1 Peter 2:2, 3

1. What is the message of verse 2?

 

1. What does verse 3 add to the message of verse 2?

1 Peter 2:4

1. In 2:4a, in the context of 2:1-3 what constitutes “coming to Him”? Who is “Him”?

 

1. Who does the choosing in v. 4b?

1 Peter 2:5, 6

1. What makes one a living stone in 2:5a?

 

1. What is the function of “living stones” in verse 5b? (paraphrase v. 5b.)

 

1. What is the message of verse 5?

1 Peter 2:7, 8

1. What is “this precious value” in v. 7a?

 

1. What is it they do who are the “you who believe” in v. 7a?

 

1. What do they believe?

 

1. Why did some stumble over the rock, in v. 8b?

 

1. The last clause of v. 8 reads, “and to this doom they were also appointed.” In this context who are “they”? Who is appointed to stumble over Christ in v. 8c? (Note v. 8b.)

1 Peter 2:9,10

1. Who are “a chosen race. . .”?

 

1. Why were they chosen?

 

1. What is mercy in verse 10?

Assignment Answers

1 Peter 2:1

1. The first word, “therefore”, shows the qualities listed to be incompatible with the life of chapter 1, verse 25; it sets the listed qualities with the flesh of verse 24 which flourishes briefly, dies easily, and loses its beauty.

1 Peter 2:2, 3

1. Since you were just born again in v. 23 you are babies in spiritual things; therefore desire milk to grow, which milk is the word of God. In verse 3c the Greek adds, “in order that by it you may grow to salvation.”

   Note: “The change of heart by which we become children of God is in the Bible spoken of as birth. …” In like manner those who are just converted to Christ are, “as newborn babes,” to “grow up” to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:15).

   “Not all the wisdom and skill of man can produce life in the smallest object in nature. It is only through the life which God Himself has imparted, that either plant or animal can live. So it is only through the life from God that spiritual life is begotten in the hearts of men. Unless a man is ‘born from above,’ he cannot become a partaker of the life which Christ came to give. …” The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life. . . .

   “In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus” (Steps to Christ, pp. 67, 68).

   “Who would dream of the possibilities of beauty in the rough brown bulb of the lily? But when the life of God, hidden therein, unfolds at His call in the rain and the sunshine, men marvel at the vision of grace and loveliness. Even so will the life of God unfold in every human soul that will yield itself to the ministry of His grace [single] which, free as the rain and the sunshine, comes with its benediction to all. It is the word of God that creates the flowers, and the same word will produce in you the graces [plural] of His Spirit” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 97).

 

1. Verse 3 beginning with “if”, is of course a conditional sentence; the “growing to salvation” of verse 2 is here said to be dependent on seeing God as good (chrastos)—good in the broadest sense: useful, suitable, worthy, pleasant, kindly, reputable, etc.

1 Peter 2:4

1. Him is the Lord of verse 3. Coming to Him, the Lord, is done in these verses by being a drinker of milk, by studying the word of God.

 

1. God does the choosing in v. 4b; this time He is choosing the Lamb of 1:19. In 1:1 He was choosing Peter’s readers.

1 Peter 2:5, 6

1. Being milk drinkers, studiers of the word, makes one a living stone in this context; if you have seen God as good (w. 2, 3).

 

1. They together are a place for Christ to function, “a spiritual house for a holy priesthood,” and, as a holy house they are part of offering an offering to God that is acceptable as it is offered through Jesus. (Separated, the stones are not presented as having value, even if polished.)

 

1. That drinkers of milk, students of the word, are built up (grk: act.) by God, into that which is useful to Him.

1 Peter 2:7, 8

1. The promises of 2:5b, and 2:6b are the “this precious value” of 2:7a.

 

1. They drink milk, they study the word of God.

 

1. They believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ (Messiah) of the Old Testament, and that they have acceptance with God through Him (note v. 5c).

 

1. They did not long for the pure milk of the word (v. 2), consequently they did not grow to salvation, hence they were disobedient to the word (v. 8b). Disobedience to the word causes one to stumble over Christ.
   Obedience or disobedience determines our eternal destiny (3 RH 421 first line). “The salvation of every soul is dependent upon the fruit borne in good works” (3RH431, col. 3, par. 2).

 

1. “They” who are appointed to doom (NASB) in v. 8c are those who are offended at the word because they are disobedient.

1 Peter 2:9, 10

1. The milk drinkers, the students of the word, who are obedient to its teachings, and as a result are not offended at Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.

 

1. They were chosen that they might tell that God was good to them (v. 9b), in order that God might be seen as good.

   Note: The issue of the goodness of God is the central issue around which the plan of salvation centers. The salvation of man is the means by which the goodness of God is seen.

   Note: “But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe” (Patriarchs and Prophets. p. 68) .

   Without this vindication God could not offer man eternal life in happiness— an unending life in a sin-free universe. The vindication of God is essential for sin to be destroyed—or sin will not be destroyed. Note: “When the controversy and its issues have been set forth the whole universe will have become witnesses to the nature and results of sin. And its utter extermination, which in the beginning would have brought fear to the angels and dishonor to God, will now vindicate His love and establish His honor before the universe of beings who delight to do His will, and in who heart is His law” (The Great Controversy, p. 50).

   “The disobedient, rebellious children of the human family have long tried the experiment of ruling the world after the imagination of their own heart; but under the rule of the human will, the earth has languished and grown corrupt. The time will soon come when the Lord will take matters into his own hand; . . . and it will be demonstrated who is able to govern the heavens and the earth” (3RH123, col. 3, par 3).

 

1. Mercy in verse 10 is that which results in those who were not even “a people,” becoming not only “a people” but the people of God. (Note the parallel construction in this verse—lOa with lOc, and lOb with lOd.)

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