Ed Urzi

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind” (1 Peter 2:1 NIV).

“Envy” is an emotion that produces a sense of discontent and/or resentment when others are blessed or successful. One source associates “envy” with “…the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others.” ₍₁₎ If an envious person cannot secure the talents, qualities, assets, or accomplishments that others possess, he or she may seek to belittle or ridicule such things. While malice and envy are loosely related, malice incorporates an active desire to hurt someone else.

Envy is a longing that compels us to pursue something that is superior or more desirable than what others possess. We can often identify the presence of envy by taking an honest and objective assessment of our attitudes towards others. For instance, are we displeased with those who possess more than we do? Do we resent their achievements? Do we feel as if we are more deserving of the success they enjoy?

These characteristics (and others like them) are inconsistent with a God-honoring mindset…

“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:14-16).

In fact, the Biblical Scriptures devote a surprising amount of content to this subtle (and often hidden) characteristic. A look at the verses below reveals the extent to which envy can work its way into our lives…

“Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:4 NLT).

“A tranquil mind gives health to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30 CJB).

“Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient; we were misled by others and became slaves to many evil pleasures and wicked desires. Our lives were full of resentment and envy. We hated others and they hated us” (Titus 3:3 TLB).

Finally, we should note the role that false teaching plays in promoting envy…

“If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain” (1 Timothy 6:3-5 CSB).

(1) Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for ‘Envy, Envying’. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/?dictionaries/?eng/?ved/?e/envy-envying.html. 1940.

“So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander” (1 Peter 2:1 NET).

Hypocrisy is the third characteristic listed for us here in 1 Peter 2:1. A “hypocrite” is someone who pretends to be someone (or something) he or she is not. In the New Testament era, a hypocrite was synonymous with “one who wears a mask.” This term described a professional actor who employed a mask to portray different emotions. That led to a natural association with those who differed from what they seemed to be.

A hypocrite, therefore, is not someone who makes an error or struggles to do the right thing. A hypocrite is really a “mask-wearer,” or someone who knowingly and intentionally differs from what he or she claims to be. One source offers a technical analysis of this word that helps expand upon these differences…

“The word ‘hypocrisies’ is the transliteration of the Greek word hupokriseis which means literally ‘to judge under,’ as a person giving off his judgment from behind a screen or mask. The true identity of the person is covered up. It refers to acts of impersonation or deception. It was used of an actor on the Greek stage. Taken over into the New Testament, it referred to a person we call a hypocrite, one who assumes the mannerisms, speech, and character of someone else, thus hiding his true identity.” ₍₁₎

The New Testament Scriptures clearly denounce hypocrisy, beginning with the following quotes from Jesus Himself…

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven… And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:1, 5).

“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27-28 NET).

Finally, the Apostle Paul offers a sobering reminder concerning hypocrisy in his New Testament letter to the church in Rome…

“Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2:3).

(1) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [1 Peter 2:1-5] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander” (1 Peter 2:1 ESV).

The first characteristic given to us in this list of attitudes and behaviors is “malice.” This word describes a sense of ill-will towards one or more individuals. It also conveys a desire to see another person suffer. A person with malice toward another individual is someone who is resentful when he or she succeeds, and pleased when that person meets trouble. While malice is a quality that is often visible to others, there are some who are highly skilled in concealing it behind a veneer of seemingly respectful conduct.

We express a contemporary form of malice with the modern-day word schadenfreude. Schadenfreude is a word that has found increasing use over the years to describe the pleasure one feels when others suffer pain. According to one source…

“Schadenfreude is a combination of the German nouns Schaden, meaning ‘damage; or ‘harm,’ and Freude, meaning ‘joy.’ So it makes sense that schadenfreude means joy over some harm or misfortune suffered by another.” ₍₁₎

Since many of us do not wish to be associated with a negative characteristic like malice, schadenfreude offers a better (and more socially acceptable) way to express our delight when negative events overtake those we dislike. The Scriptures admonish us against this attitude (no matter what we choose to call it) because it is incompatible with genuine love. A person who loves is someone who is displeased when others meet adversity, even when they appear to deserve it.

