1 Peter 2:2 In-Context 1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

In verse 1, Peter describes the ways in which we fail to give love to each other. He writes that we must get rid of these five attitudes and actions which oppose love. In every case, they represent a choice to focus on my benefit over and above the interests of someone else.

The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering.

Peter denied Jesus three times, and Jesus allows Peter three opportunities to state his love for him. There is nothing magical about this number, other than it draws Peter into the fact that Jesus has already forgiven him for his three denials, loves him, and has a job for him to do.