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1 Peter 2:6<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus Christ is the main foundation stone of the church.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cChief cornerstone<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek words, lithon<\/span><\/em> akrog\u014dniaios<\/span><\/em>. Lithon<\/span><\/em> refers to \u201ca building block\u201d and akrogoniaios<\/span><\/em> is a compound word made up of akro<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201chighest, extreme, or most important\u201d and g\u014dnia<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201ccorner.\u201d Hence, it means \u201cmost important cornerstone.\u201d<\/p>\n The expression \u201cby no means<\/span>\u201d is translated from the two Greek words ou<\/span><\/em> m\u0113<\/span><\/em>. Both of these Greek words imply negation. Me<\/span><\/em> expresses a conditional negation, implying that one believes or supposes a thing not to exist. Ou<\/span><\/em>, on the other hand, expresses the direct and full negation independently and in an absolute sense. When the two words are used together, as in this verse, it expresses the emphatic, absolute, unconditional negation.<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peter has just talked about us being living stones built up as a spiritual house. He now refers to the foundation that this house is built upon. He also takes this occasion to demonstrate that this is none other than the Messiah referred to in the Old Testament. He does so by quoting Isaiah 28:16<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The cornerstone was the most important part of a foundation in those times. It was the stone which determined the location, direction, and elevation which the entire building was to occupy. If it was incorrectly placed, it would affect the entire building. If it was not strong and sturdy enough, it could jeopardize the entire structure. Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith and of the church. Everything we do as Christians must be founded on who He is and what He did.<\/p>\n The expression \u201cchief corner\u201d is used in only one other place in the Bible, Ephesians 2:20<\/span><\/strong>. Reading that passage sheds a little more light on the cornerstone of our faith:<\/p>\n Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the<\/span> chief corner<\/span>stone<\/span><\/em>, in whom every building having been fitly framed together, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a dwelling place of God through the<\/span> Spirit.<\/span> (Ephesians 2:19-22<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n The final phrase of today\u2019s verse, \u201cand he who believes on him shall not be disgraced,\u201d <\/span>is taken from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). A direct translation of the original Hebrew version actually reads, \u201cand he who believes on him shall not make haste.\u201d<\/span> The notion is that one who is disgraced or confounded often runs away, which is why the translators of the Septuagint, believing this to be the intended meaning, rendered it as \u201cdisgraced.\u201d<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We are to be an integral, active part of the church. We, all saved believers, are the body of Christ as we are told in Romans 12:5<\/span><\/strong> and 1 Corinthians 12:27<\/span><\/strong>. And, we are to be building up the body. You can\u2019t do this if you are isolated from the rest of the body. So, are you building the church based on your own works or the finished work of Jesus Christ?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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