1 Peter 2:4 kjv
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1 Peter 2:4 nkjv
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
1 Peter 2:4 niv
As you come to him, the living Stone?rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him?
1 Peter 2:4 esv
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
1 Peter 2:4 nlt
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
1 Peter 2 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 118:22 | The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone... | Christ as rejected, yet central stone. |
| Isa 28:16 | 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." | God's laid foundation, precious and reliable. |
| Mt 21:42 | Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone...'?" | Jesus identifies Himself with the rejected stone. |
| Acts 4:11 | Jesus is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' " | Peter's sermon affirms Christ's identity. |
| Jn 6:37 | All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. | Believers' act of "coming" to Christ. |
| Jn 7:37 | On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." | Invitation to approach Christ. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. | Encouragement to draw near to God/Christ. |
| Heb 7:25 | Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. | Salvation by coming to God through Christ. |
| Heb 10:22 | Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. | Drawing near with faith and purity. |
| Rom 9:33 | as it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and whoever trusts in him will never be put to shame." | Christ as a stone of stumbling or trust. |
| Rom 10:11 | As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." | Trust in Christ leads to no shame. |
| Isa 53:3 | He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. | Prophecy of Christ's rejection. |
| Mk 8:31 | He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. | Jesus predicts His own rejection. |
| Jn 1:11 | He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. | Israel's rejection of Jesus. |
| Psa 4:3 | But know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. | God's chosen one (Messianic). |
| Isa 42:1 | "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations." | Christ as God's chosen servant. |
| Eph 1:4 | For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love... | God's sovereign election. |
| 1 Pet 1:19-20 | but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. | Christ's pre-ordained preciousness. |
| Col 2:6 | So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him... | Implication of an initial "coming" and dwelling. |
| Phil 3:8 | What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord... | Recognition of Christ's ultimate worth/preciousness. |
| 1 Cor 10:4 | and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. | Christ as the spiritual rock for His people. |
| Rom 12:1 | Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. | Believers as "living" sacrifices (connected to "living stones"). |
1 Peter 2 verses
1 Peter 2 4 Meaning
1 Peter 2:4 describes believers' relationship with Jesus Christ, portraying Him as the "living stone" to whom they draw near. Although Jesus was rejected by humanity, He holds ultimate value and election in the sight of God. This verse foundationalizes the identity of believers, emphasizing their active participation in approaching Christ, who is divinely appointed and precious.
1 Peter 2 4 Context
1 Peter 2:4 builds upon the previous verses which urge believers to shed sinful desires (malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander) and to long for spiritual nourishment like newborn infants for milk (1 Pet 2:1-3). This craving leads to growth in salvation, and the verse introduces the object of this spiritual nourishment and the foundation of their new identity: Jesus Christ.
Historically, Peter's audience consists of scattered believers in various provinces of Asia Minor, likely facing social ostracization and nascent persecution for their faith. They would have been familiar with temple imagery and the concept of God's dwelling place. The context shifts from individual purification and desire to their corporate identity as those united to Christ, who Himself is presented as the essential structure for their spiritual life. It addresses the shame they might feel due to their outcast status by redefining worth and identity through God's perspective. The "living stone" imagery connects deeply with Old Testament prophetic promises and Temple theology, but reinterpreted through Christ, emphasizing that the true "temple" is now spiritual and Christ-centered.
1 Peter 2 4 Word analysis
- Coming to Him: (Greek: proserchomenoi autō - proserchomenoi, participle, "drawing near to," "approaching"; autō, dative of "him"). This signifies an active, continuous action of the believers. It is not a passive reception but an intentional, conscious act of drawing near to Christ. This draws heavily on Old Testament themes of drawing near to God in worship (e.g., in the tabernacle/temple) and New Testament invitations to Christ. It implies a personal and continuous relationship of communion and reliance.
- as to a living stone: (Greek: hōs lithon zōnta - hōs, "as," indicating a likeness or nature; lithon, "stone"; zōnta, "living"). Jesus is presented as uniquely animate and active. Unlike the inert stones of physical structures, Christ is dynamic, life-giving, and life-sustaining. This concept starkly contrasts with lifeless idols or transient earthly foundations. He is the source of life for those who draw near to Him, emphasizing His resurrection and ongoing vital presence.
- rejected indeed by men: (Greek: apo anthrōpōn men apodedokimasmenon - apo anthrōpōn, "by men"; men, a particle indicating contrast; apodedokimasmenon, perfect passive participle, "rejected," "disapproved," "cast aside as unfit"). This highlights the paradox of Christ's earthly ministry. Despite His divine nature and mission, humanity, particularly the religious and political authorities, dismissed Him, treating Him as valueless or dangerous. This theme resonates strongly with Old Testament prophecies, especially Psa 118:22 and Isa 53:3.
- but chosen by God and precious: (Greek: para de theō eklekton entimon - para de theō, "but with God," or "in God's sight"; eklekton, "chosen," "elect," indicating divine selection and favor; entimon, "precious," "honorable," "highly valued"). This contrasts human judgment with divine valuation. What men discarded, God exalted. Christ's preciousness is not a human assessment but God's intrinsic and eternal valuing of His Son. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His counter-cultural choice of humility and sacrifice over worldly power and acceptance.
Words-group Analysis:
- "Coming to Him, as to a living stone": This phrase links the believer's active pursuit with the unique nature of Christ. It's an approach to a foundation that is alive, capable of imparting life, unlike dead stones used in conventional building. This sets up the idea that believers themselves will become "living stones" built upon Him in the next verse.
- "Rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious": This antithetical parallelism emphasizes the core theological tension between human rejection and divine affirmation. It provides comfort and solidarity to persecuted believers, reminding them that their value (and Christ's value) is determined by God, not by prevailing societal opinions. This rejection-election paradox is central to Peter's message of hope for those suffering for Christ.
1 Peter 2 4 Bonus section
The "living stone" imagery can be traced back to Jewish Temple traditions, where "foundation stones" (like the Eben Shetiyah in the Holy of Holies) held deep spiritual significance. Peter re-directs this reverence entirely to Christ, establishing Him as the true and ultimate spiritual foundation for God's new Temple – the church. This subtle polemic challenges any reliance on a physical temple or human-established religious systems for salvation, pointing instead to a living, personal relationship with the resurrected Lord. Furthermore, the term eklekton ("chosen") highlights divine sovereignty, affirming God's intentional design and plan centered on Christ, prefiguring the believer's own chosen status found in subsequent verses.
1 Peter 2 4 Commentary
1 Peter 2:4 serves as a theological anchor for the identity and mission of the church, drawing heavily from rich Old Testament imagery while redefining it in Christ. Peter emphasizes that genuine spiritual life is found by consistently "drawing near" to Jesus, who is depicted as the unique, "living stone." This "livingness" implies His dynamic power, resurrection life, and ability to impart spiritual vitality to those connected with Him.
The stark contrast between Christ being "rejected by men" yet "chosen by God and precious" is pivotal. It reframes suffering and external devaluation for both Christ and His followers. What humanity deemed worthless, God honored beyond measure. This divine election not only validates Christ's supreme worth but also provides immense encouragement to believers facing rejection or persecution. Their spiritual lineage is not from the world's opinion but from God's eternal choice. This "preciousness" (entimos) reflects ultimate honor and value, signifying Christ as the absolute standard of worth. For believers, understanding this truth anchors their hope and encourages their ongoing walk in faith, knowing their spiritual foundation is unwavering, established by God Himself, despite what the world may see or do.