1 Peter
Summary
Peter urges the believers to "lay aside all malice" and to "long for the pure milk of the word" that they may grow in their salvation. He describes the believers as "living stones" being built into a "spiritual house" and a "holy priesthood," with Christ as the "chief cornerstone" rejected by people but chosen by God. Peter defines their identity as a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." He exhorts them to maintain good conduct among the Gentiles and to be subject to earthly authorities, pointing to Christ as the ultimate example of suffering, who "did no sin" yet bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we might live for righteousness.
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
To whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected truly by people, but chosen of God, and precious,
You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he who believes on Him shall not be confounded."
To you therefore who believe He is precious: but to those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner,
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to those who stumble at the word, being disobedient: to which also they were appointed.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:
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.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Having your conduct 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.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of people for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of those who do well.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish people:
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
For this is thankworthy, if a person for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what glory is it, if, when you are buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:
Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously:
Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.
For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.