What does 1 Peter 2:1 mean?

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 1 Peter 2:1

Explanation

1 Peter 2:1 instructs believers to rid themselves of negative behaviors and attitudes. The verse lists five specific qualities: malice (a desire to harm others or see others suffer), guile (deceitfulness or trickery), hypocrisies (pretending to have beliefs, virtues, or feelings that one does not actually possess), envies (jealousy towards others’ possessions or achievements), and all evil speakings (all forms of slander or speaking ill of others). The implication is that these traits are incompatible with a Christian lifestyle. This admonition sets the stage for the following verses, which call the faithful to embrace a pure, earnest devotion like that of newborn infants who crave spiritual milk—suggesting a process of spiritual growth and ethical purification.

Historical Context

The First Epistle of Peter is attributed to the Apostle Peter and is written to various Christian communities scattered throughout Asia Minor, present-day Turkey. This epistle, dating probably around A.D. 60-65, addresses Christians who were undergoing various forms of suffering, possibly due to persecution. Peter urges these early Christians to maintain a strong witness in the midst of their difficulties, to engage in conduct that honors God, and to leave behind behaviors characteristic of their former lives before they knew Christ.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, 1 Peter 2:1 encapsulates the transformative expectation of the Christian life, which involves a shedding of old behaviors and an imitation of Christ’s purity. It reflects a major theme throughout the New Testament: the idea of sanctification, or the process by which believers become more like Christ in character. Different theological traditions interpret sanctification in various ways. For example, Roman Catholicism views sanctification as a lifelong process aided by sacraments and good works, while many Protestants see it as a definitive act with ongoing aspects, emphasizing the transformation that comes by grace through faith.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse are clear and direct. Believers are called to examine their personal lives and to intentionally remove any tendencies towards malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. This teaching has implications for how individuals might conduct themselves in community, family, work, and online. It suggests an ethic of genuine love, open honesty, and a celebration of others’ successes. People can apply this teaching by seeking reconciliation where harm has been done, being truthful, practicing authenticity, fostering contentment, and speaking kindly of others.

Cross-References

• Ephesians 4:31: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”
• James 1:21: “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
• Colossians 3:8: “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
• Romans 12:9: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
• Titus 2:12: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

Language Study

The original Greek terms used in 1 Peter 2:1 carry specific connotations:

• “Malice” (κακία, kakia): evil intentions or wickedness.
• “Guile” (δόλος, dolos): deceit or treachery.
• “Hypocrisies” (ὑποκρίσεις, hypokriseis): the acting of a staged play, hence, pretense or outward show.
• “Envies” (φθόνοι, phthonoi): feelings of discontent or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions or qualities.
• “Evil speakings” (καταλαλιαί, katalaliai): defamations or slander.

Each word is an imperative, instructing the listener to abandon these behaviors actively.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many religions and moral codes, there are similar calls for the abjuration of negative behaviors as a means of moral or spiritual refinement. For instance, in Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path guides individuals to refrain from false speech and ill will, analogous to “guile” and “malice.” In Hinduism, the practice of ahimsa promotes non-violence in thought and action. These parallels suggest a universal recognition of certain unethical behaviors as detrimental to both individual and societal well-being.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychological research supports the idea that releasing negative behaviors and attitudes can have beneficial effects on one’s mental and physical health. For instance, studies on forgiveness show that letting go of resentment and malice can reduce stress and improve heart health. Additionally, the cultivation of authentic living and the reduction of hypocrisy correlate with increased self-esteem and psychological well-being.

Commentaries

Commentators have long reflected on 1 Peter 2:1. For example, Matthew Henry emphasizes the need for purity, as malice, and guile corrupt community life and true Christian love. Albert Barnes notes that laying aside these vices is essential for the growth of the inner person. John Calvin speaks to the fact that these “vices are to be put off, because they hinder the progress of the new life.”; The Expositor’s Greek Testament likens the renunciation of these vices to the removal of dirty clothes, necessary for spiritual renewal. These and other commentaries agree upon the necessity of rejecting sin and cultivating virtue as integral to Christian discipleship.