For you were like sheep going astray, but have now turned back to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Truth to Learn Not only is God our Shepherd, He is the guardian of our soul. Behind the Words “Going astray” is translated from a form of planaō, meaning...
1 Peter 2:24 – Sin Bearer
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. Truth to Learn Christ took our sins to the cross to pay the price for them. Behind the Words The Greek word...
1 Peter 2:23 – Surrender to God
who, being reviled, did not revile in return; suffering, He did not threaten, but committing Himself to Him who judges righteously; Truth to Learn Instead of attacking our accusers, we should surrender to God. Behind the Words What does it mean to be “reviled?” This English word means “to...
1 Peter 2:22 – Silent Suffering
Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; Truth to Learn Jesus Christ is the perfect example of patient suffering. Behind the Words The word translated “sin” is hamartia, which literally means “to miss the mark.” In our case the mark is God-like perfection. Hence, we...
1 Peter 2:21 – Exemplary Suffering
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving to you an example, that you might follow His steps: Truth to Learn We have been called by God to follow Christ’s example. Behind the Words The word “called” is translated from kaleō, which means “to...
1 Peter 2:20 – Patient Suffering
For what fame is it if sinning and being harshly treated, you endure it? But if doing good and suffering for it, you endure it, this finds favor with God. Truth to Learn When we patiently endure unjust punishment for having done good deeds, God is pleased. Behind the...
1 Peter 2:19 – Joyful Suffering
For this is commendable, if because of consciousness of God one endures grief, suffering unjustly. Truth to Learn We should rejoice when we suffer for doing what is good. Behind the Words “Commendable” is translated from the Greek word charis, which is derived from the verb chairō, meaning “to...
1 Peter 2:18 – Submit to Bosses
Servants, be submissive to your masters in all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked. Truth to Learn Submission to others is necessary, but not always easy. Behind the Words The word translated “servants” is the Greek word oiketēs, which means “one of...
1 Peter 2:17 – Christ-like Behavior
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Truth to Learn Treating others respectfully is not an option for Christians; we are commanded to do it! Jesus Christ is our example. Behind the Words The word translated “honor” is timaō, which means “to place a value...
1 Peter 2:16 – Free to Submit
as free, yet not having freedom as a cloak of evil, but as bondservants of God. Truth to Learn We are free from the penalty of sin, but we are God’s servants. Behind the Words The word translated “free” is eleutheros, meaning “unrestrained” or “able to move about freely.”...
1 Peter 2:15 – Good Works = God’s Glory
For this is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men; Truth to Learn God will use our good works to bring glory to Himself. Behind the Words The word translated “will” is thelēma, meaning “a desire or disposition toward something,” but it also...
1 Peter 2:14 – All Authorities
or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who are doing good. Truth to Learn We are to submit to all authorities over us at all times, not just when it is convenient, or when we...
1 Peter 2:13 – Submit to Authority
Submit yourselves to every institution of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as being supreme, Truth to Learn We are to submit to whatever government we might live under. Behind the Words The word translated “submit” is hupotassō, a compound word made up of hupo, meaning...
1 Peter 2:12 – For His Glory
having your behavior good among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of inspection. Truth to Learn Our good behavior will bring glory to God. Behind the Words “Behavior” is translated from...
1 Peter 2:11 – Holy Pilgrims
Beloved, I encourage you as strangers and foreigners, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, Truth to Learn We are to live like citizens of heaven, not like earth dwellers. Behind the Words The word “encourage” is an interesting one. It is the Greek word, parakaleō which...
1 Peter 2:10 – Humbling Realization
who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Truth to Learn God shows us mercy because He wants to, not because we want Him to. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “once” is...
1 Peter 2:9 – Praising Chosen Ones
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired by God, so that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Truth to Learn We were chosen to give praise to God. Behind the...
1 Peter 2:8 – Stumbling Disobedience
and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to the ones who are stumbling at the word, being unbelieving, --- to which also they were appointed. Truth to Learn Those who reject God’s call are condemned because they don’t believe. Behind the Words The word translated “stone”...
1 Peter 2:7 – Foundational Judge
Therefore, to you who believe, is the preciousness; but to the unbelieving ones, "the stone which the builders rejected became the head of the corner," Truth to Learn What you believe about Jesus determines the role He plays in your life, both now and eternally. Behind the Words The...
1 Peter 2:6 – Chief Cornerstone
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chosen, precious chief cornerstone, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Truth to Learn Jesus Christ is the main foundation stone of the church. Behind the Words “Chief...
1 Peter 2:5 – Our Priestly Sacrifices
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn All true Christians are priests and we are to offer sacrifices. Behind the Words The expression “are being built up”...
1 Peter 2:4 – A Precious Stone
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, Truth to Learn We have the great privilege of directly approaching our Lord. Behind the Words “Coming” is translated from the Greek word proserchomai, made up of pros, meaning “to” or...
1 Peter 2:2 – Spiritual Craving
as newborn babies, desire the reasonable, sincere milk of the word, that you may grow in it, Truth to Learn The moment we became a Christian we started craving spiritual food. Behind the Words “Newborn” is translated from the Greek word artigennētos, which is made up of arti, meaning...
1 Peter 2:3 – Tasting God’s Provision
if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Truth to Learn Our Heavenly Father treats us very well. Behind the Words “If indeed” is translated from eiper, which is a compound word made up of ei, meaning “if” and per, meaning “perhaps” or “indeed.” The best manuscripts,...
1 Peter 2:1 – Vacating the Throne
Therefore, laying aside all malice, and all deceit, and hypocrisy, and envies, and all evil speaking, Truth to Learn Since we have been born again through the word of God, our behavior should demonstrate that we are a new creation. Behind the Words The word translated “laying aside” is...