1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1. “As newborn babes…”
a. As [Strong: 5613 hos hoce probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--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.]
b. newborn [Strong: 738 artigennetos ar-teeg-en'-nay-tos from 737 and 1084; just born, i.e. (figuratively) a young convert:--new born.]
c. babes [Strong: 1025 brephos bref'-os of uncertain affinity; an infant (properly, unborn) literally or figuratively:--babe, (young) child, infant.]
1). Although Peter is primarily talking to new Christians, this exhortation can apply to every believer.
a). Luke 18:15-17 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
2. “…desire the sincere milk of the word…”
a. desire [Strong: 1971 epipotheo ep-ee-poth-eh'-o from 1909 and potheo (to yearn); to dote upon, i.e. intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully):--(earnestly) desire (greatly), (greatly) long (after), lust.] [Thayer: to long for, desire, to pursue with love, to long after, to lust, harbour forbidden desire.]
1). We should never lose the earnest and strong desire to pursue God, His fellowship, His presence, and studying His word.
2). Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
b. [the] sincere [Strong: 97 adolos ad'-ol-os from 1 (as a negative particle}; and 1388; undeceitful, i.e. (figuratively) unadulterated:--sincere.] [Thayer: guileless, in things: unmixed, unadulterated, pure, in persons: without dishonest intent, guileless.]
c. milk [Strong: 1051 gala gal'-ah of uncertain affinity; milk (figuratively):--milk.]
d. [of the] word [Strong: 3050 logikos log-ik-os' from 3056; rational ("logical"):--reasonable, of the word.]
1). Just as newborns cannot eat solid food, newborn Christians should concentrate in their own personal study on the milk of the word. Just as Peter in verse one exhorted us to cast off carnal behavior, the milk of the word addresses primarily getting the flesh out of our lives. In his first epistle to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul spoke to this very thing. Walking in the flesh will hinder us from receiving the deeper things of the word of God.
a). 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
2). As mature Christians we should include milk and meat not only in our diet, but also in what we walk in.
a). Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
3. “…that ye may grow thereby:”
a. that [Strong: 2443 hina hin'-ah probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]
b. ye may grow [Strong: 837 auzano owx-an'-o a prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow ("wax"), i.e. enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive):--grow (up), (give the) increase.]
c. thereby [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--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). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]
1). The goal is to “grow” spiritually. Just as we grow physically we need to grow spiritually. Growing physically comes naturally, it just happens, especially if the body is fed correctly. The more healthy the persons eats, the more healthy the body is. In the spiritual it is a little different, in that, if the person does not eat mature food they will remain babies, spiritual babies. Growing spiritually depends on us “eating” or walking in obedience to what is being taught.
a). Isaiah 55:1, 2 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
b). Verse 2 clearly likens “hearken diligently” to “eat ye”. Obedience to the word of God is eating the word.
