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)
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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The phrase peculiar people in 1 Peter 2:9 comes from the King James Version and is not seen in the more modern English translations. This is because at the time the King James Version was translate...
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Bruce Lyon
Supporter
The question is: "What does 1 Peter 2:9 mean when it refers to believers as peculiar people?" Let's see what Peter is talking about: 1 Peter 2;2-10: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: If so be you have tasted that the lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, You also, as lively stones, be you built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus the anointed one. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a purchased people; that you should show forth the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. So first if you will notice my translation the word "peculiar" should be "purchased".... Also Peter quotes an O.T. verse that speaks to Israel... Exodus 19:5-6: Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. Indeed, this is our standing as those who have been grafted into the olive tree - Israel and have become a part of the commonwealth of Israel, who are now members of the house of God; His congregation as in the Messiah [King] of Israel; who is the representative man of Israel. We in him are the Israel of God - as Peter has referred to - "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a purchased people; that you should show forth the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" So as Israel of old was to be a witness for Yehovah to the Gentiles [world] and failed; and not only failed but rejected their own Messiah; and in rejecting him have be cut off from Israel. Now the only ones who can be a part of the Israel of God are those who believe and accept the teaching of the lord Messiah Jesus whether Jews or Gentiles, we are all on the same plane, all have sinned. Those who believe in Jesus as the Messiah - God's anointed one are grafted into the olive tree - God's Israel - that Jesus represents. [Romans 11:]
Tim Beeker
Supporter
"Peculiar" people are those who follow both Torah and Messiah, since they are one and the same. Look at Is. 8:20, and you will have a seed to begin to stand on. It will be a seed that will always support you.
Lynn Willis
Supporter
"The gospel makes us a peculiar people. If we call ourselves Christians we are followers of Christ, and that means we are serious about spiritual things. We are different from the world. We are called to live in a peculiar way. And peculiar can be beautiful and free." - Unknown
James Kraft
Supporter
What makes us a peculiar people is that we know we have eternal life because we have believed the gospel of our salvation. Peter is writing to the Hebrew believers that were going through persecution. In first Peter 1:7 talks about the trial of our faith. God puts us through trials to grow our faith. We will suffer in this life because He suffered for us. It is also interesting in First Peter 1:2 how we are the elect of God, according to His foreknowledge. He knew before the foundation of the world who would believe and be saved. It is not His foreknowledge that saved us, but because we believe the gospel. Those He fore knew them He also did predestine to become the children of God, to them that believe on HIs name. The epistles of Peter were written to Jewish converts, but has some things in it for us Gentile believers also. For the most part, James, Peter, and Hebrews were written to Jewish converts where Paul's epistles are written to the Gentile believers. We are a peculiar people because we know where we are going when we die. Unbelievers have no such hope. John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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
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