Desiring More (Notes)

King James Version Chapter 2

Wherefore

1 Peter 2:1-3 “Desiring More”

Context: The verses from 1:13-2:4 can be entitled a call to holy living. 1:15-16 commands us, “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say (Lev. 11:44)(Lev. 19:2)(Lev. 20:7), You must be holy because I am holy.” 1:17-19 teaches us that God is not a respecter of man and that He will judge or reward us according to all that we do therefore we must live a life of reverence before Him because He ransomed us with such a high cost, THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS! You have not only been ransomed (released from bondage) from the bondage of sin but also cleansed from your sin having been born again to a life that will never end because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. Peter quotes Is. 40:6-8 comparing people to grass and flowers which wither and fades However, the word of the Lord remains forever. Peter concludes Chapter 1 by writing “and that word is the Good News that was preached to you.” Word is used 3x in chapter 1, its 1st use is in 1:23, it is the noun logos which means message (or statement) but is also a title for Christ. Peter immediately refers to Scripture and the next 2 uses of word is rhēma which also means statement or what is being said as it is quoted in 1:25a it refers to the Scriptures but in 1:25b it refers to what was preached to the original audience. The NLT indicates that it is the Gospel which they have heard.

Therefor, or because of these things.... the command to be holy, the ransom of sin paid with so high a price, and the new life...... remove the sin that you are involved in. and dice into to God’s word as that you can grow. One who tastes the goodness of God can’t be satisfied with that one taste leading a life of infancy, instead he desires more and thus will he from in his salvation.

Conjunction: Wherefore is the same as saying therefore (nasb) or so then. This takes us back to 1:13-25 … therefore becasue of the New Birth (1:23) and the new life commanded (be holy)

List item: ALL Malice, ALL guile, hypocrisies, envies, and ALL evil speakings. Notice the concept of all with the use of pal (all) 3x and the plurality of hypocrisies and envies. We are called to rid ourselves of all evil because we have been born again.

A. Malice - (Greek) evil behavior, badness (English) The desire to do harm to someone; ill will.

B. Guile - (Greek) treachery, deceitfulness, slyness, or trickery. (English) sly or cunning intelligence. TO CATCH WITH BAIT

C. Hypocrisies - (Greek) pretense, duplicity, insincerity ACTING OF A THEATRICAL PART (English) the practice of claiming to have higher standards or laudable beliefs than is the case.

E. Envies - (Greek) Jealousy (English) discontented or resentful longing aroused by another’s possessions, qualities, or luck.

F. Evil Speakings - Slander, defamation, (English) a fasle spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation. A false malicious statement.

Comparison: As… let your attitude toward the Word of God be like a new born baby who craves milk.... that you may GROW!

Conjunction: If..... (if indeed) is is translated now that in NLT

Notice that each sentence begins with a conjunction. Wherefore, As, and If.

Laying Aside (Verb) apotithemai - put away, stop, get ride of. A proper illustration would be to put off clothing that is dirty.

Desire (Verb) deeply desire, long for, crave

Ye may grow (verb) auxanomai - to grow or increase

Ye have Tasted (verb) geuomai - experience

Gracious (Adj.) chrēstos - kindness, loving

All (Adj.) pas - all, each, every, whole

Of the Word (Adj.) logikos - What is genuine pertaining to the mind and heart.

Sincere (adj.) adolos - Pure, not adulterated

Milk this refers to either the word of God itself or the milk contained in the word, either way it is Christ. Peter uses the word of God as the food for growth.

Other Observations:

Contrast..... Sinfulness against Spiritual Growth

Cause and effect… if you have tasted the graciousness of God lay aside sin and desire the sincere milk of the Word so that you may grow.

Comparison..... Laying aside sin (vs. 1) with spiritual sacrifices through the mediation of Jesus (vs. 5).

Cross References:

Ps. 34:8

Matt. 18:3

Eph. 4:22

2 Pe. 3:18

1 Co. 3:2

Figurative Language:

Bodily Growth as Sanctification (vs. 2).... by it you may grow in respect to salvation

Newborn babies as immature believers???? (vs.2).... Like newborn babies

Lord as Jesus (vs. 3)… if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord

Milk as Word of God (vs. 2).... the pure milk of the word

To taste as to experience (vs. 3)… if you have tasted the kindness of God

Worthless objects (vs.1) Deceit, Envy, Evil, Hypocrisy, Slander