The Corner Stone of the Word
1 Peter 2: 1-8
We have considered much within the first chapter of Peter’s first epistle. It has been quite encouraging, enlightening, and challenging. We have been reminded of who we are in Christ and some of the responsibilities associated with a proper relationship with the Lord. The first chapter ended with the promise that the Word of God was eternal, enduring forever. Chapter two picks up with a challenge for believers to continue in the Word, through which we grow in our faith.
As I considered the depth of this passage, and it reveals much, I was reminded that Christ is in fact the living Word. John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14 – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Christ the Lord came into this world, robed in flesh, the embodiment of the eternal Word. The living Word came to bear witness to the written Word. Every believer is obligated to abide in the written Word and the living Word. If we faithfully abide in the written Word, growing thereby, we will naturally abide in the living Word, enjoying fellowship with Him. One cannot have a right relationship with the Lord apart from the Word. The Word, both the written Word and the living Word, is the corner stone of our faith.
As we discuss the certainties Peter revealed in the text, I want to consider: The Corner Stone of the Word.
I. The Influence of the Written Word (1-3) – Peter began this thought with a challenge regarding the influence the Word of God should have in the life of believers. Notice:
A. The Submission (1) – Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. Believers were responsible to submit themselves to the Word, living according to its precepts, producing a radical change from the old man of sin. Such submission to the Word would result in the believer willfully laying aside certain characteristics that marked their life before salvation in Christ. They were expected to lay aside, to forsake and abandon, all malice. This speaks generally of ill will and wickedness. It also refers to deep seated feelings of anger, hatred, and bitterness toward another. They were expected to lay aside all guile. This refers to acts of deception and being misleading; one who is two-faced. They were not to be guilty of hypocrisies. This speaks of one who pretends, puts on a show, or seeks to portray something he is not. In Peter’s day, the term often referred to the wearing of a mask, as one would do in a theatrical play, seeking to hide the true identity and be perceived as another. They were to lay aside envies. This refers to one who covets the possessions of another, so much so, that if necessary, they would be willing to take from another in order to obtain their possessions. Finally, they were to lay aside all evil speaking. This was a broad term that referenced criticism, judgmental attitudes, backbiting, gossip, condemnation, or grumbling. It also includes speaking against another in a slanderous way in order to tear down and destroy.
B. The Expectation (2) – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. This requires little explanation or application. Peter was writing to young believers, those newly converted to Christ by faith. He challenged them to be as a newborn baby, sincerely desiring to eat the milk of the Word of God in order to grow and mature in their faith. Like a physical baby, daily, consistent nutrition was required for growth. (I want to add however, Peter nor any of the other apostles, desired believers to remain babes in Christ. They were to feast upon the milk of the Word with the expectation of eventually consuming the meat of the Word.)
C. The Consideration (3) – If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Peter offered a personal challenge to every believer reading or hearing these words – if you have in fact tasted the graciousness of Jesus Christ the Lord, then you should desire to feast upon the Word in order to grow thereby. He revealed there was no excuse for any believer to avoid partaking of the Word on a consistent basis. Each was responsible to ensure they consumed a steady diet of the Word which would result in desired growth and maturity.
This also implies the more one feasts upon the pure Word, the greater the realization of the graciousness of Christ. One will never fully experience the grace of our Lord apart from spending ample time in the Word. Feasting on the Word is not optional; it is required if we are to grow in our faith and relationship with the Lord. Many do not know Christ intimately because they fail to feast upon His Word.
II. The Inspiration of the Living Word (4-8) – Having focused upon the need to abide in the written Word, Peter shifts his focus to the living Word. Seeing Jesus in light of His divine nature serves to inspire the believer to know more of Him, growing in the faith and fellowship with Him. Consider:
A. The Selection (4) – To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious. Peter began to reveal the divine character of the one believers had placed their faith and trust. This is the one they had tasted of and found to be gracious. He was the living stone, the Corner upon which the entire house of faith would be built and eternally stand. The giver of life had tasted death for the redemption of our sin, rising triumphantly in resurrection life so we too could escape the penalty of death and inherit eternal life through faith in Him.
