1 Peter 2:7,8

1 Pet. 2:7, 8. "Unto you therefore which believe, he is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is become the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence," etc. There are several ways and respects, that stones or rocks are valuable and of benefit to men, in each of which Christ in Scripture is compared to a stone or rock with regard to believers.

1. Some stones are highly valued for their preciousness of their nature and substance, and beauty of their form, and so are valued as a great treasure, and that which is prized because it enriches and adorns. So Christ is said to be a stone that is precious to believers. He is spoken of as a pearl of great price. So he was typified by the precious or costly stones that were brought for the foundation of the temple.

2. Stones or rocks are a great benefit to mankind, as a sure foundation of a building; so is Christ to believers.

3. Rocks were commonly made use of for defense from enemies; their fortresses were ordinarily built on high rocks, or rocky mountains; so is Christ often spoken of in Scripture as the strong rock, high tower, refuge, and sure defense of believers.

4. Rocks were of great benefit to travelers in the hot parched deserts of Arabia, near to Canaan, by their cool shadows. The benefit believers have by Christ, is compared to this, Isaiah 32, at the beginning.

5. In a time of inundation, mountains or rocks would be the places to resort to for safety, to keep from being overwhelmed. The benefit believers have by Christ is compared to this, Psalms 61:2, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

On the contrary, there are several ways that stones, or rocks, are disesteemed among men, and hurtful to them; wherein Christ is compared to a stone or rock with regard to unbelievers:

1. Nothing is ordinarily looked upon and treated by men as more worthless than common stones; so is Christ disesteemed and rejected by unbelievers: as builders throw away misshapen stones as not for their purpose, and of no value.

2. Stones are offensive to travelers, and an occasion of their stumbling and falling; so is Christ to unbelievers, "a stone of stumbling."

3. Rocks are very often fatal to sailors, and the occasion of their suffering shipwreck; so those that enjoy the gospel, and have the means of grace, but fail through unbelief, are in Scripture compared to them who suffer shipwreck at sea; 1 Timothy 1:19, "Concerning faith have made shipwreck."

4. Those high rocks that were most fit for places of defense, had dreadful precipices, which if men fell over, they would be broken in pieces: Isaiah 8:14, "And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, etc. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and taken."

1 Pet. 4:6