1 Peter 2:16

As free. That is, act as free men. The Christian submits to authority (v. 13), not as a servile, unthinking slave, but intelligently and of his own volition, as a free man in Christ Jesus.

Liberty. That is, freedom to act as an intelligent being.

Cloke. Or, “cover,” “veil,” figuratively, a “pretext.” The Christian will not abuse his liberty or take advantage of his reputation as a law-abiding citizen. Christian freedom does not release a person in the slightest degree from his accountability, as a citizen, to duly constituted authority (cf. 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23).

Maliciousness. Gr. kakos (see on v. 1).

Servants. Or, “slaves.” As a servant of God the Christian is obedient to God. The world has every right to expect him to live up to his profession, and to conclude that what he does he does with God’s approval. Thus, the good name of God is at stake in the way a Christian conducts himself. He should never give men occasion to conclude that God’s standard of conduct is inferior to that commonly accepted by non-Christians. He should never give men occasion to conclude that God’s standard of conduct is inferior to that commonly accepted by non-Christians.