1 Peter Chapter 2 · Verse 7

Authorized King James Version

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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,

Original Language Analysis

ὑμῖν Unto you G5213
ὑμῖν Unto you
Strong's: G5213
Word #: 1 of 18
to (with or by) you
οὖν therefore G3767
οὖν therefore
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 2 of 18
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
οἱ which G3588
οἱ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τιμὴ he is precious G5092
τιμὴ he is precious
Strong's: G5092
Word #: 4 of 18
a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
οἱ which G3588
οἱ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστεύουσιν believe G4100
πιστεύουσιν believe
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 6 of 18
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ἀπειθοῦσιν unto them which be disobedient G544
ἀπειθοῦσιν unto them which be disobedient
Strong's: G544
Word #: 7 of 18
to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)
δὲ but G1161
δὲ but
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 8 of 18
but, and, etc
Λίθον the stone G3037
Λίθον the stone
Strong's: G3037
Word #: 9 of 18
a stone (literally or figuratively)
ὃν which G3739
ὃν which
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 10 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀπεδοκίμασαν disallowed G593
ἀπεδοκίμασαν disallowed
Strong's: G593
Word #: 11 of 18
to disapprove, i.e., (by implication) to repudiate
οἱ which G3588
οἱ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκοδομοῦντες the builders G3618
οἰκοδομοῦντες the builders
Strong's: G3618
Word #: 13 of 18
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
οὗτος the same G3778
οὗτος the same
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 14 of 18
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἐγενήθη is made G1096
ἐγενήθη is made
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 15 of 18
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
εἰς G1519
εἰς
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 16 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
κεφαλὴν the head G2776
κεφαλὴν the head
Strong's: G2776
Word #: 17 of 18
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
γωνίας of the corner G1137
γωνίας of the corner
Strong's: G1137
Word #: 18 of 18
an angle

Analysis & Commentary

Peter addresses believers directly: "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious" (hymin oun hē timē tois pisteuousin)—literally "to you who believe is the honor/value." Christ's preciousness belongs to believers who recognize His worth. The contrast follows: "but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner" (apeithous in de lithos hon apedokimasan hoi oikodomountes, houtos egenēthē eis kephalēn gōnias). Peter quotes Psalm 118:22—rejected stone became chief cornerstone. Disobedient builders (Jewish leaders) rejected Christ, yet God exalted Him. The irony: what humans rejected, God made supreme.

Historical Context

The Psalm 118:22 quotation was Jesus's favorite self-description (Matthew 21:42). Religious leaders indeed rejected Jesus, but resurrection vindicated God's choice. For Peter's readers (many rejected by family/society for faith), this provided comfort: human rejection doesn't nullify God's approval. The contrast between believers finding Christ precious and unbelievers stumbling over Him runs throughout Scripture (1 Corinthians 1:23—Christ is stumbling block to some, wisdom to others).

Questions for Reflection