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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Peter 2:1–3. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The holy apostle has been recommending mutual charity, and setting forth the excellences of the word of God, calling it an incorruptible seed, and saying that it liveth and abideth for ever. He pursues his discourse, and very properly comes in with this necessary advice, Wherefore laying aside all malice, etc. These are such sins as both destroy charity and hinder the efficacy of the word, and consequently they prevent our regeneration.
I.His advice is to lay aside or put off what is evil, as one would do an old rotten garment: "Cast it away with indignation, never put it on more."
1.The sins to be put off, or thrown aside, are,
(1.)Malice, which may be taken more generally for all sorts of wickedness, as Jam 1:21; Co1 5:8. But, in a more confined sense, malice is anger resting in the bosom of fools, settled overgrown anger, retained till it inflames a man to design mischief, to do mischief, or delight in any mischief that befalls another.
(2.)Guile, or deceit in words. So it comprehends flattery, falsehood, and delusion, which is a crafty imposing upon another's ignorance or weakness, to his damage.
(3.)Hypocrisies. The word being plural comprehends all sorts of hypocrisies. In matters of religion hypocrisy is counterfeit piety. In civil conversation hypocrisy is counterfeit friendship, which is much practised by those who give high compliments, which they do not believe, make promises which they never intend to perform, or pretend friendship when mischief lies in their hearts.
(4.)All envies; every thing that may be called envy, which is a grieving at the good and welfare of another, at their abilities, prosperity, fame, or successful labours.
(5.)Evil speaking, which is detraction, speaking against another, or defaming him; it is rendered backbiting, Co2 12:20; Rom 1:30.
2.Hence learn,
(1.)The best Christians have need to be cautioned and warned against the worst sins, such as malice, hypocrisy, envy. They are but sanctified in part, and are still liable to temptations.
(2.)Our best services towards God will neither please him nor profit us if we be not conscientious in our duties to men. The sins here mentioned are offences against the second table. These must be laid aside, or else we cannot receive the word of God as we ought to do.
(3.)Whereas it is said all malice, all guile, learn, That one sin, not laid aside, will hinder our spiritual profit and everlasting welfare.
(4.)Malice, envy, hatred, hypocrisy, and evil-speaking, generally go together. Evil-speaking is a sign that malice and guile lie in the heart; and all of them combine to hinder our profiting by the word of God.
II.The apostle, like a wise physician, having prescribed the purging out of vicious humours, goes on to direct to wholesome and regular food, that they may grow thereby. The duty exhorted to is a strong and constant desire for the word of God, which word is here called reasonable milk, only, this phrase not being proper English, our translators rendered it the milk of the word, by which we are to understand food proper for the soul, or a reasonable creature, whereby the mind, not the body, is nourished and strengthened. This milk of the word must be sincere, not adulterated by the mixtures of men, who often corrupt the word of God, Co2 2:17. The manner in which they are to desire this sincere milk of the word is stated thus: As new-born babes. He puts them in mind of their regeneration. A new life requires suitable food. They, being newly born, must desire the milk of the word. Infants desire common milk, and their desires towards it are fervent and frequent, arising from an impatient sense of hunger, and accompanied with the best endeavours of which the infant is capable. Such must Christians' desires be for the word of God: and that for this end, that they may grow thereby, that we may improve in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Pe2 3:18. Learn,
1.Strong desires and affections to the word of God are a sure evidence of a person's being born again. If they be such desires as the babe has for the milk, they prove that the person is new-born. They are the lowest evidence, but yet they are certain.
2.Growth and improvement in wisdom and grace are the design and desire of every Christian; all spiritual means are for edification and improvement. The word of God, rightly used, does not leave a man as it finds him, but improves and makes him better.
III.He adds an argument from their own experience:
If so be, or since that, or forasmuch as, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, Pe1 2:3. The apostle does not express a doubt, but affirms that these good Christians had tasted the goodness of God, and hence argues with them. "You ought to lay aside these vile sins (Pe1 2:1); you ought to desire the word of God; you ought to grow thereby, since you cannot deny but that you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." The next verse assures us that the Lord here spoken of is the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence learn,
1.Our Lord Jesus Christ is very gracious to his people. He is in himself infinitely good; he is very kind, free, and merciful to miserable sinners; he is pitiful and good to the undeserving; he has in him a fulness of grace.
2.The graciousness of our Redeemer is best discovered by an experimental taste of it. There must be an immediate application of the object to the organ of taste; we cannot taste at a distance, as we may see, and hear, and smell. To taste the graciousness of Christ experimentally supposes our being united to him by faith, and then we may taste his goodness in all his providences, in all our spiritual concerns, in all our fears and temptations, in his word and worship every day.
