LIVING STONES!

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LIVING STONES!

1 Peter 2:4–7 NIV84
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,”
1 Peter 2:4–7 NIV84
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,”
Eph
1 Peter 2:8 NIV84
and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

Coming to Him!

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

“As you come to him” (pros hon proserchomenoi) probably reflects Psalm 34:5 (LXX 33:6, proselthate pros auton, “come to him”). Christians “come” to Christ in salvation, but their continual “coming” may also be included in the present tense.

Psalm 34:5 NIV84
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

The Living Stone!

1 Peter 2:4–7 NIV84
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,”
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

Jesus Christ is identified as the “living Stone,” which refers to his stability as the risen Lord. God’s raising of Jesus from the dead shows Jesus’ value and God’s choice of him.

Rejected!

1 Peter 2:4–7 NIV84
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,”
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

The “rejection” of Christ is, first, the valuation of Jesus by the nation (Matt 26:14–15; Acts 2:22–24; 3:13–15; 4:10–11) and, second, the current rejection of him by the disobedient in every land.

Matthew 26:14–15 NIV84
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
Acts 2:22–24 NIV84
“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Acts 3:13–15 NIV84
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
Acts 4:10–11 NIV84
then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

and, second, the current rejection of him by the disobedient in every land.

1 Peter 2:5 NIV84
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Living Stones . . . spiritual house

1 Peter 2:4–7 NIV84
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,”

Jesus’ great prophecy to Peter (.)

Matthew 16:18 NIV84
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 16:18–19 NIV84
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:18
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

Peter sees, in the coming of individuals to Jesus the Rock, the building of a new spiritual edifice. Solomon was amazed at the thought of God’s gracious condescension in dwelling among his people and in a house (temple) that Solomon built (1 Kings 8:27). Now the localized manifestation of God’s presence on earth is replaced by his indwelling of all believers (1 Cor 3:17, 6:19).

1 Kings 8:27 NIV84
“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
1 Corinthians 3:17 NIV84
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV84
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
bringing it back around . . .
1 Peter 2:4–7 NIV84
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,”
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

“Are being built” (oikodomeisthe) is best taken as an indicative (NIV) rather than an imperative: “Be yourselves built” (RSV). The verb is to be understood as customary or timeless. Thus the thought is that when anyone comes to Christ a new stone is added to the “spiritual” house. The use of the word “spiritual” does not mean that what Peter is speaking of is less “real” than a material house or material sacrifices. Rather, the material sacrifices and temples that were shadows of the reality to come are now superseded. The OT spoke of the offerings of prayer, thanksgiving, praise, and repentance (Pss 50:14; 51:19; 107:22; 141:2) in addition to the material sacrifices and offerings. The NT speaks of the offering of “faith” (Philippians 2:17), gifts as “a fragrant offering” (Philippians 4:18), “your bodies as living sacrifices” (Rom 12:1), “a sacrifice of praise” (Heb 13:15), the conversion of the Gentiles as “an offering acceptable to God” (Rom 15:16), and Paul’s coming death as “a drink offering” (2 Tim 4:6; cf. Schelkle, pp. 58–59).

A Chosen Stone!

1 Peter 2:6–7 NIV84
For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,”
Isaiah 28:16 NIV84
So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

Next Peter cites Scripture to support his teaching. The quotation of Isaiah 28:16 refers to God’s foundation stone, carefully chosen and very costly, placed in position in Zion. The picture is from the building of a temple. At great cost and care the corner foundation stone was obtained, moved, and laid. Hillyer mentions one stone in a quarry that was sixty-nine feet by twelve feet by thirteen feet (“ ‘Rock-Stone’ Imagery,” p. 66, n.34).

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

Once this large foundation corner stone was in place, the rest of the building was determined. Isaiah uses this figure to encourage his people to build on the Lord himself, the one who is immovable and unchangeable, rather than on lies and falsehood. The applications of Peter’s use of the figure are self-evident. God has set Jesus forth in Jerusalem as the foundation of the new temple. Whoever builds on this foundation will be established and will never be ashamed (cf. 1 Cor 3:10; Eph 2:20).

1 Corinthians 3:10 NIV84
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
Ephesians 2:20 NIV84
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.” Here the Greek literally reads, “For you, therefore, who believe [is] the honor” (timē, cf. BAG, p. 825, 2b). The honor for Christians is linked to their union with Christ. Since Christ is honored by God, so will all who participate in Christ.

1 Peter 2:7–8 NIV84
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
Psalm 118:22 NIV84
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;
Mark 12:10–12 NIV84
Haven’t you read this scripture: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation a. Christ the Rock and the Christian Living Stones (2:4–8)

The second warning quotation is from Isaiah 8:14, where the disobedient are portrayed as stumbling over the stone. So Peter warns that those who refuse to believe in Jesus as Messiah stumble—“which is also what they were destined for.” What is “destined”? The unbelief of men or the stumbling that is the result of the unbelief? It is common to argue that only the result or stumbling was ordained (so Beare, p. 126; Bigg, p. 133). Peter probably means to say that the appointment of God embraces both the setting forth of Christ and his work and the rejection by men. Peter’s preaching in Acts 2:14–40 makes the same emphasis (cf. esp. v. 23). Scripture in other places teaches that human disobedience is within the plan of God (cf. Rom 11:8, 11, 30–32). Yet it must be recognized that though human disobedience is within God’s plan, it does not become less blameworthy (cf. Acts 2:23). It is important to recognize also that human disobedience is not necessarily final or irretrievable (cf. Hort, p. 123 Selwyn, p. 164–65). Paul says, “God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all” (Rom 11:32).

Isaiah 8:14 NIV84
and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.
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