2:3
Here in 2:3, Peter gave his readers a reason why they should continue to desire the spiritual milk of God’s word. They had already experienced that the Lord is kind.
Peter used words from Psalm 34:8. His readers would recognize these words, even though Peter modified the words in order to apply them directly to these believers. Because Peter modified these words, most English versions do not introduce this verse as an Old Testament quotation.
Some ways to show that 2:3 is a quote from the Psalms are:
• Say in a footnote that Peter was referring to Psalm 34:8.
• Introduce it in the text as a quotation. For example:
As the scripture says, “You have found out for yourselves how kind the Lord is.” (Good News Translation)
now that: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as now that is literally “if.” In this context this word introduces a condition that had been fulfilled. Peter believed that his readers had already experienced that the Lord is kind. He was assuming that this was true. Different ways to translate this include:
for (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
because (New Century Version)
-or-
since
you have tasted: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you have tasted continues the metaphor of babies drinking milk. Peter is using the word tasted as a figure of speech here to mean “experienced.” It is possible to translate this figure of speech in two ways:
• Continuing with the “milk” metaphor of 2:2. For example:
you have already tasted (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
you have had a taste (New Living Translation (2004))
• Translating the meaning of the metaphor. For example:
You have found out for yourselves (Good News Translation)
-or-
you have experienced (NET Bible)
Whether or not you choose a verb that continues the “milk” metaphor will depend on which way communicates best in your language.
that the Lord is good: Peter has already explained in chapter 1 how kind the Lord had been to these Christians. Peter’s readers were able to know this because they knew what Christ had done to save them from sin and death.
the Lord: In the verse in the Psalms from which Peter was quoting, the Lord refers to God. Most scholars agree, however, that here in 1 Peter the Lord refers to Christ. The English versions do not make this explicit. It is recommended that you use a word for Lord that can refer to both God and Christ.
good: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as good is an adjective that describes the Lord. It is also possible to translate it as:
kind (Good News Translation)
General Comment on 2:3
In order to show the connection with 2:2, you may need to repeat Peter’s exhortation to his readers to desire God’s word. Also, you may need to make it explicit that they knew the Lord was good/kind because he had been good/kind to them. For example:
⌊Do this⌋ because you know that the Lord ⌊Jesus Christ⌋ is good. You know this ⌊because he has been kind to you⌋.
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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