1 Peter 2:16 NASB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 2:13-25

The general rule of a Christian conversation is this, it must be honest, which it cannot be if there be not a conscientious discharge of all relative duties. The apostle here particularly treats of these distinctly. I. The case of subjects. Christians were not only reputed innovators in religion, but disturbers of the state; it was highly necessary, therefore, that the apostle should settle the rules and measures of obedience to the civil magistrate, which he does here, where, 1. The duty... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 2:16

2:16 You must live as free men, yet not using your freedom as a cloak for evil, but as the slaves of God. Any great Christian doctrine can be perverted into an excuse for evil. The doctrine of grace can be perverted into an excuse for sinning to one's heart's content. The doctrine of the love of God can be sentimentalized into an excuse for breaking his law. The doctrine of the life to come can be perverted into an excuse for neglecting life in this world. And there is no doctrine so easy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:16

As free ,.... These converted Jews might value themselves on their freedom, partly as the descendants of Abraham, and so freeborn, and not to be brought into bondage to other people; and chiefly because of their liberty which they had in and by Christ Jews. The apostle allows that they were freemen, that they were Christ's freemen, were free from sin, its damning and domineering power, and from the curses and condemnation of the law, and had freedom of access to God, and a right to all the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:16

As free - The Jews pretended that they were a free people, and owed allegiance to God alone; hence they were continually rebelling against the Roman government, to which God had subjected them because of their rebellion against him: thus they used their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness - for a pretext of rebellion, and by it endeavored to vindicate their seditious and rebellious conduct. But as the servants of God - These were free from sin and Satan, but they were the servants of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:16

Verse 16 16As free This is said by way of anticipation, that he might obviate those things which are usually objected to with regard to the liberty of God’s children. For as men are naturally ingenious in laying hold on what may be for their advantage, many, at the commencement of the Gospel, thought themselves free to live only for themselves. This doting opinion, then, is what Peter corrects; and he briefly shews how much the liberty of Christians differed from unbridled licentiousness. And,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 2:16

As free . This verse is not to be taken with what follows, for it does not well cohere with the contents of 1 Peter 2:17 ; but either with 1 Peter 2:14 ( 1 Peter 2:15 being regarded as parenthetical) or with 1 Peter 2:15 , notwithstanding the change of case in the original, which presents no real difficulty; the meaning being that Christian freedom must show itself, not in license, but in willing obedience to constituted authorities: "Not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake" ( ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 2:16

As free - That is, they were to consider themselves as freemen, as having a right to liberty. The Jews boasted much of their freedom, and regarded it as a birthright privilege that they were free, John 8:33. They never willingly acknowledged their subjection to any other power, but claimed it as an elementary idea of their civil constitution that God only was their Sovereign. They were indeed conquered by the Romans, and paid tribute, but they did it because they were compelled to do it, and it... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Peter 2:16-17

1 Peter 2:16-17. As free In the noblest sense, in consequence of your relation to Christ, and your interest in the merit of his death; (see on John 8:32; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 5:13;) as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, and therefore heirs of God; and not using your liberty as a cloak of maliciousness Κακιας , of wickedness. Though you are indeed made free from the dominion of sin and Satan, the world and the flesh, yet not from subjection to magistrates;... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:11-25

2:11-3:12 CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPSIn society (2:11-25)The present world is not the true home of those who have come into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. They are now God’s people and they belong to the heavenly kingdom. But their higher status and greater citizenship do not give them the right to do as they like in the present world. They must discipline and control themselves. Negatively, they must not give in to the desires of the sinful nature; positively, they must maintain right... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Peter 2:16

using = having. cloke . Greek. epikalumma. Only here. The word kalumma only in 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 . servants . App-190 . read more