Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 2:4

"unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious," — 1 Peter 2:4 (ASV)

To whom coming. This refers to the Lord Jesus, because the word "Lord" is to be understood in this way in 1 Peter 2:3 .

The idea here is that they had come to Him for salvation, while the great mass of people rejected Him. Others "disallowed" Him and turned away from Him; but these believers had seen that He was the One chosen or appointed by God, and had come to Him to be saved. Salvation is often represented as coming to Christ .

As unto a living stone. The allusion in this passage is to Isaiah 28:16, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. .

There may also be an allusion to Psalm 118:22, The stone which the builders disallowed, is become the head-stone of the corner. The reference is to Christ as the foundation on which the church is reared. He occupied the same place in relation to the church that a foundation stone does to the edifice reared upon it (Romans 9:33; Ephesians 2:20 and following).

The phrase living stone is, however, unusual and is not found, I think, except in this passage. There seems to be an incongruity in it, in attributing life to a stone, yet its meaning is not difficult to understand.

The purpose was not to speak of a temple like that at Jerusalem, made of gold and costly stones, but of a temple made of living materials—of redeemed people—in which God now resides. In speaking of that, it was natural to refer to the foundation on which the whole rested, and to speak of that foundation as corresponding to the whole edifice.

It was all a living temple—a temple composed of living materials—from the foundation to the top. Compare the expression in John 4:10, He would have given thee living water; that is, water that would have imparted life to the soul. In the same way, Christ imparts life to the whole spiritual temple that is reared on Him as a foundation.

Disallowed indeed of men. This means He was rejected by them: first by the Jews, who caused Him to be put to death; and then by all people when He is offered to them as their Savior . This rejection is spoken of in Psalm 118:22, Which the builders refused (Acts 4:11).

But chosen of God. Selected by Him as the suitable foundation on which to rear His church.

And precious. Valuable. The universe had nothing more valuable on which to rear the spiritual temple.