Greek Word Reference — 1 Peter 2:2
This word means as or when, showing a comparison or timing. It's used in many verses, like Mark 4:26 and 1 Corinthians 3:15, to show how things are done. It helps explain how or when something happens.
Definition: ὡς, adverbial form of the relative pron. ὅς, ἥ, ὅ. __I. As relat. adv. of manner, as, like as, just as, even as; __1. with a demonstrative, like οὕτως, expressed or understood: οὕτως . . . ὡς, Mrk.4:26, 1Co.3:15, Eph.5:28, Jas.2:12, al.; ὡς . . . οὕτως, Act.8:32, 1Co.7:17, al.; elliptically (sc. οὕτως, οὕτω), with nom., Mat.6:29, al.; with accusative, Mat.19:19, Mrk.12:31, al.; with prep., Mat.26:55, Mrk.14:48, Luk.22:52, Jhn.7:10, al.; with verb., Jhn.15:6, 2Co.3:1, Eph.2:3, 1Th.5:6, al.; with ptcp. (the ptcp. however not having the special force wh. it has in cl.; see Bl., §73, 5; 74, 6), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Heb.13:17, al.; freq implying opinion or belief, Rom.9:32; so esp, with genitive absol., 1Co.4:18, 2Co.5:20, 1Pe.4:12, 2Pe.1:3. __2. Before numerals, about, nearly: Mrk.5:13, Jhn.1:40, Act.5:7, al. __3. Before adjectives and adverbs, how: Rom.10:15 11:33, 1Th.2:10; with superl., ὡς τάχιστα, as quickly as possible, Act.17:15. __II. As conjunction; __1. temporal, __(a) as, when, since: Mrk.9:21 14:72, Luk.1:23, Jhn.2:9, al.; __(b) while, when, as long as: Luk.12:58, Jhn.12:36, Gal.6:10 (Field, Notes, 191); ὡς ἄν (M, Pr., 167, and see: ἄν), Rom.15:24, 1Co.11:34, Php.2:23. __2. Final, in order that; with inf., in order to (M, Pr., 204n), Luk.9:52, Act.20:24, Heb.7:9. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 436 NT verses. KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed See also: 1 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Peter 1:14.
A newborn baby or a new Christian is called artigenneotos in the Bible, as seen in 1 Peter 2. This term signifies someone who is just beginning their life or faith journey, needing care and nourishment to grow. It is a metaphor for spiritual growth.
Definition: ἀρτι-γέννητος, -ον (ἄρτι, γεννάω), new-born: 1Pe.2:2 (Luc.).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: new born See also: 1 Peter 2:2.
In the Bible, this word means a baby or infant, either born or unborn, as seen in Luke 1:41 and 1 Peter 2:2.
Definition: βρέφος, -ους, τό, [in LXX: Sir.19:11, 1Ma.1:61, 2Ma.6:10, 3Ma.5:49, 4Ma.4:25 * ;] __1. an unborn child: Luk.1:41, 44. __2. a newborn child, a babe: Luk.2:12, 16 18:15, Act.7:19, 1Pe.2:2; ἀπὸ βρέφους, from infancy, 2Ti.3:15.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: babe, (young) child, infant See also: 1 Peter 2:2; Luke 1:44; Luke 18:15.
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
Reasonable or rational, as in Romans 12:1 and 1 Peter 2:2. It refers to being logical or sensible, often in a spiritual context. This can involve using reason to understand faith or making rational decisions based on biblical teachings.
Definition: λογικός, -ή, -όν (λόγος, reason) reasonable, rational: λατρεία, Rom.12:1; τὸ λ. (i.e. spiritual) γάλα (see Hort, in l; MM, xvi), 1Pe.2:2 (in support of AV, milk of the word, see ICC, in l).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: reasonable, of the word See also: 1 Peter 2:2; Romans 12:1.
The Greek word for pure means being genuine and free from deceit, like pure milk, as described in 1 Peter 2:2. It is about being sincere and unadulterated. This concept is important in Christian living.
