A Chief Corner Stone 1 Peter 2:6

Peter the apostle told the “scattered” Christians that Jesus Christ came as “unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious”, and that they were “lively stones” which “are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”. In chapter two and verse six of his letter to them, Peter quoted a verse from which Jesus is named as “a chief corner stone, elect and precious” where we read:

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.

The verse begins, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:” Peter began with the word, “Wherefore” which means “on account of, through which thing, consequently, for which cause and therefore” and whenever we see it in scripture, we should always ask, what is the “wherefore” therefore? In this case Peter is referring to a scripture which was written earlier in the Bible, “also” which means “it is contained” or “surrounded, encompassed, contained with and taken possession of” “in the scripture” which refers to “writings or certain portions of the Holy Scripture”, “Behold” which means “see and lo”, “I lay in Sion” or “set, put or place in Zion which means a parched place and was the hill on which the higher and more ancient part of Jerusalem was built” “a chief corner” or “placed at an extreme corner or the foundation stone” “stone” or “building or milled stone”, “elect” which means “picked out, chosen, appointed and choice”, “precious” or “held in honor, prized, dear and in reputation”. Peter referred to Isaiah chapter twenty-eight and verse sixteen where it says, “Therefore thus says 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 believes shall not make haste.”

The verse continues, “and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.” Peter added, “and he that believes” which refers to “thinks to be true, is persuaded of, credited to, and placed confidence in” “on him” which means “Jesus” “shall not be confounded” which in Greek is “kataischynō ou mē kataischynō” means “will not be ashamed, dishonored, disgraced, put to or blushed with shame”. Those who put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ “the chief corner stone” will never be “dishonored, disgraced or put to shame” for their decision.

When we consider these words of Peter, we see that Jesus was not only placed as a “living stone” or “foundation” upon which the church of believers would be built, but He is “The chief corner stone” which is the main stone upon which a building is founded. May we realize what a wonderful Savior we have in Jesus Christ while we note how dependent we are upon His unmovable placement and stand.

Next time Peter contrasts those who “believe” with those who are “disobedient”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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