John Calvin Commentary 1 Peter 2:6

"Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame." — 1 Peter 2:6 (ASV)

Wherefore also it is contained in Scripture; or, Wherefore also the Scripture contains. Those who refer the verb “contain” (περιέχειν) to Christ and translate it “embrace,” because through him all these unite together, completely depart from the meaning of the Apostle. No better is another exposition, that Christ excels others; for Peter simply intended to quote the testimony of Scripture.

He then shows what had been taught by the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, or, which is the same thing, that what he adds is contained in them. Nor is it an unsuitable confirmation of the preceding verse.

For we see for what slight reasons, and almost for none, many reject Christ, and some fall away from him. But this is a stumbling block which above all other things stands in the way of some: they are drawn away because not only the common people despise and reject Christ, but also those who are high in dignity and honor and seem to excel others.

This evil has almost always prevailed in the world, and today it prevails greatly. For a great part of humankind judges Christ according to the false opinion of the world. Moreover, such is the ingratitude and impiety of men that Christ is everywhere despised. Thus it is that while they regard one another, few pay him his due honor. Therefore, Peter reminds us of what had been foretold about Christ, so that contempt or rejection of him should not move us from the faith.

Now, the first passage which he cites is taken from Isaiah 28:16, where the Prophet, after having inveighed against the desperate wickedness of his own nation, finally adds:

“Your perfidy shall not prevent God from restoring his church, which now through you lies completely in a ruinous state” (Isaiah 28:16).

The manner of restoration he thus describes: “I will lay in Sion a stone.” From this we learn that there is no building up of the Church without Christ, for there is no other foundation than him, as Paul testifies (1 Corinthians 3:11). This is no matter of wonder, for all our salvation is found only in him. Whoever, then, turns away from him in the least degree will find his foundation a precipice.

Therefore, the Prophet not only calls him a cornerstone, which connects the whole edifice, but also a stone of trial, according to which the building is to be measured and regulated; and furthermore, he calls him a solid foundation, which sustains the whole edifice. He is, then, a cornerstone, so that he might be the standard for the building, as well as the only foundation.

But Peter took from the words of the Prophet what was especially suitable to his argument: namely, that he was a chosen stone, in the highest degree valuable and excellent, and also that on him we ought to build.

This honor is ascribed to Christ so that, however much he may be despised by the world, he may not be despised by us; for by God he is regarded as very precious.

But when he calls him a cornerstone, he intimates that those who do not rely on Christ have no concern for their salvation.

What some have elaborated on the word “corner,” as though it meant that Christ joins together Jews and Gentiles as two distinct walls, is not well founded. Let us, then, be content with a simple explanation: that he is so called because the weight of the building rests on him.

We must also observe that the Prophet introduces God as the speaker, for he alone forms and plans his own Church, as it is said in Psalm 78:69 that his hand had founded Sion. He, indeed, employs the labor and ministry of men in building it; but this is not inconsistent with the truth that it is his own work. Christ, then, is the foundation of our salvation, because he has been ordained for this end by the Father.

And he says in Sion, because there God’s spiritual temple was to have its beginning. Therefore, for our faith to rest firmly on Christ, we must come to the Law and to the Prophets.

For though this stone extends to the farthest parts of the world, it was still necessary for it to be located first in Sion, because at that time Sion was the seat of the Church.

But it is said to have been set there when the Father revealed him for the purpose of restoring his Church. In short, we must hold this: that only those who keep the unity of the Church rest on Christ, for he is not set as a foundation stone except in Sion.

As from Sion the Church came forth, which is now everywhere spread, so also from Sion our faith has derived its beginning, as Isaiah says:

“From Sion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3).

Corresponding with this is what is said in the Psalms:

“The scepter of thy power will the Lord send forth from Sion.” (Psalms 110:2).

He that believeth. The Prophet does not say in him, but declares generally, “He that believeth shall not make haste.” As, however, there is no doubt that God sets forth Christ there as the object of our faith, the faith of which the Prophet speaks must look on him alone. And, doubtless, no one can rightly believe but he who is fully convinced that in Christ he ought to trust completely.

But the words of the Prophet may be taken in two ways: either as a promise or as an exhortation. The future time is indicated, “He shall not make haste”; but in Hebrew the future tense is often to be taken as an imperative, “Let him not make haste.” Thus the meaning would be, “Do not be moved in your minds, but quietly entertain your desires and check your feelings until the Lord is pleased to fulfill his promise.” So he says in another place:

“In silence and in quietness shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).

But as the other reading seems to come nearer to Peter’s interpretation, I give it the preference. Then the sense would not be unsuitable: “He who believeth shall not waver” or vacillate, for he has a firm and permanent foundation. And it is a valuable truth that, relying on Christ, we are beyond the danger of falling. Moreover, to be ashamed (pudefieri) means the same thing. Peter has retained the real sense of the Prophet, though he has followed the Greek version.