1 Peter 2:10
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.
Once you were not a people
This phrase draws from the Old Testament, specifically Hosea 1:9-10, where God speaks to Israel about their identity and relationship with Him. The Greek word for "people" here is "laos," which signifies a group bound by common identity or purpose. Historically, Peter addresses Gentile believers who were once outside the covenant community of Israel. This highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, which unites all believers into a new spiritual family, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries.

but now you are the people of God
The transition from "not a people" to "the people of God" signifies a profound change in status and identity. The Greek word "nun" (now) emphasizes the present reality of this new identity. Through Christ, believers are grafted into the spiritual lineage of Israel, becoming part of God's chosen people. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 12:3). It underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel and the unity of the Church as the body of Christ.

once you had not received mercy
The concept of mercy, "eleos" in Greek, is central to understanding God's character and His dealings with humanity. In the Old Testament, mercy is often associated with God's covenantal love and faithfulness. Before coming to faith, Gentiles were outside the covenant and thus did not experience the covenantal mercy extended to Israel. This phrase highlights the spiritual alienation and separation from God that existed prior to the redemptive work of Christ.

but now you have received mercy
The shift from not receiving to receiving mercy marks the transformative impact of Christ's atoning sacrifice. The Greek verb "eleeō" (have received mercy) indicates a completed action with ongoing effects. Through Christ, believers experience God's mercy, which is not merely a passive feeling but an active intervention in their lives. This mercy is a gift of grace, unearned and freely given, reflecting God's love and compassion. It serves as a foundation for the believer's new identity and relationship with God, encouraging a life of gratitude and service.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle of Jesus Christ, traditionally credited with writing this epistle. He addresses the letter to the scattered believers, offering encouragement and instruction.

2. The Recipients
Early Christians, many of whom were Gentiles, living in Asia Minor. They were experiencing persecution and needed reassurance of their identity in Christ.

3. The People of God
Refers to the collective body of believers, both Jews and Gentiles, who have been grafted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

4. Mercy
A central theme in this verse, highlighting God's compassion and forgiveness extended to believers, transforming their identity and status.

5. Old Testament Allusion
The verse echoes themes from Hosea, where God speaks of transforming the status of His people from "not my people" to "my people."
Teaching Points
Identity in Christ
Believers are transformed from outsiders to members of God's family. This new identity should shape how we view ourselves and others in the faith community.

The Gift of Mercy
God's mercy is a foundational aspect of our salvation. Recognizing this mercy should lead to a life of gratitude and humility.

Unity Among Believers
The inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles as God's people calls for unity and reconciliation within the church, transcending cultural and ethnic divisions.

Living as God's People
Our status as God's people comes with the responsibility to live in a way that reflects His character and purposes in the world.

Hope in Persecution
For the early Christians facing persecution, this verse offered hope and assurance of their secure place in God's plan, encouraging perseverance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding our identity as "the people of God" influence our daily lives and interactions with others?

2. In what ways can we actively demonstrate gratitude for the mercy we have received from God?

3. How can the church today work towards greater unity among diverse groups of believers, reflecting the inclusive nature of God's people?

4. What are some practical ways we can live out our identity as God's people in our communities?

5. How can the assurance of being part of God's people provide comfort and strength during times of personal or communal trials?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hosea 1:9-10 and 2:23
These passages in Hosea speak of God's promise to restore Israel, changing their status from "not my people" to "my people," which Peter applies to the Gentile believers.

Romans 9:25-26
Paul also references Hosea, emphasizing the inclusion of the Gentiles into God's people, reinforcing the theme of God's mercy and the new identity in Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-13
Paul discusses the former alienation of Gentiles and their new inclusion into the covenant community through Christ, paralleling Peter's message of transformation.
Newborn Babes and the Higher IsraelR. Finlayson 1 Peter 2:1-10
Christian Life Crowned with Wonderful HonorC. New 1 Peter 2:4-10
A Living DoxologyC. H. Spurgeon.1 Peter 2:9-10
A Peculiar PeopleW. Arnot.1 Peter 2:9-10
A Peculiar PeopleJ. Trapp.1 Peter 2:9-10
A People Proper to the LordJohn Rogers.1 Peter 2:9-10
A Purchased PeopleHubert Brooke, M. A.1 Peter 2:9-10
Children of LightScientific Illustrations and Symbols1 Peter 2:9-10
Christians Must be Real and TrueChristian World1 Peter 2:9-10
Consider What You WereJohn Rogers.1 Peter 2:9-10
Corporate HolinessA. Grant, D. C. L.1 Peter 2:9-10
Darkness and LightHomilist1 Peter 2:9-10
Darkness and LightT. B. Baker.1 Peter 2:9-10
Every Baptized Man a Priest of GodH. Melvill, B. D.1 Peter 2:9-10
Mirrors of GodA. Maclaren, D. D.1 Peter 2:9-10
Opened EyesG. W. Bibb.1 Peter 2:9-10
Out of Darkness into LightW. Harris.1 Peter 2:9-10
Refusing LightR. Miller.1 Peter 2:9-10
Showing Forth God's ExcellencesJ. Trapp.1 Peter 2:9-10
Showing Forth the Excellences of ChristE. H. Hopkins.1 Peter 2:9-10
Spiritual Darkness and LightProf. R. Flint.1 Peter 2:9-10
The Christian EstateAbp. Leighton.1 Peter 2:9-10
The Church of ChristR. Glover, D. D.1 Peter 2:9-10
The Glory of the Church as a CommonwealthU.R. Thomas 1 Peter 2:9, 10
The Glory of the Church as a CommonwealthHomilist1 Peter 2:9-10
The Gospel a LightJ. Parker, D. D.1 Peter 2:9-10
The People of GodE. Steane, D. D.1 Peter 2:9-10
The Sacred in the SecularJ. S. Shipman, D. D.1 Peter 2:9-10
The Superior Light of the Gospel1 Peter 2:9-10
The True IsraelJ. C. Jones, D. D.1 Peter 2:9-10
People
Peter
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus, Zion
Topics
Enjoying, God's, Kindness, Mercy, Obtained, Past, Received
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Peter 2:10

