Question 1

What does it mean to lay aside malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, and evil speakings?

Accepted Answer

Peter is telling believers to deliberately put away attitudes and words that poison relationships. Malice is a settled desire to hurt or resent someone. Guile is trickery or deceit in what we say. Hypocrisies are fake appearances, pretending to be better than we are. Envies are the grudges and sadness we feel when others seem to do well. Evil speakings are hurtful words, gossip, and backbiting. These do not fit people who have been born again. They choke out love and make it harder to receive and enjoy God’s Word.

Question 2

What does Peter mean by desiring the sincere milk of the word as newborn babes?

Accepted Answer

Peter pictures believers as newborn babies who cannot live without milk. In the same way, those who have been born again should deeply crave God’s Word. The “sincere milk” is pure, not mixed with error or selfish motives. It is the basic, life‑giving message about Christ and his grace. Just as milk makes a baby grow, God’s Word makes Christians grow in faith, love, and obedience. Wanting this Word and finding it sweet shows that new spiritual life is really present in the heart.

Question 3

Why is Jesus called a living stone and cornerstone in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Jesus is called a living stone because he is solid and dependable like a rock, yet not dead material. He is alive, risen, and gives life to all who come to him. As the cornerstone, he is the main stone in God’s spiritual building, the one that sets the line and holds everything together. People in general, including leaders, rejected him, but God chose him and counts him precious. Those who trust him are built on him and will not be put to shame, while those who refuse him stumble over the very one who could save them.

Question 4

What does it mean that believers are a chosen generation and royal priesthood?

Accepted Answer

Peter uses Old Testament language to describe what God has made his people in Christ. A chosen generation means they are picked out by God’s grace, not by their own worth. A royal priesthood means they belong to the King and serve him like priests. They do not offer animal sacrifices, but spiritual ones such as praise, prayer, obedience, and loving service. A holy nation and special people means they are set apart from the world to belong to God. Their purpose is to show his goodness, because he called them out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Question 5

How should Christians understand submitting to kings and governors here?

Accepted Answer

Peter tells believers to submit to human laws and rulers “for the Lord’s sake.” Kings and governors are described as servants of order, meant to punish wrong and praise those who do right. By obeying in everyday life, Christians silence false charges that they are troublemakers. This does not mean using freedom as an excuse for sin, or that rulers never do wrong, but it does mean a basic posture of respect and obedience. Peter sums it up simply: honor all, love your fellow believers, fear God, and honor the king.

Question 6

Why are servants told to be subject even to harsh masters?

Accepted Answer

Servants in that culture often had little power and could be treated unfairly. Peter tells believing servants to submit with respect not only to kind masters but also to those who are crooked. When a person suffers wrongfully, yet bears it out of a clear conscience toward God, this is counted as pleasing to God. There is no credit in being punished for doing wrong, but when someone does good and still suffers, and endures it patiently, that reflects the spirit of Christ. This does not praise cruelty, but calls suffering believers to trust God and follow Jesus’ example.

Question 7

How is Christ an example in suffering in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Peter points to Jesus’ own suffering to shape how believers handle mistreatment. Jesus never sinned and never deceived anyone. When people insulted him, he did not insult them back. When he suffered, he did not threaten revenge. Instead, he handed his case over to God, who judges fairly. At the same time, his suffering was not only an example but also the way he carried our sins in his body on the cross. Seeing how he suffered for doing good teaches believers to bear wrong with patience and to trust God rather than take matters into their own hands.

Question 8

What does it mean that Christ bore our sins in his body on the tree?

Accepted Answer

This line explains what was really happening when Jesus died on the cross. “The tree” points to the wooden cross. To say he bore our sins means he took on himself the burden and penalty of our wrongs. He stood in our place, so that we might die to sins and live for what is right. His wounds, the blows and stripes he suffered, are the means by which we are healed spiritually. We were like sheep wandering away, but through his suffering we are brought back to God, who cares for us as the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

Question 9

How can this passage guide Christians in everyday life today?

Accepted Answer

This passage calls believers to a way of life shaped by their new identity in Christ. It urges them to throw off hidden sins like malice and envy, and to feed on God’s Word so they keep growing. It reminds them they belong to God as his special people, so they should live in a way that shows his goodness, especially in front of those who do not believe. It also guides how to relate to authority, handle false accusations, and face unfair treatment, by looking at how Jesus trusted his Father and kept doing good even in suffering.

1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

The Living Stone and Chosen People

As Newborn Babes

As Living Stones

Submission to Authorities

Honor Authority

Christ’s Example of Suffering

Christ Is Our Example

The Living Stone and Chosen People

As Newborn Babes

Cross References

1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

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The Living Stone and Chosen People

As Newborn Babes

As Living Stones

Submission to Authorities

Honor Authority

Christ’s Example of Suffering

Christ Is Our Example

The Living Stone and Chosen People

As Newborn Babes

Cross References