Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

“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 disobedien…”

“"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). Unbelievers, in the passive, are said to be appointed (God acting less directly in the appointment of the sinner…”

“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]. the soul--that is, a…”

“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]. TERTULLIAN contrasts the early Christians and the heathen: these delighted in the bloody gladiatorial spectacl…”

“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, t…”

“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.”

“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). Maintain such a walk that they shall have no charge against you, except touching your faith; and so t…”

“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. Duty is enforced on us to guard against licentio…”

“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. The first "honor" is in the Greek aorist imperative, implying, "In every case render promptly ev…”

“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.”

“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 conscience toward God--literally, "consciousness of God": from a conscientious regard t…”

“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). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, a…”

“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].”

“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. committed himself--or His…”

“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 expiated in Him, and so tak…”

“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." As the "bishop" oversees (as the Greek term means), so "the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous"…”

“"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 …”

“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]. hidden--inner man, which the Christian instinctively hides from …”

“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." Act…”

“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.”

“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.”

“The Lord's eyes are ever over them for good. ears . . . unto their prayers-- (1Jo 5:14, 15). face . . . against--The eyes imply favorable regard; the face of the Lord upon (not as English Version, "against") them that do evil, implies that He narrowly obser…”

“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]. So he proceeds to state the exceptions to the promise (1Pe 3:10), and how the truly wise will behave in such exception…”

“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.”

“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 (1P…”