2:16 As free. Christians, freed from the bondage of sin and of the law, and having the free spirit of children,
not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, an excuse, for wickedness.
As the servants of God. They are God's servants.
2:16 As free - Yet obeying governors, for God's sake.
2:13-17 A Christian conversation must be honest; which it cannot be, if there is not a just and careful discharge of all relative duties: the apostle 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 liberty a cloak or covering for any wickedness, or for the neglect of duty; but they must remember that they are servants of God.
