LIVING A LIFE

OF GODLY
CHARACTER
An exegesis on 1 Peter 2:4-12

DM Arendse

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 3
OUTLINE ........................................................................................ 4
Come to Him (1 Peter 2:4) .............................................................. 4
You are like living stones (2:5) ......................................................... 5
The cornerstone that was rejected (2:6-8) ......................................... 5
A chosen generation, royal priesthood (2:9-10) .................................. 5
Be above reproach (2:11-12) ........................................................... 5
COMMENTARY ................................................................................ 5
Come to Him (1 Peter 2:4) .............................................................. 5
You are like living stones (2:5) ......................................................... 6
The cornerstone that was rejected (2:6-8) ......................................... 7
A chosen generation, royal priesthood (2:9-10) .................................. 8
Be above reproach (2:11-12) ........................................................... 9
SERMON OUTLINE ........................................................................ 10
Introduction: ............................................................................... 10
Body: ......................................................................................... 10
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................ 12

INTRODUCTION
The given piece of scripture is an epistle, which was written by Peter, who was the
leader of the Apostles. We see that he was the leader as Gospel authors place his
name at the head of the lists they have, as well as the fact that they include more
information on him than any other
In the passage we get a taste of the passion in which it was written with, this is not
an idle statement, but a bold proclamation of the authors inner convictions. Those
that cross the line of faith are no longer a lost people, but rather a chosen people
by the creator of the universe, our Lord and Saviour.
However within the powerful words of acceptance and purpose we find within this
passage we too are exposed to the truth that with it comes responsibilities. That
there are expectations, and that these are not easy to hold to.
The letter to Peter, is set against a very turbulent time in the history of the Roman
Empire. The emperor, Nero, had set fire to huge pieces of land in order to clear it
to rebuild bigger and better buildings in the place. However the devastation caused
hostility to grow against the emperor. In order to counter this hostility the emperor
turned towards a scapegoat, a get out of jail card. The people he found to redirect
the hostile sentiments directed towards him were the Christians living within Rome
and the empire as a whole.
This was easy to do, as the Christians were already hated by Romans because of
the close links they shared to Jews and Judaism. A vicious persecution ensued
and the devastation and death that followed has never fully been comprehended.

Thousands of Christians were killed and tortured. It is these Christians who are
persecuted that Peter refers to as exiles, as they were in most cases Romans that
had converted. In so doing, they became exiles in their own land.
The exact location of Peter when writing this epistle is debated between three
possible locations. Babylon as is referred to in the letter (1 Peter 5:13) is said to
be either a Roman outpost in Northern Egypt, however this is the least likely as it
was so obscure and irrelevant in the Roman Empire, or Ancient Babylon, however
once again at this stage in history this city was now a small, distant place and it is
highly unlikely that Peter, Mark, and Silvanus were all there at the same time.
Lastly Babylon is an alias for Rome itself, or even a code word used to conceal the
exact location of the writer who was writing under extreme persecution. During this
period we see, often, that writers would take great care not to point out exact
people or places in order to protect the Christians receiving or sending the letters.
This passage is an incredible piece, and this paper will look further into what is
being said within it. It is hoped that it can be both encouraging and an opportunity
to further understand a passage that all Christians should meditate on often.

OUTLINE
Come to Him (1 Peter 2:4)
Come in the Greek here refers to come with the idea of remaining. In
essence it means to come to Christ and remain in Him.

You are like living stones (2:5)

Christians are so closely identified and united with Christ that they very life
that exists in Christ exists in them also.

The cornerstone that was rejected (2:6-8)

Those that are rejected, even by the worlds most powerful powers is
accepted as the chief cornerstone, and the stone on which they will
eventually stumble upon.

A chosen generation, royal priesthood (2:9-10)

Peter makes use of the Old Testament concepts to emphasize the privileges
of New Testament Christians.

