1Pe 2 | TNotes

2:2 ^a Believers, who have been “born again” (1:23 ^b), are to be like newborn babies in naturally and regularly craving pure spiritual milk. Elsewhere in the New Testament, milk (in contrast to solid food) stands for elementary Christian teaching (1 Cor 3:2 ^c; Heb 5:12-13 ^d). This does not imply that Peter’s readers are new believers, however; here, it probably refers to God’s word in general.
2:3 ^e now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness: The words are taken from Ps 34:8 ^f. Peter quotes this psalm again in 1 Pet 3:10-12 ^g.
Summary for 1Pet 2:4-10: 2:4-10 ^h Throughout the letter, Peter encourages the suffering believers by reminding them of their exalted spiritual status. In this paragraph, he presents the Christian community as the new temple built on the foundation of Christ, and as heirs of the blessings granted to God’s covenant people. 2:4 ⁱ rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor: This is an allusion to Ps 118:22 ^j, which is quoted in 1 Pet 2:7 ^k.
2:5 ^l God’s people themselves constitute the spiritual temple where God dwells (1 Cor 3:16 ^m). Jesus compared his body to a “temple” (John 2:19-22 ⁿ), and the church is called the “body of Christ” (Eph 4:12 ^o). God no longer manifests himself in a particular place but in the people who belong to him and praise his goodness (see 1 Pet 2:10 ^p).

• As God’s holy priests in the new covenant, Christians offer not animal sacrifices but spiritual sacrifices such as praising God, praying, and doing good (see Rom 12:1 ^q; Heb 13:15-16 ^r).
Summary for 1Pet 2:6-8: 2:6-8 ^s The three Old Testament quotations in these verses each identify Christ as some kind of stone: the cornerstone on which the new temple is built (2:6 ^t); the cornerstone that God, despite peoples’ rejection, has elevated to be the keystone of his redemptive plan (2:7 ^u); and the stone that makes people stumble (2:8 ^v). Jesus quotes Ps 118:22 ^w (Matt 21:42 ^x), and Paul quotes both Isa 8:14 ^y and 28:16 ^z (Rom 9:33 ^aa). Likely these three quotations were brought together very early as a combined Old Testament testimony to the nature and significance of Jesus the Messiah.
2:8 ^ab they meet the fate that was planned for them (literally for which they were appointed): It is not clear whether these people were appointed by God to unbelief or whether they were, because of their unbelief, appointed by God to suffer condemnation.
2:9 ^ac Peter applies descriptions of the Israelites in the Old Testament (see, e.g., Exod 19:5-6 ^ad) to his primarily Gentile audience, indicating that they—like all Christians—are truly God’s people in the new covenant era.
Summary for 1Pet 2:11-12: 2:11-12 ^ae These verses are transitional. They can be viewed as the finale to the first section of the letter or as the opening statement of the second section of the letter. They enunciate the letter’s central theme: Christians living in hostile territory need to live out the principles of the Good News so that they can win other people to the Lord. 2:11 ^af “temporary residents and foreigners”: Believers belong not to this world but to the Kingdom of Heaven (see 1:1 ^ag, 17 ^ah).
2:12 ^ai when he judges the world (or on the day of visitation): The phrase day of visitation is used in the Greek Old Testament to describe the time when God will visit his enemies to judge them (Isa 10:3 ^aj; Jer 6:15 ^ak).
Summary for 1Pet 2:13-3:7: 2:13–3:7 ^al This section revolves around the key phrase submit to all human authority, which Peter applies to several relationships: Christians should accept the authority of those in government (2:13-17 ^am), Christian slaves should accept the authority of their masters (2:18-25 ^an), and Christian wives should accept the authority of their husbands (3:1-6 ^ao). Peter seems to be following an early Christian usage of the traditional household code, in which a series of instructions was given for different members of the household (cp. Eph 5:21–6:9 ^ap; Col 3:18–4:1 ^aq; 1 Tim 5:1–6:2 ^ar; Titus 2:1-10 ^as). 2:13 ^at In Peter’s day, the king was the Roman emperor. Christians were suffering in the hands of the state and would soon suffer more intensely under Nero.
2:14 ^au to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right: Cp. Rom 13:3-4 ^av.
2:17 ^aw the family of believers: Literally the brotherhood; see study note on 5:9.

• Fear God, and respect the king: Peter might be reflecting on Jesus’ balanced statement about the Christian’s duty to both God and the government (see Matt 22:21 ^ax).
Summary for 1Pet 2:18-20: 2:18-20 ^ay The slave was legally bound and could not change his or her master, whereas the modern employee has the right to stop working for a cruel employer. Of course, some employees may not be able to change their situation, in which case Peter’s advice to slaves is very applicable to employees today. 2:18 ^az Many slaves in the Roman Empire held responsible positions and had a decent income, but most were harshly treated and all were deprived of legal status and rights.

• with all respect (literally with all fear): Peter might be calling on slaves to fear God (see 2:17 ^ba; cp. 1:17 ^bb) or the master’s punishment, but he often speaks this way about the respectful attitude Christians must have toward others (3:16 ^bc).
Summary for 1Pet 2:21-25: 2:21-25 ^bd While there is no explicit change of address here, the general character of these verses makes them applicable to all believers.

• These verses might incorporate an early Christian hymn or confession about Christ (2:22-25 ^be). Its focus is on the redemptive sufferings of Christ in language drawn largely from Isaiah 52:13–53:12 ^bf.
2:24 ^bg He personally carried our sins: This phrase alludes to Isa 53:4 ^bh, 11-12 ^bi.

• By his wounds you are healed: The physical suffering of Christ has freed us from slavery to sin (cp. Isa 53:5 ^bj). Matthew applies similar language from Isa 53:4 ^bk to the physical healings performed by Jesus (Matt 8:17 ^bl).