This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Jesus was elect or “chosen of God” to die for us, see 1 Peter 1:20, Isaiah 42:1 / Matthew 12:18 and Revelation 13:8.
Jesus was rejected or “disallowed indeed of men”, specifically the Jewish people who He came to save see Matt. 26:3-4, John 11:47-53, John 5:43, John 7:48-49.
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
The “lively stones”here are believers built upon the foundation Jesus as Paul also speaks of:
Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
The “corner stone” is Jesus:
Act 4:10-11 ““Be it known unto you all… that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”
Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
He is “elect” or chosen by God before the foundation of the world to save man from their sin: 1 Peter 1:19-20 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” See also Isaiah 42:1 and Matthew 12:18.
7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
All throughout the gospels Jesus is trying to call the Jews, to wake them up out of their self-righteous stupor but most don’t listen and eventually kill Him. But to the ones that did and do believe, us, “he is precious”.
The “builders” were the Jews, the Pharisees, chief priests, etc that rejected Jesus who is “the stone”:
Matthew 21:42-45 “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.” (see also Matt. 26:3-4, John 11:47-53, John 5:43, John 7:48-49).
Quoted from Psalm 118:2: “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
The Greek phrase here is “εἰς ὃ καὶ ἐτέθησαν” (“to which also they were appointed”). It most naturally refers to being appointed to the outcome of stumbling, not appointed to disbelieve. We know from Scripture that God does not ordain unbelief but desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). If Peter meant “appointed to disobedience,” he would have structured the sentence differently (e.g., τεθειμένοι εἰς ἀπειθείαν). Instead, the appointment is to the consequence, the inevitable result of rejecting “the word”, which God then used for a greater purpose. This fits the Jewish nation as a whole, though the principle extends more broadly to anyone (Jew or Gentile) who rejects Christ.
Peter is not saying God decreed certain people must disbelieve.
He’s saying that those who reject the Word are appointed (or destined) to stumble as a result, because this is the inevitable outcome of rejecting the cornerstone (Christ).
The majority of the Jewish nation rejected Jesus as their Messiah and killed Him. Their rejection was foreknown and incorporated into God’s redemptive plan where “they were appointed” to fulfill His purposes. We see this in John 12:39-40 (Romans 11:7-8) “Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” and in Mark 4:10-15 “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”
In Acts 4:27-28 we see the same thing where the Jew, Gentiles, Herod and Pilate were all “predestined” to kill Jesus verse 28 says “For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.”
Paul says if man knew they were killing the Messiah they wouldn’t have done it in 1 Corinthians 2:8 “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
This may sound unfair initially. Did these people, or will these people, have a chance to believe? Yes, they did and they will again. However, God temporarily used the Jewish (and Gentile) people to bring salvation to all mankind. Jesus spoke in parables to reveal truth to those receptive to God and to confirm the hardening of those who had already closed their hearts, ensuring God’s redemptive plan through the cross would unfold.
In Matthew 13:14-15 the blame is placed on the Jews, it is their initial own choice but like Pharaoh, God confirmed their hard hearts so Jesus could die for us. God uses even the evil (Proverbs 16:4) for His purposes: “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”
In Acts 2:23, 36, Peter blames these Jews for being the ones to kill Jesus “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”. Yet in verse 21 and 38 he tells them how they can be saved. Although blinded for a time, they now had a chance to be believe and be converted.
After His resurrection, Jesus then opens their eyes to understand in Luke 24:45 “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
In conclusion, we see God in His wisdom temporarily allowed Israel’s blindness to bring salvation to the Gentiles (Romans 11:25–32). But this blindness is neither permanent nor arbitrary, it’s partial and purposeful. Each person still bears responsibility to believe, as Scripture consistently teaches:
Paul tells us in Romans 11:23 belief is their issue, they chose not to believe: “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.”
And in John 5:46-47 Jesus says they didn’t even believe Moses “For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”
The Jewish nation’s rejection of Christ was foreknown and incorporated into God’s redemptive plan. Though they stumbled at the Word through unbelief, this was not arbitrary, God used their disobedience to bring salvation to all nations. Yet each individual remains responsible to believe, and God still offers restoration to all who turn to Him in faith.
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Peter is speaking here of the Gentiles collectively as a group, a “chosen generation”, not of individual people being chosen. A “generation” or “holy nation” refers to a people as a whole, not a single person. Keeping this in context with the preceding verses, we see that Jesus was rejected by the Jews, and now the mystery of the gospel has been revealed: it is available also to the Gentiles, whom the Jews once considered outside of God’s promises and family.
Paul explains this in detail in Romans 11. We also find similar language in 2 Thessalonians 2:13. The Gentiles were never called God’s chosen people for salvation as the Jews once were, but now both Peter and Paul declare that they are included. They are no longer second-class to the Jew, this was God’s plan from the very beginning.
10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
In Romans 11 Paul speaks of this same mercy upon the Gentiles as Peter is referring to here: “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:”.
Again to the Ephesians Paul explains this truth that the Gentiles who once weren’t, are not a people of God:
Ephesians 2:11-12 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Believers (the Church, spiritual Israel) living “among the Gentiles” (unbelieving pagans).
