THE BOOK OF 1 PETER, Chapter 2, As Newborn Babes, As Living Stones, Christ is Our Example

 

The Book of First Peter, Chapter 2

As Newborn Babes, As Living Stones, Christ is Our Example

Although this epistle is titled after the author, perhaps it would be good to stop and realize who is writing these epistles. This is the same once impulsive and often erratic disciple, (Simon) Peter, now using careful, kind, dedicated and deliberate wording to prepare the Church for what is upon them in the first century – as well as for all the ages to come. What we see is an example of the working of God and the Holy Spirit upon the life of Peter and within any believer who will follow and obey Jesus.

Although Peter’s instructions are completely counter-cultural and, I can imagine, a bit confusing at first, even to the new Church, chapter two of First Peter continues to be one of the clearest teachings and instructions of who we are as Christians and what we are to be in the eyes of God and in the eyes of this world. This is also the clearest of instructions for our mission and method.

As twenty-first century believers, I suggest we ready our minds, sharpen our focus, ready our pens and notepads and give our complete attention as we prepare to deploy.

The first verse of this chapter begins with the word “therefore”, connecting it to the closing verses in the previous chapter (1), Verse 22. “Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart, verse 23, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. Verse 24. For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY IS LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, Verse 25, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you.”

As Newborn Babes

1 Peter 2:1, Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, verse 2, and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, verse 3, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

(Commentary Break): To “rid oneself of” is likened to shedding old worn out and dirty clothing which has been stained by malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander, (a metaphor for the old nature of sin) and being transformed as a “newborn baby” (representing the “born again, man or woman”) – with a clean mental and spiritual slate, longing for nourishment from “the pure mile of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation”. Peter uses these metaphors and similes to give us understanding of “Thoughts are not our thoughts and Ways that are not our ways; for God’s Ways are higher than our ways and His Thoughts are higher than our thoughts”.  Isaiah 55:10-12 tells us, “For, as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth And making it produce and sprout, and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.” And so it is with the transformation of our nature and our character, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. (End Commentary Break).

As Living Stones

Verse 4. And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, verse 5, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Verse 6. For this is contained in Scripture:

“BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE,

AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” Verse 7. This precious value, then, is for you who believe;

but for unbelievers, “A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,

THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,” verse 8, and,

“A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.

(Commentary Break): Peter’s mind, heart and soul express what The Master has taught him, what he is become and what we are destined to be: “living stones”. There are numerous references to Christ as the Chief Cornerstone (many of which I have highlighted with links in these verses). But the one that should stand out in our minds is from Matthew 16:18, “And I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Now look carefully at these dynamically prophetic words:

(1). “you are Peter” – “Petros”, meaning a stone – a small stone – used metaphorically of a soul, hard and unyielding.

(2). “and upon this rock” – “Petra”, meaning a large, massive projecting rock; used metaphorically of a being like a large projecting craggy rock; if of a man or woman, it is by reason of his or her unmovable firmness and strength of soul.

(3). Here we see that we are the innumerable multitudes of smaller stones that are being built upon the Choice Cornerstone; being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

NOTE: Although Peter uses a metaphor, this is an expression of one of the deepest and more profound Truths of Scriptures. If we miss the significance of this Truth then we will likely remain inert and unable to fulfill our mission. Dwell on this: We are the collection of smaller stones from the Chief Cornerstone; a soul made of the same material as the Chief Cornerstone; hard and unyielding; of a man or woman who by reason of their unmovable firmness and strength of soul can withstand and even overcome the methods and wiles of the devil, and the gates of hell shall never prevail against us. This is for believers.

But for unbelievers”; This part of the verse is a direct quotation from Psalm 118:22, a messianic prophecy that is frequently referenced in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11). The “builders” symbolize the religious leaders and authorities of the time who rejected Jesus, failing to recognize His messianic role. Despite this rejection, Jesus becomes the cornerstone, the most crucial part of God’s redemptive plan. This transformation from rejection to foundational importance is a powerful testament to God’s sovereignty and the fulfillment of prophecy. The use of this imagery would have been particularly poignant for Peter’s audience, who were familiar with the Jewish scriptures and the significance of the cornerstone in construction. It serves as a reminder of the unexpected ways in which God accomplishes His purposes, turning what was dismissed by men into the central element of His divine plan. (see BibleHub.com). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 9. But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; verse 10, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

(Commentary Break): But you are a CHOSEN people, from the Greek word, “Eklektos”, the elect, the elected ones, the ‘chosen out from’; literally ‘chosen out from by personal preference; an intentional election’. Typically, Strong’s concordance number 1588, ‘eklektós’ , (“select, chosen”) describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God’s choice by freely receiving faith (Strong’s concordance number 4102, ‘písti’s) from Him. Accordingly, these two terms are directly connected (see Titus 1:1; Luke 18:7,8).

(NOTE: This could lead to a discussion about the doctrines of Election and Predestination, which I will forgo. However, here is an interesting link if you must: Predestined or Not?) (End Commentary Break).

Verse 11. Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. Verse 12. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.

(Commentary Break): Peter is urging us, not in a casual way, but pleading with a sense of urgency as our spiritual shepherd, to remember that we are temporary resident aliens and that it is the custom and practice of our permanent home that we must demonstrate on this earth. We must disassociate from our former ways of “self” – self-preservation, self-righteousness, self-rights, self-serving, delighting our self (our flesh). Putting all of that behind us, putting it “to death” and taking up the mantle and cross of Christ. Our time on this earth is short. We must make best use of it “so they may, because of our good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation”. This will only come by willing self-sacrifice and self-discipline. So, is it any wonder that “many are called but few are chosen”? (also, see Chaptgpt). (End Commentary Break).

Honor Authority

Verse 13. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, verse 14, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. Verse 15. For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. Verse 16. Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. Verse 17. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Verse 18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. Verse 19. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. Verse 20. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

(Commentary Break): This is what it means for you, as a Christian, to be in this world but not part of this world; a resident alien, a foreigner and a sojourner; set apart from this world. Knowing that your time here is important only for the Mission of Christ and is temporary. As any fully dedicated “alien invader” You observe but you do not engage in conflict. You are to bring the Message and Example of Christ – the Gospel. It is by being gentle and subject to your masters and to government authorities, whether they are reasonable or harsh, steadfastly and uncompromisingly serving our Lord, Jesus Christ, in plain view of all, that you accomplish your Mission and give honor to God. (If you take a close look around you, it is sad and shameful that only a very few of us could be called faithful and obedient to this calling). (End Commentary Break).

Christ Is Our Example

Verse 21. For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, verse 22, HE WHO COMMITTED NO sin, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT found IN HIS MOUTH; verse 23, and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; verse 24, and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed. Verse 25. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. (End Chapter Two).

Dear brothers and sisters, let’s allow these last verses, (twenty-one through twenty-five), remain in our minds. Read them again and again. It is not that our calling and mission is just difficult, but it would be impossible if not for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge that the Mighty Hand of God is our covering. It is spoken that we shall overcome by the word of our testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb. Fear not.

(Dear Lord, God and Savior: I pray for myself, for my companions in the faith and for all who have read these words of First Peter, that you inspire, strengthen, enlighten, embolden and preserve us all that we might be found able and faithful).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: (Coming Soon) The Book of First Peter, Chapter 3, Godly Living

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