SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:2
desead, como nios recin nacidos, la leche racional, y que es sin engao, para que por ella crezcis en salud,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 2:2
Verse 2. As new-born babes] In the preceding chapter, 1 Peter i. 23, the apostle states that they had been born again; and as the new-born infant desires that aliment which nature has provided for it, so they, being born again - born from above, should as earnestly require that heavenly nourishment which is suited to their new nature; and this the apostle calls the sincere milk of the word, to logikon adolon gala, or, as some translate, the rational unadulterated milk; i.e. the pure doctrines of the Gospel, as delivered in the epistles and gospels, and as preached by the apostles and their successors. The rabbins frequently express learning to know the law, &c., by the term sucking, and their disciples are often denominated those that suck the breast. The figure is very expressive: as a child newly born shows an immediate desire for that nourishment, and that only, which is its most proper food; so they, being just born of God, should show that the incorruptible seed abides in them, and that they will receive nothing that is not suited to that new nature: and, indeed, they can have no spiritual growth but by the pure doctrines of the Gospel. That ye may grow thereby] eiv swthrian, Unto salvation, is added here by ABC, and about forty others; both the Syriac, the Arabic of Erpen, Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Slavonic, Vulgate, and several of the ancient fathers. The reading is undoubtedly genuine, and is very important. It shows why they were regenerated, and why they were to desire the unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel; viz.: that they might grow up unto salvation. This was the end they should always have in view; and nothing could so effectually promote this end as continually receiving the pure truth of God, claiming the fulfillment of its promises, and acting under its dictates.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. As new born babes , etc.] The Syriac version renders it, be ye simple as infants; and as if it was a distinct exhortation of itself, and from that which follows; though it seems rather to be descriptive of the persons spoken to, and a character of them, under which the apostle addresses them; which carries in it a reason strengthening the exhortation after given: he takes it for granted that they were begotten again, according to the abundant mercy of God, and born of incorruptible seed, by the word of God, and that they were just, or lately born; and which is to be understood of them all in general, and not of younger converts among them, who might be called little children with respect to others who were young men or fathers; but that, comparatively speaking, those that had been of the longest standing were but as it were newly born, it being at most but a few years since they were called by grace: and they were as babes, not on account of their want of knowledge, or unskilfulness in the word of righteousness; or of nonproficiency in the learning of divine truths, and their great dulness, backwardness, and imperfection; or because of their incapacity in taking in, and digesting the strong meat and sublimer doctrines of the Gospel; or for their instability and simplicity, being easily deceived and beguiled; nor for their weakness in faith, not being able to walk alone, and their insufficiency to defend, or provide for themselves; but because of their harmlessness and innocence, meekness and humility; and for the sincerity of their faith and love, obedience and profession. The proselytes to the Jews' religion are often said to be ymd dlwn wjqk , as an infant just born, or a new born babe; to which the allusion may here be made: desire the sincere milk of the word ; this is not a declaration that these new born souls did do so, though that might be true, but an exhortation to them so to do, as it became them: by the sincere milk of the word is meant the Gospel, even the whole of it, and not, as elsewhere, the more plain and easy truths of it; which is compared to milk for its purity in itself, for every word of God is pure and for its purifying nature, as used by the Spirit of God; and for its sweetness and agreeable taste to a regenerate man; and because easy of digestion to a spiritual one; and because it is nutritive to him, by it he is nourished up unto eternal life; and because, as milk is of a cooling nature, so the Gospel is a means, in the hand of the Spirit of God, of assuaging those inflammations, and of allaying that wrath and fiery indignation, raised in the conscience of a sinner by the law; and because as milk, medicinally used, is a restorative in consumptive disorders, so the Gospel is not only the means of helping a declining person, and who is wasted and consumed by sin, but even of quickening such as are dead in sin; it is the savour of life unto life. The Jewish writers speak of hrwt l blj , the milk of the law f41 , of which they generally interpret the passage in ( Isaiah 55:1) but it is much better applied to the Gospel, which is the milk of the word, or rational milk: not that the Gospel is a scheme according to the carnal reason of men; it is contrary to that, and above sound reason, though not repugnant to it; but it is what is calculated for faith, the spiritual reason of men, and for such who have their spiritual senses exercised, to discern between good and evil; it is a spiritual drink, and is made up of spiritual things, and suited to the spiritual man; it is milk, not in a natural, but in a mystic and spiritual sense: the Syriac version renders it, the word which is as milk, pure and spiritual: and it is sincere; without mixture, unadulterated with the inventions and doctrines of men, Jews or heretics: or without deceit; being neither deceitfully handled by the faithful ministers of it, nor causing deceit, or deceiving those that cordially receive it. Now, this it becomes regenerate person, to desire; and vehemently long after, as a new born babe does after its mother's milk; for the Gospel is that to one that is born again, as the breast is to a babe: desire after it supposes knowledge of it; and where there is an experimental knowledge, there will be a value and esteem for it, even above necessary food, and, at times, an hungering and thirsting after it, an impatient longing for, and desire of it; when such souls will labour after it, and diligently observe and attend every opportunity of enjoying it, and think long ere the seasons of meeting with it return; for it is suitable food for them, savoury food, such as their souls love, and which indeed they cannot live without: now the end of this exhortation, and of such a desire, and of feeding on the words of faith and sound doctrine, is, that ye may grow thereby : regenerate persons are not at their full growth at once; they are first children, then young men, and then fathers in Christ; the Gospel is appointed as a means of their spiritual growth, and by the blessing of God becomes so, and which they find to be so by good experience; and therefore this milk of the word is desirable on this account, for the increase of faith, and the furtherance of the joy of it; for their growth in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and in an experience of spiritual strength from him, and unto him, as their head in all things; not merely in the leaves of a profession, but in the fruits of grace, righteousness, and holiness. The Alexandrian copy, and several others, and also the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, add, unto salvation: that is, until they come to a perfect knowledge of Christ, and to be perfect men with him, being arrived to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, and in the possession of that salvation he has obtained for them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart; and hinder our profiting by the word of God. A new life needs suitable food Infants desire milk, and make the best endeavours for it which they ar able to do; such must be a Christian's desires after the word of God Our Lord Jesus Christ is very merciful to us miserable sinners; and he has a fulness of grace. But even the best of God's servants, in thi life, have only a taste of the consolations of God. Christ is called Stone, to teach his servants that he is their protection and security the foundation on which they are built. He is precious in the excellence of his nature, the dignity of his office, and the glory of his services. All true believers are a holy priesthood; sacred to God serviceable to others, endowed with heavenly gifts and graces. But the most spiritual sacrifices of the best in prayer and praise are no acceptable, except through Jesus Christ. Christ is the chie Corner-stone, that unites the whole number of believers into on everlasting temple, and bears the weight of the whole fabric. Elected or chosen, for a foundation that is everlasting. Precious beyon compare, by all that can give worth. To be built on Christ means, to believe in him; but in this many deceive themselves, they consider no what it is, nor the necessity of it, to partake of the salvation he ha wrought. Though the frame of the world were falling to pieces, that ma who is built on this foundation may hear it without fear. He shall no be confounded. The believing soul makes haste to Christ, but it neve finds cause to hasten from him. All true Christians are a chose generation; they make one family, a people distinct from the world: of another spirit, principle, and practice; which they could never be, i they were not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit. Their first state is a state of gross darkness, but they ar called out of darkness into a state of joy, pleasure, and prosperity that they should show forth the praises of the Lord by their professio of his truth, and their good conduct. How vast their obligations to Hi who has made them his people, and has shown mercy to them! to be without this mercy is a woful state, though a man have all worldl enjoyments. And there is nothing that so kindly works repentance, a right thoughts of the mercy and love of God. Let us not dare to abus and affront the free grace of God, if we mean to be saved by it; but let all who would be found among those who obtain mercy, walk as his people.
Greek Textus Receptus
ως 5613 αρτιγεννητα 738 βρεφη 1025 το 3588 λογικον 3050 αδολον 97 γαλα 1051 επιποθησατε 1971 5657 ινα 2443 εν 1722 αυτω 846 αυξηθητε 837 5686
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. New-born (artigennhta). Peculiar to Peter, and only in this passage. Lit., born but just now (arti).
Babes (brefh). The word signifying peculiarly a child at birth, or of tender years. See Luke xviii. 15; Acts vii. 19. Of the infant Jesus, Luke ii. 12, 16. Here marking the recency of Christian life in the converts addressed. Desire (epipoqhsate). The compound is intensive; earnestly desire. So Rev., long for. Compare Philip. ii. 26.
The sincere milk of the word (to logikon adolon gala). The A.V. has rendered logikon, of the word; but wrongly. It describes the quality of the milk as spiritual or rational, as opposed to liberal and ceremonial. In the only other place where it occurs (Rom. xii. 1) it is rendered reasonable; which Rev. gives here in margin.
Sincere (adolon) is another epithet of the milk. Lit., without guile, unadulterated. Compare guile in ver. 1. Laying aside guile, desire the guileless milk, etc. Hence Rev., renders the whole passage, Long for the spiritual milk which is without guile.
That ye may grow thereby. The best texts add, unto salvation.