3.The best of God's servants have in this life but a taste of the grace of Christ. A taste is but a little; it is not a draught, nor does it satisfy. It is so with the consolations of God in this life.
4.The word of God is the great instrument whereby he discovers and communicates his grace to men. Those who feed upon the sincere milk of the word taste and experience most of his grace. In our converses with his word we should endeavour always to understand and experience more and more of his grace.
Historical interpretation
Six Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
For you are translated from your former vain and tedious mode of life and have contemned the lifeless idols, and despised the demons, which are in darkness, and have run to the "true light," [John 1:9] and by it have "known the one and only true God and Father," [John 17:3] and so are owned to be heirs of His kingdom. For since you have "been baptized into the Lord's death," [Romans 6:3] and into His resurrection, as "new-born babes," [1 Peter 2:2] you ought to be wholly free from all sinful actions; "for you are not your own, but His that bought you" [1 Corinthians 6:19-20] with His own blood.
Milk has three forms which can be compared to doctrine, that is, the liquid, cheese and butter. Liquid milk is the literal sense of Scripture, cheese is the moral sense, and butter is the spiritual sense. Find a good teacher and you will soon learn these things.
The divine law wants us to be perfect, but on the way toward perfection it has us first drink milk, as if we were newborn babies, and by that milk we shall grow toward salvation. Paul spoke to the same effect when he said: “Do not be children in understanding, but be innocent in wrongdoing. In understanding be adults.” For it is not possible to advance toward purity, or toward maturity in understanding, or toward adulthood as a worker approved by God, unless you renounce evil and become like an innocent child.
In accordance with the apostolic principle of discretion, to disciples who are still ignorant the priests supply elementary doctrine, which is the rational milk without guile. But they also provide the solid food of more sublime doctrine to those who are more nearly perfect.
Desire the rational and pure milk, without guile, etc. This precept of desiring the milk of the word pertains to those who come to hear the sacred readings unwillingly and disdainfully, ignorant of that thirst and hunger of which the Lord said: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. V). Therefore, they arrive more slowly at the full growth of salvation, by which they could be refreshed with the solid food of the word, that is, to know the divine mysteries or to do greater good.
Therefore, laying aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisies and envies, and all slanders, like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.
Where the excellence of spiritual rebirth shows above birth according to the flesh, and demonstrates the despair of mortal glory: for birth is indeed corruptible and filthy, while glory is not different from those things that germinate in springtime: it shows that the same does not occur in the Lord's word. For all human opinion soon ceases, but not so the word of God; rather, it has a perpetual duration and true promises. For that is what the addition means, "The word which by the gospel was preached to you." (1 Peter 1:25) When he had woven this in the preceding parts, taking from each what is useful and tends toward necessary use, he adapts the teaching to moral discourse, and says:
Therefore, laying aside all malice, designating so many and such things with these few words. For those who are reborn to incorruptible life, it is unworthy to be caught in the snares of malice, and to prefer what is not to what truly is. For malice is not substance, but revolves around the vice of created substance. However, there is a great distinction between the life that subsists and that which has only loyalty to what subsists. These, however, are worthy, he says, to be shown to be free from deceit and hypocrisies and from envies, and all slanders. Indeed, deceit and hypocrisies are far from "the word which by the gospel was preached to you," (1 Peter 1:25) as deceit leads to the destruction of those who are seduced, while hypocrisies proceed in variation and change of that which is: against which the valuable discourse that has instructed you seems to proceed. But what place will envy and slander have in you, who, bound by the solid bond of brotherly love, can receive harm from any discord stirring up? Moreover, he who does not know that envy and slander are the causes of discord and brotherly hatred is unaware of both Cain and the tragedy that surrounded him, who, because of envy, was torn from brotherly union, and conceived deceit, hypocrisy, and murder. (Gen. 4:1) But he is pure from slander who is envious, provided that Joseph's brothers are deemed suitable to confirm the speech, who reported this to the father about countless matters. (Gen. 37:1)
Therefore, Peter said, purifying yourselves from all these things, as newborn infants, approach (for such is the kingdom of God, as the Lord has demonstrated [Luke 17:16]) and grow up in the word of malice, until you reach the measure of the fullness of Christ's age. (Eph. 6:14)
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Summary
In 1 Peter 2:2, the Apostle Peter exhorts believers, likened to newborn infants, to cultivate an intense and unadulterated desire for the pure truths of God's revelation. This profound craving for spiritual nourishment is presented not as an optional discipline but as the essential means by which they can experience genuine and continuous growth in their faith journey, moving from spiritual infancy towards maturity.
