1 Peter 2
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedThe readers are to lay aside malice and "desire the sincere milk of the word," coming to Christ, "a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God," and being built up "a spiritual house, an holy priesthood." They are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people," called "out of darkness into his marvellous light," so they are to live honestly among the Gentiles and submit "to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake." Servants who suffer wrongfully follow Christ, who left "an example, that ye should follow his steps" and "his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." 1 Peter 2:11 Peter 2:21 Peter 2:41 Peter 2:51 Peter 2:91 Peter 2:121 Peter 2:131 Peter 2:181 Peter 2:191 Peter 2:211 Peter 2:24
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Peter writes to believers he calls "strangers and pilgrims," and speaks of the king, governors, servants and masters. 1 Peter 2:111 Peter 2:131 Peter 2:141 Peter 2:181 Peter overview
Where
The readers live among "the Gentiles" in Asia Minor. The chapter quotes Scripture about a stone laid "in Sion." 1 Peter 2:61 Peter 2:121 Peter overviewZion
When
Traditionally about AD 62-64, shortly before Peter's death in Rome under Nero. Many scholars think it was written in Peter's name, about AD 70-95; others accept that Peter wrote it. 1 Peter overview
How it fits
Chapter 1 ended with the word "which by the gospel is preached unto you"; here readers are to desire that word as newborn babes. Chapter 3 continues the instructions with "Likewise, ye wives." 1 Peter 1:251 Peter 2:21 Peter 3:1
Key verses
- Verse 9
"Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people." Exodus 19:6 says to Israel, "ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." 1 Peter 2:9Exodus 19:6
- Verse 17
"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." 1 Peter 2:17
- Verse 24
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree... by whose stripes ye were healed." Isaiah 53:6 says, "the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." 1 Peter 2:241 Peter 2:25Isaiah 53:6
Takeaway
As God's chosen people, live so well that even critics see it, and when you suffer unjustly, follow Christ, who bore our sins. 1 Peter 2:91 Peter 2:121 Peter 2:211 Peter 2:24
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-30.
Living stones, a chosen people
1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Honest conduct among the Gentiles
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having 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. 13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Following Christ's steps in suffering
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.