Definition: ἄδολος, -ον, __1. guileless (Pind., Thuc). __2. Of liquids (Æsch., Eur., and late prose writers), genuine, pure (in π. and in MGr. of wine, also of corn: MM, VGT, see word; Milligan, NTD, 77): of milk, metaphorically, 1Pe.2:2. † SYN.: ἀκέραιος (which see), ἄκακος, ἁπλοῦς. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: sincere See also: 1 Peter 2:2.
Milk is a nourishing drink, used figuratively in the Bible to describe elementary Christian teaching. It is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:2 and 1 Peter 2:2, symbolizing spiritual growth and development.
Definition: γάλα, -ακτος, τό [in LXX for חלב ;] milk: 1Co.9:7. Metaphorical, of elementary Christian teaching: 1Co.3:2, Heb.5:12, 13; τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γ., the rational (spiritual) genuine milk (see Hort, in l.), 1Pe.2:2 (in support of AV, milk of the word, see ICC, in l.).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: milk See also: 1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12.
To long for something or someone deeply, as in Romans 1:11 where Paul expresses his desire to visit the Roman church. This word conveys a strong yearning or craving. It can also describe a strong emotional attachment.
Definition: ἐπι-ποθέω, -ῶ [in LXX for יָאַב, אָרַג, כָּסַף hi., etc. ;] to long for, desire: with inf., Rom.1:11, 2Co.5:2, 1Th.3:6, 2Ti.1:4, Php.2:26 (WH, [txt.]); with accusative of thing(s), 1Pe.2:2; with accusative of person(s), 2Co.9:14, Php.1:8 2:26 (WH, mg); absol., Jas.4:5 (see Mayor, in l).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: (earnestly) desire (greatly), (greatly) long (after), lust See also: 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:4; James 4:5.
This word means 'in order that' or 'to', showing purpose or result, as seen in Acts 19:4 and Romans 11:31. It's used to express a goal or outcome. In Ephesians 1:17, it's used to describe a purpose.
Definition: ἵνα, __I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), __1. of place, where, whither. __2. of circumstance, when. __II. Conjunction, __1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); __(a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); __(b) with subjc.: after a pres., Mrk.4:21, Luk.6:34, Jhn.3:15, Act.2:25, Rom.1:11, al.; after a pf., Mat.1:22, Jhn.5:23 1Co.9:22, al.; after an imperat. (present or aor.), Mat.7:1, Mrk.11:25, Jhn.10:38, 1Co.7:5, al.; after a delib. subjc., Mrk.1:38, al.; after a fut., Luk.16:4, Jhn.14:3, 1Co.15:28, al.; after historic tenses (where optative in cl.; WM, 359f.; M, Pr., 196f.), Mrk.6:41 (impf.), Jhn.4:8 (plpf.), Mrk.3:14 (aor.), al.; __(with) in late writers (M, Pr., 35; Burton, §§198, 199), with indic., fut: Luk.20:10, 1Pe.3:1, al.; __(d) as often in eccl. writers (Thayer, see word), with indic. pres.: 1Co.4:6, Gal.4:17, al. (?; but V. Burton, §198, Rem.); __(e) εἰς (διὰ) τοῦτο, ἵνα: Jhn.18:37, 1Ti.1:16, al.; τούτου χάριν, Tit.1:5; __(f) elliptical constructions: omission of the principal verb, Jhn.1:8, 2Th.3:9, 1Jn.2:19, al.; of the final verb, Rom.4:16, 2Co.8:13, al. __2. In late writers, definitive, = inf. (WM, 420; Bl, §69, 1), that; __(a) after verbs of wishing, caring, striving, etc.: θέλω, Mat.7:12, al.; ζητῶ, 1Co.4:2 14:12; ζηλόω, 1Co.14:1, al.; __(b) after verbs of saying, asking, exhorting: εἰπεῖν, Mat.4:3, al.; ἐρωτῶ, Mrk.7:26, al.; παρακαλῶ, Mat.14:36, 1Co.1:10, al., etc.; __(with) after words expressing expediency, etc.: συμφέρει, Mat.18:6, Jhn.11:50, al.; ἱκανός, Mat.8:8, Luk.7:6; χρείαν ἔχω, Jhn.2:25, al, etc.; __(d) after substantives, adding further definition: ὥρα, Jhn.12:23 13:1; χρόνος, Rev.2:21; συνήθεια, Jhn.18:39; μισθός, 1Co.9:18. __3. In late writers, ecbatic, denoting the result, = ὥστε, that, so that (M, Pr., 206ff.; WM, 572; Bl., §69, 3; Burton, §223): Rom.11:11, 1Co.7:29, 1Th.5:4, al. (but see Thayer, see word); so with the formula referring to the fulfilment of prophecy, ἵνα πληρωθῇ, Mat.1:22 2:14, Jhn.13:18, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 626 NT verses. KJV: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Timothy 5:20; 1 Peter 1:7.
