You Have Tasted

1Peter 2:1-4 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious 

‘Laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings’ Five things Christians must lay aside: All malice; all guile; hypocrisies; envies; all evil speakings (Eph. 4:22-31).

‘Newborn babes’ in 1Peter 1:23 Peter speaks of his readers as being born again. Here he tells them how to grow as newborn babes in Christ. It is by taking the unadulterated milk of the Word of God, the pure doctrines of the gospel, as recorded in the new covenant.

‘Of the word’ [Greek: logikos] belonging to speech; belonging to reason; that which is rational; fit for reasoning; hence, logic. Translated ‘of the word’ (1Pet. 2:2) and reasonable (Rom. 12:1). The milk to be found in the Word of God is in the highest sense reasonable.

‘Grow thereby’ six facts about spiritual growth: Like a cedar of Lebanon (Ps. 92:12); like calves in the stall (Mal. 4:2); into a holy temple (Eph. 2:21); in grace (2Pet. 3:18); in knowledge (2Pet. 3:18); into Christ in all things (Eph. 4:15).

A five-fold former state of apostates is described in Hebrews 6:4-5: Those who were once enlightened but are not now enlightened. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says this refers to “those who have been made Christians.” Paul uses the same term of saved individuals elsewhere (Eph. 1:18; Hebr. 10:32; cp. Ps. 19:7-8; Luke 11:34-36). Only saints are called “children of light” (Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:12; 1Thess. 5:5), and only saved people are spoken of as being in the light (Matt. 5:14-15; Luke 16:8; John 3:20-21; 8:12; 12:36; Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:14; Col. 1:12; 1Jn. 1:7; 2:9-10). Only people who have not been saved as spoken of as being darkened from gospel light (2Cor. 4:4; Eph. 4:18; 5:8; Col. 1:13; 1Thess. 5:5; 1Pet. 2:9; 1Jn. 1:6; 2:8-11). Those who have tasted of the heavenly gift (Heb. 6:4). The [Greek: geuomai] have experience of. Translated “to eat” (Acts 10:10; 20:11; 23:14) and “to taste” (Heb. 6:4,5; 2:9; Matt. 16:28; 27:34; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27; 14:24; John 2:9; 8:52; Col. 2:21; 1Pet. 2:3). How could one taste of death, taste the Lord, taste the heavenly gift, and other things of these passages without experiencing them? They were made partakers of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 6:4). The Greek word metochos meaning a partner and fellow with (Heb. 3:1). No sinner is a partaker of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9-16). It is almost blasphemy to accuse the Holy Spirit of being a partner, sharer, and an associate with the ungodly. Jesus said that sinners cannot receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). Jude confirmed the same truth (Jude 1:19). They have tasted the good Word of God (Heb. 6:5). To taste the Word of God is to be saved, as proved in Matthew 13:20-23; Luke 8:13-15; John 15:3; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 5:26; James 1:18-25 and 1Peter 1:18-23. No man receives the Word and remains unsaved. They have tasted the powers of the world to come (Heb. 6:5). To taste of these powers means to experience eternal life. Every time such statement is found it refers to eternal life (Matt. 10:30; Luke 18:30; 20:35).  

‘Tasted’ to taste means to experience the thing tasted. Four heavenly things to taste: The Lord (2:3; Ps. 34:8); the Word of God (Ps. 119:103; Heb. 6:5); the heavenly gift (Heb. 6:4); the powers of the world to come (Heb. 6:5). ‘The Lord is gracious’ eight facts about Christ: He is gracious (2:3; Ex. 34:6; Ps. 86:15; 103:8; 111:4; 112:4; 116:5; 145:8); He is a Living Stone. The only foundation of the body (2:4, 6; Isa. 28:16; 1Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:18-22); chosen or elected of God (2:4). He was chosen to be the Saviour of the world and founder of the congregation and body of believers (Luke 18:7); He was disallowed of people, (2:4) which is a fulfilment of Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 53:1-12. The Greek word entimos translated “precious” (2:4, 6); “dear” (Luke 7:2); “hold in reputation” (Php. 2:29); and “honourable” (Luke 14:8). Regardless of the attitude of men, God holds Christ to be supremely precious, dear, and honourable. He is the chief cornerstone (2:6-8; Isa. 28:16) and a stone of stumbling (2:8; Ps. 118:22) and a rock of offence (2:8; Ps. 118:22).