1 Peter 2:1-10: A Royal Priesthood
Introduction
As Peter continues to develop his teaching for us “elect exiles,” he has moved from a high level celebration of the eternal inheritance that awaits us (even in the midst of trials we suffer in this life; 1 Pet. 1:3–12) into a warning that we must gird the loins of our mind to follow Jesus with sober-minded focus (1 Pet. 1:13–25). In this next passage, Peter zooms out again to see the broader picture of what the Lord is doing in and through Jesus Christ, before he will zoom back in to examine very practical duties for Christians within society and the home (1 Pet. 2:11–3:7). Before moving on to those details, Peter wants to make sure that we do not miss the forest for the trees. Toward this end, he calls us to contemplate the goodness of Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
1. How does the word “therefore” (ESV: “so”) function in v. 1a? What kinds of sins are represented by “malice,” “deceit,” “hypocrisy,” “envy,” and “slander” (v. 1b)? Why are they dangerous? Who struggles with those sins? Within the context of the whole letter, why does Peter here compare believers to “newborn infants” (v. 2a)? Why does Peter characterize the milk of Scripture as “rational” (ESV: “spiritual”; v. 2b)? How does the Word teach us that the Lord is good (v. 3)?
2. Why does Peter call Jesus a “living stone” (v. 4a)? In how many ways was he “rejected by men” (v. 4b)? What are we to learn from the fact that, despite such rejection, Jesus was nevertheless “chosen and precious” in God’s sight (v. 4c)? In what sense are we “like living stones” (v. 5a)? What kind of “spiritual house” are we built into (v. 5b)? What are our “spiritual sacrifices” (v. 5c)? What is your specific role in God’s spiritual house?
3. How many Old Testament passages does Peter quote in vv. 6–8? What does Peter mean when he calls Jesus the “cornerstone” (v. 6)? Why does Peter celebrate the fact that Jesus was rejected by the “builders” (v. 7)? Why is Peter so insistent that many will “stumble” over Jesus as a “rock of offense” (v. 8)? By contrast, how does Peter characterize believers (v. 9–10)? How does Peter draw off of language from Exodus 19? What significance does that have?
4. How has this passage and the previous passage challenged you in the way that you steward your mind in the meditation of and contemplation upon Christ and his gospel? Why is the contemplation of God’s Word with our minds so important for shaping our affections and guiding the decisions of our wills? How are you allowing the impulses of your bodily passions to drive you on in life? How might you cultivate godly affections (and subsequent godly actions) through godly contemplation?
