselves and all their spiritual enemies; they are princely in the improvements and the excellency of their own spirits, and in their hopes and expectations; they are a royal priesthood, separated from sin and sinners, consecrated to God, and offering to God spiritual services and oblations, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
        • [3.] All Christians, wheresoever they be, compose one holy nation. They are one nation, collected under one head, agreeing in the same manners and customs, and governed by the same laws; and they are a holy nation, because consecrated and devoted to God, renewed and sanctified by his Holy Spirit.
        • [4.] It is the honour of the servants of Christ that they are God's peculiar people. They are the people of his acquisition, choice, care, and delight. These four dignities of all genuine Christians are not natural to them; for their first state is a state of horrid darkness, but they are effectually called out of darkness into a state of marvellous light, joy, pleasure, and prosperity, with this intent and view, that they should show forth, by words and actions, the virtues and praises of him who hath called them.
      • (2.) To make this people content, and thankful for the great mercies and dignities brought unto them by the gospel, the apostle advises them to compare their former and their present state. Time was when they were not a people, nor had they obtained mercy, but they were solemnly disclaimed and divorced (Jer. 3:8; Hos. 1:6, 9); but now they are taken in again to be the people of God, and have obtained mercy. Learn,
        • [1.] The best people ought frequently to look back upon what they were in time past.
        • [2.] The people of God are the most valuable people in the world; all the rest are not a people, good for little.
        • [3.] To be brought into the number of the people of God is a very great mercy, and it may be obtained.
  • V. He warns them to beware of fleshly lusts, v. 11. Even the best of men, the chosen generation, the people of God, need an exhortation to abstain from the worst sins, which the apostle here proceeds most earnestly and affectionately to warn them against. Knowing the difficulty, and yet the importance of the duty, he uses his utmost interest in them: Dearly beloved, I beseech you. The duty is to abstain from, and to suppress, the first inclination or rise of fleshly lusts. Many of them proceed from the corruption of nature, and in their exercise depend upon the body, gratifying some sensual appetite or inordinate inclination of the flesh. These Christians ought to avoid, considering,
    • 1. The respect they have with God and good men: They are dearly beloved.
    • 2. Their condition in the world: They are strangers and pilgrims, and should not impede their passage by giving into the wickedness and lusts of the country through which they pass.
    • 3. The mischief and danger these sins do: "They war against the soul; and therefore your souls ought to war against them.' Learn,
      • (1.) The grand mischief that sin does to man is this, it wars against the soul; it destroys the moral liberty of the soul; it weakens and debilitates the soul by impairing its faculties; it robs the soul of its comfort and peace; it debases and destroys the dignity of the soul, hinders its present prosperity, and plunges it into everlasting misery.
      • (2.) Of all sorts of sin, none are more injurious to the soul than fleshly lusts. Carnal appetites, lewdness, and sensuality, are most odious to God, and destructive to man's soul. It is a sore judgment to be given up to them.
  • VI. He exhorts them further to adorn their profession by an honest conversation. Their conversation in every turn, every instance, and every action of their lives, ought to be honest; that is, good, lovely, decent, amiable, and without blame: and that because they lived among the Gentiles, people of another religion, and who were inveterate enemies to them, who did already slander them and constantly spoke evil of them as of evil-doers. "A clean, just, good conversation may not only stop their mouths, but may possibly be a means to bring them to glorify God, and turn to you, when they shall see you excel all others in good works. They now call you evil-doers; vindicate yourselves by good works, this is the way to convince them. There is a day of visitation coming, wherein God may call them by his word and his grace to repentance; and then they will glorify God, and applaud you, for your excellent conversation, Lu. 1:68. When the gospel shall come among them, and take effect, a good conversation will encourage them in their conversion, but an evil one will obstruct it.' Note,
    • 1. A Christian profession should be attended with an honest conversation, Phil. 4:8.
    • 2. It is the common lot of the best Christians to be evil spoken of by wicked men.
    • 3. Those that are under God's gracious visitation immediately change their opinion of good people, glorifying God and commending those whom before they railed at as evil-doers.