     5036   mind, of God
     6668   grace, and Christ
     6688   mercy, demonstration of God's
     6730   reinstatement
     7120   Christians
     7511   Gentiles, in OT

1 Peter 2:9-10

     2030   Christ, holiness
     5424   nationalism
     6686   mercy
     7024   church, nature of
     7032   unity, God's people
     7135   Israel, people of God
     7950   mission, of Christ

1 Peter 2:9-11

     7923   fellowship, in gospel
     8269   holiness, separation from worldly

1 Peter 2:9-12

     6627   conversion, nature of
     6746   sanctification, means and results
     8271   holiness, purpose

Library
Under the Shepherd's Care.
A NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 25. "Ye were as sheep going astray." This is evidently addressed to believers. We were like sheep, blindly, willfully following an unwise leader. Not only were we following ourselves, but we in our turn have led others astray. This is true of all of us: "All we like sheep have gone astray;" all equally foolish, "we have turned every one to his own way." Our first
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of Blue

The Jewish Rebellions
1 PETER ii. 11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. I think that you will understand the text, and indeed the whole of St. Peter's first Epistle, better, if I explain to you somewhat the state of the Eastern countries of the world in St. Peter's time. The Romans, a short time before St. Peter was born, had conquered all the nations round them, and brought them under law and regular government. St. Peter now tells those
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

Christ the Exemplar
'For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.'--1 Peter ii. 21. These words are a very striking illustration of the way in which the Gospel brings Christ's principles to bear upon morals and duty. The Apostle is doing nothing more than exhorting a handful of slaves to the full and complete and patient acceptance of their hard lot, and in order to teach a very homely and lowly lesson to the squalid minds of a few captives,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Transcriber's Note:
List of corrections and amendments made: Ephesians: Page 36: added closing quote after "the event of our inheritance" (line 3) 102: "gentle words ot" to "to" 154: "it" added in "what it is to hear" 263: [Preached on Whitsunday] was a footnote. 286: (R.V.) to (R.V.). for consistency with other references. 286: "please to understand" to "do" 287: "we shoud be entitled" to "should" 391: added -- and changed Ephes. to Eph. for consistency with other headings 391: added colon after "Mark its
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Spiritual Sacrifices
'... Spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--1 Peter ii. 5. In this verse Peter piles up his metaphors in a fine profusion, perfectly careless of oratorical elegance or propriety. He gathers together three symbols, drawn from ancient sacrificial worship, and applies them all to Christian people. In the one breath they are 'temples,' in the next 'priests,' in the third 'sacrifices.' All the three are needed to body out the whole truth of the relationship of the perfect universal
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Mirrors of God
... That ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness ...'--1 Peter ii. 9. The Revised Version, instead of 'praises,' reads excellencies--and even that is but a feeble translation of the remarkable word here employed. For it is that usually rendered 'virtues'; and by the word, of course, when applied to God, we mean the radiant excellencies and glories of His character, of which our earthly qualities, designated by the same name, are but as shadows. It is, indeed,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Living Stones on the Living Foundation Stone
'To Whom coming, as unto a living stone ... ye also, as living stones, are built up.'--1 Peter ii. 4, 5. I wonder whether Peter, when he wrote these words, was thinking about what Jesus Christ said to him long ago, up there at Caesarea Philippi. He had heard from Christ's lips, 'Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church.' He had understood very little of what it meant then. He is an old man now, years of experience and sorrow and work have taught him the meaning of the words, and he
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Christ Precious to Believers
This remark is uttered by way of introduction, it may seem egotistical, but that I cannot help. I must give glory to God in the midst of the great congregation, and pay my vows to the Lord now in the midst of all his saints, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. My text states a positive fact, namely, that Christ is precious to believers. This shall be the first part of our discourse; then in the second we will try to answer the question, why is Jesus Christ so precious to his believing people? And
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Coming to Christ
"To whom coming."--1 Peter 2:4. IN THESE three words you have, first of all, a blessed person mentioned, under the pronoun "whom"--"To whom coming." In the way of salvation we come alone to Jesus Christ. All comings to baptism, comings to confirmation, comings to sacrament are all null and void unless we come to Jesus Christ. That which saves the soul is not coming to a human priest, nor even attending the assemblies of God's saints; it is coming to Jesus Christ, the great exalted Saviour, once slain,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

