The First Epistle of Peter March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel 1 “I Peter 2:2-5 Listening and Growing in God's Word” Remember, the 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

The First Epistle of Peter March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel 2 “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).

The First Epistle of Peter March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel 3 “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.’

The First Epistle of Peter March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel 4 “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

The First Epistle of Peter March 15, 2015 Bob Eckel 5 “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.