S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The term living stones in 1 Peter 2:5 is used as a metaphor to illustrate the secure and intimate relationship believers have with Jesus, who is described in the previous verse as the "living Stone...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Craig Mcelheny Supporter Christian Author

While it is true that we, as believers, are being built into a spiritual house – with Jesus as the cornerstone, I believe Peter had something else in mind when he used the term ‘living stones’. I think Peter had the ‘more excellent ministry’ of our Lord and the new (Abrahamic) covenant in mind (Hebrews 8:6), as opposed to the ‘first covenant’ – the Law as given to us in the form of ten commandments written on tablets of stone (Hebrews 8:4-5).

As it states in Hebrews 8:7-8, if the ‘first covenant’ (the Law) was adequate, there would be no need for a second. (The Abrahamic covenant actually preceded the Law by 430 years, Galatians 3:16-17, but in context the ‘first covenant’ here is the Law). Note that the new covenant is with the ‘house of Israel’ and the ‘house of Judah’ (Hebrews 8:8), and in Hebrews 8:11 it implicates the Millennium when all who dwell on the earth shall know the Lord as He will be among them.

This would lead you to believe that the ‘new covenant’ is only for the Jews during the Millennium, but that, of course, is not true. The Abrahamic covenant is for all who believe during this Age of the Gentiles (the Church Age) and those who live during the Millennium.

Now for a different understanding of what Peter had in mind, when he referred to us as ‘living stones’. It is best stated in 2 Corinthians 3:3:

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV) 
Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

But it is also given in our text in Hebrews, Chapter 8:

Hebrews 8:10 (NKJV) 
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

We are ‘living stones’ with Gods Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2) guiding us and directing us by His Holy Spirit. We are not following laws written in stone, that can neither save us, nor give eternal life. They were written to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Him (Galatians 3:24-26).

God bless

October 07 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Beeker Supporter

Do a study on the words "son" and "stone." Look at them from the Hebrew perspective. You will see what they are. "ben" and "ibn" are clues. Take those thoughts and build upon them. The Messiah is the foundation stone. Everything else it built upon Him. He is built upon Torah. Do a study on the "bet" in Genesis 1:1 and you will see more in relation to your question.

August 14 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean that Jesus and believers are living stones in 1 Peter 2:4-5?

In 1 Peter 2:4-5, Jesus is the "living Stone" and believers are "living stones," meaning they are being built into a "spiritual house" where God dwells. Like Jesus, who was rejected but chosen by God, believers are made spiritually alive and are joined together to form a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. 

In 1 Peter 2:4-5, the imagery of Jesus and believers as "living stones" is a metaphor for the spiritual transformation of individuals and for their collective role as the congregation, the living temple (spiritual house) where God dwells and is worshipped.

The metaphor "living stones" suggests that believers have an enduring purpose and a secure identity in Christ. The structure built on Jesus —the unshakeable foundation —will withstand the "storms of life" and will never be put to shame. 

Conclusion:

As "living stones," they were being formed into a spiritual temple based on Christ, one through which "spiritual sacrifices" would be made (1 Pet 2:4-6; Rom 15:15, 16), spiritual songs sung (Eph 5:18, 19), and in which God would reside by Spirit. (1Co 3:16; 6:19, 20; Eph 2:20-22; compare Hag 2:5.) God's Spirit is a unifying force of enormous strength, and as long as such Christians allowed it free course among them, it joined them peacefully together in bonds of love and devotion to God, his Son, and one another. (Eph 4:3-6; 1Jo 3:23, 24; 4:12, 13; compare 1Ch 12:18.) The gift of the Spirit did not equip them for mechanical types of activity, as it had Bezalel and others who manufactured and produced material structures and equipment. Still, it fitted them for spiritual works of teaching, guiding, shepherding, and counselling. The spiritual temple they formed was to be adorned with the beautiful fruits of God's Spirit. That fruitage of "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith," and similar qualities was proof positive that God's Spirit was operating in and among them. (Ga 5:22, 23; compare Lu 10:21; Ro 14:17.) This was the basic and primary factor producing good order and effective guidance among them. (Ga 5:24-26; 6:1; Ac 6:1-7; compare Eze 36:26, 27.) They submitted themselves to the 'law of the spirit,' an effective force for righteousness working to keep out the practices of the inherently sinful flesh. (Ro 8:2; Ga 5:16-21; Jude 19-21) Their confidence was in God's Spirit operating on them, not in fleshly abilities or background.​—1Co 2:1-5; Eph 3:14-17; Php 3:1-8.

5 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report