Explore the Bible
Commentary
Living in a New Household
Lesson Passage:
1 Peter 2:1-10
Background Passage:
1 Peter 2:1-10
Lesson Passages Outline:
1. Having a New Diet (1 Pet. 2:1-3)
2. Having a New House (1 Pet. 2:4-8)
3. Having a New Family (1 Pet. 2:9-10)
Biblical Truth:
As God’s people, we are to forsake sinful behavior and grow as believers.
Life Goal:
To help adults describe sinful behavior and examine their lives for such behavior
Why Study This Lesson?
During my employment at LifeWay Christian Resources, I edited the January Bible
Study materials. One year the study focused on 1 Peter, and the textbook’s writer told of
a reminder his mother gave him and his siblings. She would say: “Remember who you
are.” I often borrowed these words to impress on my young children the expectation that
their behavior bring honor to their family. Of course, my admonition also applied to me. I
needed to set the pace in behaving in a manner that reflected positively on our family.
Christians also need to be reminded sometimes of who they are and what is expected of
them. They know they are God’s people, but they do not always act as though they are.
They take their relationship with God for granted and give little thought to their behavior.
Thus they do not grow as believers or in their relationship with God. Also, they do not try
very hard to behave as God wants, which means their behavior does not meet His
expectations. When these Christians are reminded they are God’s people and what is
expected of them, they must make a choice. Will they change or not? If they change, they
will repent, forsake their sinful behavior, and determine to grow as believers.
How Does the Lesson Fit in God’s Story?
General Background
• At Mount Sinai, Moses received a message from God to give to the Israelites. The
message was that God offered to be in covenant with them. In the covenant, the
people would become His “own possession,” a “kingdom of priests,” and a “holy
nation” (see Ex. 19:3-6). Peter applied this description to Christians as God’s
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people of the new covenant.
Background of 1 Peter
• In 1:3-12, Peter emphasized the living hope believers received through Jesus’
resurrection.
• In 1:13-25, Peter presented the demand that accompanied God’s gift of grace:
believers are to demonstrate holiness.
Background Passage (1 Peter 2:1-10)
• Having a New Diet (1 Pet. 2:1-3)—Peter used the metaphor of spiritual milk to
indicate what believers needed so they could grow. Noting God’s goodness to them,
he described their old way of living and urged them to forsake that lifestyle.
• Having a New House (1 Pet. 2:4-8)—Peter contrasted the response of believers and
unbelievers to Jesus. He referred to Christians as living stones, as being built into a
new kind of spiritual house, and as members of a priesthood.
• Having a New Family (1 Pet. 2:9-10)—Peter used Old Testament terminology about
Israel to describe Christians as God’s new people. The apostle pointed out the
reason for their existence as God’s people: to declare what God had done for them.
Having a New Diet
1 Peter 2:1-3
Verse 1. The word so (therefore) connects what follows with Peter’s emphasis in 1:22-25
on believers’ new birth and purification through the gospel. Because God had caused
them to be begotten anew and in light of their cleansing from sin, they were to forsake
their former sinful behavior. The Greek term rendered rid means “put off” or “lay aside,”
as a person might strip off old or soiled garments. This was to be believers’ repeated
behavior, not just a one-time action.
The term all stressed that believers were to remove all kinds of evil. Peter included wrong
attitudes as well as harmful words. The New Testament consistently stresses that attitudes
are as important as actions. Both can be sinful and in need of being corrected. The evils
Peter listed violated the love believers were to have for one another (see 1:22-25), thus
fracturing the churches’ fellowship.
Peter listed sins Christians were to remove. Malice translates a Greek term that can refer
to evil in general. It also can mean “ill-will” and has the sense of seeking an occasion to
harm another person. This malignant attitude spawned the other items Peter listed.
The term deceit has the sense of craftiness or guile. It is from a verb that means “to catch
with bait.” It expresses trickery arising from selfish motives. Hypocrisy (literally,
“hypocrisies”) means “play-acting.” In stage productions, actors used different masks to
play multiple roles. Thus to be a hypocrite was to disguise one’s real motives, to mask
one’s real self. Envy (literally, “envies”) has the idea of jealousy, of begrudging others’
possessions or accomplishments and wishing for their misfortune while selfishly seeking
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self-advancement. Slander (literally, “slanders”) refers to speaking evil or disparagingly
of someone. It could refer to malicious gossip that damaged another person’s reputation.
Verse 2. Peter used the analogy of newborn infants to exhort believers to receive
available nurture that enables them to grow spiritually. Even as babies ingest milk that
helps them grow physically, Christians are to have an intense longing (craving) for the
pure spiritual milk. The Greek word translated pure can mean “without guile or
deception.” The term rendered spiritual can mean “reasonable” or “rational” and
indicates spiritual nourishment is received through the mind. The word milk likely refers
to the gospel, God’s Word, and specifically to Christ, the gospel’s content. Peter had
urged believers to get rid of guile (“deceit,” 2:1). They could do so by continuing to
receive the gospel’s truths for living.
