SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:16
como estando en libertad, y no como teniendo la libertad por cobertura de malicia, sino como siervos de Dios.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:16
Verse 16. As free] The Jews pretended that they were a free people, and owed allegiance to God alone; hence they were continually rebelling against the Roman government, to which God had subjected them because of their rebellion against him: thus they used their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness - for a pretext of rebellion, and by it endeavoured to vindicate their seditious and rebellious conduct. But as the servants of God.] These were free from sin and Satan, but they were the servants of God-bound to obey him; and, as he had made it their duty to obey the civil magistrate, they served God by submitting to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. As free , etc.] These converted Jews might value themselves on their freedom, partly as the descendants of Abraham, and so freeborn, and not to be brought into bondage to other people; and chiefly because of their liberty which they had in and by Christ Jews. The apostle allows that they were freemen, that they were Christ's freemen, were free from sin, its damning and domineering power, and from the curses and condemnation of the law, and had freedom of access to God, and a right to all the privileges and immunities of the house of God; but then they were not free to sin, and to live in the contempt of the laws of God and men, to despise government, speak evil of dignities, and break in upon the rules of civil society: and not using your liberty as a cloak of maliciousness ; under a pretence of Christian liberty, to hurt the persons, properties, and estates of men, without looking upon themselves accountable for their conduct to their superiors: some think the apostle alludes to the ancient custom of servants, who, when they were made free, walked with a cap, or covering on their heads, in token of it: it follows, [but] as the servants of God ; for they that are free are the servants of God and Christ, and show themselves to be so by submitting to and obeying those that are under them, and ordained by them; and which is no ways inconsistent with, and contrary to their Christian liberty, which never was designed to thwart and subvert the principles of natural religion, laws of a moral nature, or the rules of civil government; some instances of which are next mentioned.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-17 - A Christian conversation must be honest; which it cannot be, if ther is not a just and careful discharge of all relative duties: the apostl here treats of these distinctly. Regard to those duties is the will of God, consequently, the Christian's duty, and the way to silence the base slanders of ignorant and foolish men. Christians must endeavour in all relations, to behave aright, that they do not make their libert a cloak or covering for any wickedness, or for the neglect of duty; but they must remember that they are servants of God.
Greek Textus Receptus
ως 5613 ελευθεροι 1658 και 2532 μη 3361 ως 5613 επικαλυμμα 1942 εχοντες 2192 5723 της 3588 κακιας 2549 την 3588 ελευθεριαν 1657 αλλ 235 ως 5613 δουλοι 1401 θεου 2316
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. Using (econtev). Lit., having or holding.Cloke (epikalumma). Only here in New Testament. Lit., a veil. The idea is that of using Christian freedom as a mask for ungodly license. Paul uses the kindred verb (Rom. iv. 7) of the covering of sins. On the sentiment, compare Gal. v. 13.
