1 Peter 2:5

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Peter 2:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Peter 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye also, as lively stones, etc.] Saints likewise are compared to stones; they lie in the same quarry, and are the same by nature as the rest of mankind, till dug out and separated from thence by the powerful and efficacious grace of God, when they are hewn, and made fit for the spiritual building; where both for their ornament, beauty, and strength, which they receive from Christ, they are compared to stones, and are lasting and durable, and will never perish, nor be removed out of the building: and because of that life which they derive from him, and have in him, they are called “lively”, or “living stones”; the spirit of life having entered into them, a principle of life being implanted in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ye also, as lively stones--partaking of the name and life which is in "THE LIVING STONE" (Pe1 2:4; Co1 3:11). Many names which belong to Christ in the singular are assigned to Christians in the plural. He is "THE SON," "High Priest," "King," "Lamb"; they, "sons," "priests," "kings," "sheep," "lambs." So the Shulamite called from Solomon [BENGEL]. are built up--Greek, "are being built up," as in Eph 2:22. Not as ALFORD, "Be ye built up." Peter grounds his exhortations, Pe1 2:2, Pe1 2:11, &c., on their conscious sense of their high privileges as living stones in the course of being built up into a spiritual house (that is, "the habitation of the Spirit"). priesthood--Christians are both the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ye also, as lively stones - Greek, “living stones.” The word should have been so rendered. The word lively with us now has a different meaning from living, and denotes “active, quick, sprightly.” The Greek word is the same as that used in the previous verse, and rendered living. The meaning is, that the materials of which the temple here referred to was composed, were living materials throughout. The foundation is a living foundation, and all the superstructure is compassed of living materials. The purpose of the apostle here is to compare the church to a beautiful temple - such as the temple in Jerusalem, and to show that it is complete in all its parts, as that was. It has within itself…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye - Believers. As living stones - Alive to God through him. Are built up - In union with each other. A spiritual house - Being spiritual yourselves, and an habitation of God through the Spirit. An holy priesthood - Consecrated to God, and "holy as he is holy." To offer up - Your souls and bodies, with all your thoughts, words, and actions, as spiritual sacrifices to God. 1 Peter 2:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:5 God’s people themselves constitute the spiritual temple where God dwells (1 Cor 3:16). Jesus compared his body to a “temple” (John 2:19-22), and the church is called the “body of Christ” (Eph 4:12). God no longer manifests himself in a particular place but in the people who belong to him and praise his goodness (see 1 Pet 2:10). • As God’s holy priests in the new covenant, Christians offer not animal sacrifices but spiritual sacrifices such as praising God, praying, and doing good (see Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15-16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“also: Co1 3:16, Co1 6:19; Co2 6:16; Eph 2:20-22; Heb 3:6; Rev 3:12 are built: or, be ye built an holy: Pe1 2:9; Isa 61:6, Isa 66:21; Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10, Rev 20:6 spiritual: Psa 50:14, Psa 50:23, Psa 141:2; Hos 14:2; Mal 1:11; Joh 4:22-24; Rom 12:1; Phi 2:17, Phi 4:18; Heb 13:15, Heb 13:16 acceptable: Pe1 4:11; Phi 1:11, Phi 4:18; Col 3:17 1 Peter 2:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification