v1: Peter addresses his words especially to young Christians. He refers not so much to sins of commission, but of sinful attitudes, as in 1.14 "evil desires," Eph 4.22 "former way of life." Our whole way of life must be different, actions and attitudes, thoughts and words, desires and ambitions. We must deliberately put off sinful attitudes.

v2: The pure milk of the word, likened to a mother's milk; providing a perfect balance of nutrients for the child, and also forging a link between mother and child. This is an essential desire of the new Christian.

v3: Since you have tasted; those people had started off aright, now they must continue in holy living. The real Christian has some experience of God; Ps 34.8; 119.102-103; 2 Cor 2.14. We do taste, and we know that He is good. This is also something first hand, as in John 4.42.

v4-10: Peter directly addresses the "strangers" (1.1), or pilgrims. He uses numerous O.T. references and allusions, reflecting his own background and his calling to minister to the Jewish people. He uses the language of the temple, for God's people are worshippers. We are holy people, for Christianity does not have to do with holy buildings.

v4-5: We are living stones, coming to the Living Stone; we are not dead; 2 Cor 3.7 refers to the "ministry of death," the O.T. law which brings condemnation. The new 'temple of God' is built with living stones, Eph 2.19-22. In the temple the foundations were precious stones (1 Kings 5.17).

Peter is also full of the Lord Jesus; his whole letter makes constant reference; His resurrection (1.3), His return (1.7), His blood (1.19), His example (v21); He is to be placed at the centre of our lives and experience. He is the "living stone," and we too are "living stones" in Him.

v6: Jesus Christ is chosen by God and precious, although rejected by the world. Our eternal destiny is based on whether we put our trust in Him.

v7-8: We who have believed on Jesus Christ find Him to be precious. God has exalted Him, made Him the "capstone" (or cornerstone), the one indispensable stone. Note too that we cannot claim to know God but reject Jesus Christ; we believe in both, John 14.1; 1.21.

'The word ‘precious’ is a substantive, and signifies honour, price, or preciousness itself; that which is of infinite value.' (John Fawcett Christ Precious)

Those who reject the message and person of Jesus Christ are those who fall at the rock of offence. Their disobedience causes them to fall; this is inevitable.

v9-10: We too are chosen, and chosen in Him (Eph 1.4), and chosen by God (v4). We are chosen for a purpose, to declare His praises, being grateful that He has called us and made us His own, Is 43.21; 2 Tim 1.9. Contrast Rom 2.24, where the Name of God was blasphemed because of His people's sins. This was according to His own purpose and grace, His decision and initiative; here is the basis for our life of fulfilment and purpose. No longer are we without a community and without hope (Eph 2.11-13); we are the people of God, finding mercy in Him. For Jewish readers, who perhaps felt rejection, it was important that they could be accepted in Christ. This is the language of a nation, set apart for God, and identified with Him.

v11: Referring to present temptations, rather than past sins. Fleshly lusts used to be a part of our lives, as in 1.14, but now we steer clear of them. Fleshly lusts are the desire for the physical rather than the spiritual, they are ordinary human desires. By tolerating such things we war against the soul, we damage ourselves spiritually. Matt 15.18-19; James 1.14-15 indicate that such desires come from within.

v12: The necessity of a blameless life, characterised by good works; this is also the answer to those who would persecute us (3.16).

v13-17: Proper respect for authority; we are not to despise others, (Phil 2.3) even though we may see their faults. People in authority are often 'public figures' whose faults are on view. As far as possible we must obey them and respect them. The servant of God will not strive against or resist authority.

It is possible that Peter's letters coincided with the persecution under the Emperor Nero, which led to many Christians being brutally put to death. The principles that Peter establishes are important, even in such difficult circumstances.

v18: The emphasis on doing good in all situations. A servant in the first century may have had to endure poor treatment, but the command here is to show respect, even to the harsh master.

v19-20: Peter makes a distinction between suffering punishment for wrong doing, and persecution for the sake of Christ. If we do wrong, and suffer punishment, that is not persecution.

v21-23: Suffering is part of our calling; Christ, our Master, suffered, and we must expect the same treatment at the hands of man. We are not to think it strange that we suffer unjustly, or endure cruelty.

But Christ is also our example in His suffering, and we must learn to respond as He did. Christ did not threaten or revile in return, which is the natural reaction.

v24: Ultimately, it was through His suffering that our sins were dealt with. He suffered that we might live, Col 1.24, and He calls us to suffer with Him. Servants and masters have equal status in Christ; He died for all of us.

We are called to live for righteousness, and that is often the route to suffering. Again, our example is Christ who went about doing good.

v25: Many Jewish people had turned their backs on Christ, rejecting His claim to be Messiah. But now some were returning to their Shepherd and Overseer. The link with Is 53.6 is clear, that we can return because God laid our iniquity upon the Lord Jesus.