Context
Literary Context
This verse immediately follows Peter's imperative in 1 Peter 2:1 to "lay aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings." Having addressed the necessity of purging spiritual impurities and negative behaviors that hinder fellowship and growth, Peter then pivots to the positive command: the active pursuit of spiritual nourishment. The imagery of "newborn babes" suggests a fresh start, a clean slate, ready to receive pure sustenance. This transition underscores that spiritual purification is not an end in itself, but a prerequisite for healthy spiritual development, with the Word of God being the primary means for that growth. The preceding chapter also emphasizes the new birth through the living and abiding Word of God (1 Peter 1:23), setting the stage for the crucial role of this Word in the believer's life.
Historical & Cultural Context
Peter addresses believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, often referred to as "elect exiles" or "sojourners" (1 Peter 1:1). These early Christians faced various forms of social ostracism, misunderstanding, and nascent persecution for their faith. In such a challenging environment, spiritual stability and growth were paramount. The metaphor of "milk" for foundational teaching was common in ancient Jewish and early Christian thought, as seen in other New Testament writings. Just as physical infants in the ancient world were utterly dependent on their mother's milk for survival and development, Peter emphasizes the absolute necessity of God's pure truth for the spiritual vitality of these fledgling communities and individual believers amidst adversity. The call to "desire" the Word implies a conscious and intentional engagement, contrasting with the passive reception of cultural norms or potentially corrupting philosophies.
Key Themes
Peter's letter consistently highlights several interconnected themes that 1 Peter 2:2 profoundly contributes to. Firstly, the theme of Spiritual New Birth and Identity is foundational, with believers being described as "newborn babes," signifying their fresh start in Christ and their new spiritual family, echoing the concept of being born again as Jesus taught Nicodemus. Secondly, the Purity and Efficacy of God's Word is central; the "sincere milk" refers to the unadulterated, life-giving truth of Scripture, contrasting with deceitful human teachings. This underscores the Word's power to transform and sustain. Thirdly, the theme of Innate Spiritual Desire and Dependence is emphasized by the command to "desire," portraying a natural, healthy spiritual appetite that should be cultivated, much like a baby's instinctive craving for nourishment. Finally, the ultimate purpose is Progressive Spiritual Growth and Maturity, as the verse explicitly states, "that ye may grow thereby." This highlights that Christian life is a dynamic journey of continuous development, moving from foundational truths to deeper understanding and greater Christlikeness, a process also emphasized in 2 Peter 3:18.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The term artigénnētos specifically means "just born," indicating a recent spiritual birth, while bréphos refers to an infant, literally or figuratively. Together, "newborn babes" vividly portrays believers as those who have recently experienced spiritual regeneration, emphasizing their nascent stage in the faith journey and their complete dependence on spiritual nourishment, much like physical infants.
This verb signifies an intense craving, a strong longing, or to "dote upon." It is not a casual wish but an earnest, even passionate, yearning. Peter calls believers to cultivate an eager and instinctive appetite for God's Word, similar to a baby's compelling need for milk, indicating that this desire should be a natural and powerful drive within the regenerated heart.
Ádolos means "undeceitful" or "unadulterated," emphasizing the purity and integrity of the spiritual nourishment. Gála is "milk," used metaphorically for foundational spiritual truths. Logikós means "rational" or "of the word," connecting this "milk" to the divine logos (Word). Thus, "sincere milk of the word" refers to the pure, uncorrupted, and essential truths of God's revelation, free from human error or deceit, providing the most basic and necessary sustenance for spiritual life and growth.
Verse Breakdown
"As newborn babes,"
This phrase establishes a powerful simile, comparing believers to infants who have just been born. It highlights their spiritual infancy, emphasizing their new spiritual life and their inherent dependence on an external source for sustenance and development, just as a physical baby relies entirely on its mother's milk.
"desire the sincere milk of the word,"
This is the central command and metaphor. "Desire" (epipothéō) conveys an intense, instinctive craving. The "sincere milk" refers to the pure, unadulterated, foundational truths of God's revelation, free from deceit or human additives. "Of the word" clarifies that this spiritual "milk" is derived directly from God's revealed truth, the Scriptures. The exhortation is to cultivate a deep, natural hunger for this pure spiritual food.
"that ye may grow thereby:"
This clause states the purpose and outcome of desiring and consuming the "sincere milk of the word." The spiritual nourishment provided by God's Word is not merely for sustenance but for progressive growth. "Thereby" indicates that growth is directly facilitated by this spiritual diet, leading believers from spiritual infancy to increasing maturity, knowledge, and Christlikeness.
