In our English translation, the word “live” has the function of a command, with the rest of the verse explaining how we are to live. The difficulty with that reading is that the word “live” is simply not present in the Greek. In the Greek, 1 Peter 2:16–17 forms one sentence, with 1 Peter 2:16 using three “as” statements (as free people, not as a cover-up…, as servants of God
) to provide the mindset for the four commands of 1 Peter 2:17 (“Honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the emperor”). The word “living” at the end of 1 Peter 2:16 is also not in the Greek.
16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.