1 Peter 2:9 But you yourselves are a chosen people-group, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you may declare the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Verse 9 begins with a sharp contrast to the unbelief of verses 7-8. Compared to the stumbling of unbelievers, those who trust in Jesus become part of a beautiful and solidly built temple to God. Peter continues to describe his readers in four ways, building on Exodus 19:5-6 and Isaiah 43:20-21, which summarize God’s purpose for ancient Israel.
First, believers are a chosen people. The two words used here each have significant meaning but various possible translations, making interpretation imprecise. Chosen (eklekton) is the same word Peter has used several times in the letter (1:1; 2:4, 6) to indicate how his readers had been called out of the world through the preaching of the gospel. The reason for their election was to be “in Christ” and experience God’s purpose for creating humanity, which is expressed by Paul in Ephesians 1:3-14. People (genos) means a group related in ancestry, background, or common interest. What bonds people of different races, backgrounds, and ethnicity together is their common faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Peter expands the term to include the Gentiles of Asia-Minor. Human barriers and definitions do not matter when it comes to the family of God.
Second, believers are a royal priesthood. The Old Testament priests offered animals for the atonement of sins. Since Jesus offered himself in our place, we no longer need to sacrifice animals. We are made priests in order to offer spiritual sacrifices, which are acceptable only through Jesus (Romans 12:1-2).In the Old Testament, a priest was a special person who could approach God in behalf of others, filling the gap between God’s holiness and people’s sinfulness. A priest also lived a life dedicated to God and his service. Jesus serves as the great high priest who has once and for all opened the way to God (Hebrews 4:14). Believers carry on his mission as bridgebuilders to unbelievers. We do not need human mediators to go to God because we can now go directly to God through Jesus at any time. However, unbelievers need us to stand in the gap and help them find Jesus as their mediator. We serve the King of kings as his representatives to point people to him who can give them eternal life.
Third, believers are a holy nation. Nation (ethnos) is the same word often translated as “Gentile” in the New Testament. The word incorporates all people and shows the universal reach of the gospel. This new group of people have been called out of the world in order to be equipped to be sent back into the world. What distinguishes believers from the rest of humanity is that they live a life of holiness. This holiness (hagion) comes from their relationship with God. Believers cannot be holy by their own definition and resources but only through the change within them through the Holy Spirit. Inner holiness should become apparent in outward lifestyle. Sanctification is the essential equipping process for carrying out God’s mission to save the world. Where Israel failed, the church must be successful.
Fourth, believers are God’s people for possession. We have been purchased out of slavery to sin at the highest price of Jesus’ own blood (1:19; 1 Corinthians 6:19). God now “owns” us in the way of being the focus of our devotion, love, and obedience. Jesus’ sacrifice enables us to be brought from the darkness to the light, from slavery to freedom, and from sin to glory. Because we are now slaves of freedom to God, the result is holiness leading to eternal life (Romans 6:22).
The purpose of these four qualities is for believers to be witnesses of this salvation. As the new Israel made of those who believe in Jesus the Messiah, believers are a people now dedicated to God and sanctified through the blood of Christ. We are God’s chosen method of reaching others so that they, too, might be rescued out of the emptiness of the darkness. The church is a royal priesthood because we are sons and daughters of the king and want others to join this special family. We are also priests who represent God to people and seek to bring them to God in prayer and witness. We are holy people who reflect God’s character and are being remade into God’s perfect image in Jesus Christ. We are also special to God because we belong to God. We have given ourselves totally to God in consecration as living sacrifices. The purpose of our relationship with God in total dedication and our relation in the world as priests is to declare God’s praises. We praise God because he has called us from darkness to light. We are no longer bound by sin but have a new life. The way we live and what we say should point to the One who has given us new life.