Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
As free (wv eleuqeroi). Note nominative again connected with upotaghte in verse I Peter 2:13, not with fimoin in verse I Peter 2:14 (a parenthesis in fact). For this ethical sense of eleuqerov see Galatians 4:26.
And not using your freedom (kai mh exontev thn eleuqerian). "And not holding your liberty" (present active participle of exw, with usual negative mh with participle.
For a cloke of wickedness (wv epikalumma thv kakiav). Epikalumma (from epikaluptw Romans 4:7) is a rare word (Aristotle, LXX) for veil, here only in N.T. and in figurative sense for pretext to do wickedness under, a thing, alas, that sometimes happens.
But as bondservants of God (all wv qeou douloi). Paul's proud title. There is no such thing as absolute freedom (personal freedom), for that is anarchy. Cf. Romans 6:22 "enslaved to God."
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Peter 2:16:
Luke 2:34
Acts 8:22
Jude 1:4
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