New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Peter 2
1
So get rid of every kind of evil. Stop telling lies. Don't pretend to be something you are not. Stop wanting what others have. Don't speak against each other.
Reference
Evil
James 4:11
1 Peter 3:10
Kingdom
Ephesians 4:31
1 Peter 4:4
Psalm 34:13
Parallel theme
James 1:21
Hebrews 12:1
1 Timothy 3:11
Psalm 32:2
James 5:9
2
Like babies that were just born, you should long for the pure milk of God's word. It will help you grow up as believers.
Reference
4
Christ is the living Stone. People did not accept him. But God chose him. God places the highest value on him.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Peter 2:7
Colossians 3:4
Zechariah 3:9
Zechariah 4:7
John 5:40
Daniel 2:34
References God
Isaiah 28:16
5
You also are like living stones. As you come to him you are being built into a house for worship. There you will be holy priests. You will offer spiritual sacrifices. God will accept them because of what Jesus Christ has done.
Reference
Holy
1 Peter 2:9
Revelation 20:6
Romans 12:1
1 Corinthians 6:19
References Christ
Hebrews 3:6
References God
1 Corinthians 3:9
Revelation 5:10
Isaiah 61:6
Revelation 1:6
Spirit
1 Corinthians 3:16
6
In Scripture it says, "Look! I am placing a stone in Zion. It is a chosen and very valuable stone. It is the most important stone in the building. The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." --(Isaiah 28:16)
Reference
Faith
Isaiah 28:16
Romans 10:11
John 7:38
Parallel theme
1 Peter 2:4
Ephesians 2:20
Zechariah 10:4
Isaiah 50:7
Isaiah 42:1
Isaiah 54:4
Word
Mark 12:10
7
The stone is very valuable to you who believe. But to people who do not believe, "The stone the builders did not accept has become the most important stone of all." --(Psalm 118:22)
Reference
8
And, "It is a stone that causes people to trip. It is a rock that makes them fall." --(Isaiah 8:14) They trip and fall because they do not obey the message. That is also what God planned for them.
Reference
9
But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are a people who belong to God. All of this is so that you can sing his praises. He brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Reference
Holy
Deuteronomy 7:6
2 Timothy 1:9
Deuteronomy 14:2
1 Peter 2:5
Light
Deuteronomy 10:15
Parallel theme
Revelation 1:6
Revelation 5:10
Isaiah 61:6
Titus 2:14
Isaiah 26:2
10
Once you were not a people. But now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy. But now you have received mercy.
Reference
Grace
Hosea 2:23
Hebrews 4:16
1 Timothy 1:13
Romans 11:30
1 Corinthians 7:25
Parallel theme
Romans 10:19
11
Dear friends, you are outsiders and strangers in this world. So I'm asking you not to give in to your sinful longings. They fight against your soul.
Reference
12
People who don't believe might say you are doing wrong. But lead good lives among them. Then they will see your good works. And they will give glory to God on the day he comes to judge.
Reference
Evil
1 Peter 3:16
Good
Matthew 5:16
James 3:13
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 8:21
1 Thessalonians 4:12
1 Timothy 4:12
Philippians 1:27
Romans 13:13
References God
2 Corinthians 1:12
2 Peter 3:11
13
Follow the lead of every human authority. Do it because the Lord wants you to. Obey the king. He is the highest authority.
Reference
Kingdom
Proverbs 24:21
Parallel theme
Titus 3:1
Luke 20:25
Mark 12:17
Matthew 22:21
2 Peter 2:10
Ephesians 5:21
Proverbs 17:11
References Lord
Jeremiah 29:7
14
Obey the governors. The king sends them to punish those who do wrong. He also sends them to praise those who do right.
15
By doing good you will put a stop to the talk of foolish people. They don't know what they are saying. God wants you to stop them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Titus 2:8
Matthew 7:26
Jeremiah 4:22
Proverbs 9:6
2 Peter 2:12
References God
1 Peter 3:17
1 Peter 2:12
1 Thessalonians 5:18
1 Thessalonians 4:3
Job 2:10
16
Live like free people. But don't use your freedom to cover up evil. Live like people who serve God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Galatians 5:13
1 Corinthians 7:22
Galatians 5:1
James 1:25
James 2:12
Colossians 3:24
2 Peter 2:19
References God
Ephesians 6:6
Sin
Romans 6:22
Romans 6:18
17
Show proper respect to everyone. Love the community of believers. Have respect for God. Honor the king.
