The Lord is Good
1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
The Living Stone
(Isaiah 28:14-22; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Submission to Authorities
(Romans 13:1-7)
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Christ's Example of Suffering
(Isaiah 53:1-8; Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; John 18:19-24)
21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
The Living Stone and Chosen People
(Isaiah 28:14–22; 1 Corinthians 3:10–15; Ephesians 2:19–22)
1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:
4 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. 5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
7 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and, “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10 who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Submission to Authorities
(Romans 13:1–7)
13 Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well. 15 For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. 19 For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. 20 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.
Christ’s Example of Suffering
(Isaiah 53:1–8)
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, 22 who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 23 Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; 24 who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
The Living Stone and Chosen People
(Isaiah 28:14–22; 1 Corinthians 3:10–15; Ephesians 2:19–22)
1 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone,
a chosen and precious cornerstone;
and the one who believes in Him
will never be put to shame.” a
7 To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,” b
8 and,
“A stone of stumbling
and a rock of offense.” c
They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. d
11 Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. 12 Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
Submission to Authorities
(Romans 13:1–7)
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
16 Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, e fear God, honor the king.
18 Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, f not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. 19 For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. 20 How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Christ’s Example of Suffering
(Isaiah 53:1–8)
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in His mouth.” g
23 When they heaped abuse on Him,
He did not retaliate;
when He suffered, He made no threats,
but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
24 He Himself bore our sins h
in His body on the tree,
so that we might die to sin
and live to righteousness.
“By His stripes you are healed.” i
25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” j but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Footnotes:
6 a Isaiah 28:16 (see also LXX)
7 b Psalm 118:22
8 c Isaiah 8:14
10 d Hosea 2:23
17 e Literally Love the brotherhood
18 f Or in all fear
22 g Isaiah 53:9
24 h Isaiah 53:4 (see also LXX)
24 i Isaiah 53:5
25 j Isaiah 53:6
The Lord is Good
1Having put aside, then, all evil, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and all evil speakings, 2as new-born babes the word's pure milk desire ye, that in it ye may grow, 3if so be ye did taste that the Lord is gracious,
The Living Stone
(Isaiah 28:14-22; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
4to whom coming -- a living stone -- by men, indeed, having been disapproved of, but with God choice, precious, 5and ye yourselves, as living stones, are built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6Wherefore, also, it is contained in the Writing: 'Lo, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, choice, precious, and he who is believing on him may not be put to shame;'
7to you, then, who are believing is the preciousness; and to the unbelieving, a stone that the builders disapproved of, this one did become for the head of a corner,
8and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence -- who are stumbling at the word, being unbelieving, -- to which also they were set;
9and ye are a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired, that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness did call you to His wondrous light; 10who were once not a people, and are now the people of God; who had not found kindness, and now have found kindness.
11Beloved, I call upon you, as strangers and sojourners, to keep from the fleshly desires, that war against the soul, 12having your behaviour among the nations right, that in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, of the good works having beheld, they may glorify God in a day of inspection.
Submission to Authorities
(Romans 13:1-7)
13Be subject, then, to every human creation, because of the Lord, whether to a king, as the highest, 14whether to governors, as to those sent through him, for punishment, indeed, of evil-doers, and a praise of those doing good; 15because, so is the will of God, doing good, to put to silence the ignorance of the foolish men; 16as free, and not having the freedom as the cloak of the evil, but as servants of God; 17to all give ye honour; the brotherhood love ye; God fear ye; the king honour ye.
18The domestics! be subjecting yourselves in all fear to the masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the cross; 19for this is gracious, if because of conscience toward God any one doth endure sorrows, suffering unrighteously; 20for what renown is it, if sinning and being buffeted, ye do endure it? but if, doing good and suffering for it, ye do endure, this is gracious with God,
Christ's Example of Suffering
(Isaiah 53:1-8; Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; John 18:19-24)
21for to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to you an example, that ye may follow his steps, 22who did not commit sin, nor was guile found in his mouth, 23who being reviled -- was not reviling again, suffering -- was not threatening, and was committing himself to Him who is judging righteously, 24who our sins himself did bear in his body, upon the tree, that to the sins having died, to the righteousness we may live; by whose stripes ye were healed, 25for ye were as sheep going astray, but ye turned back now to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.
The Favor of God Paraphrase
Living as God’s Chosen People
¹ So, get rid of all evil behaviors—deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and every kind of slander. ² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up into salvation, ³ now that you have tasted the goodness of the Lord!
⁴ As you come to Him, the living stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him—⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it says in Scripture: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”
⁷ Now, to you who believe, this stone is precious! But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” ⁸ and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message, which is also what they were destined for.
⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy!
Living Godly Lives Among Non-Believers
¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
Submission to Authorities
¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s servants. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Suffering for Doing Good
¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. ²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. ²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” ²³ When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
²⁴ He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.” ²⁵ For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Footnotes
1.Living stones: The imagery of believers as “living stones” emphasizes that they are part of a spiritual structure, with Jesus as the cornerstone of this new temple.
2.Cornerstone: In ancient construction, the cornerstone was the most important stone, providing a foundation and alignment for the rest of the building. Here, Jesus is portrayed as that cornerstone.
3.A chosen people, royal priesthood: Drawing from Old Testament language (Exodus 19:6), this identifies believers as God’s chosen representatives, called to live in a way that reflects His holiness.
4.Foreigners and exiles: This metaphor speaks to the believers’ temporary status in the world, as their true home is in heaven.
5.The day He visits us: This refers to the future return of Jesus, when the ultimate judgment and restoration will take place.
6.Slaves, submit to masters: This was a specific instruction to the cultural context of the time. Today, it can be understood as a call to endure hardship and act righteously in difficult situations.
7.By His wounds, you have been healed: This is a quotation from Isaiah 53:5, emphasizing the atoning work of Jesus and the spiritual healing that comes through His suffering.
