1 Peter 2

Jehovah (the Lord)

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:3

Peter borrows Psalm 34:8, where the LORD is Jehovah, and in the next breath calls this Lord 'a living stone' (v. 4), meaning Jesus. The apostles read Jehovah as Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Psalm 34:8 — 'O taste and see that the LORD is good'

Living Stone

Living stone — the foundation that gives life

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 1 Peter 2:4

Jesus is the living Stone: rejected by men but chosen and treasured by God. Believers come to Him and are built on Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Psalm 118:22 — the stone the builders refused

Mediator

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 2:5

The Saints now offer spiritual sacrifices instead of animal ones, and these are accepted by God only through Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 3 Nephi 9:19-20 — no more blood sacrifices; offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit

Chief Corner Stone

Chief corner stone — the stone that sets and holds the whole building

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 1 Peter 2:6

Peter quotes Isaiah's prophecy of a precious corner stone God would lay in Zion and applies it to Jesus. The Father lays His Son as the foundation, and whoever trusts Him will not be put to shame.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Isaiah 28:16 — Peter quotes Isaiah's corner stone prophecy and identifies the stone as Christ
• the same title in Ephesians 2:20 — 'Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone'

Head of the Corner

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, 1 Peter 2:7

Psalm 118 foretold a stone rejected by the builders that became the head of the corner; Jesus, rejected by the leaders of His day, is that stone.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Psalm 118:22 — Peter quotes the psalm and applies it to Christ
• the same title in Matthew 21:42 — Jesus applies the same psalm to Himself
• the same title in Acts 4:11 — Peter before the council: 'This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders'

Stone of Stumbling

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1 Peter 2:8

In Isaiah 8 the 'stone of stumbling and rock of offence' is the LORD of hosts Himself; Peter applies it to Jesus, showing that Jehovah and Christ are the same Being. Those who reject Him trip over the very rock that could save them.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Isaiah 8:14 — the LORD of hosts 'shall be ... for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence'
• the same title in Romans 9:33 — 'I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence'
• the same title in Jacob 4:15 — by their stumbling the Jews would reject the stone upon which they might build

Light

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9

God calls His people out of darkness into His light. The Light is Christ's own title, though here the caller may be the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 9:2 — 'The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light'

Christ's Example in Suffering

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1 Peter 2:21

Christ suffered for us and in doing so showed us how to endure unfair suffering. Disciples walk in His footsteps.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

The Sinless One

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1 Peter 2:22

Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life, exactly as Isaiah foretold of the suffering Servant.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:9 — 'neither was any deceit in his mouth'

Silent Before His Accusers

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 1 Peter 2:23

When Jesus was mocked and tortured He did not strike back or threaten; He trusted Himself to His Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:7 — 'he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth'
• alludes to Luke 23:46 — 'Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit'

Bearer of Our Sins

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Jesus personally carried our sins in His body on the cross (the 'tree'), so we can die to sin and live righteously. Isaiah's words 'with his stripes we are healed' are fulfilled in Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:5 — 'with his stripes we are healed'
• fulfils Isaiah 53:12 — 'he bare the sin of many'
• fulfils Mosiah 14:5 — Abinadi's quotation of Isaiah 53:5
• the same event in Acts 5:30 — 'Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree'

The Shepherd

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25

We wandered like lost sheep, as Isaiah said, but have come back to Jesus, the Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 53:6 — 'All we like sheep have gone astray'
• the same title in John 10:11 — 'I am the good shepherd'

Bishop of Souls

Bishop — overseer, one who watches over

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25

Jesus is the Bishop, the watchful overseer, of our souls; every earthly bishop serves under Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it