The Nugget:
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
My Comment:
The Scriptures are designed for promoting growth in grace. When it comes to spiritual things, there is always room for more growth. As we read and study the Bible, our knowledge of God and His will grows. Our knowledge of our Lord Jesus grows. Our growth in grace grows. The Holy Spirit is able to work in our lives to bring them more into the likeness of Christ. To grow in grace, we all need to partake regularly of the milk of the word. That word is now exclusively contained in the Bible. What a blessing it is to have free access to such a wonderful Book written by the very inspiration of God. Don’t go hungry spiritually, when the food you need is right before you!
For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:
(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1457 for 1 Peter 2:2.
(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1474 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Peter 2:2.
(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:
1 Peter 2:2. newborn. Gr. artigennētos (S#738g, only here), just born, that is, (figuratively) a young convert (Strong). The terms Peter uses do not imply he is addressing new converts, but demonstrate how all believers should have the same desire for God’s Word as a newborn baby has for its mother’s milk. 1 P 1:3, 23. Jn 1:13. Ep 4:24. 1 T 3:6. babes. Gr. brephos (S#1025g, Lk 18:15). T#1113. *1 P 1:23. =Le 22:11. Is 28:9. 40:11. +*Mt 11:25. *+Mt 18:3. 19:14. *Mk 10:14, 15. Lk 1:41n. 2:12, 16. 9:47. 10:21. +Lk 18:15, 16. Jn 21:15. Ac 7:19. Ro 2:20. *Ro 6:4. *1 Cor 3:1, 2. 14:20. +**2 Tim 3:15. desire. or, earnestly desire. Gr. epipotheō (S#1971g, Ro 1:11), to dote upon, that is, intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully) [Strong]. Peter states we should desire the Word of God just like a newborn baby desires milk. I think a fair inference to be drawn from Peter’s statement is that just like a newborn baby would die if it never gets milk, so anyone who does not feed on the written Word of God in the Bible will die spiritually. A further proper inference no doubt would be that anyone who has no desire to seriously feed on the written Word of God in the Bible is spiritually dead. *Jb 23:12. Ps 42:1. 84:2. 112:1. +*Ps 119:30, 31, 72, 131, 140, 165. Pr 2:1-6. %Is 58:2. Je 3:15. %Je 6:10. **Je 15:16. Mt 5:6. 13:23. *Ac 8:31n. 10:33. **+Ac 17:11. 2 Cor 7:11. Phil 2:26. the sincere. or, spiritual. or, pure. or, guileless. Gr. reasonable. Gr. adolos (S#97g, only here), undeceitful, that is, (figuratively) unadulterated (Strong). ver. 1 P 2:1. *Ps 19:7-10. +*Ps 119:40. +*Mk 4:24. +*Lk 8:18. Jn 10:5. Ro 12:1g. 2 Cor 4:2. milk. Gr. gala (S#1051g, 1 Cor 3:2). Is 28:9. 55:1. 66:11. Joel 3:18. *1 Cor 3:2. 9:7. *1 Tim 4:6. %*He 5:12, 13. 6:1. of the word. Gr. logikos (S#3050g, only here and Ro 12:1, “reasonable”), rational (“logical”) [Strong]; spiritual or rational, as opposed to literal and ceremonial (Vincent). The milk to be found in the Word of God is in the highest sense “reasonable.” See 1 P 3:15 (CB). It is the Word of God, not tradition, “which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Rather than contending so much for what is clearly not essential to faith in Christ, true Christians, Bible believing ones, encourage others to get into the written Word of God in the Bible for themselves so that they can come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way and have a life-giving relationship with Him that results in genuine belief that brings eternal life. Only the Bible provides the spiritual food necessary for spiritual growth and “works effectually” (1 Th 2:13n) in those who believe. *1 P 1:25. =Ex 16:15. +*Ps 119:50, 140. +Mt 4:4. Lk 8:15, +*Lk 8:18. Jn 3:12. +*Ro 10:17. 2 Cor 2:17. 4:2. Col 1:5. +**1 Th 2:13. 1 Tim 4:6. He 6:9n. +*James 1:21. grow. Gr. auxanō (S#837g, Mt 6:28). T#1048. 2 S 23:5. *Jb 17:9. Ps 19:11. +*Pr 4:18. *Ho 6:3. *Ho 14:5, 7. *Mal 4:2. Mt 13:23. Mk 4:8. Lk 8:15. +*Ac 20:32. Ep 2:21. *Ep 4:15. Phil 3:12. Col 1:6, +**Col 1:10. 2:19. *1 Th 2:13. 4:1, 10. 2 Th 1:3. +**2 Tim 3:16, 17. +*2 P 1:5-11. **2 P 3:18. thereby. Ac 11:14. Ep 4:13. *Col 1:6, 10.
1 pe 2.2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word,
that ye may grow thereby.
encouraging cross refs.(the best commentary on the bible is the bible)
1. rom 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:
that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
2. 1 co. 3.1 And i, brethren, could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto
carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
3. psm 19.7 The law of Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the
Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
4. psm 19.10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
5. heb 5.12-13 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that
one be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles
of the oracles of God; and of milk, and not of strong meat. v13 For every one that
useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
6. job 17.9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands
shall be stronger and stronger.
7. pro 4.18 The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day.
8. mal 4.2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with
healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
9. eph 4.15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which
is the head, even Christ:
10.2 th 1.3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because
that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward
each other aboundeth;
11. 2 pe 3.18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. amen.
12. psm 107. 8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his
wonderful works to the children of men!