For so is the will of God. — This refers to the command contained in the last two verses, which then is further explained by the clause which follows, “that with well-doing.” See a very similar construction in 1 Thessalonians 4:3. The “well-doing” of this and the last verse bears the most general sense of good conduct, not the special sense noticed on the “fair works” and “fair life” of 1 Peter 2:12.
Put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. — A very contemptuous expression, the word for “put to silence” being the same as in 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18, to “muzzle” or “gag,” implying that there is something of the animal about these “foolish men.” The same contempt appears in each word of the clause, even down to “men,” which might be rendered “people” or “creatures.” The word for “ignorance” implies a stolid and wilful ignorance, and is so used by heathen authors, as well as very markedly in the only other place in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 15:34. “Foolish,” too, contains moral reprobation, Luke 11:40; Luke 12:20; 1 Corinthians 15:36. suggesting thoughtlessness rather than senselessness. The definite article is also used in the Greek (as in 2 Thessalonians 3:2), and again seems to indicate that St. Peter had some particular enemies in view who had brought the charges. This accusation was evidently one of a political nature; and, indeed, history shows us that the hostility of the empire to the faith was entirely based on the corporate nature of the Christian religion. They would not have minded the cultus, but they could not tolerate the Church. Pliny distinctly says in his letter to Trajan, that it was in consequence of Trajan’s issuing an order against hetœriœ or societies, that he was led to contend with the Christians in Bithynia.