Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Peter 2:1-10

"Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 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. For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God`s] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." — 1 Peter 2:1-10 (ASV)

Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart, and it hinders our benefiting from the word of God. A new life needs suitable food. Infants desire milk and make the best efforts for it that they are able to; such must be a Christian's desires for the word of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is very merciful to us miserable sinners, and he has a fullness of grace.

But even the best of God's servants, in this life, have only a taste of the consolations of God. Christ is called a Stone to teach his servants that he is their protection and security, the foundation on which they are built. He is precious in the excellence of his nature, the dignity of his office, and the glory of his services. All true believers are a holy priesthood: sacred to God, serviceable to others, and endowed with heavenly gifts and graces.

But the most spiritual sacrifices of the best, in prayer and praise, are not acceptable except through Jesus Christ.

Christ is the chief Corner-stone that unites the whole number of believers into one everlasting temple and bears the weight of the whole fabric. Elected, or chosen, for a foundation that is everlasting. Precious beyond compare, by any measure of worth.

To be built on Christ means to believe in him; but in this many deceive themselves. They do not consider what it is, nor the necessity of it, to partake of the salvation he has accomplished.

Though the frame of the world were falling to pieces, the one who is built on this foundation may hear it without fear. He will not be confounded.

The believing soul hastens to Christ, but it never finds cause to hasten from him.

All true Christians are a chosen generation. They form one family, a people distinct from the world—of another spirit, principle, and practice—which they could never be if they were not chosen in Christ to be such and sanctified by his Spirit.

Their first state is a state of gross darkness, but they are called out of darkness into a state of joy, pleasure, and prosperity, so that they should proclaim the praises of the Lord by their profession of his truth and their good conduct.

How vast are their obligations to Him who has made them his people and has shown mercy to them! To be without this mercy is a woeful state, even if someone has all worldly enjoyments.

And there is nothing that produces repentance so graciously as right thoughts about the mercy and love of God. Let us not dare to abuse and affront the free grace of God if we intend to be saved by it; but let all who wish to be found among those who obtain mercy walk as his people.