The Lively Stones. Rev. W. Morley Punshon.
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."--1 PETER ii. 5. There is a manifest reference in the fourth verse to the personage alluded to in Psalm cxviii. 22, 23: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." And this passage is applied by Christ to himself in Matthew xxi. 42: "Jesus saith unto them, Did
Knowles King—The Wesleyan Methodist Pulpit in Malvern

The Sin-Bearer.
A COMMUNION MEDITATION AT MENTONE. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 24, 25. THE SIN-BEARER. THIS wonderful passage is a part of Peter's address to servants; and in his day nearly all servants were slaves. Peter begins at the eighteenth verse: "Servants, be subject
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

That the Grace of God Doth not Join Itself to those who Mind Earthly Things
"My Son, precious is My grace, it suffereth not itself to be joined with outward things, nor with earthly consolations. Therefore thou oughtest to cast away all things which hinder grace, if thou longest to receive the inpouring thereof. Seek a secret place for thyself, love to dwell alone with thyself, desire the conversation of no one; but rather pour out thy devout prayer to God, that thou mayest possess a contrite mind and a pure conscience. Count the whole world as nought; seek to be alone
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

"For Hereunto were Ye Called; Because Christ Also Suffered for You...
"For hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow in his steps." It was Friday morning and the Rev. Henry Maxwell was trying to finish his Sunday morning sermon. He had been interrupted several times and was growing nervous as the morning wore away, and the sermon grew very slowly toward a satisfactory finish. "Mary," he called to his wife, as he went upstairs after the last interruption, "if any one comes after this, I wish you would
Charles M. Sheldon—In His Steps

Defective Learning.
"He that believeth on Him shall not be confounded."--1 Peter ii. 6. St. Paul declares that faith is the gift of God (Ephes. ii. 8). His words, "And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God," refer to the word "faith." A new generation of youthful expositors confidently assert that these words refer to "by grace are ye saved." The majority of them are evidently ignorant of the history of the exegesis of the text. They only know that the pronoun "that" in the clause "and that not of yourselves"
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

From Gallienus to the End of the Last Persecution (Ad 261-313)
Valerian, who had treated the Christians so cruelly, came to a miserable end. He led his army into Persia, where he was defeated and taken prisoner. He was kept for some time in captivity; and we are told that he used to be led forth, loaded with chains, but with the purple robes of an emperor thrown over him, that the Persians might mock at his misfortunes. And when he had died from the effects of shame and grief, it is said that his skin was stuffed with straw, and was kept in a temple, as a remembrance
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus Christ;
SHEWING, TRUE GOSPEL-HOLINESS FLOWS FROM THENCE; OR, MR. FOWLER'S PRETENDED DESIGN OF CHRISTIANITY, PROVED TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD; AND THE IDOLIZING OF MAN'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ALSO, HOW WHILE HE PRETENDS TO BE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, HE OVERTHROWETH THE WHOLESOME DOCTRINE CONTAINED IN THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 13TH, OF THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES OF THE SAME, AND THAT HE FALLETH IN WITH THE QUAKER AND ROMANIST, AGAINST THEM. BY JOHN BUNYAN
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
OR, NO WAY TO HEAVEN BUT BY JESUS CHRIST. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of those ten excellent manuscripts which were found among Bunyan's papers after his decease in 1688. It had been prepared by him for publication, but still wanted a few touches of his masterly hand, and a preface in his characteristic style. He had, while a prisoner for nonconformity, in 1672, published a treatise upon this subject, in reply to Mr. Fowler, who was soon after created Bishop of Gloucester; but that was
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

God's Peace Obtained in Answer to Prayer
GOD'S PEACE OBTAINED IN ANSWER TO PRAYER ". . . Let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." -- Phil. 4:6, 7. When we make our requests known unto God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we are assured of receiving His peace through Christ Jesus. When we enter into the sacred Presence of the Prince of Peace, we enter into the place of perfect peace. The house of prayer is the sanctuary
T. M. Anderson—Prayer Availeth Much

The First Wall.
Let us, in the first place, attack the first wall. It has been devised, that the Pope, bishops, priests and monks are called the Spiritual Estate; Princes, lords, artificers and peasants, are the Temporal Estate; which is a very fine, hypocritical device. But let no one be made afraid by it; and that for this reason: That all Christians are truly of the Spiritual Estate, and there is no difference among them, save of office alone. As St. Paul says (1 Cor. xii.), we are all one body, though each member
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Of the Primacy of the Romish See.
1. Brief recapitulation. Why the subject of primacy not yet mentioned. Represented by Papists as the bond of ecclesiastical unity. Setting out with this axiom, they begin to debate about their hierarchy. 2. Question stated. An attempted proof from the office of High Priest among the Jews. Two answers. 3. Arguments for primacy from the New Testament. Two answers. 4. Another answer. The keys given to the other apostles as well as to Peter. Other two arguments answered by passages of Cyprian and Augustine.
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

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