Nevertheless, we should recognize that those who habitually engage in inappropriate behaviors will eventually reap the consequences of those behaviors. We should also recognize that God may choose to discipline those who injure us, and perhaps bring them to repentance. Therefore, the Old Testament book of Proverbs offers a practical reason to avoid malice…

“Do not rejoice when your enemy meets trouble. Let there be no gladness when he falls— for the Lord may be displeased with you and stop punishing him!” (Proverbs 24:17-18 TLB).

The next characteristic on our list from 1 Peter 1:1 is “deceit” or “guile.” While it is possible to use deception in a good way (such as when planning a surprise for a friend or loved one), the type of deceit mentioned here in 1 Peter 2:1 “…is the translation of a word which in its verb form means ‘to catch with bait,’ and in the noun which Peter uses means ‘craftiness.'” ₍₂₎ We might also use words like “crooked,” “underhanded,” or “fraudulent,” as synonyms to describe this sort of conduct.

Like malice, deceit is a characteristic that involves the intent to injure someone, and should not be found among those who profess to follow Christ.

(1) See “Schadenfreude” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schadenfreude Accessed 6 October, 2023.

(2) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [1 Peter 2:1-5] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

The Apostle Peter touched upon several important topics in the first chapter of this epistle. For example, our author began the opening portion of this letter with a number of key insights, including…

• “…you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy” (verses 15-16).
• “[You have been redeemed] with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (verse 19).
• “…you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit” (verse 22).
• “…the word of the Lord endures forever” (verse 25).

Peter will now build upon that foundation as he identifies several negative character traits that should not define our lives, or shape our interactions with the world…

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking” (1 Peter 2:1).

The opening verse of this chapter begins with the familiar word “therefore.” It thus provides us with an opportunity to revisit an important point from our earlier look at 1 Peter chapter one. As mentioned previously, the word “therefore” signals a transition from an earlier teaching or idea to an associated action, consequence, or behavior. In short, this word tells us that a Biblical author is about to shift from instruction to application. Therefore, the word “therefore” should encourage us to listen carefully whenever it appears.

Much like similar lists that appear in other portions of the New Testament. this transition draws our attention to a list of behaviors that should not characterize our conduct. This portion of Scripture thus builds upon the list of positive behaviors given to us earlier in chapter one. The first chapter told us what we should do. The second chapter opens with a list of things we shouldn’t do.

Peter presents these characteristics along with an encouragement to “lay aside” such conduct. This often requires tenacity, discipline, and a deliberate decision to avoid these behaviors as we seek God’s empowerment to make good choices. One source looks at this phrase in the original language of this passage and draws the following conclusion…

“This is from apothesthai, ‘which is the word for stripping off one’s clothes.’ The child of God must denounce and turn away from all manner of wickedness, just as one might strip off filthy clothing.” ₍₁₎

Later in our study of 1 Peter chapter two, we’ll discuss strategies that can help us choose the right path when our will to do so isn’t there. But first, we’ll take a closer look at the five negative characteristics that are given to us here in 1 Peter 2:1.

(1) William Barclay, The Letters of James and Peter (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1976), p. 189. Quoted in Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on 1 Peter 2”. “Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/ commentaries/ eng/ bcc/ 1-peter-2.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999. [verse 1]

“for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25 ESV).

The final verses of 1 Peter chapter one remind us that life can pass very quickly. Perhaps this is why Psalm 39:4 tells us, “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life…” In addition, Psalm 144:4 later tells us, “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.”

The New Testament book of James echoes that thought with a pointed observation: “What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears” (James 4:14 CEV). As one paraphrase of our text from 1 Peter 1:24 puts it, “…our natural lives will fade as grass does when it becomes all brown and dry. All our greatness is like a flower that droops and falls” (TLB).

While we may have a reasonable expectation of a long life, there are certainly no guarantees. While this may be a depressing reality, we can find encouragement in the fact that the choices we make today will influence the events of tomorrow. Therefore, the investments we make with our resources  hold great relevance for ourselves and others.

In light of this, we would do well to take an eternal perspective regarding this passage, one that recognizes that our true significance lies in our eternal relationship with Christ. Jesus spoke of that eternal perspective when He said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20).

