Author’s Intent and Main Point of the Passage
New Believers’ Need for Righteous Living
In the first lines of the passage 1 Peter 2:1-12, Peter refers to believers as newborn babies who crave spiritual food. This may indicate that the author underlines the new need for people to lead a righteous life. They should “rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind” (New International Version, 1 Peter 2:2). Therefore, Peter urges new believers to change their behavior and follow the example of Jesus to get God’s mercy.
The author notes that people “have tasted that the Lord is good” (New International Version, 1 Peter 2:3). This line reveals that Peter refers to new believers who have just started their path to God. They acknowledged that Jesus’ teaching could bring them spiritual growth and personal development, so they now have new needs apart from earthly desires.
Jesus as the Cornerstone of Christianity and the Path to Salvation
Further, Peter compares Jesus with a stone whose value has been appreciated by humans. This line refers to Jesus’ resurrection and his return from the Dead. As God’s chosen, people who believe in him and behave accordingly may achieve salvation and enter eternity. Peter urges people to unite under God to build his priesthood, the Christian Church. Following Jesus’ teaching, they can exercise spirituality to receive God’s blessing and attain his glory. Peter underlines that Jesus was the first cornerstone of Christianity, which would be valued. People, believers, who trust in him and his doctrine will also become God’s chosen and will be able to achieve spiritual growth.
The Distinction Between Believers and Non-Believers in God’s Plan
Peter notes that believers became a particular nation, destined to see God’s light. Non-believers, on the contrary, reject this glory, which makes them stumble along the path of life without realizing the value of Jesus’ teachings. They do not acknowledge the value of his teaching and cannot attain the excellence it offers. However, those who accept the message become the holy people, the chosen nation meant to achieve God’s glory and receive his mercy.
The Call for Righteous Behavior and Spiritual Maturity Among Believers
Peter concludes that any person should not commit any evil deeds. He underlines that living among pagans requires specific strengths and spiritual maturity. Non-believers can not always understand believers, but Christians should follow the teaching of Jesus nevertheless. They should exercise righteous behavior in order to grow morally and personally. People once did not understand Jesus and rejected him, so now non-believers may reject Christianity. However, it should not make believers hesitate; they must continue following the teaching.
Contextual Understanding and Related Passages
Isaiah 8:14
The reader can find other references to Jesus as a stone in the Bible, expressing the same idea in 1 Peter 2:1-12. It is noted that “He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall” (New International Version, Isaiah 8:14). The passage underlines that Jesus’ teaching will lead believers in their spiritual journey. At the same time, non-believers cannot attain God’s glory. Peter and Isaiah also highlight the distinction between believers and non-believers, who do not trust in God and the chosen one.
2 Samuel 22:47
There are other comparisons made in the Bible which express more literal meaning. Samuel also accounts for Jesus as a rock by saying, “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock” (New International Version, 2 Samuel 22:47). This passage refers to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. He further calls him my God, the rock, and the savior. This line may highlight Jesus’s unique role as a cornerstone of the Christian Church that offers salvation to believers. Samuel also notes that his God is his rock, which will save him from violent people (New International Version, 2 Samuel 22:3). Therefore, rock and God are a standard comparison made in the Bible. The rock is considered a stronghold that will shield believers from the world’s malice and evil.
Interpretation of the Message by Early and Modern Christians
Peter conveyed his message to the first Christians, urging them to believe in God and trust him. Modern people may perceive the passage’s meaning differently than earlier Christians understood it. Peter urged us to trust the teaching of Jesus in the first place, accept him as God’s chosen, and build the first Christian Church. Nowadays, people are already convinced of the value of Christianity and the spiritual growth it offers. Peter’s passage should now be understood as a call for Christians not to doubt and hesitate.
Although many people and circumstances may tempt Christians to abandon their faith, they should not. God will lead them in their spiritual journey and offer salvation if they follow his teachings. Therefore, Christians should trust God’s paths and be faithful to their spirituality to attain his glory. Non-believers should not influence their trust and commitment as they do not acknowledge the value of Christianity. Peter urges modern people to be loyal to God, notwithstanding any doubts.
Reference
New International Version. (n.d). Bible Gateway. Web.