Be above reproach (2:11-12)

Peter ends off with a plea to the followers to even in the face of extreme
persecution and even as being seen as exiles in their own land, to abstain
from evil acts so that in doing so they are above any reproach against them.

COMMENTARY
Come to Him (1 Peter 2:4)
You come means to come and worship Jesus (Hebrews 4:10). Peter called Jesus
the Stone that is living. Christians do not worship someone who is dead. Most
people did not believe or trust Jesus, but God chose Jesus. The word precious

means that God gave Jesus great honour. Throughout this piece there are
references to a corner stone and Peter explains that those verses refer to Jesus.
Jesus is ultimately revealed as the Messiah by His resurrection. As any ounce of
sin against Him would have meant He would not be risen, however He did, and
this signifies that He is the perfect sacrifice that will suffice for eternity.
You are like living stones (2:5)
Peter now says that Christians are like stones that are living. Jesus makes people
alive in their spirit, and God lives in Christians, He does not live in a physical
building (1 Corinthians 6:19). When the builders made the temple, they built the
walls with stones. God, however, now builds a spiritual house. He builds it with
people. Here spiritual means linked to Gods Spirit, not to a physical building. This
spiritual house is the church. When people become Christians, they become part
of the church. They become a part of the temple that God is continuously now
building.
Continuing, he compares Christians to priests, placed for this purpose in the
spiritual temple. The idea is that Christians should serve Him with a spiritual
worship, not a physical worship in the sense of the temple in the Old Testament,
that is, with holiness and righteousness. However just as the temple was built upon
the stones of men, so is the priesthood built upon Christ, and it is in Him alone that
all our spiritual offerings are accepted?

The cornerstone that was rejected (2:6-8)

These three verses are Old Testament prophecies about Jesus. These verses
prophesied that God would send Jesus. But the Jews would refuse to accept him.
This came to pass and is recorded in the Gospels. Simply put, just as it was written
they did not accept Jesus as the Christ.
Zion is the name of the hill where the Jews built the temple, it is also another
name for Jerusalem. It would seem that God wanted all the Jews to believe in
Jesus. Just as He wants all people to believe. It is not an exclusive salvation, but
instead open to all. He wanted them to be part of the church. In Matthew 21:42-45
Jesus says that the builders were the Jewish leaders. They in a sense laid the
foundations, but also rejected the cornerstone that would align the temple they
were building. Jesus is the cornerstone, He is the head of the church. A
cornerstone, in construction terms is used to show how straight a building should
be. It points the way, and helps the workers and builders to align the entire
construction. In the same way Jesus shows what the church should be like. He
shows how Christians should behave. He is the benchmark to whom all others are
measured with.
Christians can take great courage with this knowledge, as He will not disappoint
anyone who believes in him (1 Peter 2:6). Christians should never be ashamed to
say that they trust in Jesus. Instead they should know how wonderful he is, and
because of that declare it from the rooftops. We see also in verse 5 that Jesus is

precious to God and because of that all those that believe need to accept and
know how precious He is.
Many people who believe in God do not accept Jesus. But only Jesus gives eternal
life. People who choose not to follow Jesus will not be part of his spiritual house.
They trip and fall when they refuse to receive Jesus. This means that they will
not receive eternal life. They will not go to heaven. People like that continue to do
what is wrong. They do not accept Gods message. God knew that this would
happen before he sent Jesus to this world, and in fact Jesus warns against such
people in Matthew 7:22-23, where He says Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord,
Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and
in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew
you. Away from me, you evildoers!

A chosen generation, royal priesthood (2:9-10)

In the Old Testament, God chose the Jews to be his special people. In Exodus
19:5-6, God says that all the Jews who obeyed his laws would be his royal priests,
and they would form a holy nation. That this was a chosen nation, His nation. Yet
the sad reality is that most of them did not obey God.
Following on from the fact that the Jewish nation were the builders who began the
work God now has chosen everyone who trusts Jesus. They are to now form a
special nation (1 Peter 1:2) with Jesus as their king. They belong to God, because
Jesus has bought them at the price of his death.