A person who invests in the material things of today must leave those things behind when he or she passes from this life. But those who have accepted Christ can secure things of real, eternal value with the following investments…

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19 ESV).

Peter will go on to address the practical effect of that eternal mindset in the opening verses of 1 Peter chapter two.

“For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25).

It sometimes seems as if the world is filled with those who live as if they never expect to die. Then when a friend, family member, or celebrity passes away (sometimes unexpectedly), we are suddenly reminded that our physical lives are far from permanent. While the closing verses of 1 Peter chapter one offer an island of hope in the midst of that unfortunate truth, we must first wade through several grim realities before we reach it.

For instance, the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes tells us, “No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them” (Ecclesiastes 1:11). To illustrate the truth of that passage, let’s take a moment to consider the generations who have preceded us. While some may know little or nothing of their family history, others can often provide many details concerning parents, grandparents, or other family members.

For those who know of their family’s history, let’s consider our great-grandparents, the parents of our grandparents. How many of us are familiar with their generation? Now let’s step back one generation further to the parents of our great-grandparents. How many of us even know their names? Unless we’ve done some genealogical research, there’s a good chance that many of us know very little about these family members who preceded us just decades ago.

Unfortunately, the sights, sounds, and experiences of their daily lives are now lost to us. They live on today only in our scattered memories or perhaps a few old documents, photographs, or recordings. From our perspective, it is almost as though they never existed. But that sad reality applies not only to those who preceded us, for what is true of their generation now will likely be true of us as well.

While today’s age of social media may allow us to document our lives at great length, eventually there will be no one left to speak of our lives from their own personal experience. 1 Peter 1:24 expresses that unfortunate reality with a quotation from Isaiah 40:6-8: “all people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall…”

However, these depressing realities need not be true of us, as we’ll see in the final installment of our look at 1 Peter chapter one.

“since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23 ESV).

Just as we must undergo a physical birth that is necessary to enter the world around us, so we must also undergo a spiritual birth that is necessary to enter heaven. The need for this act of rebirth is grounded in the fact that human beings are spiritually alienated from God. Therefore, we must be “born again” in order to enter a relationship with Him. This explains why Jesus tells us, “…I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” (GW) in John 3::3.

So being “born again” means we are reborn from a state of spiritual separation from God to a life that is alive to God through Christ. The Spirit of God directs that rebirth, and it takes place when we accept Jesus’ sacrificial death on our behalf.

For instance, the Scriptures tell us, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1 NKJV). We’re also told, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” (NIV) in 2 Corinthians 5:17. So, unlike the mortal life that we inherit from our human parents (or the “perishable seed“ mentioned here in 1 Peter 1:23), those who are born again are redeemed by the sacrifice of the imperishable Christ.

Thus, we can say that this act of spiritual rebirth is a necessary prerequisite in our reconciliation to God. One source closes our look at this important topic with the following insights…

“It was Jesus who first declared that spiritual rebirth was an absolute necessity for entering the kingdom of God. He declared to Nicodemus, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’ (John 3:3). The word unless in Jesus’ teaching signals a universally necessary condition for seeing and entering the kingdom of God.

Rebirth, then, is an essential part of Christianity; without it, entrance into God’s kingdom is impossible. Regeneration is the theological term used to describe rebirth. It refers to a new generating, a new genesis, a new beginning. It is more than ‘turning over a new leaf’; it marks the beginning of a new life in a radically renewed person. Peter speaks of believers ‘having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever’” (1 Peter 1:23). ₍₁₎

(1) Sproul, R. C. (1992). Essential truths of the Christian faith. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House. Page 171.

“having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23).

Many of us have probably heard the phrase “born again” used in various ways. While that expression often means different things to different people, we can find its true meaning by looking to Jesus and His use of that term. For instance, the Gospel of John records an after-hours meeting between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus in which they held the following exchange…

“[Nicodemus] came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.'” (John 3:2-8).

