1 Peter 2: Expository Bible Preaching & Study Guide

Overview

1 Peter 2 continues the apostle Peter’s exhortation to believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, emphasizing their identity in Christ and their call to live holy lives amid a hostile world. The chapter highlights the believer’s status as a “chosen people,” the cornerstone of Christ, and the calling to live honorably before both God and man. It includes instructions on submission to authority and Christian conduct in suffering.

Key themes include spiritual growth, the priesthood of all believers, the preciousness of Christ, submission to earthly authorities, and suffering for doing good. The theological significance lies in its call to live out the gospel through godly behavior, rooted in a secure identity in Christ.

Historical and Literary Context

Historical Context

1 Peter was written by the apostle Peter around A.D. 62–64, likely from Rome (“Babylon” in 5:13), during a time of increasing persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero. The recipients were primarily Gentile believers in the Roman provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. They were experiencing social alienation and legal marginalization because of their faith.

Peter writes to encourage these believers to stand firm in grace, reminding them that their citizenship is in heaven. His words draw from Old Testament imagery to affirm that, though rejected by society, they are chosen and honored by God.

Literary Structure

Chapter 2 fits within the epistolary exhortation style. It transitions from the call to holiness in chapter 1 to practical expressions of that holiness in relationships—with God, with fellow believers, and with society. The use of Old Testament references (e.g., Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, Hosea 2:23) underlines the continuity of God’s covenant people from Israel to the Church.

The structure includes:

Verses 1–3: Call to spiritual growth
Verses 4–10: Believers as a spiritual house and royal priesthood
Verses 11–12: Call to honorable living among unbelievers
Verses 13–17: Submission to human authorities
Verses 18–25: Suffering unjustly as Christ did

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

1. Spiritual Growth through the Word (vv. 1–3)

Peter urges believers to “crave pure spiritual milk”—the Word of God—for growth. This highlights Scripture’s sufficiency and necessity for sanctification.

Doctrine of the Word: The Bible is not only authoritative but nourishing. It is living and active, producing spiritual maturity (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Application: Church leaders must emphasize consistent intake of the Word in personal life and teaching.

2. Christ as the Cornerstone (vv. 4–8)

Jesus is described as the “living Stone” rejected by men but chosen by God. The imagery of cornerstone and stone of stumbling shows both salvation and judgment.

Doctrine of Christ: Christ is the foundation of the Church. Faith in Him determines eternal destiny.
Evangelical Identity: True believers align with Christ, even when rejected by society. This counters cultural accommodation and reaffirms biblical fidelity.

3. The Priesthood of All Believers (vv. 5, 9–10)

Peter declares that Christians are a “royal priesthood” and “holy nation.” This does not negate church offices but affirms direct access to God through Christ.

Doctrine of the Church: Every believer is called to offer spiritual sacrifices—prayer, praise, holy living.
Continuity of God’s People: The Church is not a replacement of Israel but a fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan to have a people for His name (Exodus 19:5-6; Hosea 2:23).

4. Living Honorably Among Pagans (vv. 11–12)

Christians are “foreigners and exiles,” called to abstain from sinful desires and live visibly holy lives before the world.

Doctrine of Sanctification: Holiness is not merely internal but behavioral and observable.
Missional Living: God uses the conduct of His people as a witness to unbelievers.

5. Submission to Authority (vv. 13–17)

Believers are commanded to submit to human institutions for the Lord’s sake—whether kings or governors. This echoes Paul’s teaching in Romans 13.

Doctrine of Authority: Earthly governments are ordained by God to restrain evil.
Balance: Submission does not imply compromise of truth. When government contradicts God’s law, obedience to God prevails (Acts 5:29).

6. Suffering for Righteousness (vv. 18–25)

Peter urges servants to submit even to unjust masters, pointing to Christ as the ultimate example of patient suffering.

Doctrine of Suffering: Suffering for doing good is part of the Christian calling. Christ’s atonement (v. 24) is both redemptive and exemplary.
Christological Focus: Jesus bore our sins in His body, satisfying divine justice and providing a model of meek endurance.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis: 1 Peter 2 (NIV)

Verses 1–3 – A Call to Spiritual Growth

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

Explanation: Peter begins with a call to moral cleansing—removing sin that hinders spiritual growth. The “therefore” connects to the call to holiness in chapter 1. “Pure spiritual milk” refers to the Word of God (cf. Hebrews 5:12-14).
Cross-reference: Psalm 34:8 (“Taste and see that the Lord is good”) is echoed.
Doctrine: Sanctification is progressive and requires intentional engagement with Scripture.
Application: Christians must turn from sin and turn to Scripture daily for growth.

