1 Peter 2:6
6 Wherefore [dio] also [kai] it is contained [periecho]
in [en] the scripture [graphe], Behold [idou], I lay [tithemi] in [en] Sion [Sion] a chief corner [akrogoniaios] stone [lithos], elect [eklektos], precious [entimos]: and [kai] he that believeth [pisteuo]
on [epi] him [autos] shall [kataischuno] not be [ou
me] confounded [kataischuno]. KJV-Interlinear
6 For this is contained in
Scripture: Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And
he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed. NASB
Peter quotes from
Isaiah.
Isa. 28:16
16 Therefore thus says
the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly
cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not
be disturbed. NASB
Zion is the name of a
hill in Jerusalem, typically called the mountain of Jerusalem, or Zion.
Israel is the name of
Gods chosen people.Jerusalem is the
city of peace.Zion is the location of
concentrated doctrine, ie. the mountain, or the vastness of Gods wisdom.
From these words, we
can obtain a picture of Gods plan.He
chose His people (nation) from out of the world believers in Christ. He leads then to the spiritual center of the
nation, to a place of peace.He
completes this peace, prosperity, security, etc. by means of the mountain of
doctrine, which is the center or source of peace, or spiritual maturity.
Therefore, Gods people
obtain peace in their spiritual life by means of advancement through doctrine. Peace is synonymous with security, freedom,
prosperity, maturity, and so forth.
The corner stone, as we
have already studied, is the Messiah, the Savior, who is Jesus Christ. He is the foundation upon which our entire
existence is laid and constructed.
Christ is the living God, our Lord, the Word. By studying doctrine, we are in effect
building up Christ (doctrine) in our soul.
To believe, here has a
couple of meanings.The first is to have
faith.But it also means to give credit,
to trust, to entrust, to commit oneself to.
Confounded means, to be
disappointed, to be embarrassed, to be disgraced, to be put to shame, to blush.
Now, Peter is not
speaking to unbelievers, so unbelief and the Lake of Fire are not in view. If he was, then embarrassment would not be
used with reference to something as harsh and terrifying as the Lake of Fire.
Peter is addressing
believers who are suffering in various circumstances.
So now we can put this
all together.We as believers are a
nation of God, chosen by God, built up on the foundation of doctrine, through
Christ.Christ sets us apart from all
other philosophies, religions, beliefs, etc.
Our life is centered on
learning doctrine and growing up by means of the same.
Sooner or later, we
will all be called home to stand before the Judgment Seat (for our evaluation)
of Christ.And even before that we as
believers and humanity, will depart from this world in the normal ways, as people
have died and left the world in the past.
Once we have left this
world, our eyes are opened wide to the truth. It is made clear and vivid to us,
and therefore, if we have listened to our Bible teaching, and if we have
learned, and if we have grown up in our spiritual life, then when we finally do
leave this world, we will not be taken by surprise, and we will not be blushing
with embarrassment when we enter heaven.
Those believers, who
ignore or do not pursue their spiritual life, will enter heaven blushing with
embarrassment, because they will realize that by ignoring doctrine, they have
been the quintessence of stupid.
Likewise they enter heaven in disgrace, for not having properly invested
the things (doctrine), which God has entrusted to them.
But by advancing in our
spiritual life, as we are supposed to, then when we leave this world and enter
into heaven, we will not arrive there blushing, we will not be disappointed, we
will not arrive there in disgrace (no spiritual result in our soul), but, we
will arrive with confidence.
Likewise, as we live
our daily life here in this world, then if we have advanced in our spiritual
life, then no matter what our circumstances, we will live our life in
confidence (hope), and peace, and in the security of Christ.