1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, LAYING ASIDE - once for all. So [ apothemenoi (G659)] aorist, as a garment put off. The exhortation applies to Christians alone: in none else is the new nature existing which, as "the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16), can more and more cast off the old as an outward thing. To unbelievers the exhortation is that inwardly, in the nous (G3563) (mind), they must become changed [metanoeisthai: repent] (Steiger). 'Therefore' resumes 1 Peter 1:22. Seeing that ye are born again of incorruptible seed, be not again entangled...

After having taught the faithful that they had been regenerated by the word of God, he now exhorts them to lead a life corresponding with their birth. For if we live in the Spirit, we ought also to walk in the Spirit, as Paul says. (Galatians 5:25.) It is not, then, sufficient for us to have been once called by the Lord, except we live as new creatures. This is the meaning. But as to the words, the Apostle continues the same metaphor. For as we have been born again, he requires from us a life like that of infants; by which he intimates that we are to put off the old man and his works. Hence this verse agrees with what Christ says, “Except ye become like this little child, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 18:3.) _Infancy _is here set by Peter in opposition to the ancientne

1-10 Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart; and hinders our profiting by the word of God. A new life needs suitable food. Infants desire milk, and make the best endeavours for it which they are able to do; such must be a Christian's desires after the word of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is very merciful to us miserable sinners; and he has a fulness of grace. But even the best of God's servants, in this life, have only a taste of the consolations of God. Christ is called a Stone, to teach his servants that he is their protection and security, the foundation on which they are built. He is precious in the excellence of his nature, the dignity of his office, and the glory of his services. All true believers are a holy priesthood; sacred to God, serviceable to others, endowed with heavenly gifts and graces. But the most spiritual sacrifices of the best in prayer and praise a...

CHAPTER II. _We should lay aside all evil dispositions, and desire the_ _sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby_, 1-3. _And come to God to be made living stones, and be built up into_ _a spiritual temple_, 4, 5. _The prophecy of Christ as chief corner stone, precious to_ _believers, but a stumbling stone to the disobedient_, 6-8. _True believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, c.,_ 9, 10. _They should abstain from fleshly lusts_, 11. _Walk uprightly among the Gentiles_, 12....

WHEREFORE LAYING ASIDE - On the word rendered laying aside, see Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:8. The allusion is to putting off clothes; and the meaning is, that we are to cast off these things entirely; that is, we are no longer to practice them. The word “wherefore” (οὖν oun) refers to the reasonings in the first chapter. In view of the considerations stated there, we should renounce all evil. ALL MALICE - All “evil,” (κακίαν

EXPOSITIONS 1 PETER 2:1 WHEREFORE LAYING ASIDE. Those who would wear the white robe of regeneration must lay aside the filthy garments (Zechariah 3:3) of the old carnal life. So St. Paul bids us put off the old man and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:8, Colossians 3:10; comp. also Romans 13:14

WHEREFORE, LAYING ASIDE ALL MALICE,.... Since the persons the apostle writes to were born again, and therefore ought to love one another, he exhorts them to the disuse of such vices as were disagreeable to their character as regenerate men, and contrary brotherly love; he dissuades them from them, and advises to "lay them aside", either as weights and burdens, which it was not fit for new born babes to carry; see Hebrews 12:1 or rather as old worn out clothes, as filthy rags, which should be put off, laid by, and never used more, being what were very unsuitable to their character and profession to wear: the metaphor is the same as in Ephesians 4:22 and the first he mentions is malice; to live in which is a mark of an unregenerate man, and very unbecoming such who are born again; and is not consistent with

1 Peter 2:1. _Wherefore laying aside all malice,_ This is one of the old corruptible things, so put it away from you 1 Peter 2:1. _And all guile,_ All crafty tricks, all falsehood, exaggeration, double meanings to your words, and the like,- 1. _And hypocrisies, and envies,_ All hatred of those who are either better or better off than you are,- 1 Peter 2:1. _And all evil speaking,_ Thus the tongue expresses what the heart feels. Laying all these evil things aside, you will prove that you have been born again, born of the incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth for ever....

II. THE BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGES OF ALL BELIEVERS CHAPTER 1:22-2:10 _ 1. The new birth (1 Peter 1:22)_ 2. Spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:1) 3. The privileges of believers as the holy and royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:4) 1 Peter 1:22 The relationship of those who are thus redeemed, whose faith and hope is in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, whose souls are purified by obedience to the truth, unto unfeigned love of the brethren, is stated first: “Love one another with a pure heart fervently.” All the elect through the foreknowledge of God the Father are covered by the same love, are

1 Peter 1:22 to 1 Peter 2:10. The Christians, who were formerly pagans, are created a new race in Christ Jesus, and consecrated as a special priesthood of service to the whole world. Their life must be in accordance with this profession. They are to manifest to one another brotherly love, that noblest jewel in the diadem of early Christianity (Gunkel), and as children naturally seek milk for nourishment, so their desire is to be for spiritual refreshment in the purity of faith. By a changed figure they are to become living stones in a living temple founded on a living Lord, who of old time was termed by the prophets the Corner Stone. To them He is a precious possession, but to those who refuse Him, He is like a stone in the path to trip over, as a rock in the way, over which one may fall....