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.

  • I. The case of subjects. Christians were not only reputed innovators in religion, but disturbers of the state; it was highly necessary, therefore, that the apostle should settle the rules and measures of obedience to the civil magistrate, which he does here, where,
    • 1. The duty required is submission, which comprises loyalty and reverence to their persons, obedience to their just laws and commands, and subjection to legal penalties.
    • 2. The persons or objects to whom this submission is due are described,
      • (1.) More generally: Every ordinance of man. Magistracy is certainly of divine right; but the particular form of government, the power of the magistrate, and the persons who are to execute this power, are of human institution, and are governed by the laws and constitutions of each particular country; and this is a general rule, binding in all nations, let the established form of be what it will.
      • (2.) Particularly: To the king, as supreme, first in dignity and most eminent in degree; the king is a legal person, not a tyrant: or unto governors, deputies, proconsuls, rulers of provinces, who are sent by him, that is, commissioned by him to govern.
    • 3. The reasons to enforce this duty are,
      • (1.) For the Lord's sake, who had ordained magistracy for the good of mankind, who has required obedience and submission (Rom. 13), and whose honour is concerned in the dutiful behavior of subjects to their sovereigns.
      • (2.) From the end and use of the magistrate's office, which are, to punish evil-doers, and to praise and encourage all those that do well. They were appointed for the good of societies; and, where this end is not pursued, the fault is not in their institution but their practice.
        • [1.] True religion is the best support of civil government; it requires submission for the Lord's sake, and for conscience' sake.
        • [2.] All the punishments, and all the magistrates in the world, cannot hinder but there will be evil-doers in it.
        • [3.] The best way the magistrate can take to discharge his own duty, and to amend the world, is to punish well and reward well.
      • (3.) Another reason why Christians should submit to the evil magistrate is because it is the will of God, and consequently their duty; and because it is the way to put to silence the malicious slanders of ignorant and foolish men, v. 15. Learn,
        • [1.] The will of God is, to a good man, the strongest reason for any duty.
        • [2.] Obedience to magistrates is a considerable branch of a Christian's duty: So is the will of God.
        • [3.] A Christian must endeavour, in all relations, to behave himself so as to put to silence the unreasonable reproaches of the most ignorant and foolish men.
        • [4.] Those who speak against religion and religious people are ignorant and foolish.
      • (4.) He reminds them of the spiritual nature of Christian liberty. The Jews, from Deu. 17:15, concluded that they were bound to obey no sovereign but one taken from their own brethren; and the converted Jews thought they were free from subjection by their relation to Christ. To prevent their mistakes, the apostle tells the Christians that they were free, but from what? Not from duty or obedience to God's law, which requires subjection to the civil magistrate. They were free spiritually from the bondage of sin and Satan, and the ceremonial law; but they must not make their Christian liberty a cloak or covering for any wickedness, or for the neglect of any duty towards God or towards their superiors, but must still remember they were the servants of God. Learn,
        • [1.] All the servants of Christ are free men (Jn. 8:36); they are free from Satans' dominion, the law's condemnation, the wrath of God, the uneasiness of duty, and the terrors of death.
        • [2.] The servants of Jesus Christ ought to be very careful not to abuse their Christian liberty; they must not make it a cover or cloak for any wickedness against God or disobedience to superiors.
    • 4. The apostle concludes his discourse concerning the duty of subjects with four admirable precepts:-
      • (1.) Honour all men. A due respect is to be given to all men; the poor are not to be despised (Prov. 17:5); the wicked must be honoured, not for their wickedness, but for any other qualities, such as wit, prudence, courage, eminency of employment, or the hoary head. Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, the prophets, and the apostles, never scrupled to give due honour to bad men.
      • (2.) Love the brotherhood. All Christians are a fraternity, united to Christ the head, alike disposed and qualified, nearly related in the same interest, having communion one with another, and going to the same home; they should therefore love one another with an especial affection.
