Deep Dive into Live by What Gave You Life: Craving the Pure, Word-Shaped Milk (1 Peter 2:2–3)

Peter establishes the Christian's posture toward God's Word by declaring their identity as "newly begotten infants" (ὡς ἀρτιγέννητα βρέφη). This simile is a declaration of identity, not a rebuke for immaturity, emphasizing that spiritual life is derivative, received, and dependent. This new identity generates an instinctual appetite—a "reflex toward Scripture"—which is the "proof of their birth".

This identity leads directly to the central imperative: believers must "long for" (ἐπιποθήσατε) the pure, word-shaped milk. This longing is an "urgent, decisive summons" and is established as the necessary consequence of regeneration and the necessary condition for maturation.

The object of this desire is the "pure, word-shaped milk". "Pure" (ἄδολον) means unadulterated and uncut, insisting that the nourishment must be Scripture as Scripture, rejecting mixtures with novelty or sentiment. "Word-shaped" (λογικόν) signifies nourishment "in accordance with the logos (Word)", ensuring that true spirituality is Scripture-shaped rather than sensation-driven. The use of "milk" (γάλα) is a nutritive metaphor emphasizing that this sustenance is basic and ever-necessary; Christian maturity is a deeper dependence on it, not a graduation from it.

The longing for this milk is required to achieve the ultimate purpose of growth: to "grow up into salvation" (1 Pet 2:2). This salvation refers to the eschatological consummation and final perfection. For this growth to happen, the believer must first "put away" relational "appetite-killers" (malice, deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and slanders), as repentance for these sins "clears the mouth" and is the necessary negative preparation for feeding. Craving the Word leads to the experiential confirmation, "if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good", which confirms begetting (new birth) and ensures that experience flows from the Scripture. God uses this unadulterated Word as the appointed instrument (ἐν αὐτῷ) to build believers up in holiness until they reach final glory.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

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