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1 Peter 2:6
6 Wherefore [dio] also [kai] it is contained [periecho] in [en] the scripture [graphe], Behold [idou], I lay [tithemi] in [en] Sion [Sion] a chief corner [akrogoniaios] stone [lithos], elect [eklektos], precious [entimos]: and [kai] he that believeth [pisteuo] on [epi] him [autos] shall [kataischuno] not be [ou me] confounded [kataischuno]. KJV-Interlinear
6 For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed.’ NASB
Peter quotes from Isaiah.
Isa. 28:16
16 Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. NASB
Zion is the name of a hill in Jerusalem, typically called the mountain of Jerusalem, or Zion.
Israel is the name of Gods chosen people. Jerusalem is the city of peace. Zion is the location of concentrated doctrine, ie. the mountain, or the vastness of Gods wisdom.
From these words, we can obtain a picture of Gods plan. He chose His people (nation) from out of the world – believers in Christ. He leads then to the spiritual center of the nation, to a place of peace. He completes this peace, prosperity, security, etc. by means of the mountain of doctrine, which is the center or source of peace, or spiritual maturity.
Therefore, Gods people obtain peace in their spiritual life by means of advancement through doctrine. Peace is synonymous with security, freedom, prosperity, maturity, and so forth.
The corner stone, as we have already studied, is the Messiah, the Savior, who is Jesus Christ. He is the foundation upon which our entire existence is laid and constructed. Christ is the living God, our Lord, the Word. By studying doctrine, we are in effect building up Christ (doctrine) in our soul.
To believe, here has a couple of meanings. The first is to have faith. But it also means to give credit, to trust, to entrust, to commit oneself to.
Confounded means, to be disappointed, to be embarrassed, to be disgraced, to be put to shame, to blush.
Now, Peter is not speaking to unbelievers, so unbelief and the Lake of Fire are not in view. If he was, then embarrassment would not be used with reference to something as harsh and terrifying as the Lake of Fire.
Peter is addressing believers who are suffering in various circumstances.
So now we can put this all together. We as believers are a nation of God, chosen by God, built up on the foundation of doctrine, through Christ. Christ sets us apart from all other philosophies, religions, beliefs, etc.
Our life is centered on learning doctrine and growing up by means of the same.
Sooner or later, we will all be called home to stand before the Judgment Seat (for our evaluation) of Christ. And even before that we as believers and humanity, will depart from this world in the normal ways, as people have died and left the world in the past.
Once we have left this world, our eyes are opened wide to the truth. It is made clear and vivid to us, and therefore, if we have listened to our Bible teaching, and if we have learned, and if we have grown up in our spiritual life, then when we finally do leave this world, we will not be taken by surprise, and we will not be ‘blushing’ with embarrassment when we enter heaven.
Those believers, who ignore or do not pursue their spiritual life, will enter heaven blushing with embarrassment, because they will realize that by ignoring doctrine, they have been the quintessence of stupid. Likewise they enter heaven in disgrace, for not having properly invested the things (doctrine), which God has entrusted to them.
But by advancing in our spiritual life, as we are supposed to, then when we leave this world and enter into heaven, we will not arrive there blushing, we will not be disappointed, we will not arrive there in disgrace (no spiritual result in our soul), but, we will arrive with confidence.
Likewise, as we live our daily life here in this world, then if we have advanced in our spiritual life, then no matter what our circumstances, we will live our life in confidence (hope), and peace, and in the security of Christ.
