1 Peter 2:4

KJV

¶ To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

KJV (with Strong's)

To {G4314} whom {G3739} coming {G4334}, as unto a living {G2198} stone {G3037}, disallowed {G593} indeed {G3303} of {G5259} men {G444}, but {G1161} chosen {G1588} of {G3844} God {G2316}, and precious {G1784},

Complete Jewish Bible

As you come to him, the living stone, rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him,

Berean Standard Bible

As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,

American Standard Version

unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Peter 2:4 profoundly articulates the foundational truth of Jesus Christ as the "Living Stone," inviting believers to draw near to Him. This verse highlights a divine paradox: though Christ was rejected and "disallowed" by humanity, He was simultaneously "chosen of God, and precious," establishing His unique and indispensable role as the cornerstone of God's spiritual edifice and the source of life for all who come to Him in faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal transition from Peter's exhortation in [1 Peter 2:1-3](/1_peter/2-1-3 "1 Peter 2:1-3 - Longing for Spiritual Milk") for believers to crave spiritual milk and grow in their salvation, having "tasted that the Lord is gracious." Immediately following this call to spiritual nourishment, [1 Peter 2:4](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4 - Christ, the Living Stone") identifies the very object of that growth and grace: Jesus Christ Himself. It introduces the central metaphor of Christ as the "Living Stone," which then sets the stage for the subsequent verses in [1 Peter 2:5-10](/1_peter/2-5-10 "1 Peter 2:5-10 - Believers as Living Stones and a Royal Priesthood"), where Peter expands on the concept of the church as a "spiritual house" built upon this foundation, with believers themselves becoming "lively stones." The flow of thought moves from spiritual appetite to the living source that satisfies it, then to the corporate identity formed by connection to this source.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter's audience comprised scattered believers, many of whom were Gentiles, facing social ostracism and persecution in various Roman provinces (see [1 Peter 1:1](/1_peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting to the Exiles")). The metaphor of a "stone" would have resonated deeply in an ancient world where stone was the primary building material. Concepts like "cornerstone" or "foundation stone" were critical for architectural stability and integrity, often referring to the first stone laid, which determined the alignment of the entire structure. The idea of a stone being "disallowed" or rejected by builders but "chosen" by God would have evoked Old Testament prophecies (e.g., [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")), which the early church frequently applied to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection (e.g., [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Peter's Sermon to the Sanhedrin")). This context would have provided immense comfort and theological grounding for believers experiencing rejection, reminding them that their rejected Christ was God's ultimate choice.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Peter 2:4](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4 - Christ, the Living Stone") encapsulates several profound themes. Firstly, **Christ as the Living Stone** emphasizes Jesus' unique, dynamic, and life-giving nature, distinguishing Him from any mere inanimate object or static religious figure. He is the active, enduring foundation upon which all true faith and the church are built. Secondly, the theme of **Rejection by Humanity, Election by God** highlights the stark contrast between human judgment and divine purpose. While Jesus was "disallowed indeed of men" during His earthly ministry, leading to His crucifixion, He was simultaneously "chosen of God, and precious," revealing God's sovereign plan and immense value placed upon His Son. This paradox is central to understanding the redemptive narrative. Thirdly, the **Act of "Coming"** to Christ underscores the active, ongoing, and personal relationship believers are called to cultivate. It signifies faith, trust, and drawing near to His presence and power, recognizing Him as the indispensable source of spiritual life, stability, and acceptance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Living (Greek, _záō'_):** From G2198, a primary verb meaning "to live" literally or figuratively. In the context of "living stone," it emphasizes Christ's dynamic, active, and life-giving essence, contrasting Him with inanimate building materials. He is not a dead monument but a vibrant source of spiritual life and vitality for those who connect with Him.
* **Disallowed (Greek, _apodokimázō'_):** From G593, meaning "to disapprove, to repudiate" after examination or testing. This term highlights humanity's flawed judgment and rejection of Jesus, particularly by the religious and political authorities of His time, despite His perfect life and divine credentials. It implies a deliberate act of rejection based on a false assessment.
* **Chosen (Greek, _eklektós'_):** From G1588, meaning "select; by implication, favorite." This word signifies divine election and selection. Despite human rejection, God sovereignly chose Jesus for His redemptive purposes, demonstrating His unique favor and preeminence in the Father's plan.
* **Precious (Greek, _éntimos'_):** From G1784, meaning "valued (figuratively); dear, more honourable, in reputation." This term underscores the immense worth, honor, and esteem that God places upon His Son. In God's eyes, Christ is of supreme value, a treasure beyond measure, regardless of how He was treated by humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To whom coming":** This phrase initiates an invitation and describes an ongoing action. It implies a continuous, active movement of faith and reliance on the part of the believer. It is not a one-time event but a perpetual drawing near to Christ, indicating a dynamic relationship.
* **"as unto a living stone":** This is the central metaphor of the verse. Christ is described not merely as a stone (a solid, foundational object) but as a "living" one. This signifies His active, life-giving, and enduring nature. He is the vital, dynamic foundation upon which all spiritual reality and the church are built, imparting life to those connected to Him.
* **"disallowed indeed of men":** This clause highlights the historical reality of Jesus' rejection by human authorities and society, culminating in His crucifixion. The word "disallowed" (apodokimázō) suggests a deliberate judgment and repudiation, emphasizing the stark contrast between human and divine perspectives.
* **"but chosen of God, and precious":** This triumphant counter-clause reveals God's ultimate verdict on Christ. Despite human rejection, God Himself chose Jesus and holds Him in the highest esteem. "Chosen" (eklektós) speaks to divine election and purpose, while "precious" (éntimos) affirms His immeasurable value and honor in God's eyes. This contrast underscores God's sovereign will and the unique worth of His Son.