Verses 4–5 – Living Stones and a Spiritual House

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house…”

Explanation: Christ is the foundation (“living Stone”), and believers are part of His spiritual temple.
Cross-reference: Isaiah 28:16 and Ephesians 2:20-22.
Doctrine: Christ is the cornerstone; the Church is His dwelling.
Application: Church leaders should help believers see their place in the Church’s mission and growth.

Verses 6–8 – Christ the Chosen Cornerstone and a Stumbling Stone

“See, I lay a stone in Zion… The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame… But to those who do not believe… ‘A stone that causes people to stumble…'”

Explanation: Christ is precious to believers but offensive to unbelievers.
Cross-reference: Isaiah 8:14, Psalm 118:22.
Doctrine: God’s sovereignty includes both election and judgment (Romans 9:32-33).
Application: Expect opposition to the gospel. Faith in Christ ensures ultimate security.

Verses 9–10 – Identity in Christ

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood… once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God…”

Explanation: Drawing from Exodus 19:5-6 and Hosea 1:10, Peter declares the Church as God’s covenant people.
Cross-reference: Revelation 1:6; Romans 9:25.
Doctrine: The Church is God’s elect, bearing both privilege and responsibility.
Application: Teach believers to embrace their identity and mission—to proclaim God’s excellencies.

Verses 11–12 – Holy Living Before the World

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires… live such good lives among the pagans…”

Explanation: Christians are sojourners on earth, called to visibly holy conduct.
Cross-reference: Philippians 2:15; Matthew 5:16.
Doctrine: The witness of the Church is tied to its holiness.
Application: Church leaders must model and teach integrity in the public square.

Verses 13–17 – Submission to Human Authority

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority… For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people…”

Explanation: Christians honor God by respecting civil institutions, unless such submission violates God’s law.
Cross-reference: Romans 13:1-7; Acts 5:29.
Doctrine: Human authority is established by God for societal order.
Application: Believers should be law-abiding, peacemaking citizens who reflect God’s righteousness.

Verses 18–20 – Submissive Servants

“Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters… if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”

Explanation: Even unjust suffering can be a powerful testimony when borne with godly character.
Cross-reference: Matthew 5:10-12.
Doctrine: God sees and rewards faithful suffering.
Application: Christians must reflect Christ even in unjust circumstances (e.g., workplaces today).

Verses 21–25 – Christ’s Example in Suffering

“To this you were called… ‘He committed no sin…’ ‘By his wounds you have been healed.’”

Explanation: Christ’s suffering was substitutionary and exemplary.
Cross-reference: Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Doctrine: Penal substitution and the believer’s union with Christ.
Application: The gospel shapes how we respond to mistreatment—patiently, prayerfully, redemptively.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

1 Peter 2 exalts Christ as the cornerstone of God’s redemptive plan. He is the one on whom the Church is built (vv. 4–6), the one whom the world rejects (v. 7), and the one who bore our sins in His body on the cross (v. 24). His identity and work form the backbone of every doctrine in this chapter.

Christ in Redemptive History: Jesus fulfills the prophecies of Isaiah and the Psalms. He is the servant who suffers and saves, the foundation of the Church, and the example for believers.
Christ’s Substitutionary Atonement: Verse 24 directly ties to the doctrine of substitution—Christ took the penalty we deserved so we might live righteously.
Christ as the Shepherd and Overseer (v. 25): He does not just redeem us; He shepherds us with love and care, echoing Psalm 23 and John 10.

Connection to God the Father

Peter repeatedly affirms the role of God the Father as the One who chooses, honors, and sends.

Election and Identity (vv. 4, 9): God the Father chooses both the Son and His people. Believers are chosen not because of merit but because of the Father’s sovereign grace.
God’s Will in Authority and Suffering (vv. 15, 20): Submission to authority and enduring unjust suffering are part of the Father’s plan to sanctify and glorify His people.
Spiritual Formation (v. 2): Growth comes by the Word of God, which the Father gives and sustains, reflecting His desire for intimacy with His people.

In summary, 1 Peter 2 reveals the Father’s sovereign love in choosing a people, the Son’s redeeming sacrifice, and the Spirit’s ongoing sanctifying work (v. 2, implicit from 1:2). It is Trinitarian in implication—calling believers to live holy lives empowered by the Spirit, modeled after Christ, to the glory of the Father.

Connection to the Holy Spirit

While 1 Peter 2 does not mention the Holy Spirit explicitly by name, His presence is deeply implied in several ways:

1. The Holy Spirit as the Agent of Spiritual Growth (vv. 1–3)

The call to crave “pure spiritual milk” is a call to desire the Word of God. But this desire is planted and stirred by the Spirit (cf. John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14). The Spirit applies the Word to the heart, leading believers into deeper maturity.

Application: Believers must not just read Scripture but seek the Spirit’s help to understand, apply, and obey it.

