Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 2

Peter’s Christian readers have obeyed the truth of the Gospel and were purified (1:21). Therefore they must “rid” themselves (GK 700) of various pagan vices. He is probably reminding them of what was symbolized in their baptism, the focal point of their commitment to Christ, when they stripped off the old life and made a new beginning in repentance and faith. Vice lists such as this were common in the ancient world and in the NT (cf. Mark 7:21–22; Romans 1:29–31; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 5:19–20, 2 Peter 2:10–14).

Peter’s addressees were, in the main, new converts, i.e., “newborn.” A major characteristic of a healthy new baby is its instinctive yearning for its mother’s milk. Christians are to crave what is “pure” milk in contrast to the “deceit” (v.1) of the old life. The “spiritual milk” is probably a reference to the Word of God. Therefore the translation might be expanded to “crave the unadulterated spiritual milk of the word.” Continuous nourishment from this “milk” causes the newborn to “grow up in [their] salvation.” Salvation is the present possession of Christians as well as their future goal (cf. 1 Peter 1:5, 9). After conversion, their lives should be marked by continuous growth (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:1–4; Hebrews 5:11–14). This growth comes from the teaching about Christ and God the Father that is at the core of God’s Word.

The image of “tasting” the Lord goes back to Ps 34:8: “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” Those who have come to taste the graciousness or goodness of the Lord should have a continuing appetite for spiritual food. In Ps 34 the reference is to Yahweh (“LORD”; GK 3378), Israel’s God. In his writings, Peter applies the Greek word used to translate this title—i.e.,“Lord” (GK 3261)—to Jesus. He thus implies the full deity of Christ.

This section is connected to the previous one by the relative clause “As you come to him,” by the continued use of Ps 34, and by the concept of Christians’ finding in Christ great value. But the figure changes, for Peter now presents Christ as a rock or a stone. The “rock-stone” imagery is common in Scripture: see the stumbling stone of Isa 8:14, the foundation-stone of Isa 28:16, the parental rock of Isa 51:1–2, the rejected stone of Ps 118:22, the supernatural stone of Da 2:34, and the burdensome stone of Zec 12:3. “Rock/Stone” was an accepted messianic title among the Jews as well as among Christians.

“As you come to him” probably reflects “come to him” in v.5 of the Greek translation of Ps 34 (LXX). Christians have “come” to Christ in salvation, but their continual “coming” is also required. Jesus Christ is identified as the “living Stone,” a word that refers to his stability as the risen Lord. God’s raising of Jesus from the dead shows his value and God’s choice of him. The “rejected” Christ is the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish nation (Matthew 26:14–15; Acts 2:22–24; Acts 3:13–15; Acts 4:10–11), as well as the current rejection of him by the disobedient in every land.

Jesus’ great prophecy to Peter (Matthew 16:18—19) concerned Jesus’ building of his church. Peter sees, in the coming of individuals to Jesus the Rock, the building of a new spiritual edifice. Solomon was amazed at the thought of God’s gracious condescension in dwelling among his people and in a house (the temple) that Solomon built (1 Kings 8:27). Now the localized manifestation of God’s presence on earth is replaced by his indwelling of all believers (1 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19).

“Are being built” (GK 3868) is descriptive of believers of all ages in history.

When anyone comes to Christ, a new stone is added to the “spiritual” (GK 4461) house. The use of the word “spiritual” does not mean that what Peter is speaking of is less “real” than a material house or material sacrifices. Rather, the material sacrifices and temples that were shadows of the reality to come are now superseded. The OT spoke of the offerings of prayer, thanksgiving, praise, and repentance (51:19; 107:22; 141:2) in addition to material sacrifices and offerings. The NT speaks of the offering of “faith” , material gifts as “a fragrant offering” , “your bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1), “a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15), the conversion of the Gentiles as “an offering acceptable to God” (Romans 15:16), and Paul’s coming death as “a drink offering” (2 Timothy 4:6).

The great new truth Peter states here is the revelation that “through Jesus Christ,” i.e., through his work on the Cross, every Christian is part of a new priestly order. This truth of the “priesthood of all believers” was rediscovered and restressed during the Reformation. It means that all Christians have immediate access to God, that they serve God personally, that they minister to others, and that they have something to give. This does not mean, however, that each Christian has public gifts of preaching or teaching. In this verse Peter is stressing the reassuring fact that through Christ believers are able to worship and serve God in a manner pleasing to him.