Reference
Kingdom
Proverbs 24:21
Ecclesiastes 8:2
Love
Romans 12:10
Hebrews 13:1
1 Peter 1:22
2 Corinthians 7:1
Parallel theme
Romans 13:7
Philippians 2:3
References God
1 Peter 5:5
Exodus 20:12
18
Slaves, obey your masters with all the respect you should give them. Obey not only those who are good and kind. Obey also those who are not kind.
Reference
19
Suppose a person suffers pain unfairly because he wants to obey God. That is worthy of praise.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 6:32
Romans 13:5
Psalm 119:86
John 15:21
References God
1 Corinthians 15:10
1 Peter 2:20
2 Corinthians 8:1
2 Corinthians 1:12
20
But suppose you receive a beating for doing wrong, and you put up with it. Will anyone honor you for that? Of course not. But suppose you suffer for doing good, and you put up with it. God will praise you for that.
Reference
21
Christ suffered for you. He left you an example. He expects you to follow in his steps. You too were chosen to suffer.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 John 2:6
Matthew 16:24
John 13:15
1 John 3:16
1 Peter 2:24
Acts 14:22
Matthew 11:29
References Christ
Ephesians 5:2
1 Corinthians 11:1
Philippians 2:5
22
Scripture says, "He didn't commit any sin. No lies ever came out of his mouth." --(Isaiah 53:9)
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 53:9
Revelation 14:5
Luke 23:41
Sin
Hebrews 4:15
1 John 3:5
2 Corinthians 5:21
1 John 2:1
Hebrews 9:28
23
People shouted at him and made fun of him. But he didn't do the same back to them. He suffered. But he didn't say that bad things would happen to them. Instead, he trusted in the One who judges fairly.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 53:7
1 Peter 4:19
Hebrews 12:3
Psalm 37:5
Acts 4:29
2 Timothy 1:12
Psalm 10:14
Psalm 31:5
Luke 23:46
Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:8
24
He himself carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did it so that we would die as far as sins are concerned. Then we would lead godly lives. His wounds have made you whole.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 8:17
Revelation 22:2
Galatians 3:13
Colossians 3:3
Righteousness
1 John 2:29
James 5:16
Isaiah 53:11
Sin
Romans 6:11
Hebrews 9:28
Romans 6:2
Chapter Summary
1 Peter 2 teaches that Christians who have received new spiritual life should reject sinful attitudes, continually seek God's truth, recognize Jesus as the rejected but chosen cornerstone of God's spiritual house, live as God's holy people, maintain honorable behavior among unbelievers, respect legitimate authorities, use their freedom responsibly, endure unjust treatment without retaliation, and follow Christ's example of patient suffering and righteous living.
Peter begins by telling believers to remove behaviors that destroy relationships, including malice, dishonesty, hypocrisy, jealousy, and harmful speech.
Their new spiritual life should create a new pattern of behavior, so Peter compares their desire for God's truth with the strong hunger of newborn children seeking nourishment.
Just as physical growth requires regular nourishment, spiritual growth requires believers to continually receive and respond to God's truth.
Peter then presents Jesus as the living stone, explaining that Christ was rejected by people but chosen and honored by God.
Believers who come to Christ are themselves described as living stones being built together into a spiritual house and holy priesthood, showing that God's people are no longer defined primarily by a physical temple or earthly religious institution.
Instead, Christians collectively become a spiritual dwelling place where worship is offered to God through Jesus Christ.
Peter reinforces this teaching by using the Old Testament image of a cornerstone.
Jesus is God's chosen foundation, and although some people reject Him, believers recognize His true value and build their lives upon Him.
Those who reject Christ instead stumble over the very foundation God has established.
Peter then describes the identity of believers in remarkably strong terms, calling them a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and special people belonging to God.
Their purpose is to declare God's greatness because He has brought them from spiritual darkness into His light.
This new identity creates a new responsibility: Christians must live differently from the surrounding world.
Peter describes believers as temporary residents and foreigners, reminding them that their ultimate identity and destination are not defined by the values of earthly society.
They should therefore resist sinful desires and maintain honorable behavior even among people who do not share their faith.
Their good conduct may eventually cause unbelievers who criticize them to recognize God's work in their lives.
The chapter then addresses the difficult subject of submission to human authorities.
Peter instructs believers to respect legitimate governing authorities for the Lord's sake, while emphasizing that Christian freedom should never become an excuse for wrongdoing.