This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.
Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
To grow means to get bigger or increase, like a plant growing in Matthew 13:32 or a person's faith growing in 2 Corinthians 10:15.
Definition: αὐξάνω (and the earlier form αὔξω, Eph.2:21, Col.2:19; MM, see word), [in LXX chiefly for פָּרָה ;] __1. trans., to make to grow: 1Co.3:6-7, 2Co.9:10. Pass., to grow, increase, become greater: Mat.13:32, Mrk.4:8, 2Co.10:15, Col.1:6; τῇ ἐπιγνώσει τ. θεοῦ, Col.1:10; εἰς σωτηρίαν, 1Pe.2:2. __2. In later Gk. (but nowhere in LXX), intrans., to grow, increase: of plants, Mat.6:28, Luk.12:27 13:19; of infants, Luk.1:80 2:40; of a multitude, Act.7:17; of the increase of the Gospel: ὁ λόγος ηὔξανε, Act.6:7 12:24 19:20; of Christ as a leader, Jhn.3:30; of Christian character: εἰς Χριοτόν, Eph.4:15; εἰς ναόν, Eph.2:21; ἐν χάριτι, 2Pe.3:18; τὴν αὔξησιν τ. θεσῦ, Col.2:19 (cf. συν, ὑπερ-αυξάνω).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 23 NT verses. KJV: grow (up), (give the) increase See also: 1 Corinthians 3:6; Colossians 1:10; 1 Peter 2:2.
Context — The Living Stone and Chosen People
1Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
Hebrews 5:12–13 |
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. |
| 2 |
Ephesians 4:15 |
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. |
| 3 |
2 Peter 3:18 |
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. |
| 4 |
1 Corinthians 3:1–2 |
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, |
| 5 |
Mark 10:15 |
Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” |
| 6 |
1 Corinthians 14:20 |
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. |
| 7 |
Matthew 18:3 |
“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. |
| 8 |
Proverbs 4:18 |
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. |
| 9 |
Hosea 6:3 |
So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth. |
| 10 |
Job 17:9 |
Yet a righteous one holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger. |
1 Peter 2:2 Summary
[This verse is saying that just like a newborn baby needs milk to grow, we need the Word of God to grow in our faith. We should have a strong desire for spiritual milk, which is the Word of God, so we can mature in our salvation, as seen in 1 Peter 2:2. This means reading and applying the Bible to our lives, and trusting in God's goodness, as mentioned in Psalm 34:8. By doing so, we can become more like Christ and fulfill our purpose in life.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by 'pure spiritual milk' in this verse?
The 'pure spiritual milk' refers to the Word of God, which is necessary for spiritual growth, as seen in 1 Peter 2:2, and is also mentioned in Hebrews 5:12-14, where it talks about the need for spiritual milk to grow in faith.
How do I 'crave' spiritual milk like a newborn baby?
To crave spiritual milk like a newborn baby means to have a strong desire and hunger for the Word of God, as mentioned in Matthew 5:6, where it says 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled'
What does it mean to 'grow up in your salvation'?
