1 Peter 2:1-3 Why laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings,… The text urges three important elements of holy living. I. SOUL MORTIFICATION — "Lay aside all malice," etc. This is a sacrifice. It does not come natural to the human soul. It demands effort. It is not an immediate attainment, but demands a period of growth. The series of worldly developments here alluded to are important marks of fallen men, and at the same time are painful disfigurements to professing Christians. 1. There is malice — i.e., ill-feeling of every kind. Under malice may be ranged political animosities which disturb the kindly relationship of men; unreasoning prejudice; the desire to injure those whom we dislike; bitterness, etc. 2. There is guile. This includes deceit. 3. There is hypocrisy — pretending a fictitious goodness which we do not possess. I take it that this includes cant, boasting, parade of religion, etc., for the word is not hypocrisy, but hypocrisies. 4. Envies. Again in the plural, for there are different kinds of envy. 5. Evil speakings. The failing here alluded to goes far to cause all the bitterness of worldly society. II. SOUL DEVELOPMENT. There must be not only casting out of the evil, but also the taking in of what is good. The first requirement for development is to be brought into a state fit for growth. III. SOUL INCITEMENT — "Since ye have tasted," etc. The first taste creates a desire for a more abundant supply. (J. J. S. Bird, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,WEB: Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, |
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