Context Defined On 2 Peter 2:8
1 Pet.2:8, "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."
Appointed here means, To set, to appoint, to constitute, often as English, "to make." As of time, portion, decision, decree, law, as in made a decision, decided, determined, the law, ordained, to prepare, predicate,
There are those who teach that this passage with absolute certainty has God appointing certain people to the eternal lake of fire. With this said, they now proclaim, "How can we love a God who appoints those to an eternal hell?"
This teaching not only contradicts the whole tenor of the Scriptures, but is also inconsistent and contradictory to every idea which we as Christians are taught concerning the mercy and justice of God.
Upon close examination of the context of 1 Pet.2:8, it will without doubt reveal the true meaning of this verse.
This letter is addressed to believing Jews. After congratulating them on their happiness and joy in being called to the glorious hope of the Gospel, Peter takes this opportunity to speak on the exalted and solemn manner with which this teaching was introduced both by the prophets and the apostles.
Peter had previously enforced his general exhortation to them as to, prepare your minds, be sober, obedient and watchful. This preparation would effect their relationship with God, and their redemption through the shed blood of Jesus Christ as it will all of us.
Peter also expresses his teaching on the vanity, wastefulness and short-lived duration of worldly pleasures. He then compares that to the excellency and perpetual duration of the Gospel dispensation.
Peter then proceeds in 2 Pet.2:1-12, to urge these believing Jews by a representation of their Christian privileges, to receive the word of God with meekness and to continue in the exercise of faith in Jesus Christ as the foundation of their eternal hope. Also to maintain such conduct and example as to serve as a pattern to embellish the Gospel among the unconverted Gentiles.
He also states, that they should consider the everlasting permanency and constant certainty of invaluable word of God.
1 Pet.2:1, "Laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,"
There were these Jews who spoke against Christians, showing Malice, deceit, hypocrisies and envy. These things being contrary to the Gospels goodwill, charitable design and simplicity. These are the things that regenerate. God is not willing that any should perish.
Coming, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (unto salvation:)" Since (or seeing that) they have tasted the sincerity of the Lord's graciousness.
Ver.4, "To whom coming, as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also (who believe,) as living stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices by Jesus Christ."
1 Pet.2:6, "Behold I (God) lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on it shall not be confounded (or ashamed.) Unto you, therefore, who believe He is precious; but unto them that disbelieve, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is become the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence."
Those who reject the Gospel that contains this testimony, shall stumble at this corner-stone, where also they were appointed, but rejected.
But ye believers, who rest your salvation on this Gospel, "Are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light."
Therefore it is evident that the meaning of 1 Pet.2:8, is not that God had ordained any to disobedience, for if He had, their obedience to the Gospel would have been impossible, and their disobedience would not be sin, but obedience.
God, the judge of all the earth, had appointed and decreed, that destruction and eternal perdition should be the punishment for those who do not believe, and who WILLFULLY reject the evidences that Jesus Christ was/is the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
Matt.7:8, "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Thank you,
Phil. LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com