God’s Word would enable believers to grow by it for [their] salvation. The phrase for
your salvation is not in some ancient manuscripts. The Greek construction presents the
idea of making progress toward the future completion of Christians’ salvation, what is
sometimes referred to as glorification. Peter emphasized that a steady diet of God’s word
was necessary for spiritual growth, and believers were to follow that diet consistently.
Verse 3. Peter quoted Psalm 34:8 to stress that believers were to continue to live by
God’s nurturing word. They had tasted that the Lord is good. The Greek term rendered
tasted can mean “to take food,” and thus it continues Peter’s imagery of believers’ new
diet. It also can have the broader meaning “to experience.” The psalmist referred to God
as the Lord; Peter applied the title to Christ. Through believers’ experience of salvation,
they knew firsthand Christ’s goodness. The Greek term rendered good is difficult to
translate. One meaning of the Hebrew word the psalmist used is “kind.” Applied to
people, the Greek word means “gracious,” “kind,” “benevolent,” and “loving.” To me,
“active kindness” captures the term’s force. As they had experienced and continued to
experience Christ’s active kindness, believers should want to grow spiritually.
We are to crave the spiritual food that will help us grow as God’s people. We have God’s
written Word—the Scriptures—and the presence of Christ, the living Word.
Having a New House
1 Peter 2:4-8
Verse 4. Peter used construction imagery to contrast the responses of believers and
unbelievers to Jesus. Believers consistently approached Jesus and maintained a close
relationship with Him, reflected in the word coming. Peter referred to Jesus as a living
stone—the resurrected Lord, who lives and gives life. The Greek word for stone indicates
a stone shaped for use in construction. Jesus’ own people largely rejected (disallowed,
disapproved) Him as the Messiah. They deemed Him unsuitable—not the kind of
Messiah they expected. In God’s plan, however, Jesus was His chosen One—His select,
appointed Messiah—who was dear to God and whom He held in honor.
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Verse 5. Because of their faith-relationship with Christ, believers were being built into a
spiritual house. The phrase you yourselves is emphatic. Christians were living stones.
Christ had given them new life, and He was shaping them and placing them as building
blocks in the church He was constructing. Another possible understanding is that as
living stones in a spiritual house, believers themselves were being built up. The phrase
spiritual house may convey the idea of a new temple God indwells. God resides with His
people, an emphasis Peter made to encourage persecuted believers. The word house also
can mean “household,” indicating God’s spiritual family or community.
In God’s new spiritual temple or community, believers are to be a holy priesthood, set
aside for service to God as His representatives. They are to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God. Their sacrifices consist of doing what pleases Him. Rather than
sacrifice animals, they offer themselves to God in daily obedience (see Rom. 12:1). Also
included are praise to God, good deeds, and ministry to needy people (see Heb. 13:1516).
The word spiritual indicates the sacrifices issued from the activity of God’s Spirit in
believers. The sacrifices largely were nonmaterial and were appropriate for members of
God’s new household. Peter stated the spiritual sacrifices would be acceptable through
Jesus Christ—either because Christ presented the offerings as mediator or because
believers were related to Him and presented their offerings in light of His great
redemptive sacrifice.
Verse 6. Peter quoted Isaiah 28:16 from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old
Testament) to support his assertion that Jesus is “a living stone” (1 Pet. 2:4). The phrase
it is contained in Scripture is a general introduction of an Old Testament passage in the
sense of “it stands written” or “it is written” (see 1:16). The context in Isaiah is focused
on God’s judgment on Samaria. People who trusted in God would escape this judgment.
Early Christians used Isaiah 28:16 and the following two quotations in 1 Peter 2:7-8 to
explain Israel’s general rejection of Christ and believers’ being God’s new people.
The word look (behold) calls attention to what follows as significant. God declared that
He placed a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone. As in 1 Peter 2:4, Peter
identified Jesus as the stone appointed by God. In 2:6, the apostle further identified Jesus
as the honored cornerstone, probably referring to the large stone at a building’s corner
that joined two main walls together. Peter stressed that Christ is the chief stone from
whom the whole structure (the church) takes its shape. The word honored can have the
idea of being precious or valued. Another possible understanding is that it conveys the
sense of God’s approval. Both Peter and Paul used the term cornerstone to indicate the
basic foundation stone.
In Isaiah, the word Zion referred to Jerusalem. Peter used it, however, to indicate the new
Zion of Christian expectation. Ancient elements of Jewish tradition considered the
cornerstone to be a special stone in the temple and as a title for the Messiah.
Peter stressed that Christ’s people never would be put to shame. The phrase believes in
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Him conveys the sense of trust in Christ for salvation. Yet it also expresses continuing
devotion. The phrase never will be put to shame can mean “never will be dishonored,
disgraced, or disappointed.” It has the idea of not being deceived by false hope. Peter
emphasized that believers who faced opposition never would retreat in panic or disarray
but would be victorious.
Verse 7. Because of their faith in and loyalty to Christ, Christians would receive honor.