Although they were aware of this, Peter reminded them that all had not received Christ by faith. In fact, most had disallowed the Lord; they had rejected Him, denying that He was the Christ, the Son of God come to redeem humanity from sin. In contrast, believers had examined the evidence, experienced salvation by faith, and tasted of His graciousness.
Unfortunately, many had not received Christ, but this did not detract from His deity or nullify His great sacrifice. He was chosen and approved by God the Father. Having completed the Father’s will on the cross of Calvary, rising from the dead, and ascending back to the right hand of God, He possesses a name that is above every name. All will bow their knees and confess that Jesus is the Christ to the glory of God the Father. Christ fully submitted to the will of His Father, and He is precious in the sight of God. None compare to the Son, and we have the privilege of salvation through His atoning work on the cross and glorious resurrection over death!
B. Our Sanctification (5) – Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. There is much we could discuss from this single verse. Peter declares the sanctification believers enjoy in Christ. Those who were dead in sin, separated from God, have been resurrected a lively stone, laid upon the Corner Stone of our faith within the building of God. Christ is the foundation and our lives are built upon Him.
We are a holy priesthood before the Lord. Service unto the Lord is no longer reserved for those of a specific tribe. Every believer serves in the role as priest, having the ability to offer up spiritual sacrifices unto the Lord that are pleasing and acceptable to Him. Unlike those of the Old Covenant, every believer has access to the throne of grace. The veil of separation was removed in Christ. We can approach the Lord with our praise and our needs!
C. His Perfection (6-8) – Here Peter declared the perfection of Christ unto those who would read his words. The perfection of Jesus is revealed by:
1. The Prophecy (6) – Wherefore 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. Peter quoted the prophecy of Isaiah in this verse, given some 750 years prior to the birth and sacrificial death of Christ. God had promised to provide a precious Corner Stone for the salvation of men, and He kept His promise through the offering of His Son on the cross. The hope of mankind and promise of reconciliation to God was fulfilled in the coming of Christ. Our hope is settled in Christ the Lord.
2. The Provision (7a) – Unto you therefore which believe he is precious. Christ came with purpose – to provide atonement for our sin, redeeming us by His grace. Those who embrace Christ as the Corner Stone, promised of the Father, are not without hope. By faith we have embraced the precious sacrifice made on our behalf. God made provision for salvation, and by faith in the finished work of Christ, we have received this gracious provision!
3. The Preeminence (7b) – but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. Peter also revealed a profound truth – although all would not embrace Jesus as the Christ, He remains as the head of the corner. Their denial and rejection did not detract from His deity or the satisfactory provision of the cross. Men may have rejected Christ, as many continue to do, and yet He stands as the Savior and Redeemer of humanity. He abides as the head of the corner, the Rock upon which our faith is built and stands. The foundation of the Gospel is sure, never to be retracted or conquered by evil men and their deeds. Our hope is settled in the eternal God who forever satisfied the righteous demands of God as He offered Himself the sinless sacrifice to atone for sin and rose triumphant over sin, death, and hell.
4. The Perception (8) – And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. Those who reject Christ and His gracious provision, reject the sole means of salvation and life. There is no other way, regardless of the beliefs and behavior of mankind. Peter encountered those who “stumbled” at the message of the Gospel. They refused to embrace Jesus as the Christ. Rather than seeing Christ as the Corner Stone, they viewed Him as a rock of offence, denying His provision to atone for their sin.
I want to address the final statement of this verse. Those who reject Christ are disobedient unto the plan of God for their salvation. Peter declares these were appointed unto disobedience. Some would look at that and think God had appointed them to disobedience and rejection of His provision for their salvation. Nowhere in Scripture do we find support for such thinking or doctrine. These were appointed unto disobedience due to their rejection of Christ. They chose to reject His provision, and now suffer the consequence of their rejection. Their appointment to disobedience is the result of their unbelief and denial of Christ.
Conclusion: This has been an encouraging and challenging passage. I trust you are abiding in the Word, both the written and living Word. We need a hunger for the Word of God to enable us to live for the Lord in a way that pleases Him and secures a right relationship with Him. Are you building upon Christ, the Corner Stone? If so, are you daily consuming the Word to grow and mature in faith? If not, come to Christ for the need in your life.
