What does 1 Peter 2:1-3 mean?

¹ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, ² As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: ³ If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:1-3 KJV)

Our Inheritance Through Christ’s Blood

The general exhortation to holiness is continued and supported by several reasons drawn from the foundation on which Christians are built—Jesus Christ—and from their spiritual blessings and privileges in him. The means of attaining this holiness, the word of God, is recommended, and all contrary attitudes are condemned (1 Peter 2:1-12). Particular directions are given about how citizens should obey governing authorities and how servants should submit to their masters, patiently enduring suffering for doing good, following Christ’s example (1 Peter 2:13-25).

The apostle has been recommending mutual love and describing the excellence of the word of God, calling it an incorruptible seed that lives and remains forever. He continues with this necessary advice: “Therefore, laying aside all malice…” (1 Peter 2:1). These sins destroy love and block the effectiveness of the word, and as a result, they hinder our spiritual rebirth.

His advice is to put off what is evil, like one would throw away an old, rotten garment. The sins to be discarded are:

1. Malice, which may refer generally to all kinds of wickedness (James 1:21; 1 Corinthians 5:8), but more specifically to settled, long-standing anger that leads a person to plan or take pleasure in someone else’s harm.
2. Deceit, especially in speech, including flattery, lying, and manipulating others by taking advantage of their ignorance or weakness.
3. Hypocrisy, which includes pretending to be pious in religion or pretending to be friendly in everyday life—like giving insincere compliments, making empty promises, or pretending to care while hiding malicious intent.
4. Envy, which is resentment of another’s success, abilities, fame, or prosperity.
5. Slander, which is speaking against or defaming others—also called backbiting (2 Corinthians 12:20; Romans 1:30).

From this we learn:

1. Even the best Christians need warnings against serious sins like malice, hypocrisy, and envy. They are still only partially sanctified and vulnerable to temptation.
2. Our service to God will neither please him nor benefit us if we neglect our responsibilities to others. These sins offend the second table of the law—our duties toward fellow people—and must be laid aside to properly receive the word.
3. One sin left unaddressed can block our spiritual growth and eternal welfare.
4. Malice, envy, hypocrisy, and slander often go hand in hand. Speaking ill of others is usually a sign that malice and deceit lie in the heart, and all of them hinder our growth through God’s word.

The apostle, like a good doctor, after prescribing the removal of harmful attitudes, points to the proper nourishment that promotes growth. The duty he emphasizes is a strong and steady desire for the word of God, which he calls pure spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:2). Though the phrase “reasonable milk” appears in older versions, it refers to food suited for the soul rather than the body—nourishment for the mind and spirit. This milk must be pure, not corrupted by human distortions (2 Corinthians 2:17).

The attitude we are to have is that of newborn infants. He reminds them of their spiritual rebirth: just as a new life requires suitable food, so Christians, being newly born, must crave the milk of the word. Infants desire milk with urgency and frequency, driven by hunger and expressing it with all the effort they can. This is how Christians should long for God’s word—so they can grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Learn:

1. A strong desire for the word of God is clear evidence that someone has been born again. When it resembles the instinctive longing of a baby for milk, it is a reliable sign of new life.
2. Every Christian should desire to grow in wisdom and grace. All spiritual practices aim at edification and progress. The word of God, properly received, improves and transforms.

He adds an appeal to their own experience: “Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:3). He does not question it but assumes it to be true and uses it to urge them forward.

“You should lay aside these sins (1 Peter 2:1); you should desire God’s word; you should grow through it, because you know for yourselves that the Lord is gracious.”

The next verse makes clear that the Lord referred to is Jesus Christ. From this we learn:

1. Jesus Christ is full of grace for his people. He is infinitely good, kind, merciful, and generous toward unworthy sinners. He is rich in grace.
2. This graciousness is best known through personal experience. Just as we cannot taste from a distance, we must come close to Christ by faith to experience his goodness—in his providence, in spiritual matters, in our fears and trials, and in his word and worship each day.
3. Even the most faithful Christians experience only a taste of Christ’s grace in this life. A taste is small—it doesn’t fully satisfy. So it is with God’s comfort on earth.
4. The word of God is the main way Christ reveals and communicates his grace to people. Those who feed on the pure word experience the most of his kindness. As we engage with his word, we should always seek to understand and experience more of his grace.