1 Peter 2:14 KJV [14] “or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”      The rule of obedience to authority that Peter lays out is first to the king as supreme and then to the governor. The governors are those under the supreme authority who administer the laws and execute justice. Their civil duty was to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good, but they did not always carry it out that way during Peter’s day, and we have …

1 Peter 2:13 KJV [13] “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;”      We will never agree with all of the laws of the land, but we are to submit to them regardless of the ruler. Rome was ruled by evil people when Peter wrote this verse. It was not the will of God for the church to lead an insurrection but to shine the light of the gospel. Persecution of the church would cause the light of the gospel to shine even brighter.      Everything we do …

1 Peter 2:12 KJV [12] “having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”      When we study the life of Jesus, we are overwhelmed by His goodness. He went about everywhere doing good, and it did not matter where He was or how others treated Him. No one could ever say that Jesus mistreated them in any way. Even Pilate declared that he found no fault in Him.      Jesus was known for good works during …

1 Peter 2:11 KJV [11] “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”       I like how this verse begins with the phrase, “Dearly beloved.” It shows the heart of Peter as he wrote to the saints and how deeply he cared for the brethren. We need to have the same affection for our brothers today. When I read this text, I ask myself, Do I have the love for my fellow brethren that I should have? Are they dear to my heart? And do I see the saints in …

1 Peter 2:10 KJV [10] “which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”      Peter wants us to go back and remember our past. He wants us to remember when we were on the outside looking in. As believers, it is good to remember who we were before He found us. We were dead in our trespasses and sins. We were lost with no hope and without God. We were poor and needy individuals who belonged to Satan and were called children of …