1 Peter 2:4
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1 Peter 2:4 in other translations
| BSB | As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, |
|---|---|
| WEB | Come to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. |
| ASV | unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious, |
| YLT | to whom coming--a living stone--by men, indeed, having been disapproved of, but with God choice, precious, |
| DARBY | To whom coming, a living stone, cast away indeed as worthless by men, but with God chosen, precious, |
| BBE | To whom you come, as to a living stone, not honoured by men, but of great and special value to God; |
| Webster | To whom coming as to a living stone, disallowed indeed by men, but chosen by God, and precious, |
What does 1 Peter 2:4 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
As unto a living stone. The allusion in this passage is to Isa 28:16, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste." Isa 28:16. There may be also possibly an allusion to Ps 118:22, "The stone which the builders disallowed, is become the head-stone of the corner." The reference is to Christ as the foundation on which the church is reared. He occupied the same place in regard to the church which a foundation-stone does to the edifice that is reared upon it. Comp. Mt 7:24,25. Rom 9:33, Eph 2:20, seq. The phrase "living stone" is however unusual, and is not found, I think, except in this place. There seems to be an incongruity in it, in attributing life to a stone, yet the meaning is not difficult to be understood. The purpose was not to speak of a temple, like that at Jerusalem, made up of gold and costly stones; but of a temple made up of living materials--of redeemed men--in which God now resides. In speaking of that, it was natural to refer to the foundation on which the whole rested, and to speak of that as corresponding to the whole edifice. It was all a living temple--a temple composed of living materials--from the foundation to the top. Compare the expression in Jn 4:10, "He would have given thee living water;" that is, water which would have imparted life to the soul. So Christ imparts life to the whole spiritual temple that is reared on him as a foundation.
Disallowed indeed of men. Rejected by them, first by the Jews, in causing him to be put to death; and then by all men when he is offered to them as their Saviour. Isa 53:3. Ps 118:22: "Which the builders refused." Comp. Mt 21:42; Acts 4:11.
But chosen of God. Selected by him as the suitable foundation on which to rear his church.
And precious. Valuable. The universe had nothing more valuable on which to rear the spiritual temple.
(b) "disallowed" Ps 118:22 (*) "disallowed" "rejected"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 2:1-10
Chapter Outline A temper suitable to the Christian character as born again, is recommended. (1-10) Holy conversation among the Gentiles directed. (11-12) Subjects exhorted to pay all proper obedience to their civil governors. (13-17) Also servants to their masters, and all to be patient, according to the example of the suffering Saviour. (18-25) Verses 1-10 Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart…
1 Peter 2:4 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Peter 2:4
- Psalms 118:22-23
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
- Acts 4:11-12
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
- 1 Peter 2:7
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
- Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
- Luke 20:17-18
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
- Zechariah 3:9
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
- Mark 12:10-11
And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
- Daniel 2:34
Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
- John 11:25-26
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
- Zechariah 4:7
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
- Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
- Daniel 2:45
Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 55:3; Jer 3:22; Mt 11:28; Joh 5:40; 6:37
a living.
Joh 5:26; 6:57; 11:25,26; 14:6,19; Ro 5:10; Col 3:4
stone.
Isa 28:16; Da 2:34,45; Zec 3:9; 4:7
disallowed.
Ps 118:22,23; Isa 8:14,15; Mt 21:42; Mr 12:10,11; Lu 20:17,18
Ac 4:11,12
chosen.
Isa 42:1; Mt 12:18
precious.
7; 1:7,19; 2Pe 1:1,4
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 1 Peter 2:3
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
- 1 Peter 2:4
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
- 1 Peter 2:5
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.
1 Peter 2:4 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Al cual allegándoos, piedra viva, reprobada cierto de los hombres, empero elegida de Dios, preciosa, |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | duquel vous approchant comme d’une pierre vivante, rejetée par les hommes, mais choisie et précieuse auprès de Dieu, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Zu welchem kommend, als zu einem lebendigen Stein, von Menschen zwar verworfen, bei Gott aber auserwählt, kostbar, |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Ad quem accedentes lapidem vivum, ab hominibus quidem reprobatum, a Deo autem electum, et honorificatum: |