The Darkness described here refers to the time when people did not know about
God. It also refers to Satan and his works. People who come into Gods wonderful
light understand about God, because they know Jesus. They have had the light
revealed to them. Jesus said, I am the light of the world (John 8:12).
Peter compares what people were like before and after they accepted Jesus. The
words of this verse come from Hosea 2:23 (and can also be found in Romans 9:2226). The prophet Hosea had two children. God called Hoseas daughter LoRuhamah, which means no mercy. He called Hoseas son Lo-Ammi, which
means not my people (Hosea 1:6-9). When people accept Jesus, they receive
Gods mercy. Then they become His people, the people who belong to Him. In
the Old Testament, God promised many good things to the Jews. In verses 4-10,
Peter is saying that God has now given these good things to the church.

Be above reproach (2:11-12)

Peter called his readers to a righteous life in a hostile world. Christians are
foreigners in secular society because their citizenship is in Heaven. Jesus set the
ultimate example in how one should life their life in a manner in which reflects a
citizen of Heaven in the face of a hostile environment.
Peter pleas to his readers to abstain from the temptations of the world and of the
flesh. This is because in order for Christians to have an impact in the world for
God, they need to be able to reflect God Himself. How can one do so if they are
covered by their shortcomings towards temptation?

The Greek word for honourable is rich in meaning and implies the purest, highest,
noblest kind of goodness. Having been disciplined in the inward and private side,
a Christian must also outwardly live among non-Christians in a way that reflects
their inwards decisions.
Ultimately in the face of hostility towards a Christian, and this can include false
witness or accusations, as was the case at the time of writing this epistle, a
Christian is expected to act with the highest level of honour. In so doing their
character in such situations brings glory to God and who He is in the lives of the
Christian.

SERMON OUTLINE
Introduction:
Opening with a short illustration of a building and construction. Possibly
making use of the world cup projects.

Body:
Brought across in three points. These points each draw on a different aspect
of Christs redemption of us, and how He guides us as the temples
cornerstone.

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Jesus was rejected.

a. What does this mean? Why was he rejected?
b. Make reference to the Old Testament understanding of the temple.
c. We are living stones that God will use to build His church with
Jesus as the cornerstone.

You are a chosen people.

d. Because of our redemption by Jesus we are now a chosen people.
We can confidently know that we are accepted by God, and that
through the acts of Jesus we are saved.
e. Make reference to the Old Testament understanding of a
priesthood.
f. What it meant to be a chosen people in relation to the Old
Testament.

Our responsibility.
g. It is one thing being accepted and having Christ as our
cornerstone. It is another thing altogether acknowledging what our
responsibilities are in this all.
h. Understand that we are exiles in secular society because we are
citizens of Heaven.
i. Build your character and ensure that you are seen to be a Godly
person.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, J. 1890. Expository Discourses. Robert Carter & Brothers: New York
Harrink, D. 2009. 1 & 2 Peter (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible).
Grand Rapids:Brazos Press.
Henry, M. 1994. Matthew Henrys commentary on the whole Bible: Complete and
unabridged in one volume. Peabody: Hendrickson.
Jamieson, R. 1997. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak
Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
MacArthur,

J.

2006.

The

Believers

Privileges.

[Online]

Available.

http://www.gty.org/resources/study-guides/40-5191/the-believers-privileges
Piper, J. 2005. Treasuring Christ Together Above All Things. [Online] Available.
http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/treasuring-christ-together-above-all-things
Spurgeon, C. 1870. 1 Peter 1:3-5 A String of Pearls. [Online] Available.
http://preceptaustin.org/sermons_by_spurgeon_-_1_peter_1.htm#tpob
Walvoord, J. F. 1985. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the
Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. 1996. The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.

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Wilder, T. 2006. Faithful to the End: An Introduction to Hebrews Through

Revelation. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group

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