What does "a chosen and precious cornerstone" signify in 1 Peter 2:6? Text and Immediate Context “For it stands in Scripture: ‘See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.’ ” (1 Peter 2:6) Peter alludes to Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22. He has just called believers “living stones” (2:5), and he now identifies the Stone that determines every other stone’s position. Historical Background of the Cornerstone Metaphor In first-century Judea, massive ashlar blocks—some exceeding 100 tons in the Herodian Temple platform—were set first to establish plumb, level, and orientation. Archaeologists have exposed a corner block at the southwest Temple Mount (2.5 m high, 14 m long) marked “pinakion,” denoting its role as the chief aligning stone. Similar corner-first methods appear in Ugaritic texts (14th c. BC) and in the Arad citadel (Iron II). The image would have been vivid to Peter’s readers dispersed throughout Asia Minor, where Hellenistic builders also began with an angle block called the akrogōniaios (corner-foundation). Old Testament Prophetic Foundation 1. Isaiah 28:16 : “Therefore the Lord GOD says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, firmly placed; the one who believes will never be shaken.’ ” 2. Psalm 118:22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” 3. Zechariah 10:4: “From Judah will come the cornerstone.” The Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaᵃ), dated c. 125 BC, contains Isaiah 28:16 verbatim, confirming the prophecy predates Christ. The Qumran community linked this stone with the awaited Messiah (4QFlorilegium). Christological Fulfillment in the New Testament Jesus applied Psalm 118:22 to Himself after the cleansing of the Temple (Mark 12:10-11). Paul calls Christ “the chief cornerstone” of the household of God (Ephesians 2:20). Thus the apostolic witness unites to announce that the “Stone” is Jesus of Nazareth, risen bodily (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), vindicated by more than 500 eye-witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6) whose testimony appears in early creedal form (dated within five years of the crucifixion; Habermas). Meaning of “Chosen” (eklektos) Greek ἐκλεκτός signifies something selected out of many for a unique purpose. Isaiah’s “chosen” Servant (Isaiah 42:1) foreshadows Christ, the elect One through whom God fulfills His redemptive plan (Luke 9:35). His election is foundational; believers share in it only by union with Him (Ephesians 1:4). Meaning of “Precious” (entimos) Ἔντιμος describes extraordinary worth—used of rare gems (Septuagint, Proverbs 3:15). Christ’s worth arises from His divine nature (John 1:1) and His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). He is priceless not merely sentimentally but ontologically; nothing of creation equals the Creator-in-flesh. Cornerstone as Foundation and Alignment 1. Orientation: As the cornerstone sets the axis of walls, Christ sets doctrinal and moral truth (John 14:6). 2. Stability: Buildings anchored to bedrock withstand storm (Matthew 7:24-25). Likewise, those who trust Him “will never be put to shame.” 3. Integration: Diverse “living stones” (Jews, Gentiles, every ethnicity) align only when referenced to the one Stone (Galatians 3:28). Ecclesiological Implications The Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). Apostolic teaching conforms to the Stone; deviation is collapse (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Unity is not negotiated but received by aligning to Him (John 17:23). Practical Application 1. Examine alignment: Is my worldview squared to Christ’s teaching? 2. Embrace dependence: The cornerstone bears the load; cease striving for self-justification. 3. Evangelize: Invite others to meet the Stone now rather than trip over Him in judgment (1 Peter 2:8). 4. Expect honor, not shame: Social rejection mirrors the builders’ mistake, but final vindication is certain. Key Cross-References Isa 8:14; Matthew 21:42; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20-22; Revelation 21:14. Summary “A chosen and precious cornerstone” in 1 Peter 2:6 encapsulates Jesus Christ’s elective uniqueness, matchless worth, foundational authority, and redemptive centrality. Those who rest on Him share His honor; those who reject Him collapse. The metaphor is as historically grounded as the stones of Herod’s Temple and as cosmically deep as the constants that hold the universe together. |
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