Baby, Baby (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:2; Luke 1:41,44; Genesis 25:22; Psalm 68:26; Luke 18:15ff; 2 Timothy 3:15; )

1 Peter 2:2 says, "As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow by it..."

NEW BORN BABES

Many Bible commentators have assumed that this verse meant that Peter was writing, by the Holy Spirit, to new converts, because of the reference to "new born babes". Simply stated, however, the verse encourages ALL Believers, to have the same desire, for the sincere or pure milk of the word, in the same way that new born babies do for their mothers milk.

CHILDREN

It is interesting that children have, for the most part, been a lost or almost valueless commodity, in many ancient societies, gaining little appreciation or recognition, until they reach an age of usefulness, or maturity among a people group. However, 2 Timothy 2:2, in giving the qualifications for leaders, uses the neutral word, in the Greek, for "mankind", and not, as the KJV, and most translations imply, a male specific role. There is no inference of age or gender, to qualify those to whom instruction is to be committed, to be passed on and imparted to others. The only criteria, is that they must be 'faithful people, who have an ability to teach others also'.

UNWANTED

Historically, Jewish children were taught the Torah from the age of 5. However, this was a privilege only afforded to males. In ancient societies, children were sacrificed, to not only appease demonic deities, but to rid society of unwanted elements, such as cripples; sickly; deformed; or female babies. Some societies restricted families to one or two children, resulting in the murder of those exceeding that number. In societies of early Christianity, rampant with adultery; fornication; multiple wives; concubines; and temple prostitution, children were often an extremely undesirable by-product. However, there was early use of children in cultic worship, based on the belief that deities responded favorably to the requests of innocent children. What is certain, is that the demonic has always wanted the exploitation of children, by any means possible.

HIGH VALUE

In contrast to pagan beliefs, and even that of some erroneous Biblical interpretation, scripture places a high value on people, no matter what their age or gender.

UNBORN BABIES

The Greek word used in 1 Peter 2:2, for "babes", is only used 6 times in the NT. It is always in reference to breastfed babies, or those yet unborn. [i.e., the fetus].

In Luke 1:41,44, the yet unborn John the Baptist, leaped in the womb of Elizabeth, recognizing the voice of Mary, and the Savior in her womb. Obviously there is spiritual perception among the unborn. The same Greek word is used in Genesis 25:22, of Jacob and Esau "leaping" in the womb of Rebekah. The KJV translates that they struggled in the womb. Either way, there is a conscious action implied on the part of the children, yet unborn.

By Jewish interpretation, Psalm 68:26 says that at the Red Sea, infants sang in the wombs of their Jewish mothers in praise, over Egypt being covered in the sea. Another translation says, "Exalt the Lord, ye infants, in the bowels of your mothers, of the seed of Israel." [Lightfoot, Vol 3, pp27,28, Commentary on the NT from the Talmud and Hebraic]. Jewish tradition taught, that from the mother's womb, a child received instruction in the Torah, from an angel of God, or even God Himself.

In Luke's translation, Jesus Himself encouraged the laying of hands on babies, to bless them, knowing that they can receive spiritually (Lk. 18:15ff).

What is extremely interesting, is that Timothy is said to have known the holy scriptures from:

 1) either his mother's womb, or

 2) from a breastfed baby (2 Tim. 3:15)

[These are the only allowable interpretations of this word, also used in 1 Peter 2:2].

It would seem evident that the external pressure of traditional interpretation, bears heavy on scholars, that ignore the obvious literal meaning of a word, in favor of what is acceptable; despite contrary literary evidence.

There are only the two possible literal meanings of this word used, which strongly indicates the spiritual awareness and perception of the unborn child. The responsibility is on us, as Believers, to not only be aware, but to treat with dignity and respect, infant babies, and the unborn, knowing that they respond to and are perceptive of spiritual reality.

DIGGING DEEPER

There were basically 3 or 4 Greek words, and their variations, that were used to identify children:

(pais) was used to describe children generally from 7 - 14 years of age.

(paidarion), a variant, was used of children under 7 years of age.

(teknon) was used of children, or people, in respect to their origin, or descent, from a certain people or person.

(nepios) referred, literally, to those that could not speak, and therefore, very young children, or those considered simple-minded, or immature.

(BREPHOS)

The word used in this passage, is (brephos), which, in Greek writing, only referred to :

1) an unborn child, or

2) a sucking child [i.e., one who was still being breastfed].

SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION

The Greek word for "known", in 2 Timothy 3:15, is not (epignosis) - revelation knowledge; nor is it (gnosis) - knowledge perceived by the senses. The word is (0ida), which has to do with 'perception'; 'awareness'; and perhaps even 'influence upon'. Babies, even the unborn, are scripturally, aware of spiritual reality.

AFFIRMATION:

Like God, I choose to give dignity to all human persons, including babies and the unborn child, aware of and able to be influenced by, spiritual reality.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours