1 Peter 2 2

1 Peter 2:2 kjv

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1 Peter 2:2 nkjv

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

1 Peter 2:2 niv

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

1 Peter 2:2 esv

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation ?

1 Peter 2:2 nlt

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

1 Peter 2 verses

1 Peter 2 2 Meaning

Believers are likened to newborn infants who are called to ardently long for the unadulterated, life-giving truth of God's Word, so that through this constant nourishment, they may progress and mature in their spiritual journey towards the full realization and experience of their salvation.

1 Peter 2 2 Context

First Peter is a letter addressed to scattered Christians (referred to as "elect exiles") in Asia Minor, who were facing persecution and various trials for their faith. Peter consistently reminds them of their new identity in Christ, the imperishable hope they possess, and how to live godly lives amidst suffering.

Within this framework, 1 Peter 2:2 immediately follows the command in 1 Peter 2:1 to rid themselves of harmful practices such as malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Peter transitions from these negative, ungodly behaviors to a positive, essential practice for believers: craving spiritual nourishment. This transition implies that a fervent desire for the pure Word is the antidote to spiritual impurity and is fundamental for spiritual health and growth, enabling believers to withstand worldly pressures and grow into their new identity as God's people (as further expounded in 1 Pet 2:4-10). The call to "grow up into salvation" acknowledges salvation as both an already accomplished fact (past) and an ongoing process of transformation culminating in ultimate glorification (future).

1 Peter 2 2 Word analysis

• Like newborn infants (ὡς ἀρτιγέννητα βρέφη - hōs artigennetá brephē):

  • ὡς (hōs): A comparative particle, signifying "as" or "like." It highlights the natural and instinctive behavior of a literal newborn as the ideal model for believers.
  • ἀρτιγέννητα (artigennetá): Meaning "newly born" (from arti - recently, and gennao - to be born). This adjective emphasizes the very beginning of the spiritual life, underscoring immediate and fundamental needs, not prolonged infancy.
  • βρέφη (brephē): Means "infants" or "babies." Conveys complete dependence, an intense and exclusive need for a specific kind of nourishment for survival and initial growth. It denotes purity of desire, free from learned aversions or complexities.
  • Significance: The analogy emphasizes the naturalness and urgency of this craving. Just as a physical newborn instinctively demands milk for survival and development, so too should the spiritually born person intensely desire God's truth.

• long for (ἐπιποθήσατε - epipothēsate):

  • An aorist imperative verb, denoting a decisive, immediate, and strong command. It is not an option but a vital instruction.
  • ἐπιποθέω (epipotheō): To earnestly desire, long for, crave, or yearn intensely for something or someone. This term expresses a passionate, deep hunger and a longing for that which is necessary and good.
  • Significance: This is an active, ardent craving, not passive reception. It implies a conscious cultivation of appetite for God's truth, suggesting that believers should prioritize this hunger above other desires.

• the pure spiritual milk (τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα - to logikon adolon gala):

  • λογικὸν (logikon): A crucial term, stemming from logos ("word," "reason," "rationality"). It can be translated as "rational," "reasonable," "of the word," or "spiritual." In this context, it is best understood as "of the word," referring to divine truth revealed through the Gospel or scripture itself. This links the nourishment directly to God's revealed Word, which is the instrument of new birth (1 Pet 1:23).
  • ἄδολον (adolon): Means "pure," "unadulterated," "without deceit," or "without guile" (from "a-" meaning "not" and dolos meaning "deceit," "guile," or "adulteration"). It refers to something free from impurity, mixing, or harmful additives. This stands in stark contrast to the "malice and guile" mentioned in the preceding verse (1 Pet 2:1).
  • γάλα (gala): "Milk." This is a common biblical metaphor for basic, digestible, yet essential nourishment for spiritual beginners. It does not imply that believers should remain on "milk" indefinitely, but that foundational, pure truth is critical for initial and sustained growth.
  • Significance: This phrase specifies the nature of the nourishment: it is spiritual, originating from God's uncorrupted Word, and free from human error, philosophy, or deceit. It is the unmixed, foundational truth of the Gospel essential for true Christian development.

• that by it you may grow up (ἵνα ἐν αὐτῷ αὐξηθῆτε - hina en autō auxēthēte):

  • ἵνα (hina): A purpose conjunction, meaning "in order that" or "so that." It indicates the desired outcome of the fervent longing for the milk.
  • ἐν αὐτῷ (en autō): "by it" or "in it." This phrase highlights that the pure spiritual milk is the very instrument or means through which spiritual growth occurs.
  • αὐξηθῆτε (auxēthēte): Aorist passive subjunctive of auxanō ("to grow," "to increase"). The passive voice suggests that while believers participate by desiring and partaking, God is the one who ultimately causes the growth (cf. 1 Cor 3:7).
  • Significance: The primary purpose of partaking in the Word is progressive spiritual growth. This growth is neither automatic nor purely self-generated, but rather divinely enabled as a response to consistent feeding on God's truth.

• into salvation (εἰς σωτηρίαν - eis sōtērian):

  • εἰς (eis): A preposition meaning "into," "unto," or "for the purpose of," indicating direction and the ultimate goal.
  • σωτηρίαν (sōtērian): "Salvation." In the New Testament, salvation has past, present, and future dimensions. It is not merely the initial act of conversion, but an ongoing process of deliverance from sin's power (sanctification) and its ultimate presence (glorification). Here, it refers to the full consummation and experience of God's saving work.
  • Significance: The growth Peter speaks of is holistic, leading believers toward the complete experience and realization of the benefits of their salvation. It implies not just intellectual knowledge, but the progressive transformation of one's entire being into conformity with Christ, culminating in eternal glory.

1 Peter 2 2 Bonus section

• Contrast with Worldly Diets: This verse implies that believers should reject "impure" spiritual food offered by the world or false teachings, which would hinder true growth.
• Active vs. Passive Growth: While God enables growth, the believer's active "longing" and "feeding" on the Word are prerequisites. Growth is not automatic.
• The Spiritual Palate: A genuine spiritual appetite for the Word is a hallmark of new life in Christ. Its absence might indicate spiritual sickness or a need for repentance.
• Preparing for "Solid Food": While "milk" speaks of foundational truths, consistent intake prepares believers for the "solid food" of deeper theological understanding and greater spiritual maturity mentioned elsewhere (Heb 5:14). The verse doesn't prescribe a limit to this "milk" but a consistent consumption for the purpose of growth.

1 Peter 2 2 Commentary

1 Peter 2:2 is a profound command emphasizing the active role believers must take in their spiritual maturation. Drawing a vivid analogy to newborn infants, Peter captures the purity of desire, absolute dependence, and vital necessity for spiritual nourishment. Just as a physical infant naturally and passionately yearns for milk, having no other craving for survival, so too the new believer, divinely born (1 Pet 1:23), should instinctively hunger for God's Word.

The "pure spiritual milk" refers to the foundational and unadulterated truths of the Gospel—truth unmixed with human philosophies, deceit, or moral impurity (as highlighted by the contrast with 1 Pet 2:1). This "milk of the Word" (as logikon suggests) is derived directly from Logos, the living Word of God, Jesus Christ, and His revealed truth in Scripture. The passionate, ongoing desire for this pure teaching is not merely for information, but "in order that by it you may grow up." This growth is continuous, leading believers towards the full actualization of their salvation – a process encompassing sanctification in this life and ultimate glorification in the life to come. It underscores that spiritual progress is intimately tied to consistent engagement with and intake of God's unchanging, life-giving truth.