1 Peter 2:1-5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore, laying aside - This is in close connection with the preceding chapter, from which it should not have been separated, and the subject is continued to the end of the 10th verse. Laying aside all malice - See the notes on Ephesians 4:22-31 ; (note). These tempers and dispositions must have been common among the Jews, as they are frequently spoken against: Christianity can never admit of such; they show the mind, not of Christ, but of the old murderer. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:2

As new-born babes - In the preceding chapter, 1 Peter 1:23 , the apostle states that they had been born again; and as the new-born infant desires that aliment which nature has provided for it, so they, being born again - born from above, should as earnestly require that heavenly nourishment which is suited to their new nature; and this the apostle calls the sincere milk of the word, το λογικον αδολον γαλα , or, as some translate, the rational unadulterated milk; i.e. the pure doctrines... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:3

If so be ye have tasted - Ειπερ εγευσασθε· Seeing ye have tasted. There could be no doubt that they had tasted the goodness of Christ who were born again, of incorruptible seed, and whose hearts were purified by the truth, and who had like precious faith with the apostles themselves. That the Lord is gracious - Ὁτι χρηστος ὁ Κυριος· From the similarity of the letters, many MSS. and several of the fathers have read, Χριστος ὁ κυριος , the Lord is Christ, or Christ is the Lord. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:4

To whom coming, as unto a living stone - This is a reference to Isaiah 28:16 ; : Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. Jesus Christ is, in both the prophet and apostle, represented as the foundation on which the Christian Church is built, and on which it must continue to rest: and the stone or foundation is called here living, to intimate that he is the source of life to all his followers, and that it is in union with him... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:5

Ye also, as lively stones - Λιθοι ζωντες· Living stones; each being instinct with the principle of life, which proceeds from him who is the foundation, called above λιθον ζωντα , a living stone. The metaphor in this and the following verse is as bold as it is singular; and commentators and critics have found it difficult to hit on any principle of explanation. In all metaphors there is something in the natural image that is illustrative of some chief moral property in the thing to be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:1

Verse 1 After having taught the faithful that they had been regenerated by the word of God, he now exhorts them to lead a life corresponding with their birth. For if we live in the Spirit, we ought also to walk in the Spirit, as Paul says. (Galatians 5:25.) It is not, then, sufficient for us to have been once called by the Lord, except we live as new creatures. This is the meaning. But as to the words, the Apostle continues the same metaphor. For as we have been born again, he requires from us... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:2

Verse 2 2.The sincere milk of the word This passage is commonly explained according to the rendering of Erasmus, “Milk not for the body but for the soul;” as though the Apostle reminded us by this expression that he spoke metaphorically. I rather think that this passage agrees with that saying of Paul, “Be ye not children in understanding, but in malice.” (1 Corinthians 14:20.) That no one might think that infancy, void of understanding and full of fatuity, was commended by him, he in due... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:3

Verse 3 3If so be that ye have tasted; or, If indeed ye have tasted. He alludes to Psalms 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” But he says that this taste is to be had in Christ, as, doubtless, our souls can find no rest anywhere but in him. But he has drawn the ground of his exhortation from the goodness of God, because his kindness, which we perceive in Christ, ought to allure us; for what follows, read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:4

Verse 4 To whom coming, is not to be referred simply to God, but to him as he is revealed to us in the person of Christ. Now, it cannot be but that the grace of God must powerfully draw us to himself and inflame us with the love of him by whom we obtain a real perception of it. If Plato affirmed this of his Beautiful, of which a shadowy idea only he beheld afar off, much more true is this with regard to God. Let it then be noticed, that Peter connects an access to God with the taste of his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 2:5

Verse 5 5.Ye also, as lively or living stones, are built up The verb may be in the imperative as well as in the indicative mood, for the termination in Greek is ambiguous. But in whatever way it is taken, Peter no doubt meant to exhort the faithful to consecrate themselves as a spiritual temple to God; for he aptly infers from the design of our calling what our duty is. We must further observe, that he constructs one house from the whole number of the faithful. For though every one of us is... read more

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