Living as a part of God’s temple

Christians do not live in their true home on earth and will only stay a short time. They must keep themselves back from sinful desires which aggressively fight against the eternal part of their beings. Peter urged them to strive to remain pure for the sake of unconverted Gentiles who, though speaking ill against them, would finally glorify God for the good works they had seen Christians do. Evidently these who glorify will be led to obey and thus glorify God either in the day of obedience or judgment (1 Peter 2:11-12).

Peter received personalized instruction from the Lord regarding his attitude toward governments and may have heard what Christ told Pilate (Matthew 17:24-27; John 19:8-11). The early church was accused of being an enemy of the Roman empire (Acts 17:5-9; John 19:12). Peter encouraged the brethren to obey man-made laws "for the Lord’s sake." Such was the Lord’s will and their actions would show they were not following a Lord who encouraged rebellion. Peter’s own actions and words suggest one should submit only until man’s law would cause him to violate God’s law (Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-29). The king in Peter’s time was the emperor of Rome, the supreme civil authority of his day. Governors, like Pilate, Felix and Festus, ruled as he directed. The basic purpose of human government is, to keep order, punish evil doers and praise good works (2 Peter 2:13-14).

It is God’s will that governments keep control and that Christians live lives full of good deeds. “Silence” comes from a word that means "to muzzle” (Woods). The false accusations raised against Christians by evil men would be muzzled by the good deeds in their lives. Christians were freed from the bondage of sin and death (Galatians 4:21-5:6; John 8:32-36). They were freed from sin to serve God (Galatians 5:13; Romans 6:1-2, 16-18). Their actions should be designed to show each a personal respect and allow him to maintain his dignity. Love for the brotherhood should be readily apparent in their lives (Galatians 6:10; Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1). They were to hold God in respect, or awe (Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13) and give due respect to the king because of his office (1 Peter 2:15-17).

All men are equal in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29). That did not change the obligation a Christian would have to those over him. Even slaves were instructed to obey good and bad, or crooked, masters (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1-2). Service to Christ is a life changing thing. Christ’s servants should strive to give their best to others because they are his representatives. Servants could subject themselves to bad masters because they knew they were enduring wrongs in order to live a life pleasing to God (1 Peter 2:18-19).

No honor goes to a man patiently suffering for his wrongdoing. Those enduring wrongful beatings because of seeking to please God would receive honor from God (Matthew 5:10). They had been called to suffer patiently (Woods). Not just slaves who became Christians, but all Christians must suffer for the sake of their Lord (2 Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29). Christ suffered so his followers must be prepared to suffer. The word "example" presents the idea of a teacher writing the correct letters above and the students trying to copy them below. Christ is also pictured as having left heel prints in sand. Christians should try to place their feet exactly where Christ’s were when he walked on earth as the obedient Son of God (1 Peter 2:20-21).