In our last study in 1 Peter 2:8, Eternal Treasure, we learned that those who are disobedient to the word are appointed to doom – the certain penalty of failure; they will stumble over the Gospel. Consider if you are walking towards a large tree. In your mind you can choose to say, ‘I do not want that tree to be there, it is inconvenient and, in my way’, however as you get closer you will either need to step around it or walk into it. Just because you have chosen to ignore its placement does not change its existence. We can choose to ignore God’s existence however this will not change His righteous judgement. In verse 9, the Apostle encourages the believers who were following Jesus, offering encouragement to them.
1Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
The word ‘but’ is a continuation and in contrast of the preceding thought. It is like saying, ‘However, you (those who believe) are unlike those who stumble and are appointed to doom, instead you are ‘a chosen race’, a ‘royal priesthood’, a holy nation, ‘a people for [God’s] own possession’. There is a distinct difference from those who willfully rejected Jesus as their Corner Stone and those who call Him Lord.
The Apostle quotes the Old Testament in his descriptions of the believers being addressed. These titles were given to the Jewish nation. They are now the privilege of all those belonging to God, seeking to follow His ways.
Exodus 19:5 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
Deuteronomy 7:6 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Deuteronomy 14:2 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
A Chosen Race – a select, favorite, elect generation. “The titles formerly given to the whole Jewish Church, i.e. To all the Israelites without exception, all who were in the covenant of God by circumcision, whether they were holy persons or not, are here given to Christians in general in the same way; i.e. to all who believed in Christ, whether Jews or Gentiles, and who received baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
Isaiah 43:21 "The people whom I formed for Myself, Will declare My praise.
“A chosen generation; a people chosen of God, not only out of the world, but from among the rest of your own nation and not only to an external adoption, and outward privileges, but to eternal salvation”, Matthew Poole’s Commentary.
1Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are God’s possession, you are chosen, you are holy. How do these descriptions of your life encourage you?
When something is purchased, most often it comes with instructions. We come with instructions from our Maker. We are chosen for a purpose, to spread the Gospel – Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Do you purpose to know the instructions given you by God?
Do you regularly access your instruction manual – the Bible?
How do you react when something wonderful happens in your life?
Do those around you know that you consider the claim of Christ wonderful, that this is a blessing you treasure?
A royal priesthood – kingly in nature, a sacred order. The Hebrew definition of priesthood is described as the priestly fraternity. A fraternity is a group of people engaged in the same occupation or activity. WordWeb says it is friendship and mutual support within a group of people. Christians belong to the family of God and have fellowship with one another, spurring each individual to the forward movement of their faith.
Exodus 19:6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
Revelation 1:6 and He has made us [to be] a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him [be] the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The Jewish priests were called to offer sacrifices to God. Now this special calling extends to all who believe. The Jewish nation placed great importance on their blood relations yet through Christ’s shed blood, we are all born into His kingdom.
1Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
God is King, and those who belong to Him are of royal heritage. In this sense, those who claim Christ as Savior are priests, daily offering up spiritual sacrifices of love and devotion, service, and gratefulness. The WordWeb definition of priesthood is described as friendship and mutual support within a group of people. We call this fellowship. Why is it important to be involved in a family of believers?
“But you, on the contrary, who unfeignedly believe in him, {are} a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, who bear at once the dignity of kings and sanctity of priest: a holy nation, set apart in a special manner for the service of God; and a peculiar people. When these titles were given to Israel of old, it was in an inferior sense; and it is in a much nobler signification that these words may be applied to you. Consider it therefore as the wise intention of Divine Providence, that you should declare and proclaim all abroad, the virtues of him who has called you out of that darkness in which you originally were, into his marvelous and glorious light; that clear light of the gospel, which opens so many illustrious scenes of divine wonders”, Philip Doddridge N.T.
In Christ we are victorious, in Christ we have a royal heritage, in Christ we have a future inheritance. The book of Revelation speaks to our position in heaven.
Revelation 5:10 "And Thou hast made them [to be] a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
Consider for a moment the encouraging words from the Apostle to the Jews and Gentiles who had converted to Christianity. They were reminded that they were specifically chosen to serve; that they were as priests offering spiritual sacrifices to God and would one day reign with Him!
A holy nation – holy, meaning sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless, consecrated, saint). Those called by Christ are set apart as a people to worship and serve the one true God. In Christ’s death we are justified; through obedience to the Gospel we are being sanctified. This contrasts with the outward appearance of holiness made through sacrifices under the Law, rather it is a holiness from within. It is the work of Christ in an individual’s heart which affords this privilege to those who follow Him in obedience.
1Peter 1:22-23 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, [that is,] through the living and abiding word of God.
Barnes’ NT Commentary says, “The Hebrews were regarded as a nation consecrated to God; and now that they were cast off or rejected for their disobedience, the same language was properly applied to the people whom God had chosen in their place – the Christian church”.
“As a family, let us remember how the Lord has favored us in his grace, and let each saved one among us remember whereunto he is called. Chosen, royal priestly, peculiar, and beloved of heaven, --what manner of persons ought we to be? We ought to be far better than others, for the Lord has dealt so much better with us. May rich grace rest upon us, and cause us to show forth the praises of our God”, Spurgeon Devotional Commentary.
We are called to be holy. In Christ, we can fight the strong arm of sin. We are not like the world, enslaved to the power of sin. Instead we are given victory over sin’s control. In all of Paul’s epistles, Christians are called saints derived from the same Greek word, hagios, for holy.
Do you strive to live in the likeness of Christ? What does this look like? How do you fight sin?
How is your life a witness of His Truth?
A people for [God’s] own possession – Or in the KJV, a peculiar people. We are purchased by the blood of Christ for a purpose; we are a people belonging to God for His use, for His glory. There is action implied in this thought. God’s own should be peculiar, markedly different from the world around them.
Look again at Deuteronomy 7:6 and 14:2.
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Do others notice you are a bit different in your conversation, your actions, and your use of time? Or do you blend in well with the world around you?
Is your service to others and your church family a priority? How?
We have been called from darkness into His glorious light – describe what this means specifically to you. Are your concerns laid at the foot of the cross or do they threaten to overwhelm you?
We are purchased for God’s purpose. Read Paul’s words to the elders at Ephesus just before he departed for Jerusalem –
Acts 20:24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Acts 20:35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
According to the above verses, what was Paul’s focus?
“Christians are appointed to show forth the praises of the Lord, by their spiritual worship, their open profession of his gospel, their holy conversation, and exemplary conduct. To this the apostle exhorted his brethren. The Lord had called many of them out of the total darkness of Pagan idolatry; and the rest, from the comparative darkness of the Mosaic dispensation and Jewish formality, into the clear light of the gospel, to behold the marvelous displays thus given of the divine glory, and to partake of his astonishing love to sinners. This he had done, in order that they might be his witnesses and worshippers, to render him the glory due to his name, and to “show forth his praises,” or to declare his virtues, or energies, even the efficacy of his grace, in their holy tempers and actions. They had formerly been a people of no name or excellency; but they were now become “the people of God,” and had obtained that mercy for the pardon of their sins, and the salvation of their souls, to which they once were strangers”, Thomas Scott.
Our next study will address the remainder of 1 Peter 2:9 as we look at the expected result and privileges of being called by God.
