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1 Peter 2:7<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Therefore, to you who believe,<\/span><\/strong> He is<\/span><\/em> precious; but to those who are disobedient, “the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,”<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n What you believe about Jesus determines the role He plays in your life, both now and eternally.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The word translated \u201cbelieve<\/span>\u201d is pisteu\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto believe\u201d or \u201cto have faith.\u201d It is expressed here as a present participle and could be expressed as \u201cthe believing ones.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDisobedient<\/span>\u201d is translated from apeithe\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which literally means \u201csomeone who is not persuaded\u201d or \u201csomeone who does not believe.\u201d Through common usage, however, it has come to mean \u201cone who is disobedient.\u201d This, too, is expressed in the current verse as a present participle and could be expressed as \u201cdisobeying ones.\u201d<\/p>\n In the previous verse we saw that \u201cchief cornerstone<\/span>\u201d was the translation of the Greek words lithon akrog\u014dniaios<\/span><\/em>. In the current verse it is translated from kephal\u0113n g\u014dnias<\/span><\/em>, which literally means \u201chead of the corner.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201crejected<\/span>\u201d is translated from apodokimadz\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which is a compound word made up of apo<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cfrom\u201d or \u201caway from\u201d and dokimadz\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto test\u201d or \u201cto approve.\u201d Hence, it means \u201cto disapprove\u201d or \u201cto reject.\u201d<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In verses 2 and 4 of this chapter, Peter refers to Christ, the cornerstone, as precious, having great value. In this verse he makes a distinction between what this cornerstone is to true believers and what this stone (stumbling stone) is to unbelievers. To those of us who believe, He is truly precious, but to the disobedient ones, those who reject Christ, He is a stumbling stone, as Peter will say in the next verse. In the current verse, Peter is pulling together the contents of three different Old Testament passages:<\/p>\n And He shall be a sanctuary for you<\/span>, but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of falling to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the people of Jerusalem<\/span> (Isaiah 8:14<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n therefore so says the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I place in Zion a Stone for a foundation, a tried Stone, a precious Cornerstone, a sure Foundation; he who believes shall not hurry<\/span> (Isaiah 28:16<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n The Stone which<\/span> the builders refused has become the Head of the corner<\/span> (Psalms 118:22<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n The Jews, you see, took delight in the verses which portrayed their Messiah as a bearer of blessing, while they overlooked those references to His retribution and offense. Peter is making it clear to his readers that Christ is one and the same with the Messiah and, depending on what you believe about Him, is either a Savior or a Judge.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n I sometimes make assumptions about the people who read these daily devotional studies. I assume that you already believe Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, and that you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. If that\u2019s true, then Jesus is your sure foundation. Otherwise, He is your Judge and you will be found eternally guilty!<\/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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