Meaning of 1 Peter 2:7

This verse from 1 Peter 2:7 draws directly from Old Testament imagery and applies it to Jesus Christ, highlighting the contrasting reception He receives from believers and unbelievers. For those who have faith, Jesus is recognized as a precious and essential foundation, the very cornerstone upon which their spiritual lives are built. However, for those who reject Him, Jesus is perceived as the rejected stone, a figure whom the religious authorities (the "builders" of Israel) scorned and cast aside. Yet, in a profound reversal, this very rejected stone has become the cornerstone, the chief cornerstone, signifying His ultimate exaltation and His indispensable role in God's plan for salvation. This passage underscores the critical choice individuals face in their response to Jesus and the divinely appointed significance He holds, regardless of human opinion.

Context and Background

The Apostle Peter is writing to scattered believers in Asia Minor, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith amidst persecution and to live lives that reflect their new identity in Christ. He is building upon the metaphor of believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-6). In this context, Peter introduces the figure of Jesus as the central, foundational stone of this spiritual edifice. The quotation itself is an allusion to Psalm 118:22, a psalm that has strong messianic connotations and was frequently applied to Jesus by early Christians, including Jesus Himself (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17). The "builders" in the original context of the psalm likely referred to the leaders of Israel who, in their spiritual blindness, failed to recognize the Messiah when He came.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Dual Reception of Christ: The verse starkly contrasts how believers and unbelievers perceive Jesus. To believers, He is "precious," indicating His supreme value and importance. To unbelievers, He is "rejected," signifying His dismissal and scorn by those who should have recognized Him.
• The Cornerstone Metaphor: The cornerstone was the most crucial stone in a building, laid first and determining the alignment of all other stones. It was a symbol of stability, strength, and the architect's design. Peter declares that Jesus, though rejected by human authorities, has been chosen by God to be this vital foundation.
• Divine Vindication: The verse emphasizes God's ultimate sovereignty and His ability to vindicate what men reject. What the "builders" deemed worthless or unfit, God has made the most essential element.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse is a source of assurance and encouragement. It affirms that their faith is placed in someone of immeasurable worth and divine appointment. Jesus is the guarantee of their spiritual security and the very basis of their relationship with God. It calls believers to cherish this precious foundation and to build their lives upon Him. For those who have not yet believed, this verse serves as a compelling invitation to re-evaluate their perception of Jesus. It challenges the notion that His rejection by some diminishes His true significance. It implies that rejecting Jesus is to reject God's chosen foundation, with profound consequences.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is central to the unfolding messianic narrative of Scripture. From the prophecies of the Old Testament foretelling a suffering servant and a rejected king, to the New Testament accounts of Jesus' ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection, the theme of a Messiah who is both rejected and exalted is pervasive. Psalm 118:22 is just one of many Old Testament passages that foreshadow this reality. The establishment of the Church, the spiritual house, is entirely dependent on Jesus as its cornerstone, uniting both Jews and Gentiles into one body in Him.

Analogies

• A Master Architect's Blueprint: Imagine a master architect designing an extraordinary building. The cornerstone is not just any stone; it's the first and most critical piece, dictating the entire structure's integrity. The builders, perhaps laborers or foremen, might misunderstand the architect's vision and discard what they deem unsuitable. However, the architect's intent is paramount, and the rejected stone becomes the foundation upon which the magnificent edifice is ultimately built, proving its essentiality.
• A Diamond in the Rough: Consider a rough, unpolished stone that seems unremarkable. The miners might overlook it, deeming it worthless. However, a skilled jeweler recognizes its potential, cuts and polishes it, revealing its breathtaking brilliance and making it the centerpiece of a magnificent crown. The stone's initial rejection is superseded by its ultimate, priceless value.

Relation to Other Verses

• Psalm 118:22: As mentioned, this is the direct source of the quotation, underscoring its Old Testament roots and messianic interpretation.
• Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17: These parallel passages in the Synoptic Gospels record Jesus Himself quoting Psalm 118:22 in reference to Himself, further validating Peter's application.
• Ephesians 2:20-22: This passage also describes believers as being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together.
• 1 Peter 2:4-6: The preceding verses establish the context of believers as living stones built into a spiritual house, with Jesus as the living stone, chosen by God and precious. This verse logically follows, explaining the significance of this living stone.
• Acts 4:11: Peter himself, in an earlier sermon, quotes Psalm 118:22 to the Jewish Sanhedrin, directly confronting them with their rejection of Jesus.