Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

“On the opposite effects of the same Gospel on different classes, compare Joh 9:39; 2Co 2:15, 16. precious--Greek, "THE preciousness" (1Pe 2:6). To you believers belongs the preciousness of Christ just mentioned. disobedient--to the faith, and so disobedient in practice. the stone which . .”

and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

“"Were appointed," Greek, "set," answers to "I lay," Greek, "set," 1Pe 2:6. God, in the active, is said to appoint Christ and the elect (directly).”

Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.

“Not only the gross appetites which we have in common with the brutes, but all the thoughts of the unrenewed mind. which--Greek, "the which," that is, inasmuch as being such as "war." &c. Not only do they impede, but they assail [BENGEL].”

Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

“The same Greek verb occurs in a similar sense in 1Pe 3:2. "Other men narrowly look at (so the Greek implies) the actions of the righteous" [BENGEL].”

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,

“But lest they should think themselves so ennobled by faith as to be raised above subordination to human authorities, he tells them to submit themselves for the sake of Christ, who desires you to be subject, and who once was subject to earthly rulers Himself…”

or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

“Although bad kings often oppress the good, yet that is scarcely ever done by public authority (and it is of what is done by public authority that Peter speaks), save under the mask of right.”

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.

“Their ignorance should move the believer's pity, not his anger. They judge of things which they are incapable of judging through unbelief (compare 1Pe 2:12).”

Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

“As free--as "the Lord's freemen," connected with 1Pe 2:15, doing well as being free. "Well-doing" (1Pe 2:15) is the natural fruit of being freemen of Christ, made free by "the truth" from the bondage of sin.”

Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

“Christ has dignified our humanity by assuming it; therefore we should not dishonor, but be considerate to and honor our common humanity, even in the very humblest.”

Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.

“Servants--Greek, "household servants": not here the Greek for "slaves." Probably including freedmen still remaining in their master's house. Masters were not commonly Christians: he therefore mentions only the duties of the servants.”

For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.

“A course out of the common, and especially praiseworthy in the eyes of God: not as Rome interprets, earning merit, and so a work of supererogation (compare 1Pe 2:20).”

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

“Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (1Pe 2:20).”

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

“Illustrating Christ's well-doing (1Pe 2:20) though suffering. did--Greek aorist. "Never in a single instance did" [ALFORD]. Quoted from Isa 53:9, end, Septuagint. neither--nor yet: not even [ALFORD].”

When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

“Servants are apt to "answer again" (Tit 2:9). Threats of divine judgment against oppressors are often used by those who have no other arms, as for instance, slaves. Christ, who as Lord could have threatened with truth, never did so.”

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

“So the same Greek means in 1Pe 2:5. our sins--In offering or presenting in sacrifice (as the Greek for "bare" implies) His body, Christ offered in it the guilt of our sins upon the cross, as upon the altar of God, that it might be…”

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

“Shepherd and Bishop--The designation of the pastors and elders of the Church belongs in its fullest sense to the great Head of the Church, "the good Shepherd."”

Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior…

“"Unspoken acting is more powerful than unperformed speaking" [Å’CUMENIUS]. "A soul converted is gained to itself, to the pastor, wife, or husband, who sought it, and to Jesus Christ; added to His treasury who thought not His own precious blood too dear to lay out…”

but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

“Under costly attire there may be a humble mind. "Great is he who uses his earthenware as if it were plate; not less great is he who uses his silver as if it were earthenware" [SENECA in ALFORD].”

just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.

“Sara--an example of faith. calling him lord-- (Ge 18:12). ye are--Greek, "ye have become": "children" of Abraham and Sara by faith, whereas ye were Gentile aliens from the covenant. afraid with any amazement--Greek, "fluttering alarm," "consternation."”

Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers…

“He does not take into account the case of an unbelieving wife, as she might yet believe. grace of life--God's gracious gift of life (1Pe 1:4, 13). that your prayers be not hindered--by dissensions, which prevent united prayer, on which depends the blessing.”

He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

“In oldest manuscripts, Greek, "Moreover (besides his words, in acts), let him." eschew--"turn from." ensue--pursue as a thing hard to attain, and that flees from one in this troublesome world.”

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

“The Lord's eyes are ever over them for good. ears . . . unto their prayers-- (1Jo 5:14, 15). face . . .”

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

“But and if--"But if even." "The promises of this life extend only so far as it is expedient for us that they should be fulfilled" [CALVIN].”

But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you.

“This refutes Rome's dogma, "I believe it, because the Church believes it." Credulity is believing without evidence; faith is believing on evidence. There is no repose for reason itself but in faith.”

keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.

“It is translated, "despitefully use," Mt 5:44; Lu 6:28. conversation--life, conduct. in Christ--who is the very element of your life as Christians. "In Christ" defines "good." It is your good walk as Christians, not as citizens, that calls forth malice (1Pe 4:4, 5, 14).”