Newborn (738) (artigennetos from arti, an adverb of time = now, newly, recently + gennetos = begotten, born) is literally one just born, lately born and so newborn. It refers to a child at birth or of tender years and in context could refer to new converts or it could simply refer to how any convert should approach the "pure milk" of God's Word.
Peter uses this figurative language to give the readers the mental picture of infants craving nourishment, for anyone who has been a parent or had a baby sibling knows how newborn babies vocally and ardently express their desire to be fed regularly. In fact, newborn babies act as if their life depends on the next feeding, an attitude that should be true of believers, for Jesus Himself clearly stated that...
Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) (Amplified Version)
Comment: Jesus is quoting (Dt 8:3, context Dt 8:1, 2, 3, 4, 5) to emphasize that it is not food that is the most necessary part of life, but instead it is the creative, energizing, and sustaining power of God's Word that is the only real source of man’s existence.
In Moses' last words to the children of Israel just before they crossed the Jordan River to possess their possessions (what God had already declared was their inheritance), he made this profound statement ...
"Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it (the Word) is not an idle (empty, vain) Word for you; indeed it (the Word) is your life. And by this Word you shall prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess." (Deuteronomy 32:46, 47)
The NLT paraphrases Deuteronomy 32:47 as...
These instructions are not mere words--they are your life! (Comment: How important in the success of Israel was the pure milk of the Word and obedience to that Word?)
Job had come to the understanding of the importance of God's Word for his sustenance (which I believe was one reason he was able to endure such profound losses and afflictions) declaring...
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12-note) (Bolding added)
Comment: Read over Job's affirmation slowly and ask yourself
What is more important to me?
God's Word or _______!
Take a moment before God and "fill in the blank" -- my job, my exercise, my hobby, my favorite television show, time with my family, etc
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http://www.preceptaustin.org/1peter_verse_by_verse_21-12.htm#newborn
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)