This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for November 8
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

The first-century recipients of the apostle Peter’s two epistles lived in a world that was much like ours. Sin was common. Real faith was hard to find. The pressure to conform to what was politically correct was ever present. New Christians did not have an easy time.

Peter began this letter by praising God for the “living hope” that Jesus brought into the world. He acknowledged that his followers were having to “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6), but reminded them that these will only last for “a little while.” After all, they had been “born again” (v. 23) by the power of God’s Word. He continues this theme in today’s text, referring to Christians as newborn babies (2:2).

A Spiritual Diet/1 Peter 2:1-3

The chapter begins, “Therefore . . . .” In light of what he has just said, Peter calls his readers to holiness and love (vv. 15, 22). What the New International Version renders “rid yourselves” (v. 1) is translated “putting aside” by the New American Standard Version. In the original language, the word is used for putting off clothes (see Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22, 25). Peter enumerates some of the things to be removed—all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. All too often these characteristics are found in the Christian’s life.

Having recently been born again by the Word of God, these baby Christians should long for pure teaching of the Word, just as a newborn baby desires his mother’s milk (see 1:23, 25). They need the pure Word, not mixed with anything else. One Bible teacher observed, “For the new-born Christian the appropriate ‘guileless’ food is divinely intended to nourish the guileless life.” By removing bad attitudes and activities, the believer is then able to grow up in his salvation, a mature Christian.

A Solid Structure/1 Peter 2:4-8

After Peter’s “Good Confession” (that Jesus is the Son of God), our Lord compared that fact to the construction of a building. “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Perhaps Jesus’ words came to Peter’s mind when he wrote, As you come to him, the living Stone . . . you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house (vv. 4, 5). Jesus—the precious, strong, and life-giving Stone—is the cornerstone for his church (see also 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:22; Hebrews 3:6).

Christ was not accepted by the Jewish leaders (“rejected by men but chosen by God”; see Acts 2:22-36). He had, however, been chosen by God the Father for this role, and is precious to him. Believers in Jesus are like individual bricks being assembled into a great edifice, Christ’s church. We are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood (v. 5). In their capacity as priests, all Christians then offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (v. 5). Such sacrifices were described by the apostle Paul as well (Romans 12:1,2). Alan Stibbs wrote, “What was unthinkable in Judaism is fundamental to Christianity; proselytes become priests. The priesthood and its ministry are a status and a privilege enjoyed by the whole laity, by every member of the people of God.”

Peter then cites three Old Testament references—Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14. He establishes the fact that the Messiah whom the Jews had rejected has become the principal rock on which the entire building rests.

A Unique Position/1 Peter 2:9, 10

The apostle then lists several appropriate descriptions for Christians—a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.

Each is filled with meaning. Peter began this letter by calling his readers God’s elect (I Peter 1:1). Just as Israel had been chosen of God in Old Testament days (Isaiah 43:20), now the church enjoys that special relationship (1:2). Some chose to disobey, but those believers who did obey are marked as “chosen” by God.

They are a royal priesthood (v. 9). Doddridge says, “They at once bore the dignity of kings, and the sanctity of priests” (see also Revelation 1:6). Their role as a holy nation (v. 9; Exodus 19:6) was central in last week’s lesson (see 1:13-25). This established the church as a people belonging to God (v. 9). They were to live as set apart for the Lord (see Ephesians 1:14; Titus 2:14) so that they might declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (v. 9). This change from darkness to light is a familiar illustration of conversion in Scripture (see Acts 26:18).

The final contrast in our text shows Christians as having been once not a people, but now you are the people of God (v.10). Hosea’s prophecy (Hosea 1-2) is also fulfilled in the Christian (Romans 9:25-26). |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.