1 Peter 2:1

1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1. “Wherefore laying aside…”

a. Wherefore [Strong: 3767 oun oon apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

b. laying aside [Strong: 659 apotithemi ap-ot-eeth'-ay-mee from 575 and 5087; to put away (literally or figuratively):--cast off, lay apart (aside, down), put away (off).] [Thayer: to put off or aside or away.] [Vine: to put off, lay aside, denotes, in the Middle Voice, to put off from oneself, in Romans 13:12 it is translated “cast off”, used figuratively of works of darkness.]

1). It is the same Greek word used in James when he exhorts believers to “lay apart all filthiness”.

a). 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.

2). Actually Peter and James are saying the same thing. We are going to see that as we break this down. What are we to “lay aside”, “cast off” and “lay apart”.

2. “…all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking…”

a. all [Strong: 3956 pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

b. malice [Strong: 2549 kakia kak-ee'-ah from 2556; badness, i.e. (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble:--evil, malice(-iousness), naughtiness, wickedness.] [Thayer: malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity, wickedness that is not ashamed to break laws, evil, trouble.]

1). Desires to sin, desires and urges to walk and indulge in the flesh, to seek revenge, to unashamedly transgress.

c. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. all [Strong: 3956 pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

e. guile [Strong: 1388 dolos dol'-os from an obsolete primary verb, dello (probably meaning to decoy; compare 1185); a trick (bait), i.e. (figuratively) wile:--craft, deceit, guile, subtilty.]   [Thayer: craft, deceit, guile.] [American Heritage Dictionary: insidious, treacherous, cunning, deceit.]

f. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

g. hypocrisies [Strong: 5272 hupokrisis hoop-ok'-ree-sis from 5271; acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy"):--condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy.] [Thayer:  an answering, an answer, the acting of a stage player, dissimulation, hypocrisy.]

h. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

i. envies  [5355 * phthonos] [Thayer: envy, for envy, i.e. prompted by envy.] [American Heritage Dictionary: a feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by another’s desirable possessions or qualities, accompanied by a strong desire to have them for oneself.]

j. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

k. all [Strong: 3956 pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

l. evil speaking [Strong: 2636 katalalia kat-al-al-ee'-ah from 2637; defamation:--backbiting, evil speaking.] [Thayer: defamation, evil speaking.]

1). As believers we are cleansed from our sin only by the shed blood of Jesus.

a). Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

b). Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

2). Yet after our initial cleansing we, as co-laborers with God have a responsibility to walk in obedience.

a). Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

b). Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

c). Ephesians 5:26, 27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.