Most likely, this honor involved multiple facets: being God’s new people, sharing
Christ’s exaltation, experiencing the completion of their salvation, and being victorious
over persecutors. Another possible translation is: “Therefore to you the ones believing
[He is] precious.” That rendering emphasizes believers’ estimation of Christ and contrasts
what He becomes to unbelievers. I prefer the interpretation that Peter meant the benefits
(honor) believers receive.
Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 to indicate that the builders (that is, the Jews’ religious
leaders) rejected Jesus as God’s promised Messiah. God, however, had made Him the
cornerstone—literally, “the head of the corner.” God had vindicated and exalted Jesus.
Jesus once had used Psalm 118:22 in addressing His opponents (see Mark 12:10), and
Peter had included it in his speech before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:11. Both Jesus and
Peter quoted the verse as a warning against rejecting Jesus and perhaps as an appeal for
repentance and belief.
Verse 8. In contrast to Christians, people who reject Christ stumble over God’s appointed
cornerstone. They trip over Him and fall. They discard God’s chosen cornerstone to their
own peril.
Peter quoted Isaiah 8:14, where God warned His people to revere Him alone instead of
depending on an alliance with Assyria for safety. If they did not depend on Him for
refuge, they faced disaster. Peter applied these words to the Jews’ negative response to
Jesus and their choice’s disastrous consequences. They stumbled because they disobeyed
the message—the good news of salvation in Christ. The phrase they were destined for
this connects with stumbling, not with their disobeying. They were free to accept or
reject the gospel. However, the result of their rejection was set: they would trip and fall
(meet disaster).
The consequence of unbelief is always judgment even as the result of devotion to Christ
is life. As part of a new spiritual house and a new priesthood, we are to do only what is
acceptable to God. Our new life in Christ issues in a new lifestyle patterned after Him.
Having a New Family
1 Peter 2:9-10
Verse 9. The word you comes first in the Greek text as an emphatic contrast between
Christians and disobedient Israel. Peter used various Old Testament references to stress
that Christians are God’s new covenant people. Originally, the words applied to Israel.
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Israel, however, had not fulfilled the responsibility of being God’s holy, missionary
people. Jesus embodied God’s redemptive purpose and instituted His new people—the
church—to fulfill that mission.
Peter declared believers were a chosen race (see Isa. 43:20). The term race refers to
believers’ being members of God’s family through the new birth (see 1 Pet. 1:23). As His
new people through faith in Christ, they were His elect with the privilege and
responsibility of advancing His redemptive purpose. They also were a royal priesthood
(see Ex. 19:6)—representing Him to people and people to Him. One suggestion is that the
word royal has the sense of a royal house or residence in which the king dwells,
corresponding to the phrase “a spiritual house” in 2:5. Believers were a holy nation (see
Ex. 19:6)—people set apart for service to God and marked by moral purity. The phrase a
people for His possession (see Ex. 19:5) conveys the idea of personal, private
ownership. [See Explore More: A People for His Possession, below.] At great cost to
Himself, God had acquired people of faith in Jesus as His covenant people.
In making the church His new people, God conveyed honor and privilege on believers
with an accompanying responsibility to proclaim His praises (see Isa. 43:21). The Greek
term rendered praises means “virtues” or “excellencies.” It can have the sense of
praiseworthy deeds. God expressed His glory (His redemptive character) in His gracious
acts on sinful people’s behalf. His people were to announce the good news of His
inclusive grace. Through the gospel, God had called Gentiles out of the darkness of evil
(paganism) into the marvelous (glorious) light of His kingdom.
Verse 10. Peter alluded to Hosea 1:6-9; 2:23 to stress God’s great mercy in making
salvation available to Gentiles. Hosea declared God’s intention to forgive adulterous
Israel; Peter applied the statement to Gentile believers of his day. Formerly, they were
not a people; they were outside the covenant with Israel and lived in the darkness of
paganism. Now, however, they were God’s people because of their obedience to the
gospel. They had received God’s great mercy (compassion, graciousness) offered freely
in Christ.
As God’s people, we are to declare what God has done in including us in His family. We
proclaim His praises as we participate in evangelistic efforts and as we worship Him.
Both aspects are needed.
What Now?
How can you lead your class this week to put into action what you’ve learned in God’s
Word about behaving as a member of God’s family?
• Crave the spiritual food that will help you grow as a believer.
• Commit to do only what is acceptable to God in terms of your behavior.
• Pray for and seek opportunities to tell others what God has done in making you a
part of His family.
Explore More: A People for His Possession (1 Pet. 2:9)
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The Greek term rendered possession comes from a word that means “to make around”—
to create something and to encircle it to indicate ownership. The noun conveys the sense
of a special, cherished treasure. Ancient kings considered themselves owners of
everything in their realms. This ownership, however, was general and impersonal. Thus
kings often would accumulate valuable items in a personal treasure. Periodically, they
would view the items they owned personally. In Christ, believers have become God’s
unique, treasured people—His cherished possession.
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