1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The word “therefore” connects it with the previous verses of chapter 1. The reason to get rid of the various vices listed in 2:1 is 1) because God is the judge (1:17), 2) we are redeemed by the unblemished blood of Christ (1:18), 3) we have purified ourselves by obeying the truth (1:22), and, 4) we are born again by the imperishable seed of God’s word (1:23). As we remove these vices in our lives, we are to humble ourselves like new born babies totally depending on the pure spiritual milk for spiritual growth and maturity. The Christians are called to grow in salvation by craving the pure spiritual milk, which is God’s word. The first taste of Jesus experienced in the new birth is an inexpressible joy of salvation. But to grow in maturity, the word of God is truly essential and needed. It is the only food that can nourish and strengthen the believers in the spiritual maturity and growth.
