With malice, deceit, and rejection (2:1-3), Peter uses an image of tender innocence - the believer as a newborn child longing for pure spiritual milk. Beginning in v. 4 he uses other word pictures to describe our bonding together in community: a temple of fitted-together stones, a priesthood, a nation, and the ‘people of God.' Our heart for the ‘spiritual milk’ (God’s word) helps us to take our place in the believing community.