      • (3.) Fear God with the highest reverence, duty, and submission; if this be wanting, none of the other three duties can be performed as they ought.
      • (4.) Honour the king with that highest honour that is peculiarly due to him above other men.
  • II. The case of servants wanted an apostolical determination as well as that of subjects, for they imagined that their Christian liberty set them free from their unbelieving and cruel masters; to this the apostle answers, Servants, be subject, v. 18. By servants he means those who were strictly such, whether hired, or bought with money, or taken in the wars, or born in the house, or those who served by contract for a limited time, as apprentices. Observe,
    • 1. He orders them to be subject, to do their business faithfully and honestly, to conduct themselves, as inferiors ought, with reverence and affection, and to submit patiently to hardships and inconveniences. This subjection they owe to their masters, who have a right to their service; and that not only to the good and gentle, such as use them well and abate somewhat of their right, but even to the crooked and perverse, who are scarcely to be pleased at all. Learn,
      • (1.) Servants ought to behave themselves to their masters with submission, and fear of displeasing them.
      • (2.) The sinful misconduct of one relation does not justify the sinful behaviour of the other; the servant is bound to do his duty, though the master be sinfully froward and perverse.
      • (3.) Good people are meek and gentle to their servants and inferiors. Our holy apostle shows his love and concern for the souls of poor servants, as well as for higher people. Herein he ought to be imitated by all inferior ministers, who should distinctly apply their counsels to the lower, the meaner, the younger, and the poorer sort of their hearers, as well as others.
    • 2. Having charged them to be subject, he condescends to reason with them about it.
      • (1.) If they were patient under their hardships, while they suffered unjustly, and continued doing their duty to their unbelieving and untoward masters, this would e acceptable to God, and he would reward all that they suffered for conscience towards him; but to be patient when they were justly chastised would deserve no commendation at all; it is only doing well, and suffering patiently for that, which is acceptable with God, v. 19, 20. Learn,
        • [1.] There is no condition so mean but a man may live conscientiously in it, and glorify God in it; the meanest servant may do so.
        • [2.] The most conscientious persons are very often the greatest sufferers. For conscience towards God, they suffer wrongfully; they do well, and suffer for it; but sufferers of this sort are praiseworthy, they do honour to God and to religion, and they are accepted of him; and this is their highest support and satisfaction.
        • [3.] Deserved sufferings must be endured with patience: If you are buffeted for your faults, you must take it patiently. Sufferings in this world are not always pledges of our future happiness; if children or servants be rude and undutiful, and suffer for it, this will neither be acceptable with God nor procure the praise of men.
      • (2.) More reasons are given to encourage Christian servants to patience under unjust sufferings, v. 21.
        • [1.] From their Christian calling and profession: Hereunto were you called.
        • [2.] From the example of Christ, who suffered for us, and so became our example, that we should follow his steps, whence learn,
          • First, Good Christians are a sort of people called to be sufferers, and therefore they must expect it; by the terms of Christianity they are bound to deny themselves, and take up the cross; they are called by the commands of Christ, by the dispensations of Providence, and by the preparations of divine grace; and, by the practice of Jesus Christ, they are bound to suffer when thus called to it.
          • Secondly, Jesus Christ suffered for you, or for us; it was not the Father that suffered, but he whom the Father sanctified, and sent into the world, for that end; it was both the body and soul of Christ that suffered, and he suffered for us, in our stead and for our good, v. 24.
          • Thirdly, The sufferings of Christ should quiet us under the most unjust and cruel sufferings we meet with in the world. He suffered voluntarily, not for himself, but for us, with the utmost readiness, with perfect patience, from all quarters, and all this though he was God-man; shall not we sinners, who deserve the worst, submit to the light afflictions of this life, which work for us unspeakable advantages afterwards?
    • 3. The example of Christ's subjection and patience is here explained and amplified: Christ suffered,
      • (1.) Wrongfully, and without cause; for he did no sin, v. 22. He had done no violence, no injustice or wrong to any one-he wrought no iniquity of any sort whatever; neither was guile found in his mouth (Isa. 53:9), his words, as well as his actions, were all sincere, just, and right.