2. The Holy Spirit Builds the Church (vv. 4–5)

As believers come to Christ, they are being “built into a spiritual house.” This imagery echoes Ephesians 2:22: “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” The Spirit is the One constructing this living temple.

Application: Unity, worship, and service in the church are the result of the Spirit’s work among God’s people.

3. The Holy Spirit Empowers Submission and Witness (vv. 13–25)

To endure unjust suffering and respond in Christlike humility requires supernatural power. The Spirit strengthens believers to follow Christ’s example—especially in difficult relationships and societal contexts.

Application: In marriage, work, or under government pressure, only the Spirit can enable consistent, humble obedience.

Sermon Outline and Flow

Sermon Title: “Living Stones: Holy People in a Hostile World”

Text: 1 Peter 2:1-25

Big Idea: Because we are God’s chosen people, we are called to live holy, honorable, and submissive lives for His glory—even in suffering.

I. Grow Up in the Word (vv. 1–3)

Point: Spiritual maturity requires laying aside sin and craving God’s Word.
Illustration: A child who refuses nourishing food remains weak. So does a believer who neglects Scripture.
Application: Create daily habits of Word-intake—reading, meditating, and obeying.

II. Stand on the Cornerstone (vv. 4–10)

Point: Jesus is the living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by God. Believers are living stones built on Him.
Transition: Our new identity comes with a new mission—to proclaim God’s praise.
Example: A construction worker can’t build on a cracked foundation. Only Christ provides security.
Application: Stand firm on Christ in a world that rejects Him. Know your identity: chosen, royal, holy, God’s own.

III. Live Honorably Among the World (vv. 11–17)

Point: Christians are exiles called to reflect God’s goodness in society.
Illustration: A foreign ambassador represents their home country. We represent God’s kingdom here.
Application: Honor authorities, do good, and reflect Christ—even when misunderstood or mocked.

IV. Suffer Like the Savior (vv. 18–25)

Point: When you suffer unjustly, follow Christ’s example. He suffered silently and redemptively.
Story: A Christian employee was falsely accused and fired but chose to forgive his accusers—leading one of them to Christ years later.
Cross-reference: Isaiah 53 – Christ bore our sins so we could live righteously.
Application: Suffering isn’t pointless. It’s a platform to show the gospel and grow in Christlikeness.

Conclusion: Call to Action

Challenge: You are a chosen people—live like it. Grow in the Word. Stand on Christ. Reflect holiness in a watching world. Endure trials with grace.
Invitation: Ask God to fill you with His Spirit, renew your desire for the Word, and strengthen your witness.
Call to Faith: For unbelievers—come to the Cornerstone. Believe in Christ, the One who bore your sins and now calls you into His people.

Illustrations and Examples

1. Identity Change – Passport vs. Birth Certificate

Becoming a Christian is not just a lifestyle change—it’s a citizenship change. Just as a passport changes your national identity, trusting in Christ gives you a new spiritual identity: from outsider to insider, from darkness to light.

Use this when preaching verses 9–10.

2. The Cornerstone and the Domino Effect

If you misplace the first domino, the rest of the design falls apart. In architecture, if the cornerstone is off, the whole building suffers. Many today try to build their lives on success, relationships, or self-image. Only Christ provides the alignment needed for eternal stability.

Use this in verses 6–8 to emphasize why Jesus must be the cornerstone.

3. The Quiet Power of Submission

A modern missionary once shared that in a hostile village, it wasn’t preaching that broke through—it was when the missionaries served silently during a local famine, giving away their food. The people saw Christ in their submissive, sacrificial love.

Use this for verses 13-17 or 18-25.

Application for Today’s Christian

1 Peter 2 is highly practical for believers today, offering clear instruction on how to live faithfully in a broken world. Here’s how the truths of this chapter translate into everyday life:

1. Discipleship: Grow Through the Word

Craving the Word (v. 2) means prioritizing Bible reading, meditation, and obedience.
Practice: Schedule regular Bible intake (e.g., morning reading, journaling). Join a discipleship group to grow in Scripture together.
Discipleship Mindset: Like newborns depend on milk, Christians must recognize their daily dependence on God’s Word for strength and guidance.

2. Stewardship: Live as a Holy Priesthood

God calls believers to offer spiritual sacrifices—worship, service, generosity, and godly living (v. 5).
Practice: Use your gifts in the local church. Give faithfully of your time, talents, and resources.
Stewardship Mindset: You are not your own. You are God’s, bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20). Every area of your life—career, family, finances—is to glorify Him.

3. Public Witness: Honor God Through Holy Conduct

As foreigners in the world (v. 11), Christians must reflect Christ in speech, behavior, and decision-making.
Practice: At work, respond to criticism with grace. In politics, show respect without compromise. Online, communicate truth without slander.
Faith-in-Action: Let your good deeds point others to Jesus (v. 12).

4. Endurance: Suffer Like Christ

Unjust treatment for doing good is to be expected (v. 19–20). Believers should respond as Jesus did—with trust in God and compassion toward others.
Practice: Forgive those who wrong you. Stay faithful in trials. Refrain from retaliation.
Endurance Mindset: Christ suffered for you—not only to save you but to model a way of living.

Connection to God’s Love

Throughout the chapter, God’s love is seen in His redemptive pursuit and exaltation of a people once far from Him:

1. God Chooses the Rejected (v. 4)

Jesus, rejected by men, is precious to God. So too are believers, even when scorned by the world.
Love Displayed: God doesn’t choose based on merit but on grace. His love lifts up the lowly.

2. God Gives Us Identity and Belonging (vv. 9–10)

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood…” speaks of adoption, purpose, and dignity.
Love Displayed: God makes outsiders into insiders. His love restores our identity and gives us belonging in His eternal family.

3. God Sees and Rewards Righteous Suffering (vv. 19–20)

Suffering for doing good is “commendable before God.”
Love Displayed: God never wastes our pain. His loving eyes are always on His people.

4. God Sent Christ to Bear Our Sins (vv. 24–25)

This is the gospel’s heart: Jesus bore our sins to heal and restore us.
Love Displayed: God’s love is sacrificial. He gave His Son to rescue wandering sheep (Romans 5:8).

Broader Biblical Themes

1 Peter 2 is woven into the great tapestry of redemptive history. It affirms and develops foundational biblical themes:

1. Creation and Image-Bearing

As “living stones” and a “spiritual house,” believers reflect the creative work of God who forms, fills, and indwells His people.
Genesis Echo: Just as Adam was formed to represent God, believers are now being formed into a dwelling of His Spirit (Genesis 1:26-27; Ephesians 2:22).

2. Redemption through the Suffering Servant

Christ’s work in verses 24–25 directly links to Isaiah 53 and the overarching story of redemption.
Biblical Arc: From Genesis 3 to Revelation 22, God is redeeming a people through His Son. Peter centers the gospel in the person of Jesus.

3. Covenant and God’s People

Peter’s use of Exodus 19 and Hosea shows the continuity of God’s covenantal promise.
Covenant Continuity: God has always desired a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation.” The Church is the fulfillment of that calling (Revelation 1:6).

4. Exile and Pilgrimage

The theme of exile reminds believers they are not home yet (v. 11).
Biblical Arc: From Abraham’s sojourning (Genesis 12) to Israel’s exile (Daniel) to the Church’s current mission (Hebrews 13:14), God’s people live as strangers in this world while awaiting the eternal city.

Reflection Questions: 1 Peter 2

Use these questions to help your congregation or study group go deeper into the truths of 1 Peter 2 and apply them to daily life. These can also serve as sermon discussion prompts or journaling material for devotional use.

1. What sins listed in verse 1 do you struggle with the most (malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander)? How can you begin to “rid yourself” of them today?

How does regular intake of God’s Word help you overcome these attitudes?
What steps can you take to “crave pure spiritual milk” in your weekly routine?

2. How does knowing that you are a “living stone” in God’s spiritual house shape how you view your role in the church?

What “spiritual sacrifices” are you offering to God in this season of life?
Are there any areas where you are isolating instead of joining in the building of God’s people?

3. In verses 6–8, Peter speaks of Christ as the cornerstone. Is Christ truly the foundation of your life? If not, what are you building on instead?

When life feels shaky, do you turn to Christ or other things for stability?
What does it mean for you to “never be put to shame” if you trust in Him?

4. Verse 9 describes believers as chosen, royal, holy, and God’s own. How does this identity change how you see yourself and live in the world?

Do you live with boldness and purpose, knowing God has called you to proclaim His praises?
What areas of your life are still shaped by the opinions of others rather than the truth of who God says you are?

5. As a “foreigner and exile” (v. 11), how should your lifestyle look different from the culture around you?

In what ways do you feel the tension of living in a world that doesn’t share your values?
What specific choices could you make this week to reflect God’s holiness in your workplace, school, or home?

6. How do you respond when authority figures treat you unfairly or when systems seem broken (vv. 13–17)?

Do you honor God in how you speak about leaders, even those you disagree with?
What does respectful submission “for the Lord’s sake” look like in your country or context today?

7. When you experience unjust suffering or are misunderstood for doing good (vv. 18–20), do you see it as an opportunity to follow Jesus’ example?

How have you seen God work through your trials?
How does Jesus‘ patient suffering shape your response to mistreatment?

8. Verses 24–25 say that Jesus bore our sins and healed us. How does that truth impact your daily walk with God?

Are you living like someone who has been set free from sin and made righteous?
Are you still carrying guilt or shame for sins Jesus already bore?