The first part of this text (2:1-3) correctly belongs to the last thought of chapter one (1:22-25). Understanding what God did for them in Jesus Christ produced a permanent change in these Christians. That change expressed itself in an obvious manner by the way they treated people (especially people in Jesus Christ). The evidence demonstrating they looked upon other Christians as family loved sincerely, fervently from their hearts was this: they refused to use hatred in any form, deceit in any form, pretense, envy in any form (he used the plural), or slander in any form (he again used the plural) in their relationship with Christians.
They had a lot to learn, just as infants have much to learn. These new converts were (1) to see themselves as babies, (2) to recognize their need to grow and develop, and (3) to look to the word for their growth (the unadulterated spiritual milk that came from the word). God provided them salvation through His incredible accomplishments in Jesus Christ. It was now their responsibility to personally develop in that salvation.
This development did not occur because it was the 'natural' way to function. It was not! In their former existence, hatred (ill will), deceit, pretense, desires to use others for personal benefit, and desires to ruin others by ruining their reputations were the 'natural' way to function. This new character they acquired through salvation in Jesus Christ was anything but natural!
They would not commit themselves to this new character in their relationships because it was 'natural.' They would commit to this new character because they tasted the Lord's kindness. Because they accepted (with a degree of understanding) the incredible things God did for them in Jesus Christ, God's kindness fundamentally changed them as people. God's kindness transformed them into a kind people.
There is much rich imagery in 2:4-10. Most Caucasian American Christians do not relate to that imagery. Many people in minorities understand those images quite well. Basically those images depict people who were on the 'outside,' knew they were on the 'outside,' and understood that nothing they did could put them 'inside.' Gentiles often despised Jews because Jews considered themselves as 'insiders' and all gentiles (anyone who was not Jewish) as 'outsiders.' Often those 'inside' were seen as arrogant and aloof. Too often those who considered themselves as 'insiders' were arrogant and aloof!
In a way, what Peter said declared that all people had a right to be 'in' God's new kingdom or under His rule. Quite often Christians today look at Peter's statement as the right of all people to be a part of the church. That is correct if in affirming that fact, we use the first century concept of 'church.'
What is meant by the first century concept of the church? Their concept of the church often is not the 21st century concept of the church. Our modern concept thinks of the church as an institution. The Greek word translated 'church' in English translations of the Bible is ekklesia. The word, prior to Christian usage, was not a religious word. It simply meant 'the called out.' It referred to any people who for any reason were 'called out' or distinguished from others to serve a designated purpose. In the terms of the early Christian movement, it referred to those men and women who were 'called out' from sin and its evil expressions by submitting to Jesus Christ in order to surrender their physical existence to God's purposes. Any person who gave himself or herself to Jesus Christ was a part of the 'called out.' Such people no longer lived for selfish purposes, or society's purposes, or physical purposes. Instead, they lived for God's purposes.
These people were to understand that God's purposes are defined by Jesus Christ. Thus Jesus Christ redefined who they were and how they lived. Jesus Christ was their guide to and in God's ways. Jesus Christ redefined their existence, the nature of their relationships, and their human-to-human interactions. They trusted God's rock which was the cornerstone of His new temple. Their new relationship with God made them God's chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, or a people owned by God. Peter's concepts in today's text remind one of Paul's concepts in Romans 11:11-36. People who were in the past considered nothing were then considered significant.
The concept associated with 'church' in this context primarily involved 'who you were' and 'what you were' because of God's acts through Jesus Christ. It primarily involved existing for reasons and in relationships that were not characteristic of their society. They were 'called out' of society's objectives, the emperor's objectives, and physical objectives to serve God through Jesus Christ for eternal objectives.
Spiritually, the persons to whom Peter wrote were not accustomed to being considered specifically God's people. They were accustomed to being called the nondescript gentiles who did not belong to God. Now they are God's people in God's mercy because of God's achievements in Jesus Christ. No longer were they part of the spiritual darkness. Through Jesus Christ, God called them to be a part of His marvelous light.
This concept reminds one of Jesus' words in scriptures like John 10:16, Matthew 8:10-12, and Luke 13:23-30. Consider statements like Matthew 3:8, 9 and Galatians 3:26-29. Beware of placing your spiritual confidence in the wrong things! God can cast out those who are certain they are 'in' and bring in those who were certain they were cast out. The key is not who you consider yourself to be or where you came from, but your relationship with Jesus Christ.
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 4