Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 2:9

"But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God`s] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" — 1 Peter 2:9 (ASV)

“But you” marks the contrast with the disobedient who were mentioned in vv.7–8. Peter applies to the church various terms originally spoken concerning Israel (cf. Exodus 19:5–6; 7:6; Isaiah 43:20–21). But this does not mean that the church is Israel or even that the church replaces Israel in the plan of God. Romans 11 should help us to guard against that misinterpretation. Why then does Peter apply OT terminology to the church? He does so chiefly because of the conviction of the church that the OT writings are for it (2 Timothy 3:16) and that these writings speak of Jesus and his times. The functions that Israel was called into existence to perform in its day of grace the church now performs in a similar way. In the future, according to Paul, God will once again use Israel to bless the world (cf. Romans 11:13–16, 23–24).

The title “chosen people” (GK 1723 & 1169) stresses God’s loving initiative in bringing the church to himself. “Royal priesthood” (GK 994 & 2633) may be understood as “a royal house” and “a body of priests.” Both titles stress the dignity of the church because of its union with Christ. Jesus is King, and all in his “house” belong to a royal house. Calling the church “a body of priests” emphasizes its corporate role in worship, intercession, and ministry. “Holy nation” (GK 41 & 1620) shows that God has “set apart” the church for his use. The title “a people [GK 3295] belonging to God” stresses ownership (cf. Titus 2:14). “That you may declare the praises” gives the purpose of God’s grace to people. “The praises” (GK 746) often means his “self-declarations” or his manifestations to humankind. So then the church is to advertise the noble acts of God in history and thus make him known. Specifically, the Father (“him who called you”; cf. 1:15) is revealed by Jesus in his death and resurrection. Peter again reminds them of God’s action in bringing them out of darkness into his marvelous light (cf. Psalms 34:5: “Those who look to him are radiant”). Lightdarkness is a common dualism in the Bible to contrast God-evil, good-bad, revelation-ignorance, new age-old age (e.g., Isaiah 8:9–21:2; Jn 1:4, 8—9; Ephesians 5:8; 1Jn l:5–2:2).