Greek Key Terms:
Context: Peter combines three OT stone texts to describe Christ and responses to Him: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame" (Isaiah 28:16). For believers, Christ is honored cornerstone; for unbelievers, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Psalm 118:22), and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense" (Isaiah 8:14). The same stone brings either salvation (those building on it) or judgment (those stumbling over it). Christ's dual function—foundation and obstacle—depends on faith response.
Connections:
Christological Connection: First Peter 2:6-8 identifies Christ through three OT stone prophecies. Isaiah 28:16: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." Christ is God's chosen foundation—secure, tested, precious. Psalm 118:22: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." Israel's leaders rejected Jesus, but God vindicated Him through resurrection, making Him church's foundation. Isaiah 8:14: "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." The same Christ who saves believers becomes obstacle for unbelievers. Acts 4:11-12 declares: "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else." The cornerstone was architecturally crucial—uniting walls, bearing weight, determining alignment. Christ functions identically for the church. Ephesians 2:20-22 describes believers as "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." First Corinthians 3:11 states: "No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." The dual response—belief versus disobedience—determines stone's function: foundation for those building on it, stumbling block for those rejecting it. Romans 9:33 warns: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." The trajectory shows: OT prophesies cornerstone in Zion → Christ is that stone → leaders reject Him → God vindicates through resurrection → church built on Him → believers secured, unbelievers stumble → eternal destinies diverge based on response to the stone.
Connection Method(s): Promise-Fulfillment; Typology (Direct, Forward-Looking) — Peter combines three OT stone prophecies (Isa 28:16; Ps 118:22; Isa 8:14) to identify Christ as God's chosen cornerstone: precious foundation for believers, stumbling stone for unbelievers, with the same Christ bringing either salvation or judgment depending on faith response.
Trajectory Table: 041 - David (The King After God's Own Heart)