Growing up in salvation means to mature in faith, as seen in Ephesians 4:13-14, where it talks about growing up into Christ, and becoming more like Him, which is the ultimate goal of our salvation, as mentioned in Romans 8:29
Is this verse only talking about new believers?
While this verse does use the metaphor of a newborn baby, it's not limited to only new believers, as all believers need to continually grow and mature in their faith, as seen in 2 Peter 3:18, where it says to 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ'
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can cultivate a stronger desire for the Word of God in my life?
- How can I apply the concept of 'growing up in salvation' to my daily life and spiritual walk?
- What are some things that can hinder my growth in faith, and how can I overcome them?
- In what ways can I 'taste and see that the Lord is good', as mentioned in the next verse, 1 Peter 2:3?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Peter 2:2
As new born babes,.... The Syriac version renders it, "be ye simple as infants"; and as if it was a distinct exhortation of itself, and from that which follows; though it seems rather to be
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: Newborn babes - altogether without "guile" (1 Peter 2:1; Revelation 14:5); in a specially tender relation to God (Isaiah 40:11).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Peter 2:2
Pursuant to his discourse, , where he speaks of their new birth, he here calls them new-born babes; but that not in opposition to those that are adult, or of fall age, as , but in opposition to their former corrupt and unregenerate state, in which they were destitute of all spiritual life; and so this agrees, not only to young converts, but generally to all regenerate persons. Desire; being new-born babes, act as such in earnestly desiring and longing for that spiritual nourishment, which is so needlul for you, even as children, as soon as they come into the world, are lingering after the breast. The sincere milk of the word: the Greek may be rendered (and is by some) reasonable milk, viz. such as is for the soul, not for the body; that whereby the mind is nourished and strengthened; or, wordy milk, the substantive from which it is derived properly and first signifying word, or speech, and being used for the word of God, . But this not being proper English, our translation renders it best, the milk of the word, i.e. the word which is milk. The apostle useth an adjective for a substantive, but that adjective doth not signify the quality of the subject, milk, as the other, sincere, doth, but the subject of itself. The like phrase we have, ; Greek, female, or wifeish, weaker vessel, which we turn by the substantive, wife, who is said there to be the weaker vessel. So that the doctrine of the gospel is here to be understood, as , and believers are to be nourished by the same word, as their food, by which, as the seed, they are said to be begotten, . This milk of the word is said to be sincere, i.e. pure, without mixture or adulteration, not blended, or diluted, (as vintners do by their wine, to whose practice Paul alludes, when he speaks of men’ s corrupting the word, 4:2), with human fictions or traditions. Infants love the sweetness of their mothers’ milk, and desire it pure, as it is: believers should desire the word pure, as it is in itself, not mixed with any thing that may lessen its sweetness and hinder its efficacy. That ye may grow thereby; that by the word, as your spiritual nourishment, ye may grow more in spiritual life and strength, till ye come to be perfect men, .
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Peter 2:2
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: Ver. 2. Desire the sincere] αδολον, as in children all speak and work at once, hands, feet, mouth. See David’ s desire, Psalms 42:1; Psalms 119:20; Psalms 119:40; Psalms 119:131. The Greek word επιποθησατε signifieth vehemently to desire. See Romans 1:11; 2 Corinthians 5:2; Philippians 1:8; Philippians 2:16. The sincere] Gr. Guileless, unmixed milk, not sugared or sophisticated with strains of wit, excellency of speech, &c., 1 Corinthians 2:1. That ye may grow thereby] After regeneration, 1 Peter 1:23, augmentation. That word which breeds us, feeds us; as the same blood of which the babe is bred and fed in the womb, strikes up into the mother’ s breasts, and there, by a further concoction, becometh white, and nourisheth it. And as milk from the breast is more effectually taken than when it hath stood a while, and the spirits are gone out of it; so the word preached rather than read, furthereth the soul’ s growth.