Literary Devices
Peter effectively employs several literary devices to convey his message. The most prominent is Simile, evident in the opening phrase "As newborn babes," which draws a direct comparison between new believers and infants. This comparison powerfully illustrates their spiritual immaturity, dependence, and the natural, intense craving for nourishment. Closely related is the Metaphor of "the sincere milk of the word," where God's pure truth is likened to milk, the essential and easily digestible food for infants. This metaphor highlights the foundational nature of basic biblical doctrines for spiritual life and growth, contrasting with "solid food" for the more mature. Furthermore, the verb "desire" is presented in the Imperative Mood, functioning as a command or strong exhortation. This indicates that cultivating such a hunger for God's Word is not optional but a vital discipline for all believers, underscoring its necessity for spiritual vitality and development.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The theological implications of 1 Peter 2:2 are profound, underscoring the vital role of God's Word in the life of a believer. It highlights that spiritual life, initiated by the new birth, is sustained and developed through consistent engagement with divine truth. Just as physical growth requires physical nourishment, spiritual growth necessitates spiritual feeding. The emphasis on "sincere" or "pure" milk points to the unadulterated nature of God's revelation, contrasting it with human philosophies or corrupted teachings. This verse establishes a fundamental principle: genuine spiritual maturity is impossible without a deliberate, consistent, and hungry intake of Scripture. It also implicitly connects to the doctrine of sanctification, as growth "thereby" implies a progressive transformation into Christlikeness, enabled by the Word that purifies and instructs.
Reflection and Application
For believers today, 1 Peter 2:2 serves as a timeless and urgent call to prioritize and passionately pursue God's Word. It challenges us to examine our spiritual appetites: Do we crave the pure truth of Scripture with the same intensity a hungry infant craves milk? In a world saturated with information, opinions, and distractions, this verse reminds us that true spiritual vitality and growth come from consistent, intentional immersion in the unadulterated Word of God. It compels us to be discerning consumers of spiritual teaching, ensuring that what we ingest is pure and unmixed with human error or worldly philosophies. Cultivating this desire requires discipline, prayer, and a recognition of our absolute dependence on God's revelation for our spiritual health and maturity. As we faithfully engage with the "sincere milk of the word," we can confidently expect to grow in grace, knowledge, and likeness to Christ, becoming more stable and fruitful in our faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "sincere milk of the word" mean?
The phrase "sincere milk of the word" refers to the pure, unadulterated, and foundational truths of God's revelation found in the Scriptures. "Sincere" (Greek: ádolos) means without guile, deceit, or adulteration, implying that the Word of God is trustworthy, uncorrupted by human philosophies or errors. "Milk" is a metaphor for the basic, essential doctrines of Christianity, which are easily digestible and necessary for initial spiritual nourishment and growth, much like a baby needs milk. It is the core, vital truth that sustains and develops the new believer.
Why are believers called "newborn babes" in this verse?
Believers are called "newborn babes" to highlight their spiritual new birth through faith in Christ, as described in John 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:23. This imagery emphasizes their fresh start in the spiritual life, their innocence (in terms of newness, not sinlessness), and crucially, their complete dependence on God for sustenance and growth. Just as a physical infant is utterly reliant on milk for survival and development, new believers are entirely dependent on the "sincere milk of the word" for their spiritual vitality and progress.
Is the "milk of the word" only for new believers, or does it apply to mature Christians too?
While "milk" primarily refers to foundational truths essential for new believers, the principle of desiring God's Word for growth applies to all believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity. As seen in Hebrews 5:12-14, there's a progression from "milk" (basic doctrines) to "solid food" (deeper, more complex truths for mature believers). However, even mature believers benefit from revisiting foundational truths and continually drawing nourishment from the entirety of God's Word. The underlying command is to "desire" the Word, implying a continuous, lifelong hunger for all of God's revelation, leading to ongoing growth and deeper understanding.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While 1 Peter 2:2 speaks directly of desiring the "sincere milk of the word" for spiritual growth, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ, the living Word of God. The written Word (Scripture) points us to the incarnate Word (Jesus). Just as the "word" (Greek: logikós) in this verse connects to the divine Logos, John 1:1 reveals that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), making God known. Therefore, desiring the "milk of the word" is ultimately desiring a deeper knowledge of and relationship with Christ himself, who is the truth (John 14:6) and the bread of life (John 6:35). Our spiritual growth, enabled by the Word, is growth "into him who is the head—Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). Thus, the nourishment we receive from Scripture transforms us to be more like the One it reveals, leading us to spiritual maturity in Him.