A chiastic structure to 1 Peter 2:1-12 is becoming more widely recognised and this article is an attempt to contribute to that work. An important theme of 1 Peter 2:1-12 is the pattern of Christ’s Person and work being reproduced in believers. Thus Christ is a Living Stone (v. 4) and we are being built up into living stones also (v. 5). Three other such correspondences are recognised and all are well described in the commentaries – for example in Karen Jobes’ helpful commentary on 1 Peter. This pattern of “imitation of Christ” seems to be  superimposed on the “formal” chiastic structure referred to above.  There is also a sort of “inverse” correspondence to some of these patterns in the stumbling of those who rejected Christ and the overturning of the accusations spoken against the Christians. This carefully structured exposition is nested within exhortations to good behaviour on the part of believers.

I hope you will find this analysis interesting and helpful. It can be accessed by clicking on the link below:

Peterch2LivingStones.1

Al comments and corrections gratefully received!

Categories: 1 & 2 Peter, Chiastic and Other Structures, New Testament Exegesis, Typology, Uncategorized

Tags: 1 Peter 2:1-12, Builders, Chiasm, Chiastic Structure, Chief Cornerstone, Chosed Race, Christ, Elect, Exegesis, Gentiles, Head of the Corner, Living, New Testament, Peter, Precious, Rejected, Roya Priesthood, Stones, Structure