6 Because it is contained in Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed."
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Wherefore also it is contained in Scripture; or, Wherefore also the Scripture contains [1] They who refer the verb "contain" (periechein) to Christ, and render it "embrace," because through him all these unite together, wholly depart from the meaning of the Apostle. No better is another exposition, that Christ excels others; for Peter simply intended to quote the testimony of Scripture. [2] He then shews what had been taught by the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, or, which is the same thing, that what he adds is contained in them. Nor is it an unsuitable confirmation of the preceding verse. For we see for what slight reasons, and almost for none, many reject Christ, and some fall away from him; but this is a stumblingblock which above all other things stands in the way of some; they are drawn away, because not only the common people despise and reject Christ, but also those who are high in dignity and honor, and seem to excel others. This evil has almost ever prevailed in the world, and at this day it prevails much; for a great part of mankind judge of Christ according to the false opinion of the world. Moreover, such is the ingratitude and impiety of men, that Christ is everywhere despised. Thus it is, that while they regard one another, few pay him his due honor. Hence Peter reminds us of what had been foretold of Christ, lest the contempt or the rejection of him should move us from the faith. Now, the first passage, which he adduces, is taken from Isaiah 28:16; where the Prophet, after having inveighed against the desperate wickedness of his own nation, at length adds, "Your perfidy shall not prevent God from restoring his church, which now through you lies wholly in a ruinous state." (Isaiah 28:16) The manner of restoration he thus describes, "I will lay in Sion a stone." We hence learn that there is no building up of the Church without Christ; for there is no other foundation but he, as Paul testifies, (1-Corinthians 3:11.) This is no matter of wonder, for all our salvation is found only in him. Whosoever, then, turns away from him in the least degree, will find his foundation a precipice. Therefore the Prophet not only calls him a corner-stone, which connects the whole edifice, but also a stone of trial, according to which the building is to be measured and regulated; and farther, he calls him a solid foundation, which sustains the whole edifice. He is thus, then, a corner-stone, that he might be the rule of the building, as well as the only foundation. But Peter took from the words of the Prophet what was especially suitable to his argument, even that he was a chosen stone, and in the highest degree valuable and excellent, and also that on him we ought to build. This honor is ascribed to Christ, that how much soever he may be despised by the world, he may not be despised by us; for by God he is regarded as very precious. But when he calls him a corner-stone, he intimates that those have no concern for their salvation who do not recumb on Christ. What some have refined on the word "corner," as though it meant that Christ joins together Jews and Gentiles, as two distinct walls, is not well founded. Let us, then, be content with a simple explanation, that he is so called, because the weight of the building rests on him. We must further observe, that the Prophet introduces God as the speaker, for he alone forms and plans his own Church, as it is said in Psalm 78:69, that his hand had founded Sion. He, indeed, employs the labor and ministry of men in building it; but this is not inconsistent with the truth that it is his own work. Christ, then, is the foundation of our salvation, because he has been ordained for this end by the Father. And he says in Sion, because there God's spiritual temple was to have its beginning. That our faith, therefore, may firmly rest on Christ, we must come to the Law and to the Prophets. For though this stone extends to the extreme parts of the world, it was yet necessary for it to be located first in Sion, for there at that time was the seat of the Church. But it is said to have been then set, when the Father revealed him for the purpose of restoring his Church. In short, we must hold this, that those only rest on Christ, who keep the unity of the Church, for he is not set as a foundation-stone except in Sion. As from Sion the Church went forth, which is now everywhere spread, so also from Sion our faith has derived its beginning, as Isaiah says, "From Sion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3.) Corresponding with this is what is said in the Psalms, "The scepter of thy power will the Lord send forth from Sion." (Psalm 110:2.) He that believeth The Prophet does not say in him, but declares generally, "He that believeth shall not make haste." As, however, there is no doubt but that God sets forth Christ there as the object of our faith, the faith of which the Prophet speaks must look on him alone. And, doubtless, no one can rightly believe, but he who is fully convinced that in Christ he ought wholly to trust. But the words of the Prophet may be taken in two ways, either as a promise or as an exhortation. The future time is referred to, "He shall not make haste;" but in Hebrew the future is often to be taken for an imperative, "Let him not make haste." Thus the meaning would be, "Be ye not moved in your minds, but quietly entertain your desires, and check your feelings, until the Lord will be pleased to fulfill his promise." So he says in another place, "In silence and in quietness shall be your strength," (Isaiah 30:15.) But as the other reading seems to come nearer to Peter's interpretation, I give it the preference. Then the sense would not be unsuitable, "He who believeth shall not waver" or vacillate; for he has a firm and permanent foundation. And it is a valuable truth, that relying on Christ, we are beyond the danger of falling. Moreover, to be ashamed (pudefieri) means the same thing. Peter has retained the real sense of the Prophet, though he has followed the Greek version. [3]
1 - Several copies have he graphe instead of en tho graphe; and this reading Calvin has followed. But the verb periecho is used by Josephus and others in a passive sense. -- Ed.
2 - The quotation is not exactly either from the Hebrew or from the Sept. The Apostle seems to have taken what was suitable to his purpose. -- Ed.
3 - As to this verb he has, but in the previous parts he comes nearer to the Hebrew than to the Sept. Paul quotes this sentence twice, Romans 9:33; 10:11, and follows the Sept. as Peter does. Indeed, the difference between ychys he shall make haste, and yvs, he shall be ashamed, is very small; and further, the former verb admits of a similar meaning with the latter. -- Ed.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture - Isaiah 28:16. The quotation is substantially as it is found in the Septuagint.
Behold, I lay in Sion - See the Isaiah 28:16 note, and Romans 9:33 note.
A chief cornerstone - The principal stone on which the corner of the edifice rests. A stone is selected for this which is large and solid, and, usually, one which is squared, and worked with care; and as such a stone is commonly laid with solemn ceremonies, so, perhaps, in allusion to this, it is here said by God that he would lay this stone at the foundation. The solemnities attending this were those which accompanied the great work of the Redeemer. See the word explained in the notes at Ephesians 2:20.
Elect - Chosen of God, or selected for this purpose, 1-Peter 2:4.
And he that believeth on him shall not be confounded - Shall not be ashamed. The Hebrew is, "shall not make haste." See it explained in the notes at Romans 9:33.
Behold, I lay in Sion - This intimates that the foundation of the Christian Church should be laid at Jerusalem; and there it was laid, for there Christ suffered, and there the preaching of the Gospel commenced.
A chief corner stone - This is the same as the foundation stone; and it is called here the chief corner stone because it is laid in the foundation, at an angle of the building where its two sides form the ground work of a side and end wall. And this might probably be designed to show that, in Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles were to be united; and this is probably the reason why it was called a stone of stumbling, and rock of offense; for nothing stumbled, nothing offended the Jews so much as the calling of the Gentiles into the Church of God, and admitting them to the same privileges which had been before peculiar to the Jews.
Elect, precious - Chosen and honorable. See on 1-Peter 2:4.
Shall not be confounded - These words are quoted from Isaiah 28:16; but rather more from the Septuagint than from the Hebrew text. The latter we translate, He that believeth shall not make haste - he who comes to God, through Christ, for salvation, shall never be confounded; he need not haste to flee away, for no enemy shall ever be able to annoy him.
(6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
(6) He proves it by the testimony of the prophet Isaiah.
Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture,.... Isaiah 28:16. This is produced as a proof of the excellency of Christ, as compared to a stone; and of his usefulness in the spiritual building; and of his being chosen of God, and precious, though rejected by men; and of the happiness, comfort, and safety of those that believe in him. That this prophecy belongs to the Messiah, is the sense of some of the Jewish writers: the Targum on it applies it to a mighty king; it does not mention the King Messiah, as Galatinus (u) cites it; but Jarchi expressly names him, and interprets it of him:
behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious; Christ is here called a chief corner stone, as in Ephesians 2:20 because he not only adorns and strengthens the building, but unites the parts, and keeps them together, even all the saints, Jews or Gentiles, in all ages and places, whether in heaven or earth; and he, as such, is chosen of God for that purpose, and is precious both to God and man, on that account; and is a stone, not of men's laying, but of God's laying in his council, covenant, promises, and prophecies, in the mission of him into this world, and in the Gospel ministry; the place where he is laid is in Sion, the Gospel church, of which he is both the foundation and corner stone: and this account is introduced with a "behold", it being something very wonderful, and worthy of attention: to which is added,
he that believeth on him shall not be confounded: or "ashamed"; of the foundation and cornerstone Christ, nor of his faith in him; and he shall not be confounded by men or devils, neither in this world, nor in that to come; he shall have confidence before Christ, and not be ashamed at his coming; he shall be safe now, being laid on this stone; nor shall he be removed from it, or intimidated by any enemy, so as to flee from it; nor shall he make haste, as it is in Isaiah 28:16 to lay another foundation; and he shall be found upon this hereafter; so that his person and state will be safe, though many of his works may be burnt up,
(u) De Aroan. Cathol. Ver. l. 3. c. 21.
Wherefore also--The oldest manuscripts read, "Because that." The statement above is so "because it is contained in Scripture."
Behold--calling attention to the glorious announcement of His eternal counsel.
elect--so also believers (1-Peter 2:9, "chosen," Greek, "elect generation").
precious--in Hebrew, Isaiah 28:16, "a corner-stone of preciousness." See on Isaiah 28:16. So in 1-Peter 2:7, Christ is said to be, to believers, "precious," Greek, "preciousness."
confounded--same Greek as in Romans 9:33 (Peter here as elsewhere confirming Paul's teaching. See Introduction; also Romans 10:11), "ashamed." In Isaiah 28:16, "make haste," that is, flee in sudden panic, covered with the shame of confounded hopes.
Behold, I lay in Zion. See Isaiah 28:16, and Romans 9:33. Hence God had foretold that Christ should be a Living Stone. Peter has not quoted the passage in full which declares that the stone is "a tried stone," "a sure foundation."
Elect. Hence, "chosen by God" (1-Peter 2:4).
Precious. Since it is "the chief corner stone" without which the structure could not be built.
He that believeth on him. Hence this stone is a person, and faith in him is the basis of salvation.
Unto you therefore which believe. The prophecy is now applied. He is precious to believers because they enjoy the promise embraced in "he that believeth," etc.
Unto the disobedient. Those who do not believe and hence, disobey; to these he is the stone which the builders disallowed, which is spoken of in Psalm 118:22. See also Matthew 21:42, and Acts 4:11.
The head of the corner. Peter in Acts 4:11, quotes this passage from the Old Testament and applies it with great force. The rejected Savior had become the Head of God's spiritual temple.
A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. He is this to the disobedient. To believers, "precious;" to the disobedient, a stone over which they stumble and fall.
Whereunto. Unto stumbling over the stone and falling. This is God's appointment to the disobedient. It is the result of their unbelief. The idea is that stumbling is their condition. When they reject Christ they stumble more and more.
He that believeth shall not be confounded - In time or in eternity. Isaiah 28:16.
*More commentary available at chapter level.