1 Peter Chapter 2 · Verse 4

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

πρὸς To G4314
πρὸς To
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 1 of 14
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ὃν whom G3739
ὃν whom
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 2 of 14
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
προσερχόμενοι coming G4334
προσερχόμενοι coming
Strong's: G4334
Word #: 3 of 14
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
λίθον stone G3037
λίθον stone
Strong's: G3037
Word #: 4 of 14
a stone (literally or figuratively)
ζῶντα as unto a living G2198
ζῶντα as unto a living
Strong's: G2198
Word #: 5 of 14
to live (literally or figuratively)
ὑπὸ of G5259
ὑπὸ of
Strong's: G5259
Word #: 6 of 14
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
ἀνθρώπων men G444
ἀνθρώπων men
Strong's: G444
Word #: 7 of 14
man-faced, i.e., a human being
μὲν indeed G3303
μὲν indeed
Strong's: G3303
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἀποδεδοκιμασμένον disallowed G593
ἀποδεδοκιμασμένον disallowed
Strong's: G593
Word #: 9 of 14
to disapprove, i.e., (by implication) to repudiate
παρὰ of G3844
παρὰ of
Strong's: G3844
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
δὲ but G1161
δὲ but
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 11 of 14
but, and, etc
θεῷ God G2316
θεῷ God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 12 of 14
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐκλεκτὸν chosen G1588
ἐκλεκτὸν chosen
Strong's: G1588
Word #: 13 of 14
select; by implication, favorite
ἔντιμον and precious G1784
ἔντιμον and precious
Strong's: G1784
Word #: 14 of 14
valued (figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

Peter introduces Christ as living stone, foundation of spiritual house. "To whom coming" (pros hon prosechomenoi)—present participle indicating continuous action: believers keep coming to Christ. He is "a living stone" (lithon zōnta)—paradoxical imagery, as stones are typically dead/inert. Christ lives eternally, the cornerstone of God's building (the church). He is "disallowed indeed of men" (hypo anthrōpōn men apodedokimasmen on)—rejected by human builders who deemed Him unsuitable (fulfilled in Sanhedrin's rejection). Yet "chosen of God, and precious" (para de theō eklekton entimon)—God selected and valued Christ supremely. Human rejection doesn't nullify divine election. This anticipates verses 6-8's fuller development of cornerstone theme.

Historical Context

Peter alludes to Psalm 118:22 ("stone which builders rejected became chief cornerstone") and Isaiah 28:16 ("I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious"). Jesus applied Psalm 118:22 to Himself (Matthew 21:42). Religious leaders rejected Jesus, but God vindicated Him through resurrection and exaltation. For persecuted believers facing rejection by Roman society and Jewish communities, this provided enormous encouragement—they aligned with God's chosen one, not human rejecters. Early church understood itself as built upon Christ the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22).

Questions for Reflection