What does 1 Peter 2:9 mean when it refers to believers as peculiar people?
1 Peter 2:9
ESV - 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
Jack Gutknecht
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Great question (What does 1 Peter 2:9 mean when it refers to believers as peculiar people?). We are studying this in our small group this week. We belong! Exodus 19:5-6 (NET) "And now, if you will diligently listen to me and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is mine, and you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." God's people are His treasured possession because of His covenant with them. Secondly, we are God's treasured possession because of1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NET), i.e. God redeemed us, buying us with a price! "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." In the New Testament, Jesus' sacrifice fulfills the covenant—we are God’s possession because He purchased us with His blood. Titus 2:14 (ESV): "Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." New Testament believers are redeemed by Christ’s blood, making them His people, His Church. Being God’s treasured possession means we belong to Him and should live in a way that glorifies Him. --tweaked from chatgpt and bible.org/XRef "The description of the church in these verses parallels God’s description of Israel in Exodus 19:5-6 and Deuteronomy 7:6. In contrast to the disobedient and rebellious nation of Israel, God’s people today are His chosen and holy nation. This does not suggest that God is through with Israel, for I believe He will fulfill His promises and His covenants and establish the promised kingdom. But it does mean that the church today is to God and the world what Israel was meant to be. We are a chosen generation, which immediately speaks of the grace of God. God did not choose Israel because they were a great people, but because He loved them (Deut. 7:7-8). God has chosen us purely because of His love and grace. “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16 niv)."--Warren Wiersbe