If we take the time to read Jesus’ explanation in this passage, we’ll find there is very little complexity behind this idea. Just as every human being must undergo a physical birth to emerge as a child of his or her parents, so we must also be born spiritually (or “born again”) in order to become a child of God. A paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:23 explains that concept in the following manner…

“…you have a new life. It was not passed on to you from your parents, for the life they gave you will fade away. This new one will last forever, for it comes from Christ…” (TLB).

So while people may hold different views on the meaning of the phrase “born again,” the only valid definition is the one Jesus gave it. Our first birth is physical; our second birth is spiritual, just as we see in the Gospel of John. Through this second birth, we are adopted into God’s family and receive the blessings He bestows upon His sons and daughters.

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart”
(1 Peter 1:22)

The word “fervently” is often associated with a sense of emotional passion. While it may be natural to ascribe that quality to our text from 1 Peter 1:22, this word better identifies the characteristics of earnestness and intensity. ₍₁₎ Unlike those who are indifferent or apathetic, this passage conveys the idea of an athlete who is stretched to his or her limit in pursuit of a goal.

This reminds us that “fervent love” is not necessarily synonymous with the external display of emotional affection. For example, the type of love referenced in the passage quoted above is a love that originates in the will. If we always felt naturally affectionate toward one another, there would be no need to demonstrate the type of fervent love that requires us to stretch ourselves to the limit. Instead, “…the idea suggested is that of not relaxing in effort, or acting in a right spirit.” ₍₂₎

While a sense of warmth and affection might grow easily and spontaneously among those of similar temperament, it’s important to remember that there are wide varieties of personal, cultural, and emotional differences among Jesus’ followers. In other words, there are other genuine followers of Jesus who differ from us in terms of personality, background, and maturity.

While we should expect to find love and affirmation among Jesus’ followers, we must also recognize that there may be instances where we struggle to get along with one another (see Acts 15:36-41 for an example). This may explain why the New Testament book of Romans reminds us to, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV).

So the fervent love mentioned here should incorporate the qualities of longsuffering, kindness, and an attitude that enables us to rejoice in the welfare of others without envy or jealously. ₍₃₎ Although there may be some (or perhaps many) who require us to “stretch ourselves to the limit” in our love for them, one commentator leaves us with some helpful conclusions…

“That he commands them to love one another already implies that love has essentially to do with one’s will and disposition rather than one’s emotions. Love is active goodwill or acting for the highest good of another person. Of course, ‘the highest good’ must be understood in light of the good revealed by God in Christ. It is in this sense that Peter commands Christians to love one another.” ₍₄₎

(1) G1619 ektenos https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1619/kjv/tr/0-1/
(2) Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers. See https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0000847 [C-1]
(3) See Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [1 Peter 1:22-25] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(4) Kendall, David W. “2. Love (1:22-2:3)” In Asbury Bible Commentary. 1189. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1992.

“who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:21-22).

In our earlier look at 1 Peter 1:9, we noted that this reference to the “soul” is derived from the word “psuche” in the original language of this passage. In this context, the soul refers to the human being as an individual personality. We can thus associate the soul with the “you” inside your body.

Here in 1 Peter 1:22, we have an intriguing reference to those who have purified their souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren. This thought-provoking idea is one that can benefit from a deeper analysis.

For instance, let’s consider this reference to purification. The word “purified” is linked to the act of “cleansing from defilement” in a moral or ceremonial sense. ₍₁₎ That cleansing is actualized as we obey the truth through the Spirit. As we act in accord with the truth of God’s Word through the internal prompting of the Holy Spirit, we experience greater purity in thought, word, and deed.

A sincere love for other men and women of God subsequently reflects that growth in inner purity. Such love is “genuine” (CEB), “unfeigned” (KJV), and “real” (TLB). If we prayerfully seek to purify our souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, we will naturally put the following behaviors into practice…

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (NLT).

“Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives” (Ephesians 4:2-3 GW).

“Never act from motives of rivalry or personal vanity, but in humility think more of each other than you do of yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 Phillips).

In addition, we will also follow the Biblical directive from Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV). Taken together, this should prompt us to love one another fervently, as we’re told here in 1 Peter 1:22. We will explore what “fervently” means (and what it doesn’t mean) next.

(1) G48 hagnizo Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers