Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin (continued)
Chapter
1 Peter 2:1-5
1 Peter 2:1-5 1. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1. Proinde deposita omni malitia et omni dolo et simulationibus et invidiis et omnibus obtrectationibus,
2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2. Tanquam modò geniti infantes, lac rationale et dolo vacuum appetite, ut per illud subolescatis:
3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 3. Si quidem gustastis quòd benignus sit Dominus; 4. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
4. Ad quem accedentes, qui est lapis vivus, ab hominibus quidera reprobatus, apud Deum vero electus ac pretiosus;
5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
5. Ipsi quoque tanquam vivi lapides, aedificamini, domus spirituales, sacerdotium sanctum, ad offerendas spirituales hostias, acceptas Deo per Jesum Christum.
After having taught the faithful that they had been regenerated by the word of God, he now exhorts them to lead a life corresponding with their birth. For if we live in the Spirit, we ought also to walk in the Spirit, as Paul says. (Galatians 5:25.) It is not, then, sufficient for us to have been once called by the Lord, except we live as new creatures. This is the meaning. But as to the words, the Apostle continues the same metaphor. For as we have been born again, he requires from us a life like that of infants; by which he intimates that we are to put off the old man and his works. Hence this verse agrees with what Christ says, ``Except ye become like this little child, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of God.'' (Matthew 18:3.)
Infancy is here set by Peter in opposition to the ancientness of the flesh, which leads to corruption; and under the word milk, he includes all the feel-