      • (2.) Patiently: When he was reviled, he reviled not again (v. 23); when they blasphemed him, mocked him, called him foul names, he was dumb, and opened not his mouth; when they went further, to real injuries, beating, buffeting, and crowning him with thorns, he threatened not; but committed both himself and his cause to God that judgeth righteously, who would in time clear his innocency, and avenge him on his enemies. Learn,
        • [1.] Our Blessed Redeemer was perfectly holy, and so free from sin that no temptation, no provocation whatsoever, could extort from him so much as the least sinful or indecent word.
        • [2.] Provocations to sin can never justify the commission of it. The rudeness, cruelty, and injustice of enemies, will not justify Christians in reviling and revenge; the reasons for sin can never be so great, but we have always stronger reasons to avoid it.
        • [3.] The judgment of God will determine justly upon every man and every cause; and thither we ought, with patience and resignation, to refer ourselves.
    • 4. Lest any should think, from what is said, v. 21-23, that Christ's death was designed merely for an example of patience under sufferings, the apostle here adds a more glorious design and effect of it: Who his own self, etc., where note,
      • (1.) The person suffering-Jesus Christ: His own self-in his own body. The expression his own self is emphatic, and necessary to show that he verified all the ancient prophecies, to distinguish him from the Levitical priests (who offered the blood of others, but he by himself purged our sins, Heb. 1:3), and to exclude all others from participation with him in the work of man's redemption: it is added, in his body; not but that he suffered in his soul (Mt. 26:38), but the sufferings of the soul were inward and concealed, when those of the body were visible and more obvious to the consideration of these suffering servants, for whose sake this example is produced.
      • (2.) The sufferings he underwent were stripes, wounds, and death, the death of the cross-servile and ignominious punishments!
      • (3.) The reason of his sufferings: He bore our sins, which teaches,
        • [1.] That Christ, in his sufferings, stood charged with our sins, as one who had undertaken to put them away by the sacrifice of himself, Isa. 53:6.
        • [2.] That he bore the punishment of them, and thereby satisfied divine justice.
        • [3.] That hereby he takes away our sins, and removes them away from us; as the scape-goat did typically bear the sins of the people on his head, and then carried them quite away, (Lev. 16:21, 22), so the Lamb of God does first bear our sins in his own body, and thereby take away the sins of the world, Jn. 1:29.
      • (4.) The fruits of Christ's sufferings are,
        • [1.] Our sanctification, consisting of the death, the mortification of sin, and a new holy life of righteousness, for both which we have an example, and powerful motives and abilities also, from the death and resurrection of Christ.
        • [2.] Our justification. Christ was bruised and crucified as an expiatory sacrifice, and by his stripes we are healed. Learn,
          • First, Jesus Christ bore the sins of all his people, and expiated them by his death upon the cross.
          • Secondly, No man can depend safely upon Christ, as having borne his sin and expiated his guilt, till he dies unto sin and lives unto righteousness.
    • 5. The apostle concludes his advice to Christian servants, by putting them in mind of the difference between their former and present condition, v. 25. They were as sheep going astray, which represents,
      • (1.) Man's sin: he goes astray; it is his own act, he is not driven, but does voluntary go astray.
      • (2.) His misery: he goes astray from the pasture, from the shepherd, and from the flock, and so exposes himself to innumerable dangers.
      • (3.) Here is the recovery of these by conversion: But are now returned. The word is passive, and shows that the return of a sinner is the effect of divine grace. This return is from all their errors and wanderings, to Christ, who is the true careful shepherd, that loves his sheep, and laid down his life for them, who is the most vigilant pastor, and bishop, or overseer of souls. Learn,
        • [1.] Sinners, before their conversion, are always going astray; their life is a continued error.
        • [2.] Jesus Christ is the supreme shepherd and bishop of souls, who is always resident with his flock, and watchful over them.
        • [3.] Those that expect the love and care of this universal pastor must return to him, must die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.