Let it be our care that we receive not the grace of God in vain; that we be not like the changeling Luther mentioneth, ever sucking, never batling; lest God repent him of his love and dry up the breasts; or send in the Assyrian to drink up our milk, Ezekiel 25:4; that we be not always learning, and never to know the truth, 2 Timothy 3:6, as ants run to and fro about a molehill, but grow not greater. A Christian should go from the word, as Moses did from the mount, as Naaman did out of Jordan, or as the woman of Samaria came to the well peccatrix, sinful, went away praedicatrix, preaching, saith Ambrose.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Peter 2:2
(2) As newborn babes.—The word “newborn” is, of course, newly, lately born, not born anew, although the birth meant is the new birth of 1 Peter 1:23. They are said to be still but newborn because they are still so far from maturity in Christ, as these sins testified. The metaphor is said to be not uncommon in Rabbinical writers to denote proselytes. St. Peter would, therefore, be describing Jews who had newly received the word of God, as proselytes of the new Israel. “As” means “in keeping with your character of.” (Comp. 1 Peter 1:14.) Desire the sincere milk.—The word for “desire” here is a strong word—get an appetite for it. Bengel is perhaps right when he says on “newborn babes,” “It is their only occupation, so strong is their desire for it.” St. Peter here again seems to lend a thought to the writer to the Hebrews (Hebrews 5:12-14). In both places Jewish Christians are beginning to rebel against the Gospel instructions, and in both places they are warned that they have not yet outgrown the need of the very simplest elements of the Gospel. The epithet “sincere” should have been rendered guileless, as it contains a contrast with “guile” in the verse before; perhaps the intention of the epithet may be to rebuke the attempt to deal deceitfully with the Old Testament Scriptures after the example of the Septuagint passage quoted above. Of the word.—This translation of the original adjective cannot possibly be right.
The only other place in the New Testament where it is used, Romans 12:1, will show clearly enough its meaning here. There it is rendered “your reasonable service”—i.e., not “the service which may be reasonably expected of you,” but “the ritual worship which is performed by the reason, not by the body.” So here, “the reasonable guileless milk” will mean “the guileless milk which is sucked in, not by the lips, but by the reason.” The metaphor of milk (though used by St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 3:2) was not so hackneyed as now; and the Apostle wished to soften it a little, and explain it by calling it mental milk,” just as (so Huther points out) he explained the metaphor in 1 Peter 1:13, by adding “of your mind.” It is needless to add that the “mental milk” would, as a matter of fact, be “the milk of the word,” and that the Apostle is pressing his readers to cling with ardent attachment to the evangelical religion taught them by the Pauline party. That ye may grow thereby.—All the best manuscripts and versions add “unto salvation,” which may confidently be adopted into the text. “Grow” is, of course, said in reference to the infant state of the converts as yet, and the maturity set before them (children long to be grown up) is spoken of as “salvation.” When we compare this with 1 Peter 1:18, we see that the perfect emancipation from Jewish superstitions is a main part of the “salvation” to which they are to grow up.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Peter 2:2
Verse 2. As new-born babes] In the preceding chapter, 1 Peter 1:23, the apostle states that they had been born again; and as the new-born infant desires that aliment which nature has provided for it, so they, being born again-born from above, should as earnestly require that heavenly nourishment which is suited to their new nature; and this the apostle calls the sincere milk of the word, τολογικοναδολονγαλα, or, as some translate, the rational unadulterated milk; i.e. the pure doctrines of the Gospel, as delivered in the epistles and gospels, and as preached by the apostles and their successors. The rabbins frequently express learning to know the law, c., by the term sucking, and their disciples are often denominated those that suck the breast. The figure is very expressive: as a child newly born shows an immediate desire for that nourishment, and that only, which is its most proper food so they, being just born of God, should show that the incorruptible seed abides in them, and that they will receive nothing that is not suited to that new nature: and, indeed, they can have no spiritual growth but by the pure doctrines of the Gospel. That ye may grow thereby] ειςσωτηριαν, Unto salvation, is added here by ABC, and about forty others; both the Syriac, the Arabic of Erpen, Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Slavonic, Vulgate, and several of the ancient fathers. The reading is undoubtedly genuine, and is very important. It shows why they were regenerated, and why they were to desire the unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel; viz.: that they might grow up unto salvation. This was the end they should always have in view; and nothing could so effectually promote this end as continually receiving the pure truth of God, claiming the fulfilment of its promises, and acting under its dictates.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Peter 2:2
