1 Wherefore putting away all malice, and all guile (see Acts 13:10), and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (See 2 Corinthians 12:20. God’s peculiar people should have nothing to do with any of these things. If you don’t have something good to say about members of the family, just don’t say anything.)
2 As newborn babes, earnestly desire without guile, milk (cp. 1 Cor. 3:2) of the word, (the milk to be found in the Word of God is in the highest sense "reasonable". See 3:15) in order that you may grow in it: (Cp. 2 Pet. 3:18. Earnestly seek after the unadulterated Word of God. Don’t get side tracked with the traditions of men.)
3 If you tasted (Cp. Heb. 5:4,5) that the Lord is gracious. (Once you have tasted His love and His blessings, how could you ever settle for anything less?)
4 To Whom coming, a living stone, having been rejected (Matt. 21:42,&c.) indeed of men, but chosen in the sight of God, and precious, (See Phil. 2;29. They rejected Jesus. They crucified Jesus.)
5 You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house (see 1 Cor. 12:1), a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable (see Rom.15;16) to God by Jesus Christ. (Have you noticed this is the second time in reference to peculiar people that they are called priests? You might not think of yourself as a preacher, but your ministry could be something as simple as being a blessing to others because you care about them.)
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone (see Eph. 2:20), elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be put to shame." (The chief corner stone is Christ. He is the Living Word. If you learn the Word, you will never be confused.)
7 To you therefore which believe He is precious belongs (the preciousness in Christ is reckoned to you that believe. Cp. 1 Cor. 1:30): but to them which be disobedient (see Acts 14:2), the Stone Which the builders having been rejected, the same became for the head of the corner,
8 And a Stone of stumbling (see Rom. 9:32), and a Rock of offense, (see 1 Cor. 1:23, and cp. Rom. 9:33. This is a composite quotation from Ps. 118:22 and Isa. 8:14) even to them which stumble being disobedient to the word: to which they were appointed also. (See Matt. 24:51. Luke 12:46. 1 Thess. 5:9. 2 Tim. 1:11. Heb. 1:2. Christ will be a Stone of stumbling to those who claim to be Christian, and then they worship the antichrist.)
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood (cp. Jas. 2:8. Rev. 1:6; 5:10), an holy nation, a people for possession (see Eph. 1:14); that you should show forth the virtues (see Phil. 4:8) of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (You see the light. Because you know and hang on to God’s truth, you are a peculiar people that Father is proud to call His Own. He treasures you.)
10 Which at one time were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (As Rom. 11:31. Cp. Hos. 2:23.)
E E 2;11. Exhortation. Personal.
F 2:12. Calumnies.
G 2:13-3:7. Submission. The will of God [2:15]. Example of Christ [2:21-25].
E 3:8-15. Exhortation. General.
F 3:16. Calumnies.
G 3:17-4:6. Submission. The will of God [3:17]. Example of Christ [3:18-22].
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers (see Acts 7:6. Cp. 1:17) and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts (see Rom. 7:14), which war (see 1 Cor. 9:7) against the soul;
12 Having your conversation (see 1:15,18 and Gal. 1:13) honest among the Gentiles: that, in what they speak against you as evildoers (see Jas. 18:30), they may from your good works, beholding them, glorify God in the day of visitation. (See Acts 1:20.)
G H a 2:13,14. All to rulers.
b 2:15-17. Reason.
J c 2:18. Servants to masters.
d 2:19,20. Reason.
K 2:21-25. The example of Christ.
J c 3:1-4. Wives to husbands.
d 3:5.6. Reason.
H a 3:7-. Husbands to be considerate to their wives.
b 3:-7. Reason.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man (= human. See Rom. 6;19) on account of the Lord: whether it be to the king, as supreme (see 'higher', Rom. 13:1.);
14 Or to governors (Gr. hegemon, the title of Pilate, Felix, and Festus), as to them that are sent by him for the vengeance on evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. (Cp. 4;19.)
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing (see Acts 14:17) you may put to silence the ignorance (see 1 Cor. 15:34) of foolish men: (See Luke 11:40.)
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak (a covering, i.e. (figuratively) pretext)t of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Revere God. Honor the king.
18 Servants, submit your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle (see Phil. 4:5), but to the froward also. (See Acts 2:40.)
19 For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience (see Acts 23:1) of God endure grief (see 2 Tim. 3:11), suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, sinning and being buffeted (see 1 Cor. 4:11) 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.
21 For even to this were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should diligently (see 1 Tim. 5:10) follow His steps:
22 Who did no sin (cp. John 8:46. 2 Cor. 5:21. 1 John 3:5), neither was guile found in His mouth: (Verse quoted from Isa.53:9.)
23 Who, when He was reviled (see John 9:28), reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed (see John 19:30) Himself to Him that judges righteously:
24 Who Himself bare our sins in His body on the tree (cp. Acts 5:30; 10:39;3:29. Gal. 3:13), that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose bruise you were healed.
25 For you were as sheep going astray; (quoted from Isa. 53:5,6) but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop (see Phil. 1:1) of your souls.