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1 Peter 2:16<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We are free from the penalty of sin, but we are God\u2019s servants.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The word translated \u201cfree<\/span>\u201d is eleutheros<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cunrestrained\u201d or \u201cable to move about freely.\u201d It is used primarily in reference to a person who is not a slave (not owned by anyone) but free to go where he pleases. It is expressed here in the nominative case, which ties it back to the word translated \u201csubmit\u201d is verse 13.<\/p>\n \u201cUsing<\/span>\u201d is translated from a form of ech\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto possess\u201d or \u201cto hold.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201ccloak<\/span>\u201d is translated from epikaluma<\/span><\/em>, which is made up of epi<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201con\u201d or \u201cover\u201d and a form of kalupt\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto cover.\u201d Hence, it means \u201cthat which covers over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVice<\/span>\u201d is translated from kakia<\/span><\/em>, which means \u201cbadness\u201d or \u201cthat which is evil.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cbondservants<\/span>\u201d is translated from doulos<\/span><\/em>, which refers to \u201ca slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another.\u201d<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peter now touches briefly on a subject that was the root of one of the earliest heresies of the church and which is still misunderstood today. That heresy was called antinomianism, which literally means \u201cno law-ism.\u201d Some in the early church believed that since we have been set free from the penalty of sin, we can live however we want, since all of our sins have been forgiven. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, we are free from the law of commandments contained in ordinances and free from sin, this is true. Being free from<\/strong> sin does not mean that we are free from all laws (as Peter just pointed out) nor does it mean that we are free to<\/strong> sin.<\/p>\n To be a free man and not a slave (or servant) in the first century was a very privileged position. It meant, as the word eleotheros<\/span><\/em> implies, that one was free to come and go as one pleased. Peter\u2019s use of this word, however, is in reference to the bondage of the Law of Moses. Many of the early converts to Christianity were former Jews who were bound heavily by the Law and who have now been set free from that as well. Peter is warning that this freedom is not to be used as an excuse to do evil things.<\/p>\n According to Greek grammar, the word \u201cfree\u201d (literally, free ones) is tied back to the word \u201csubmit\u201d in verse thirteen. So, what Peter is telling his readers is that Christians are to voluntarily submit to the civil authorities even though we have freedom in Christ. We are not to use that freedom to resist authority or to do evil deeds. Instead, we are to do good deeds in submission to the authorities over us, because our freedom from the penalty of sin also means that we are permanent slaves of God.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Our Christian lives are not to be characterized by \u201cbeing free to live like the Devil,\u201d rather they are to be characterized by voluntarily subjecting (submitting) ourselves and our will to the one who purchased this freedom for us.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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