1 Peter 2:9-12 Commentary
In this passage, Peter continues to encourage believers to live a life worthy of their calling as God's chosen people. He reminds them of their royal priesthood, their holy nation, and their status as God's special possession. Let's dive into the meaning and application of this passage.
You Are a Royal Priesthood
1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Peter reminds believers of their new identity in Christ. They are no longer strangers to God's love, but are now part of God's special possession. As a royal priesthood, believers have a unique responsibility to declare the praises of God. This is not limited to religious leaders or pastors, but is a calling for every believer.
Live Such Good Lives
1 Peter 2:11-12
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Peter encourages believers to live lives that are pleasing to God, even in the midst of a pagan society. As foreigners and exiles, believers are called to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against their souls. Instead, they are to live such good lives that their good deeds will be seen by the pagans, leading them to glorify God.
Application
- As believers, we are called to declare the praises of God to a lost and dying world.
- We are to live lives that are pleasing to God, even in the face of opposition and persecution.
- Our good deeds should be a witness to the pagans, leading them to glorify God.
Conclusion
In this passage, Peter reminds believers of their royal priesthood and their responsibility to declare the praises of God. He also encourages them to live such good lives among the pagans that they may see their good deeds and glorify God. May we, as believers, take heed of Peter's words and live lives that bring glory to our wonderful God.
