1 Peter 2:4-6
As you come to him, the living Stone-rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
As believers come to Christ, they ought to realize that they are chosen and treasured by God but rejected by worldly people (the same as that of Christ Jesus who was rejected by humans). Christians shouldn’t be surprised when they are hated and maligned by unbelievers. Christians should, then, seek not the approval of men but the approval of God.
Peter uses the imagery of a spiritual house/temple. God is the builder. He shapes and trims the stones to fit into the spiritual house of God. As the believers are shaped into a spiritual house, God uses them to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ Jesus. It is only when the believers become a spiritual house that they can offer the right worship to God. God does not delight in unclean house worshipping Him.
Peter quotes from Isaiah 28:16 in a context where the leaders of Ephraim (Northern kingdom) and Judah (Southern kingdom) trusted human powers (Assyrians) for their deliverance and safety but it turned out to be disastrous. The Assyrians destroyed the nation of Israel with a huge blow and left them decapitated. Now, Peter applies that metaphor to the early Christian Church by stating that God lays a stone in Jerusalem, a chosen and precious cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. This is a wonderful promise of God’s protection and deliverance from death and hell for all people who would place their faith in Christ Jesus.
