Institute for Creation Research

1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

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If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

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To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

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Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

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Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

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Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made ° the head of the corner,

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And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto ° also they were appointed.

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But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar ° people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

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Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

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Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

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Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

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Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

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Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

1 Peter 2:2

2:2 sincere. That is, “pure.”

1 Peter 2:2

2:2 of the word. “Of the word” here is one word, logikos in the Greek, translated “reasonable” in its only other occurrence (Romans 12:1). As babes need milk for food to begin physical growth, so babes in Christ need “pure, reasonable [or logical] spiritual milk” if they are to grow spiritually, and this is only to be obtained from God’s Word. They were “born again” through the Word (I Peter 1:23), and now must grow through the Word. As they grow, however, they must soon begin also to partake of the “strong meat” of the “word of righteousness” (Hebrews 5:12-14).

1 Peter 2:3

2:3 If so be. This little phrase (Greek ei per) occurs four times in Scripture, seemingly expressing certain conditions, but actually leading to great assurances. See also Romans 8:9, 17; and I Corinthians 15:15.

1 Peter 2:4

2:4 living stone. As not just the foundation rock (I Corinthians 3:11), but also as a living stone that could bring life and sustenance, Christ is the fulfillment of the type suggested by the rock smitten in the wilderness, which thenceforth brought life-sustaining water to God’s people (see Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:8; I Corinthians 10:4).

1 Peter 2:4

2:4 chosen of God. The Greek word here for “chosen” (also in I Peter 2:9) is the same as that for “elect” in I Peter 1:2 and 2:6. Thus, the “elect of God” are those “chosen by God.” Note also John 15:16 and Ephesians 1:4.

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