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
2
1 Peter 2 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Jesus was elect or “chosen of God” to die for us, see 1 Peter 1:20, Isaiah 42:1 / Matthew 12:18 and Revelation 13:8.
Jesus was rejected or “disallowed indeed of men”, specifically the Jewish people who He came to save see Matt. 26:3-4, John 11:47-53, John 5:43, John 7:48-49.
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
The “lively stones” here are believers built upon the foundation Jesus as Paul also speaks of:
Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
The “corner stone” is Jesus:
Act 4:10-11 ““Be it known unto you all… that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”
Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
He is “elect” or chosen by God before the foundation of the world to save man from their sin: 1 Peter 1:19-20 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” See also Isaiah 42:1 and Matthew 12:18.
7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
All throughout the gospels Jesus is trying to call the Jews, to wake them up out of their self-righteous stupor but most don’t listen and eventually kill Him. But to the ones that did and do believe, us, “he is precious”.
The “builders” were the Jews, the Pharisees, chief priests, etc that rejected Jesus who is “the stone”:
Matthew 21:42-45 “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.” (see also Matt. 26:3-4, John 11:47-53, John 5:43, John 7:48-49).
Quoted from Psalm 118:2: “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
The Greek phrase here is “εἰς ὃ καὶ ἐτέθησαν” (“to which also they were appointed”). It most naturally refers to being appointed to the outcome of stumbling, not appointed to disbelieve. We know from Scripture that God does not ordain unbelief but desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). If Peter meant “appointed to disobedience,” he would have structured the sentence differently (e.g., τεθειμένοι εἰς ἀπειθείαν). Instead, the appointment is to the consequence, the inevitable result of rejecting “the word”, which God then used for a greater purpose. This fits the Jewish nation as a whole, though the principle extends more broadly to anyone (Jew or Gentile) who rejects Christ.
Peter is not saying God decreed certain people must disbelieve.
He’s saying that those who reject the Word are appointed (or destined) to stumble as a result, because this is the inevitable outcome of rejecting the cornerstone (Christ).
The majority of the Jewish nation rejected Jesus as their Messiah and killed Him. Their rejection was foreknown and incorporated into God’s redemptive plan where “they were appointed” to fulfill His purposes. We see this in John 12:39-40 (Romans 11:7-8) “Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” and in Mark 4:10-15 “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”
In Acts 4:27-28 we see the same thing where the Jew, Gentiles, Herod and Pilate were all “predestined” to kill Jesus verse 28 says “For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.”
Paul says if man knew they were killing the Messiah they wouldn’t have done it in 1 Corinthians 2:8 “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
This may sound unfair initially. Did these people, or will these people, have a chance to believe? Yes, they did and they will again. However, God temporarily used the Jewish (and Gentile) people to bring salvation to all mankind. Jesus spoke in parables to reveal truth to those receptive to God and to confirm the hardening of those who had already closed their hearts, ensuring God’s redemptive plan through the cross would unfold.
In Matthew 13:14-15 the blame is placed on the Jews, it is their initial own choice but like Pharaoh, God confirmed their hard hearts so Jesus could die for us. God uses even the evil (Proverbs 16:4) for His purposes: “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”
In Acts 2:23, 36, Peter blames these Jews for being the ones to kill Jesus “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”. Yet in verse 21 and 38 he tells them how they can be saved. Although blinded for a time, they now had a chance to be believe and be converted.
After His resurrection, Jesus then opens their eyes to understand in Luke 24:45 “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
In conclusion, we see God in His wisdom temporarily allowed Israel’s blindness to bring salvation to the Gentiles (Romans 11:25–32). But this blindness is neither permanent nor arbitrary, it’s partial and purposeful. Each person still bears responsibility to believe, as Scripture consistently teaches:
Paul tells us in Romans 11:23 belief is their issue, they chose not to believe: “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.”
And in John 5:46-47 Jesus says they didn’t even believe Moses “For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”
The Jewish nation’s rejection of Christ was foreknown and incorporated into God’s redemptive plan. Though they stumbled at the Word through unbelief, this was not arbitrary, God used their disobedience to bring salvation to all nations. Yet each individual remains responsible to believe, and God still offers restoration to all who turn to Him in faith.
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Peter is speaking here of the Gentiles collectively as a group, a “chosen generation”, not of individual people being chosen. A “generation” or “holy nation” refers to a people as a whole, not a single person. Keeping this in context with the preceding verses, we see that Jesus was rejected by the Jews, and now the mystery of the gospel has been revealed: it is available also to the Gentiles, whom the Jews once considered outside of God’s promises and family.
Paul explains this in detail in Romans 11. We also find similar language in 2 Thessalonians 2:13. The Gentiles were never called God’s chosen people for salvation as the Jews once were, but now both Peter and Paul declare that they are included. They are no longer second-class to the Jew, this was God’s plan from the very beginning.
10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
In Romans 11 Paul speaks of this same mercy upon the Gentiles as Peter is referring to here: “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:”.
Again to the Ephesians Paul explains this truth that the Gentiles who once weren’t, are not a people of God:
Ephesians 2:11-12 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Believers (the Church, spiritual Israel) living “among the Gentiles” (unbelieving pagans).
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.