The Bible — World English Bible
1 Peter 2
In brief
Peter writes to scattered and minority Christians. He invites them to put aside evil and to crave God's word to grow, then describes their identity: living stones built on Christ, the cornerstone, a royal priesthood and a people belonging to God. He then calls them to live as pilgrims with right conduct, to respect authorities and, for servants of the time, to endure injustice following Christ's example, who bore our sins on the cross and is the shepherd of our souls.
The chapter in 5 parts
- v. 1-3Put aside evil and crave the pure milk of the word
- v. 4-8Christ, living stone, and believers built as a spiritual house
- v. 9-10A chosen race, a royal priesthood, God's own people
- v. 11-17Live as foreigners and pilgrims with good conduct
- v. 18-25Follow Christ's example: he suffered and bore our sins
1Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
2as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,
3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:
4coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
5You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
7For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,”
8and, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
14or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.
15For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
17Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect: not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
19For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
20For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.
21For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
22who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
23When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.
24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.
25For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Key verses
as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,
Like a newborn hungers for milk, the believer is called to crave God's word to grow. The image speaks of simple, constant hunger, not occasional effort.
You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Believers are living stones forming together a spiritual house. Faith is not thought of as a solitary affair: each finds his place in a common building.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Peter takes titles given to Israel and applies them to the Church. The purpose is made clear: to announce the virtues of him who called you from darkness to light.
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.
Christ is both example and Savior: he suffered without returning injury and bore our sins on the cross. The text connects his sacrifice to a new life, lived for righteousness.
For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
The wandering are brought back to the shepherd and guardian of their souls. The image gives a face of care and protection to the work of Christ.
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Frequently asked questions about 1 Peter 2
What does "royal priesthood" mean in 1 Peter 2:9?
Peter applies to the Church titles once given to Israel. "Priesthood" means all believers have access to God and can offer him their life and praise. "Royal" reminds us they belong to the King. Christian traditions understand this text slightly differently, but all see each believer's belonging to God.
What are the "living stones" of 1 Peter 2:5?
They are believers, compared to living stones because they are joined to Christ, the living stone. Together they form a spiritual house where God is worshipped. The image stresses that faith is lived in community: one stone alone builds nothing; each has its place in the building.
What does "you were healed by his wounds" mean in 1 Peter 2:24?
Peter quotes Isaiah 53 about the cross. In context, the healing mentioned is first of sin: Christ bore our faults so we might live for righteousness. Believers debate the place of physical healing in this verse, but the text centers forgiveness and new life.
Why does Peter speak of submitting to authorities and masters?
Peter writes to minority Christians who must show good conduct to silence slander. His call does not approve injustice: he speaks to servants and shows Christ's example, who suffered without returning evil. Each then seeks to apply these verses wisely in their situation.
Articles quoting 1 Peter 2
- 20 Bible Verses for a Church Anniversary: Celebrating God's Faithfulness
- 25 Bible Verses About the Word of God
- Daniel 2: The Stone That Carries Your Hope
- Matthew 8: The Four Healings of the God Who Heals
- Psalm 34: The Lord Is Your Deliverer in Distress
- Exodus 19: Being a Priest, a Calling That Costs Something
World English Bible translation — public domain.