Peter himself knew what envy was. After the mother of the sons of Zebedee asked Jesus for favoured positions for her sons in the kingdom, the ten…were indignant at the two brothers,
Peter included (Matthew 20:20–21). That indignation sabotaged Peter’s ability to love
the two. It is striking that Jesus in response told his disciples about how the lords of the Gentiles lord it over another but in the kingdom of God lordship must be replaced by service: as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
In the present passage, Peter certainly draws out the lesson he learned from that episode.
Division, jealousy, and strife appear so easily and so often among the people of God. A passage like this helps preachers address such troubles and point the congregation in a better direction.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,