SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:4
¶ al cual allegndoos (que es la Piedra viva, reprobada ciertamente de los hombres, pero elegida de Dios, preciosa),
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:4
Verse 4. To whom coming, as unto a living stone] This is a reference to Isa. xxviii. 16: Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. Jesus Christ is, in both the prophet and apostle, represented as the foundation on which the Christian Church is built, and on which it must continue to rest: and the stone or foundation is called here living, to intimate that he is the source of life to all his followers, and that it is in union with him that they live, and answer the end of their regeneration; as the stones of a building are of no use but as they occupy their proper places in a building, and rest on the foundation. Disallowed indeed of men] That is, rejected by the Jews. This is a plain reference to the prophecy, Psa. cxviii. 22: The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Chosen of God] To be the saviour of the world, and the Founder of the Church, and the foundation on which it rests; As Christ is the choice of the Father, we need have no doubt of the efficacy and sufficiency of all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of a lost world. God can never be mistaken in his choice; therefore he that chooses Christ for his portion shall never be confounded.
Precious] entimon? Honourable. Howsoever despised and rejected by men, Jesus, as the sacrifice for a lost world, is infinitely honourable in the sight of God; and those who are united by faith to him partake of the same honour, being members of that great and glorious body of which he is the head, and stones in that superb building of which he is the foundation.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. To whom coming, as unto a living stone , etc.] Christ here, as often elsewhere, is compared to a stone; and Peter, by the use of this metaphor, shows that he is not the rock, but Christ is the rock on which the church is built, and he is the foundation stone on which every believer is laid; and it is chiefly with respect to the usefulness of a stone in building, that Christ is compared to one, who is the foundation and cornerstone, as well as for strength and duration; and he is called a living one, because he has life in himself, as God, as Mediator, and as man; and communicates life to others, as natural life to all creatures, and spiritual and eternal life to his people, whose great privilege it is to come to him: and by coming to him is meant believing in him; and it does not design the first act of faith on Christ, or a soul's first coming to Christ, but an after and continued exercise of faith on him; and it supposes Christ to be come at, notwithstanding he is in heaven, and saints on earth, for their faith and hope can enter into, and reach him within the vail, and notwithstanding their many transgressions and backslidings; it supposes life in them, or they could not come; and a sense of their need of him, of his righteousness to justify them, of his blood for pardoning and cleansing, of his fulness to supply their want of food, rest, peace, comfort, and salvation in him; and a persuasion of his ability and willingness to relieve them: and they are encouraged to come to him under the above considerations, as a stone, a foundation stone; believing that he is laid as a foundation, and that he is the only foundation, and therefore they lay the whole stress of their salvation, and build all their hopes of happiness on him; and as a living stone, deriving grace, life, and strength from him; exercising faith on him for all the mercies, blessings, and comforts of a spiritual life, and looking to his mercy for eternal life. Disallowed indeed of men ; by the Jewish builders, high priests, Scribes, and Pharisees, and the body and bulk of that nation; who rejected him as the Messiah, and stone of Israel, refused him as a foundation stone, and left him out of the building; and laid another foundation, even their own works of righteousness, on which sandy foundation they built themselves, and directed others to do so likewise; and set him, at nought, as a living stone, would not come to him for life, but sought it in the law, the killing letter, and among their dead works; but though Christ was thus disallowed and disesteemed of by men, yet was he highly valued and esteemed by God: but chosen of God, and precious ; his human nature was chosen from among, and above all other individuals of mankind; to be united to the Son of God; as God-man and Mediator, he was chosen to that high office, to be the head of the church, and the Saviour of the body; to be the foundation in the spiritual building, and to be the author and giver of spiritual and eternal life to as many as were given him. Moreover, this phrase denotes the superior excellency of Christ to angels and men in the account of God; being the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person, the Son of his love, in whom he was always well pleased, and in whom he took infinite delight, considered both as his Son, and the surety of his people; and to whom he was precious , and by him highly honoured, made higher than the kings of the earth, than the angels in heaven, than the heavens themselves, being set down at God's right hand, and a name given him above every name in this world, or that to come; and who is precious to the saints too, more so than rubies, or any precious stones, or any thing or creature whatever; his person is precious, and so are his name, his blood, his righteousness, his truths, his ordinances, and his people.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart; and hinder our profiting by the word of God. A new life needs suitable food Infants desire milk, and make the best endeavours for it which they ar able to do; such must be a Christian's desires after the word of God Our Lord Jesus Christ is very merciful to us miserable sinners; and he has a fulness of grace. But even the best of God's servants, in thi life, have only a taste of the consolations of God. Christ is called Stone, to teach his servants that he is their protection and security the foundation on which they are built. He is precious in the excellence of his nature, the dignity of his office, and the glory of his services. All true believers are a holy priesthood; sacred to God serviceable to others, endowed with heavenly gifts and graces. But the most spiritual sacrifices of the best in prayer and praise are no acceptable, except through Jesus Christ. Christ is the chie Corner-stone, that unites the whole number of believers into on everlasting temple, and bears the weight of the whole fabric. Elected or chosen, for a foundation that is everlasting. Precious beyon compare, by all that can give worth. To be built on Christ means, to believe in him; but in this many deceive themselves, they consider no what it is, nor the necessity of it, to partake of the salvation he ha wrought. Though the frame of the world were falling to pieces, that ma who is built on this foundation may hear it without fear. He shall no be confounded. The believing soul makes haste to Christ, but it neve finds cause to hasten from him. All true Christians are a chose generation; they make one family, a people distinct from the world: of another spirit, principle, and practice; which they could never be, i they were not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit. Their first state is a state of gross darkness, but they ar called out of darkness into a state of joy, pleasure, and prosperity that they should show forth the praises of the Lord by their professio of his truth, and their good conduct. How vast their obligations to Hi who has made them his people, and has shown mercy to them! to be without this mercy is a woful state, though a man have all worldl enjoyments. And there is nothing that so kindly works repentance, a right thoughts of the mercy and love of God. Let us not dare to abus and affront the free grace of God, if we mean to be saved by it; but let all who would be found among those who obtain mercy, walk as his people.
Greek Textus Receptus
προς 4314 ον 3739 προσερχομενοι 4334 5740 λιθον 3037 ζωντα 2198 5723 υπο 5259 ανθρωπων 444 μεν 3303 αποδεδοκιμασμενον 593 5772 παρα 3844 δε 1161 θεω 2316 εκλεκτον 1588 εντιμον 1784
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. Coming (prosercomenoi). Indicating a close (prov) and an habitual (present participle) approach and an intimate association.A living stone (liqon zwnta). Omit as unto. So Rev. The words are in apposition with whom (Christ). Compare Peter's use of the same word, stone, in Acts iv. 11, and Matt. xxi. 42. It is not the word which Christ uses as a personal name for Peter (Petrov); so that it is not necessary to infer that Peter was thinking of his own new name.
Disallowed (apodedokimasmenon). Rev., rejected. See on the simple verb, ch. i. 7. The word indicates rejection after trial.
Of God (para Qew). Of in the A.V. is equivalent to by; but para has a stronger sense, implying the absolute power of decisive choice which is with God. Render, as Rev., with God; i.e., God being judge; and compare Matt. xix. 26; Rom. ii. 11.
Precious (entimon). At ch. i. 19 (precious blood) another word is used (timiov), denoting essential preciousness. The word here indicates the preciousness as recognized or held in honor.
