1 Peter 2:2

1 Peter 2:2 ‘like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation'

‘like newborn babes' -‘Thirst, like newborn infants' (Wey). While new converts or the spiritually immature are called babes (1 Corinthians 3:1; Hebrews 5:13). This expression doesn't suggest that these Christians were recent converts. Rather, they are to crave the nourishment from the Word of God, like. newborn craves feeding time.

‘long for' -‘earnestly desire' (Vincent p. 641); ‘an ever-recurring desire for the word of God such as is characteristic of infants in their passionate longing and yearning for the milk which alone constitutes their food.' (Woods p. 54) This should be true of all Christians.

POINTS TO NOTE: 1. Every Christian needs to have an intense desire for God's communication to man (Psalms 41:1; Matthew 5:6). At the present this is the only tangible contact that we have from God. Like cherishing. note from. departed father, mother or spouse or. letter from. loved one that we can't see due to distance or circumstances. 2. ‘Infants do not have to be constantly urged and admonished to seek the source of their life!' (Woods p. 55) 3. And intense desire for the word of God will be developed when we realize that we can depend upon nothing else for true nourishment.

‘the pure' -In contrast to the deception (1 Peter 2:1) found in the world. The truth found within the Bible is pure and it hasn't been watered down or corrupted. 1. Peter could not call the word of God ‘pure' if it had been corrupted, or if books and teachings had been removed or added. 2. Throughout the Scriptures it is always stated without reserve that the word of God can be trusted (John 17:17; Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:1). God would never had said such things, if He knew that the Scriptures would eventually become. completely untrustworthy collection of writings. 3. Following the Bible is never. bad idea. Accepting the teachings found in the Scriptures will never bring out the undesirable in an individual. 4. The word pure also suggests that the Bible is completely free of error or impurity.

‘milk of the word' -others translate this expression, ‘spiritual milk' (ASV). ‘Word'-‘agreeable to reason, reasonable' (Thayer p. 379). ‘Word' here is translated ‘spiritual' in Romans 12:1 ‘which is your spiritual service of worship.' POINTS TO NOTE: 1. Only the word of God can nourish the soul (Matthew 4:4). There are many wonderful benefits to poetry, good literature, art, music, etc….But we must never allow any of these to assume the role that only the Bible can fulfill. 2. The word of God is ‘reasonable' (1 John 5:3). Every demand made by God is. very reasonable demand. Therefore, the person who rejects God is being unreasonable. Reason and the rejection of the Bible are not mutual friends, rather, they are sworn enemies (Acts 26:25). Therefore the faith of the Christian is not based on. subjective/emotional experience. Rather, it is the result of examining the overwhelming evidence (Romans 10:17).

‘of the word' -i.e. the word which they drank from, just as we do, the written word of God. The message that was preached and recorded (1 Peter 1:23). In other places God's revelation is mentioned as being spiritually nourishing (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4); pure (Psalms 12:6; Psalms 18:8; Psalms 119:96); and the idea of longing for it (1 Peter 119:20; 131).

‘that by it you may grow in respect to salvation' -final salvation (1 Peter 1:6). 1. Spiritual growth is completely dependent upon our attitude towards and our time spent in the Scriptures (Hebrews 5:14). 2. Everyone who becomes. Christian isn't guaranteed automatic growth. One can remain at the babe stage (1 Corinthians 3:2). 3. Eternal life is conditional. Final salvation depends upon our acceptance and application of what God has revealed. 4. The word helps us discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14); prepares us for judgment (John 12:48); equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16); and increases our faith (Romans 10:17). Therefore, we must never think that we have outgrown Bible Study or Bible reading.