1 Peter 2:16 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

As free— The Gentiles, by becoming Christians, were freed from the bondage of sin; they were likewise free from subjection to the Mosaic law: they were become the Lord's people, and freemen. Such privileges might possibly have exalted their minds, so as to have made them look upon it as an indignity to obey Heathen magistrates. St. Peter, therefore, recommends a due subjection to the Heathen emperor, and such as ruled under him; notwithstanding they were the Lord's people and freemen, and ought to behave as such. The word Κακια generally signifies malice, sometimes wickedness in general; but here it seems to be understood more particularly of sedition or rebellion. The word 'Επικαλυμμα does not signify a cloak, but any covering. Beza thinks that it is here an allusion to the ancient custom of slaves who had been manumitted, walking about with a cap upon their heads. These Gentiles, by becoming Christians, had been lately made the Lord's freemen; but they were not to make the cap of freedom a pretence for sedition and rebellion. Josephus has in many places taken notice of the Jews rebelling against the Romans under this very pretence, that they were a free people. See John 8:33. It was their attempt to throw off subjection to the Romans, which brought on their destruction; and that war, it is probable, was now actually begun. The Christians were free; but it was not inconsistent with their Christian liberty to obey civil magistrates, whether supreme or subordinate. They were not free from the law of nations, any more than from the law of Christ;—though, in this respect, the servants of God. That the freedom of Christians was such as was consistent with their being the servants of God, is intimated, also, Romans 6:16-22. 1 Corinthians 7:22. When, upon embracing the Gospel, they were blessed with Christian liberty, they were thereby laid under stricter obligations to render honour and tribute to whom they were due; though to whom they were due the Gospel determines not absolutely, but leaves that to be determined by circumstances, and the law of nations. Dr. Heylin observes, upon this and the preceding verse, "It is wrong not to stop the mouth of calumny, when that can be done by a prudent innocence. I suppose, therefore, the meaning of 1 Peter 2:16 to be, Free as you are from human regards, and under no restraint upon what men say of you,—for you know they are ignorant and foolish,—yet you must not make this notion of Christian liberty a cloak or pretence for neglecting to obviate, as far as you can, their perverse censures by a discreet behaviour: free as you are from men, yet you are the servants of God; and his service obliges you to give no needless office."