The First Epistle of Peter I Peter 2

The First Epistle of Peter “I Peter 2: 2 -5 Listening and Growing in God's Word” Remember, theme of I Pet 1: 1 -2: 10 is salvation. • I Peter 2: 2, 3 - As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. – Is it important whether verses 2, 3 follow a comma, or is one sentence? • 6 out of 12 translations have a comma, 6 one sentence. – One free-standing sentence is favored by ‘Wherefore’ that begins verse 1. » Implies the rational behind Chapter 1. – What is meant by ‘newborn babes’? • Greek word brephos used only in a metaphorical sense. • Are these newly born believers with little knowledge and insight or babes in their dependency on the truth? – 1 Cor 3: 2 vs. Matt 11: 25 – desire the sincere milk of the word 1 March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel

The First Epistle of Peter “I Peter 2: 2 -5 Listening and Growing in God's Word” • desire – strong verb long for; active, imperative (II Cor 5: 2; Phil 1: 8) • Is milk in contrast to meat (Heb 5: 12 -14) or simply the truth of the word (logos) of God in contrast to guile, hypocrisies, etc. in verse 1? – The source of this desire is critically important; the 2 nd Adam not the 1 st. – And notice the modifier, sincere – why? » Only NT use – unmixed, unadulterated, without dishonest intent or guile. – The best way to think about this relationship is a baby’s appetite for milk. » Always present, never ending. » Is our desire for the word of God identical or even similar? – that you may grow thereby • grow – here spiritually, in fullness; aorist, passive, subjunctive (John 3: 30; II Cor 10: 15; II Thess 1: 3). – One major purpose of our salvation. – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. • if indeed – ei, and when connected to the indicative mood (tasted) assumes since. • tasted – here to have experienced’; thus, to grow is by faith a natural sequel (Ps 34: 8, 9). 2 March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel

The First Epistle of Peter “I Peter 2: 2 -5 Listening and Growing in God's Word” • Fulfillment of prophecy – Isa 8: 14; Mark 12: 10, 11 – but chosen by God and precious • chosen here is a noun not a verb – chosen-out-one. • precious – held in honor, precious (I Pet 2: 6). • Let’s look at Col 1: 15 -23 • I Peter 2: 4 - Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, – Coming to Him as to a living stone (IL - To whom coming as unto a living stone) • Coming (draw near) by faith, the intimate relationship we have. – Wuest – ‘The words "to whom coming" in the Greek text do not refer to the initial act of the sinner coming to the Lord Jesus for salvation, but indicate a close and habitual approach and an intimate association made by faith when the believer realizes the presence of and seeks communion and fellowship with his Lord. ’ March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel 3

The First Epistle of Peter “I Peter 2: 2 -5 Listening and Growing in God's Word” • A living stone is the only living stone, Lord Jesus Christ (Isa 28: 16; Acts 4: 11; I Cor 10: 4; Eph 2: 20 -22)! – And although the Jew relates a living stone to the temple, the true temple is made of living material, men/women saved by God’s unmeasurable grace (I Cor 6: 19). – rejected (disallowed) indeed by men (anthropos – all men) • I Peter 2: 5 - you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – We are living stones being built up a spiritual house • So therefore glorify God in your body and in the Spirit (I Cor 6: 19, 20) • being built up – present, passive, indicative – So how does this happen? » By the Holy Spirit – Eph 2: 22 – a holy priesthood 4 March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel

The First Epistle of Peter “I Peter 2: 2 -5 Listening and Growing in God's Word” • The office of a priest who has access to God and offers not external but spiritual sacrifices. – Rev 1: 6 - and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. – to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. • Heb 13: 15 - Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. – What does this look like, i. e. what is acceptable to God? » The verse answer this - through, by or in Jesus Christ! » Is Rom 12: 1 being lived out by faith in your life? Col 3: 17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 5 March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel