1 Peter 2:2

KJV

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

KJV (with Strong's)

As {G5613} newborn {G738} babes {G1025}, desire {G1971} the sincere {G97} milk {G1051} of the word {G3050}, that {G2443} ye may grow {G837} thereby {G1722}{G846}:

Complete Jewish Bible

and be like newborn babies, thirsty for the pure milk of the Word; so that by it, you may grow up into deliverance.

Berean Standard Bible

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

American Standard Version

as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;

Commentary

### 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](/1_peter/2-1 "1 Peter 2:1 - Laying Aside Malice") 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](/1_peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23 - Born Again by the Word of God")), 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](/1_peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting to the Elect Exiles")). 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](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - 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](/2_peter/3-18 "2 Peter 3:18 - Growing in Grace and Knowledge").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **newborn babes (Greek, _artigénnētos_ G738; _bréphos_ G1025):** 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.
* **desire (Greek, _epipothéō_ G1971):** 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.
* **sincere milk of the word (Greek, _ádolos_ G97; _gála_ G1051; _logikós_ G3050):** `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.

* [Hebrews 5:12-14](/hebrews/5-12-14 "Hebrews 5:12-14 - Milk vs. Solid Food")
* [Psalm 119:103](/psalm/119-103 "Psalm 119:103 - Sweetness of God's Word")
* [Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone")

### 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
* **How would you describe your current "spiritual appetite" for God's Word? Is it a deep craving or a casual interest?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a more intense and consistent desire for the "sincere milk of the word" in your daily life?**
* **What distractions or "spiritual impurities" might be hindering your ability to fully receive and grow from God's pure truth?**
* **How have you personally experienced spiritual growth as a direct result of engaging with Scripture?**

### FAQ
**What does "sincere milk of the word" mean?**

Answer: 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?**

Answer: Believers are called "newborn babes" to highlight their spiritual new birth through faith in Christ, as described in [John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Born Again") and [1 Peter 1:23](/1_peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23 - Born Again by the Word of God"). 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?**

Answer: 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](/hebrews/5-12-14 "Hebrews 5:12-14 - Milk vs. Solid Food"), 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](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), 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](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) and the bread of life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Our spiritual growth, enabled by the Word, is growth "into him who is the head—Christ" ([Ephesians 4:15](/ephesians/4-15 "Ephesians 4:15 - Growing Up into Christ")). Thus, the nourishment we receive from Scripture transforms us to be more like the One it reveals, leading us to spiritual maturity in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 5:12

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Hebrews 5:13

For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Ephesians 4:15

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 3:1

¶ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:2

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.

Mark 10:15

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.