2. as newborn babes] The Greek noun, like the English, implies the earliest stage of infancy. See Luke 1:41; Luke 1:44; Luke 2:12; Luke 2:16.the sincere milk of the word] The English version tries to express the force of the original but has had recourse to a somewhat inadequate paraphrase. Literally, the words may be rendered as the rational (or intellectual) milk, the adjective having very nearly the force of “spiritual” in such passages as 1 Corinthians 10:3-4. The “milk” of which he speaks is that which nourishes the reason or mind, and not the body, and is found in the simpler form of the Truth as it is in Jesus which was presented by the Apostolic Church to the minds of its disciples. Looking to the other instances of parallelism between St Peter’s language and those of the Epistles of St Paul, we can scarcely be wrong in thinking that here also he more or less reproduces what he had read in them. The word for “rational” meets us in Romans 12:1 (“reasonable” in the English version), in the same sense as here, and is not found elsewhere in the New Testament. The thought that those who are as yet in spiritual childhood, must be fed with the spiritual milk adapted to their state, is found in 1 Corinthians 3:2. Comp. also Hebrews 5:12-13. There is almost as striking a coincidence in the adjective sincere (better, pure or unadulterated), which expresses precisely the same thought as that of St Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 2:17 (“we are not, as the many, adulterators of the word of God”) and 2 Corinthians 4:2 (“not dealing with the word of God deceitfully”). The thought implied in the word is that, however simple may be the truths which men teach, according to the capacities of their hearers, they should at all events be free from any admixture of conscious falsehood.
The words fix the sentence of condemnation on the “pious frauds,” on the populus vult decipi et decipiatur, on which even Christian teachers and Churches have too often acted. In the word “desire,” or long after (the word expressing an almost passionate yearning), we have a sad reminder that the spiritual appetite is not as spontaneous as the natural. Infants do not need to be told to seek the mother’s breast.that ye may grow thereby] The better MSS. add the words unto salvation. Though not essential to the sense, they give a worthy completeness to it, and it is not easy to understand how they came to be omitted in the later MSS.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Peter 2:2
As new-born babes - The phrase used here would properly denote those which were just born, and hence Christians who had just begun the spiritual life. See the word explained in the notes at 2 Timothy 3:15.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Peter 2:2
2. As new-born babes—Born of the word of God, 1 Peter 1:23. The members of these churches were not recent converts, as some suppose; for, through the labors of St.
Sermons on 1 Peter 2:2
| Sermon | Description |
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(1 Peter - Part 19): The Chief Cornerstone and Us Cornerstones
by A.W. Tozer
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In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not indulging in worldly pleasures such as overeating and watching television. Instead, he encourages the audience to prac |
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(Basics) 11. God's Word Helps Us Overcome Satan
by Zac Poonen
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In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and believing in the forgiveness and acceptance offered by God through Jesus Christ. He explains that God no |
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(The Chief End of Man - Part 10): Application - Saved Unto the Worship of God
by A.W. Tozer
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In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of worship and how we are created and redeemed to worship God. He applies these truths to the Church, describing it as a comp |
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Dating: God's Way
by Joshua Harris
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In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of living differently in order to avoid negative consequences in relationships. He shares a story about a young boy who cheats |
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The Morning Watch - Part 2
by Oswald J. Smith
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In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spending time in both reading the Word of God and praying. He encourages listeners to start their day by immersing themselv |
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(Fury of Fire) 07 - Close to Being Cursed
by Milton Green
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The video discussed the importance of receiving revelation from the Word of God, even if it conflicts with previous teachings or traditions. The speaker emphasized the need to foll |
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What Christ Did for Me (Zac’s Testimony)
by Zac Poonen
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In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the disconnect between the captivating nature of worldly entertainment and the perceived lack of interest in church and sermons. The speaker |