Growing and being built together
1 Peter 2:1–10FocusLiving stones and a chosen people
Connection to the wholePeter moves from putting away corrupt conduct to growth and shared identity in relation to Christ the living stone.
interpretation 1 Peter 2:23
KJVWho, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Read it in context
Suffering unjustly
Start reading at 1 Peter 2:18 (1 Peter 2:18 to 1 Peter 2:25).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Instructions to servants lead into Christ's suffering, His refusal of retaliation, and His bearing of sins so that believers should live unto righteousness.
- 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
- 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
- 2:20 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.
- 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
- 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
- 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
- 2:24 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.
- 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Peter the apostle is the named author. Silvanus is associated with the letter's delivery or composition in the closing statement; his precise role is not fully explained. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Peter 1:1–2:25): Peter addresses scattered believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia about identity, holiness, and conduct among outsiders; servants receive specific instruction. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The elect strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: Christian communities facing suffering in Asia Minor. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 4:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Suffering unjustly. Read 1 Peter 2:18 through 1 Peter 2:25 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Instructions to servants lead into Christ's suffering, His refusal of retaliation, and His bearing of sins so that believers should live unto righteousness. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter addresses believers facing trials and speaks of Christ's revelation as their hope. It gives no calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The opening names regions of dispersion. The greeting from Babylon should be reported as written; identifying it with another city is an interpretation. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Suffering unjustly (1 Peter 2:18 to 1 Peter 2:25). Start reading at 1 Peter 2:18. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Christ's suffering, resurrection, and example ground the exhortation. The baptism statement in chapter 3 should be read with its own qualification and its reference to Jesus' resurrection. See 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Live faithfully and do good under pressure, entrusting judgment to God. Instructions about suffering do not make wrongdoing by those who cause it righteous. interpretation
Cited: 1 Peter 2:18, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and mentions Silvanus as the one who wrote it.
1 Peter 1:11 Peter 5:12
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Peter.
What is debatedSome critical scholars question the polished Greek, though the letter itself credits Silvanus.
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment
The notes distinguish explicit fulfillment statements from other explicit New Testament applications. They do not assume every detail of the surrounding prophecy has already been fulfilled.
The servant's suffering and sin-bearing
NT explicitly applies this passage
- Old Testament: Isaiah 53:4–6
- Old Testament: Isaiah 53:9–12
- New Testament: 1 Peter 2:21–25 (current passage)
Peter applies the servant's suffering, sin-bearing, and healing language to Christ while teaching believers how to follow His example. This is explicitly NT interpretation of the passage.
Related passages
- when he was Ps 38:12-14 Isa 53:7 Matt 27:39-44 Mark 14:60-61 Mark 15:29-32 Luke 22:64-65 Luke 23:9,34-39 John 8:48-49
- threatened Acts 4:29 Acts 9:1 Eph 6:9
- but 1 Pet 4:19 Ps 10:14 Ps 31:5 Ps 37:5 Luke 23:46 Acts 7:59 2 Tim 1:12
- judgeth Gen 18:25 Ps 7:11 Ps 96:13 Acts 17:31 Rom 2:5 2 Thess 1:5 2 Tim 4:8 Rev 19:11
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Peter 2
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
Conduct among the Gentiles
1 Peter 2:11–17FocusGood works and public responsibility
Connection to the wholeThe readers' identity as strangers and pilgrims leads to honourable conduct and responsibilities toward human authorities.
interpretation FocusFollowing Christ's example
Connection to the wholeInstructions to servants lead into Christ's suffering, His refusal of retaliation, and His bearing of sins so that believers should live unto righteousness.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Peter
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
A living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusResurrection and salvation
Connection to the wholeThanksgiving places the readers' present trials within their hope and the salvation announced to them.
interpretation A holy and built-together people
1 Peter 1:13–2:10FocusNew birth, obedience, and identity
Connection to the wholeThe hope leads into holiness, love, and the image of believers coming to Christ as living stones.
interpretation FocusLife among others and within households
Connection to the wholePeter applies the calling to public conduct, service, marriage, and the community's manner toward one another.
interpretation Suffering with faithfulness
1 Peter 3:13–4:19FocusChrist's example and God's judgment
Connection to the wholeThe letter addresses opposition by directing believers toward Christ and toward continued doing of good under trial.
interpretation Shepherding and steadfastness
1 Peter 5:1–14FocusHumility, vigilance, and grace
Connection to the wholeFinal instructions to elders and the church join mutual humility with watchfulness and steadfast resistance to the adversary.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.