1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:1 “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 ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” Peter continues his exhortation unto those too whom the Holy Ghost has administered the new covenant unto. Yes, now that they having seen their own depravity, and recognizing just how gracious the Lord is unto them: Peter perceives there is a great need for them to grow in grace and build upon this knowledge. 1 Jh 2:20 tells us that the unction of the Holy One, that is the new covenant has already recorded upon the hearts of those before chosen to receive it (2 Thess 2:13). That is the knowledge of the all things found in Romans 8:28 and now needs the minister of God to confirm these things and simplify them, that even the little child of grace can feast upon them.

Vs 4 “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Peter understands these lively stones, for he, himself had experienced this when he was begotten unto a lively hope (vs 1:3) on the day of Pentecost. He also informs them of the Pharisees who disallowed, rejected the council against themselves (Lk 7:32) after having seen it (the truth Mt 21:32) repented not that they might (confess) believe him. Yes as stated above these lively stones were called and chosen as building blocks in the Church of the Living God. These as recorded in Malachi as have received the covenant of Levi, that is they are the priesthood (Ma 2:7) wherein the truth is found, that they may offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable unto the Lord. The only way these sacrifices can be acceptable is while robed in the righteous robe of their husband, Jesus Christ.

Vs 6 “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.” Here the chief cornerstone, elect is none other than Jesus, the husband of the Church of the living God. As lively stone, they have been given the blessed hope, wherein there is no confusion, that is if the anointing which they have received continues to abide in them (Jh 2:27).

Vs 7 “Unto them, which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” Here we see the opposite of the above verse, wherein they do not abide in the truth. They having rejected these wonderful truths, after much long suffering by the Holy Ghost to bring them to repentance, now stumble upon it, because God has blinded their eyes (Jh 12:40) lest they see and understand and be converted and he should heal them. Yes there is a point of no return, after much longsuffering (2 Pet 3:9), those once enlightened (Heb 6:4) will be cast into outer darkness (Mt 22:13). The ‘appointed unto’ is based upon the disobedient of those who have rejected the word and works of Jesus (Jh 14:11,12, Heb 10:29). This 'appoint unto' seem to carry the same idea that is spoke of in Romans 9:16, where unto Pharaoh was raised up to express God's Sovereign will in making one vessels unto honour and another to dishonour. If some of your good brethren could give me further insight on this it would be greatly appreciated. We might consider Ps 41:9 as it related to Ps 109:6. What is contained in Proverbs 31:8 and Psm 2:9? As stated, I need some understanding on this phrase.

Vs 9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath 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.” Yes there is a generation (Ps 22:30) seed, remnant that will not bow unto Baal (Rom 11:4). This is not because they are better than anyone else, but God in his providential power (Ps 110:3) has left us a seed (Rom 9:29) less the entire human race would be as Sodom. Mankind is like unto those of the time of Noah, yet by the grace (Gen 6:8) of God the remnant seed is preserved to give praise unto the God of all grace, while they sojourn here in time. God so to speak but a bridle (Isa 37:29) in the mouth of those so called and chosen to bear the truth here in this time world.

Vs 11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation 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.” The day of visitation, to my understanding would be the day in which we gather in the assembly, looking for our Husband to enter his chamber and bid us to come up hither. It is there that we are able to glorify God. The term ‘Dearly Beloved’ has reference to more that just a brother, but rather the term which indicates a marriage relation. Peter again refers to his listeners as strangers and pilgrims, for they are indeed such in a land which they do not call home. Peter the apostle to the Jews herein is beseeching the Jews to walk in such a way that the Gentiles although speak evil against their Jewish brethren, if indeed they have maintained good works then God will be glorified in the day of the assembly.

Vs 13 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as Supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” Peter herein is giving the Jewish brethren the same instruction that Paul does in Romans 13:1. God raises up and removes the rulers of our nation, as he desires, for the benefit of his church. If his people have devoured each other in a civil war, then he will open the door of their enemies, that they may learn to do those things pleasing in his sight.

Vs 15 “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” Notice the term used here concerning his disciples. They are not an elite group as some have attempted to accuse me of promoting, but they are servants. Yes, even bond servants made willing by the providential care of a loving husband, as he continues to discipline then into loving obedience.

Vs 17 “Honour all men. 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 man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” Simply put, as much as in us love all men, even if we suffer wrong. In doing so God will give us a way of escape as he did Daniel, and the three Hebrew children. We are told in Heb 12:15 “lest any root of bitterness springing up.” I know from experience that bitterness will eat the container. Let us pray that God will continue to give us the grace to overcome the opposition found not only in the world, but even among our own brethren.

Vs 21 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye 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 that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” We are called to suffer for the sake of Christ, as good soldiers of the cross. We must realize that this only apply if we suffer for well doing and not for those things we have failed in keeping our selves from the lust of this world. Likewise we should be careful to maintain the bond of love among those of the household of faith.
Vs 25 “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” Peter tells us very plainly that if indeed God has a purpose for us here in this time world, that when we go astray he will as the shepherd bring us back into the fold, by his tender chastisement. We must also realize that God is longsuffering not willing that any should perish, but after must tender loving care will withdraw from those that refuse to turn back form their rebellious ways.

Allen Cook 03/05/08 Rv 6/27/09