#### Literary Devices
First Peter 2:4 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically the description of Christ as a "Living Stone." This imagery draws from the familiar concept of a foundational building block but imbues it with dynamic life, signifying Christ's active, enduring, and life-imparting nature as the indispensable basis for faith and the church. The verse also employs striking **Contrast** and **Paradox**. The contrast is evident in the opposing judgments of humanity and God: "disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious." This creates a profound paradox, where the one rejected by human wisdom is simultaneously the one supremely valued and elected by divine wisdom. This juxtaposition highlights the radical difference between worldly and heavenly perspectives, emphasizing God's sovereign and counter-intuitive plan of salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is profoundly significant for Christian theology, establishing Christ's unique and indispensable role as the foundation of salvation and the church. It underscores the divine paradox of God's wisdom versus human folly, where the one rejected by humanity is the very one chosen and esteemed by God. This truth provides a theological framework for understanding suffering and rejection in the Christian life, as believers are called to identify with Christ's own experience of being "disallowed" by the world, yet "chosen" and "precious" in God's sight. The "Living Stone" metaphor connects Christ's person directly to the spiritual edifice of the church, implying that all true spiritual life and growth stem from an active relationship with Him.

* [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")
* [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - God's Precious Cornerstone")
* [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Chief Cornerstone of the Church")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, the truth of Christ as the "Living Stone" offers profound comfort, stability, and a reorientation of values. In a world that often rejects faith, marginalizes Christian values, or dismisses the claims of Christ, this verse reminds us that our foundation is not built on shifting human opinions or fleeting cultural trends, but on the eternal, unshakeable, and divinely chosen Son of God. When we ourselves feel "disallowed" or undervalued by society, we are reminded that our worth is not determined by human approval but by our connection to the One who is "chosen of God, and precious." Our ongoing act of "coming" to Him signifies a continuous reliance on His life-giving power, His divine acceptance, and His enduring truth. This empowers us to live stable, purposeful lives, rooted in His reality, and to find our identity and security not in worldly affirmation, but in God's eternal election of Christ and our inclusion in Him. It calls us to build our lives on the only foundation that will never fail, drawing daily from His inexhaustible life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to seek human approval or validation over God's divine election and valuation of Christ?**
* **How does understanding Christ as the "Living Stone" impact my view of the church and my role within it?**
* **What does it mean for me, practically, to be "coming" to Christ as a continuous act in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that Jesus is the "Living Stone"?**

Answer: The phrase "Living Stone" (Greek: _lithos zōn_) is a profound metaphor for Jesus Christ. It combines the idea of a stone, representing solidity, foundation, and permanence (like a cornerstone in ancient architecture), with the concept of "living," which emphasizes His dynamic, active, and life-giving nature. Unlike an inanimate building block, Jesus is alive, active, and imparts spiritual life to those who connect with Him. He is the vital, enduring, and dynamic foundation of God's spiritual house, the church, and the source of eternal life for all believers. This concept is further developed in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Believers as Living Stones"), where believers themselves are called "lively stones" built upon Him.

**Why was Jesus "disallowed indeed of men"?**

Answer: The phrase "disallowed indeed of men" (Greek: _apodokimázō_) refers to the historical rejection of Jesus by human authorities, particularly the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman government, which ultimately led to His crucifixion. It signifies that after examination and testing, humanity, in its flawed judgment, repudiated Him. This rejection was not due to any fault in Jesus, but rather a result of human blindness, sin, and a misunderstanding of God's redemptive plan. This theme is echoed throughout the New Testament, for example, in [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Stone the Builders Rejected") and [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Peter's Sermon to the Sanhedrin"), where Peter explicitly states that Jesus is "the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Peter 2:4 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who perfectly embodies the paradoxical nature of God's redemptive plan. He is the very "Living Stone" upon whom all of God's promises and purposes are built, a concept rooted deeply in Old Testament prophecies like [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - God's Precious Cornerstone"), which speaks of a "precious corner stone, a sure foundation." Though He was "disallowed indeed of men"—rejected, scorned, and crucified by humanity, as foretold in [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected") and recounted in the Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 27:22-23](/matthew/27-22-23 "Matthew 27:22-23 - Pilate Delivers Jesus to be Crucified"))—He was simultaneously "chosen of God, and precious." This divine election is affirmed in His resurrection from the dead, which vindicated Him and demonstrated God's supreme valuation (as seen in [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the chief cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, the Church, where believers, as "lively stones," are built upon Him ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone of the Church")). Thus, Christ's rejection by man and election by God is not merely a historical fact but the very means by which He became the life-giving foundation for all who "come" to Him in faith, offering them an unshakeable identity and eternal security 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

Psalms 118:22

The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

Psalms 118:23

This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.

Acts 4:11

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

1 Peter 2:7

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,

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith 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 believeth shall not make haste.

Luke 20:17

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?