What does 1 Peter 2:2 mean?
Introduction. The verse reads, " As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that he may grow thereby." There are mainly three areas of thought presented in 1 Peter 2: 2.
"As newborn babes..." "Newborn" is from the Greek artigennetos which literally means newly or recently. "Newborn" coupled with "babes" (brephos) signifies an infant at the youngest age. Indeed, God's word distinguishes in spiritual growth and maturity (cf. Heb. 5: 11-14). There are those who are babes in Christ when they should not be (Heb. 5: 11-14), and those who are justifiably babes (our verse). Time is the determining factor.
"...desire the sincere milk of the word..." "Desire" (epipotheo) suggests great eagerness for the milk of the word. As newborn babes in Christ they are not ready for the "meat of the word" (Heb. 5: 12-14). Notice the importance of the word of God - the source of spiritual growth and maturity. "Sincere" (Greek, adolon; some translations have "without guile") has reference to the pure word, free of false doctrine. In ancient times milk was often adulterated with gypsum, a chalk-like substance to increase its volume, thus rendering it impure. Irenaeus, an early writer, wrote the following of false teachers of his time: "They mix gypsum with the milk, they taint the heavenly doctrine with the poison of their errors," (ca. 130 A.D).
"... that ye may grow thereby." The uninformed and babes in Christ are more susceptible to false teaching. The goal is to grow (see 2 Pet. 3: 16-18). The more knowledgeable one is, the more readily spiritual impurities are identified and exposed.
Conclusion. The verse is addressing those who had just become Christians, urging them to desire the pure milk of the word that they might grow.
"As newborn babes..." "Newborn" is from the Greek artigennetos which literally means newly or recently. "Newborn" coupled with "babes" (brephos) signifies an infant at the youngest age. Indeed, God's word distinguishes in spiritual growth and maturity (cf. Heb. 5: 11-14). There are those who are babes in Christ when they should not be (Heb. 5: 11-14), and those who are justifiably babes (our verse). Time is the determining factor.
"...desire the sincere milk of the word..." "Desire" (epipotheo) suggests great eagerness for the milk of the word. As newborn babes in Christ they are not ready for the "meat of the word" (Heb. 5: 12-14). Notice the importance of the word of God - the source of spiritual growth and maturity. "Sincere" (Greek, adolon; some translations have "without guile") has reference to the pure word, free of false doctrine. In ancient times milk was often adulterated with gypsum, a chalk-like substance to increase its volume, thus rendering it impure. Irenaeus, an early writer, wrote the following of false teachers of his time: "They mix gypsum with the milk, they taint the heavenly doctrine with the poison of their errors," (ca. 130 A.D).
"... that ye may grow thereby." The uninformed and babes in Christ are more susceptible to false teaching. The goal is to grow (see 2 Pet. 3: 16-18). The more knowledgeable one is, the more readily spiritual impurities are identified and exposed.
Conclusion. The verse is addressing those who had just become Christians, urging them to desire the pure milk of the word that they might grow.