Christians are free, but they are also God's servants, meaning that freedom should be used responsibly rather than selfishly.
Peter summarizes this balanced approach by telling believers to respect everyone, love fellow Christians, fear God, and honor the ruler.
The passage then addresses servants living under masters, reflecting the reality of Roman slavery during the first century.
Peter specifically speaks to people who may experience unfair treatment and encourages them to endure suffering patiently when they are doing what is right.
This does not describe unjust treatment as morally good, but it teaches believers how to respond faithfully when they find themselves in circumstances they cannot easily change.
Peter's central example is Jesus Christ.
Jesus suffered despite being completely innocent, and when He was insulted or mistreated, He did not respond with revenge or threats.
Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, who judges justly.
Peter explains that Christ carried human sins on the cross so that believers could turn away from sin and live righteous lives.
The chapter concludes with the powerful image of wandering sheep returning to their Shepherd and Guardian, describing Jesus as the one who watches over and cares for the souls of His people.
The central message of 1 Peter 2 is that Christians who belong to Jesus as God's chosen and holy people must allow their new identity to transform their behavior, rejecting sinful attitudes, growing through God's truth, building their lives upon Christ as the cornerstone, living honorably before society, respecting legitimate authority, using freedom as servants of God, and following Christ's example by responding to unjust suffering with faithful endurance rather than retaliation.
Peter begins by telling believers to remove behaviors that destroy relationships, including malice, dishonesty, hypocrisy, jealousy, and harmful speech.
Their new spiritual life should create a new pattern of behavior, so Peter compares their desire for God's truth with the strong hunger of newborn children seeking nourishment.
Just as physical growth requires regular nourishment, spiritual growth requires believers to continually receive and respond to God's truth.
Peter then presents Jesus as the living stone, explaining that Christ was rejected by people but chosen and honored by God.
Believers who come to Christ are themselves described as living stones being built together into a spiritual house and holy priesthood, showing that God's people are no longer defined primarily by a physical temple or earthly religious institution.
Instead, Christians collectively become a spiritual dwelling place where worship is offered to God through Jesus Christ.
Peter reinforces this teaching by using the Old Testament image of a cornerstone.
Jesus is God's chosen foundation, and although some people reject Him, believers recognize His true value and build their lives upon Him.
Those who reject Christ instead stumble over the very foundation God has established.
Peter then describes the identity of believers in remarkably strong terms, calling them a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and special people belonging to God.
Their purpose is to declare God's greatness because He has brought them from spiritual darkness into His light.
This new identity creates a new responsibility: Christians must live differently from the surrounding world.
Peter describes believers as temporary residents and foreigners, reminding them that their ultimate identity and destination are not defined by the values of earthly society.
They should therefore resist sinful desires and maintain honorable behavior even among people who do not share their faith.
Their good conduct may eventually cause unbelievers who criticize them to recognize God's work in their lives.
The chapter then addresses the difficult subject of submission to human authorities.
Peter instructs believers to respect legitimate governing authorities for the Lord's sake, while emphasizing that Christian freedom should never become an excuse for wrongdoing.
Christians are free, but they are also God's servants, meaning that freedom should be used responsibly rather than selfishly.
Peter summarizes this balanced approach by telling believers to respect everyone, love fellow Christians, fear God, and honor the ruler.
The passage then addresses servants living under masters, reflecting the reality of Roman slavery during the first century.
Peter specifically speaks to people who may experience unfair treatment and encourages them to endure suffering patiently when they are doing what is right.
This does not describe unjust treatment as morally good, but it teaches believers how to respond faithfully when they find themselves in circumstances they cannot easily change.
Peter's central example is Jesus Christ.
Jesus suffered despite being completely innocent, and when He was insulted or mistreated, He did not respond with revenge or threats.
Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, who judges justly.
Peter explains that Christ carried human sins on the cross so that believers could turn away from sin and live righteous lives.
The chapter concludes with the powerful image of wandering sheep returning to their Shepherd and Guardian, describing Jesus as the one who watches over and cares for the souls of His people.
The central message of 1 Peter 2 is that Christians who belong to Jesus as God's chosen and holy people must allow their new identity to transform their behavior, rejecting sinful attitudes, growing through God's truth, building their lives upon Christ as the cornerstone, living honorably before society, respecting legitimate authority, using freedom as servants of God, and following Christ's example by responding to unjust suffering with faithful endurance rather than retaliation.