1 Peter 2:1-5
1 Pet 2:1 (KJB)
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
 
Wherefore lying aside - Having laid aside
Malice - Desire to harm others
Guile - Deceit, deception, or trickery
Hypocrisies - Pretense or insincerity
Envies - Jealousy
Evil Speaking - Evil speech, slander or defamation
 
Peter continues the thought from chapter one as he is speaking of the true Gospel being preached and those who have become born again. He starts off this verse by stating “wherefore laying aside.” That word is one word in the Greek and it is in the Aorist tense which means a one time action which happened in the past but has not been completed and is in effect at present. Peter is now stating that since we have become born again, the old nature has been dealt with yet we still must deal with it. God has forgiven all our sins which we committed which means those sins we committed while unsaved have been dealt with but since we still live in the fleshly bodies, it is possible for the flesh to cause us to sin. This is why Peter is telling us that we must put off all desire to harm others, whether physically or by verbally. While we were in the flesh, we were self-centered but in the Spirit we are to be other centered. (Phil 2:4 KJV) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
 
Then Peter goes on to state that we are watch that we are not deceptive. This can happen very easily as we can even be very deceptive in our Bible studies making it say what we want it to. Then we are to be sincere in our Christian walk and not pretend to be something that we are not. This hypocrisy can easily be accomplished on the Internet when no one really knows anyone unless it is a personal knowledge. We are also to refrain from being jealous. Jealousy can lead to dire circumstances. Many people have been murdered throughout time because of jealousy. God made us the way we are and not to be like someone else. We must learn to work in the weaknesses and strengths of how God made us. Then the final warning is to watch our tongues. (James 3:8 KJV) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Words can verbally assassinate another and God wants us to watch our tongues because He knows that our tongues can get us into much trouble.
 
1 Pet 2:2 (KJB)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
 
Newborn - Recently born
Sincere - Genuine or unadulterated
Milk - Actual milk but in a figurative sense
 
New born babies come into this world knowing nothing which means they are just beginning their life. Peter expects Christians to act the same way by completely renouncing the past life as a sinner. (Phil 3:13 KJV) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Paul gives the same advice that we are to forget what was behind us since we cannot relive the past we go from the point at where we are right now and focus on the future. We do this by desiring the unadulterated milk of the word. (2 Pet 3:18 KJV) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. amen. This is Peter’s final admonition that we are to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. The two go hand in hand. As we continue in seeking the milk of the Word eventually there comes a point in our life when we become mature Christians able to digest the meat of the word. (Heb 5:14 KJV) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The key to victory in the Christian life is a continuous daily growth.
 
1 Pet 2:3 (KJB)
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
 
Tasted - Enjoyed or experienced
Gracious - Good
 
(Psa 34:8 KJV) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. The same invitation is given by the Psalmist to see and experience how good the Lord is. Peter also speaks of experiencing the goodness of God as the new Christians began to experience the grace of God as they grow in the faith. They realize that God, unlike the world, will never let them down as He always cares for His children. Peter is not trying to instill any doubt in the mind of these believers but is trying to get them to understand that the more they grow in grace and become closer to the Lord, they will realize His goodness more and more.
 
1 Pet 2:4 (KJB)
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
 
Coming - Go to or approach
Living - To live or be alive
Disallowed - Rejected or repudiated
Chosen - Select or Elect
Precious - Held in honor, highly esteemed, or valued
 
This verse describes the Lord Jesus Christ whom we are coming to. He is described as a living stone in contrast to dead religion which has as much ability to save as a dead rock. The Lord Jesus Christ was rejected by men and that word is in the perfect tense which means that those who rejected Him, it was a completed work on their part. Their rejection of Him was final and at the judgment seat will be eternal. Then Peter contrasts the fact that Jesus was rejected by men with the fact that He was selected or chosen of God to be the Savior. God knew His Son and that He would fulfill the task He went to earth for and that was to die for the elect of God. As Christ was elect, so is His children. His completed work has given Him the honor in Heaven and among those on earth whom He has redeemed.
 
1 Pet 2:5 (KJB)
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.
 
Are built up - Are being built up
Acceptable - Pleasant, well-received, or approved
By - through
 
Peter continues from verse four that since the Lord Jesus Christ is called a living stone, and since like begets like, (a biblical principle) those who have become born again by the Lord Jesus Christ are also called lively stones. The words “are built up” is one word in the Greek and is in the present tense which means the Lord is continually adding more believers to the Kingdom until one day the spiritual house will be completed and then the end will come. He calls us a “holy priesthood” which is confirmed in Revelation 1:6. (Rev 1:6 KJV) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. The body of believers fulfills the type of Aaron’s priesthood. We offer up spiritual sacrifices and not the bloody animal sacrifices which were done under the Old Testament laws.
 
(Heb 13:15 KJV) By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
 
(Psa 51:17 KJV) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
 
As spiritual priests, we offer the spiritual sacrifices of praise, prayer, contriteness. We are not only compared to a spiritual house but by calling us priests, we work within the same spiritual house as did the priests of old when they worked in the temple and tabernacle in the wilderness. It is important to note that all the spiritual sacrifices which are offered can only be acceptable unto God if they come through the Lord Jesus Christ. A person in a false, Christ denying religion can offer spiritual sacrifices like prayer but it is not approved or received by God because it does not come through the Lord Jesus Christ. For one to be approved, they must be born again in and by the Lord Jesus or it is just a dead stone offering.

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