1 Pedro 2:11-25

Deveres Sociais dos Cristãos

11 Amados, insisto em que, como estrangeiros e peregrinos no mundo, vocês se abstenham dos desejos carnais que guerreiam contra a alma.

12 Vivam entre os pagãos de maneira exemplar para que, mesmo que eles os acusem de praticar o mal, observem as boas obras que vocês praticam e glorifiquem a Deus no dia da intervenção dele.^[a]

13 Por causa do Senhor, sujeitem-se a toda autoridade constituída entre os homens; seja ao rei, como autoridade suprema,

14 seja aos governantes, como por ele enviados para punir os que praticam o mal e honrar os que praticam o bem.

15 Pois é da vontade de Deus que, praticando o bem, vocês silenciem a ignorância dos insensatos.

16 Vivam como pessoas livres, mas não usem a liberdade como desculpa para fazer o mal; vivam como servos^[b] de Deus.

17 Tratem a todos com o devido respeito: amem os irmãos, temam a Deus e honrem o rei.

18 Escravos, sujeitem-se a seus senhores com todo o respeito, não apenas aos bons e amáveis, mas também aos maus.

19 Porque é louvável que, por motivo de sua consciência para com Deus, alguém suporte aflições sofrendo injustamente.

20 Pois que vantagem há em suportar açoites recebidos por terem cometido o mal? Mas, se vocês suportam o sofrimento por terem feito o bem, isso é louvável diante de Deus.

21 Para isso vocês foram chamados, pois também Cristo sofreu no lugar de vocês, deixando exemplo, para que sigam os seus passos.

22 “Ele não cometeu pecado algum,e nenhum engano foi encontrado em sua boca”.^[c]

23 Quando insultado, não revidava; quando sofria, não fazia ameaças, mas entregava-se àquele que julga com justiça.

24 Ele mesmo levou em seu corpo os nossos pecados sobre o madeiro, a fim de que morrêssemos para os pecados e vivêssemos para a justiça; por suas feridas vocês foram curados.

25 Pois vocês eram como ovelhas desgarradas, mas agora se converteram ao Pastor e Bispo de suas almas.

1 Pedro 2:11-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 PETER 2

This chapter consists of exhortations, in general, to a holy life; and, in particular, to obedience to superiors. It begins with an exhortation to lay aside various vices, which were unbecoming regenerate persons, 1Pe 2:1 and, agreeably to their character, as new born babes, to express a desire after the Gospel, which is commended from its nature, being comparable to milk; and from its quality, being reasonable, sincere, and unmixed; and from the end and usefulness of it, a spiritual growth; and the argument engaging to such a desire is the experience they had of the grace of Christ in it, 1Pe 2:2,3 whose excellency is declared, under the metaphor of a stone, said to be living, to be chosen of God, and precious to him, though rejected by men; to whom the saints are encouraged to come, as lively stones built up, a spiritual house, for the exercise of the holy office of the priesthood, by offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ, 1Pe 2:4,5 and that Christ is such a precious stone, is proved from Isa 28:16 and not only to God, but to all them that believe; though to them that believe not, he is the stone of rejection, stumbling, and offence; to stumble at which, and the doctrine of it, through disobedience, they were of old appointed by God, 1Pe 2:6-8 but the character of the persons the apostle writes to was very different, quite the reverse, being chosen and called, and manifestly the people of God, and sharing in his grace and mercy, 1Pe 2:9,10 and these he exhorts, suitable to their state and condition, to abstain from sin, as an enemy to their souls, and to live an honest life and conversation among the Gentiles, that they, instead of speaking evil of them, might, by beholding their good works, glorify God, 1Pe 2:11,12. And particularly he exhorts them to obedience to civil magistrates, both superior and inferior; partly from the author of them, they being of the Lord; and partly from the usefulness of them to punish wicked men, and to encourage good men; and also from its being the will of God, by such obedience, to silence the cavils of foolish men, 1Pe 2:13-15. And whereas it might be objected, that they were made free by Christ, and therefore should not be the servants of men; it is granted, that they were free; but then it is denied, that they should use their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness: and besides, it should be observed, that they were the servants of God, and therefore ought to do what he enjoined them; and, among other things, yield obedience to civil magistrates, 1Pe 2:16. And to this purpose are various exhortations in 1Pe 2:17, and another particular one is added, which is to servants, to be subject to their masters, and fear them, whether they be good or bad, 1Pe 2:18 and then he comforts such that had bad masters, and encourages them to bear the injuries they received from them patiently; because so to do was grateful to God, and acceptable in his sight; and because they were called unto it by him; and because of the example Christ had left them in suffering for them, 1Pe 2:19-21. And this is further urged from the character of Christ, who was without sin, and yet suffered, and from his conduct, who, when reviled, made no return, but left his cause with God, 1Pe 2:22,23 which leads on the apostle take notice of the nature of Christ's sufferings in his body on the cross, and the ends of them, which were expiation of sin, healing diseases, and holiness of life, as a consequent thereof, 1Pe 2:24 previous to which conversion, which is illustrated by the former state and condition men are in, being as sheep going astray; and by their present one, being returned to Christ, the Shepherd and Bishop of souls, 1Pe 2:25.

Footnotes

• [a]. Grego: "visitação."
• [b]. Isto é, escravos.
• [c]. Is 53.9