1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Contrast the privileges and destinies of believers. CHOSEN - `elect' of God, even as Christ your Lord is (1 Peter 2:6). GENERATION. Believers are one in spiritual origin and kindred, as distinguished from the world. ROYAL - kingly. Believers, like Christ, the antitypical Melchisedek, are a body of priest-kings. Israel spiritually was designed to be the same among the nations of the earth. The full realization of this, both to the literal and the spiritual Israel, is as yet future (Isaiah 61:6;...

9_But ye are a chosen generation, _or _race_. He again separates them from the unbelieving, lest driven by their example (as it is often the case) they should fall away from the faith. As, then, it is unreasonable that those whom God has separated from the world, should mix themselves with the ungodly, Peter here reminds the faithful to what great honor they had been raised, and also to what purpose they had been called. But with the same high titles which he confers on them, Moses honored the ancient people, (Exodus 19:6;) but the Apostle’s object was to shew that they had recovered again, through Christ, the great dignity and honor from which they had fallen. It is at the same time true, that God gave to the fathers an earthly taste only of these blessings, and that they are really given in Christ. The meaning then is, as though he had said, “Moses called formerly y

1-10 Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart; and hinders our profiting by the word of God. A new life needs suitable food. Infants desire milk, and make the best endeavours for it which they are able to do; such must be a Christian's desires after the word of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is very merciful to us miserable sinners; and he has a fulness of grace. But even the best of God's servants, in this life, have only a taste of the consolations of God. Christ is called a Stone, to teach his servants that he is their protection and security, the foundation on which they are built. He is precious in the excellence of his nature, the dignity of his office, and the glory of his services. All true believers are a holy priesthood; sacred to God, serviceable to others, endowed with heavenly gifts and graces. But the most spiritual sacrifices of the best in prayer and praise a...

Verse 9. _YE_ ARE _A CHOSEN GENERATION_] The titles formerly given to the whole Jewish Church, _i.e._ to all the Israelites without exception, all who were in the covenant of God by circumcision, whether they were holy persons or not, are here given to Christians in general in the same way; _i.e._ to all who believed in Christ, whether Jews or Gentiles, and who received baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The Israelites were a _chosen_ or _elected race_, to be _a special_ _people unto the Lord their God, above all people that were upon_ _the face of the earth_, Deuteronomy 7:6. They were also a _royal priesthood_, or what Moses calls _a_ _kingdom of priests_, Exod

BUT YE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION - In contradistinction from those who, by their disobedience, had rejected the Saviour as the foundation of hope. The people of God are often represented as his chosen or elected people. See the notes at 1 Peter 1:2. A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD - See the notes at 1 Peter 2:5. The meaning of this is, probably, that they “at once bore the dignity of kings, and the sanctity of priests” - Doddridge. Compare Revelation 1:6; “And hath made us kings and priests unto God.” See also Isaiah 61:6; “But ye shall be named priests of the Lord; men shall call ye minis

EXPOSITIONS 1 PETER 2:1 WHEREFORE LAYING ASIDE. Those who would wear the white robe of regeneration must lay aside the filthy garments (Zechariah 3:3) of the old carnal life. So St. Paul bids us put off the old man and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:8, Colossians 3:10; comp. also Romans 13:14

BUT YE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION,.... Or "kindred"; the phrase is to be seen in the Septuagint, on Isaiah 43:20, to which, and the following verse, the apostle refers here, and in another part of this text. The allusion is throughout to the people of Israel in general, who, in an external way, were all that is here said; but was only true in a spiritual sense of such as were chosen and called among the Jews: and who were a "generation or kindred"; being regenerate, or through abundant mercy begotten, and of an incorruptible seed born again; and were akin to God, he being their Father, and they his children by adopting grace, and which was made manifest by their new birth; and also akin to Christ, he being their head, husband, Father, and brother, and they his members, spouse, children, and brethren; and to the saints, being of the same household and family in heaven and in earth; having th...

1 Peter 2:1. _Wherefore laying aside all malice,_ This is one of the old corruptible things, so put it away from you 1 Peter 2:1. _And all guile,_ All crafty tricks, all falsehood, exaggeration, double meanings to your words, and the like,- 1. _And hypocrisies, and envies,_ All hatred of those who are either better or better off than you are,- 1 Peter 2:1. _And all evil speaking,_ Thus the tongue expresses what the heart feels. Laying all these evil things aside, you will prove that you have been born again, born of the incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth for ever....

PRIESTHOOD The New Testament priesthood, Summary: (1) Until the law was given the head of each family was the family priest. (Genesis 8:20); (Genesis 26:25); (Genesis 31:54). (2) When the law was proposed, the promise to perfect obedience was that Israel would be unto God "a kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:6). But Israel violated the law, and God shut up the priestly office to the Aaronic family, appointing the tribe of Levi to minister to them, thus constituting the typical priesthood. (Exodus 28:1). (3) In the dispensat

II. THE BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGES OF ALL BELIEVERS CHAPTER 1:22-2:10 _ 1. The new birth (1 Peter 1:22)_ 2. Spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:1) 3. The privileges of believers as the holy and royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:4) 1 Peter 1:22 The relationship of those who are thus redeemed, whose faith and hope is in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, whose souls are purified by obedience to the truth, unto unfeigned love of the brethren, is stated first: “Love one another with a pure heart fervently.” All the elect through the foreknowledge of God the Father are covered by the same love, are