Picture a newborn child. From the moment of birth, nourishment and growth are vital. Peter uses this powerful metaphor to encourage believers in their spiritual lives:
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” — 1 Peter 2:2-3 (New International Version)
The Greek word for “crave” is epipotheō (ἐπιποθέω), conveying an intense longing or earnest desire, much more than passive interest. As believers, our hunger for God’s truth should mirror the urgent, instinctual hunger of an infant feeding. Peter alludes to Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” reminding his readers that experiencing God’s goodness is what motivates continual spiritual growth.
Cross-reference verses: Psalm 34:8, Hebrews 5:12-14, Matthew 5:6
Peter transitions beautifully from the image of nourishment to construction:
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house…” — 1 Peter 2:4-5 (New International Version)
Echoing the language of the Hebrew scriptures, Peter draws upon temple imagery rich with meaning for his Jewish readers. The temple in Jerusalem represented God’s presence among His people. After its destruction in AD 70, many first-century readers wondered what would become of that sacred intersection between heaven and earth. Peter answers profoundly: God now dwells not in a structure of stone and mortar but within the community of faith—within the lives of believers themselves.
Notice carefully Peter’s wording: Christ is the “Living Stone,” and we, His people, derive from Him our new identity as “living stones.” The Greek term “lithos zōn” (λίθος ζῶν) brilliantly captures Christ’s resurrection life flowing into us. We do not exist as Christians isolated and alone, but fitted together in joyful unity upon Christ, our cornerstone and firm foundation.
The concept of the cornerstone (akrogōniaios lithos, ἀκρογωνιαῖος λίθος) refers to the primary stone placed to determine all dimensions and stability of ancient buildings. Every other stone was carefully aligned by it. Similarly, Christ shapes the structure of His church, aligning us carefully with Him and with one another.
Cross-reference verses: Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, Ephesians 2:19-22
Peter’s next words stand among the most heartening affirmations in all Scripture. Addressing scattered Jewish Christians and “God-fearing” Gentile converts who experienced rejection and persecution, he proclaims loudly their powerful identity:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” — 1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)
Peter masterfully combines phrases from Exodus 19:6 (spoken originally at Mount Sinai to Israel) and from Isaiah 43:20-21, firmly placing the believers’ identity within the framework of God’s unfolding salvation history. These formerly alienated Gentiles and marginalized Jews now comprise the very core of God’s purposes: a people called by Him, precious and dignified, filled with divine purpose.
In ancient cultures, priests mediated between people and their deity. By declaring all believers a royal priesthood, Peter emphasized their privileged role: to extend God’s blessings and convey His reconciling presence to the world around. Historically, Protestant theologians emphasized this passage strongly, leading to the vital biblical doctrine of the “priesthood of all believers,” celebrated by Martin Luther and other Reformers.
We modern believers sometimes overlook how radical and world-shaping this doctrine really is. Rather than simply consumers attending church services, we are called to mediate God’s goodness, holiness, and mercy to others daily, witnessing to Christ’s Kingdom here on earth.
Cross-reference verses: Exodus 19:5-6, Isaiah 43:20-21, Revelation 5:10
The final major theme of 1 Peter chapter 2 instructs believers in how they should respond to a hostile environment:
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” — 1 Peter 2:12 (New International Version)
Peter’s audience lived in Roman society where suspicions and false accusations targeted Christians: charges of treason, atheism (due to rejecting pagan gods), even cannibalism (misunderstanding Communion). Peter instructs believers to remain blameless and honorable, to silence foolish accusations through undeniable goodness and godliness.
The call to submit in verses 13-17, while difficult to grasp, underscores Peter’s desire for Christians to live within societal structures with respect and humility whenever possible. This passage challenges us to thoughtful discernment: how can Christians today live with respect toward authorities, yet courageously and faithfully uphold Christ’s values, even when culture opposes Christlike values?
Cross-reference verses: Romans 13:1-7, Matthew 5:16, Acts 5:29
Peter concludes this chapter reflecting on Christ’s own suffering as our ultimate model. Christ endured suffering unjustly, not retaliating in anger nor resentment, but trusting Himself entirely to God:
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” — 1 Peter 2:23 (New International Version)
This is perhaps the most difficult challenge: to accept undeserved trials graciously, trusting divine judgment and promise. Our Lord Himself embodied this perfectly. As Peter speaks about Christ bearing our sins (an allusion to Isaiah 53), we again see this rich Old Testament imagery fulfilled fully in Christ our Redeemer.
Cross-reference verses: Isaiah 53:4-6, Hebrews 12:2-3, Matthew 27:12-14
As we meditate today on being living stones, calls to holiness and suffering endured graciously, the great hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” beautifully underscores these truths:
“Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.”
Gracious Father, thank You for calling us living stones, building us together into a temple of Your presence. Help us grow deeply in Your truth, live holy lives before a watching world, and endure suffering patiently as Christ did. Mold and shape our hearts to align fully with Jesus Christ, our cornerstone and our example. Through Him we pray, Amen.