One of the joys we have in the 21st century is a number of Bible translations as well as paraphrases. We are often drawn to a version for one reason or another and use that as the basis for our primary Bible reading. However, it doesn’t hurt sometimes to read a selection in something other than our usual version, it may give you a slightly different perspective. Let’s look at 1 Peter 2:9 in a couple of versions.
In the King James Version, the verse reads: “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 marvelous light”. When I read this verse in the KJV, that word “peculiar” popped out at me. Now when the KJV was translated in the 1600’s that word did not contain the negative connotations that we think of today, but more a sense of being selected and unique, not weird or strange. But maybe we should hang on to the word “peculiar”. How many true Christians have not been considered peculiar because of what they do (or don’t do)? And in a time when things are moving away from the Judeo-Christo mindset, we may be more and more thought of as an oddity. But is this necessarily a bad thing? Shouldn’t our uniqueness in Christ be something to make us feel honored?
Now if we look at the same verse in the New International Version, it takes into account this shift in meaning: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” What dignity this gives to each believer! Look at it what it describes for each believer. Each person is selected (by the supreme being in the universe!), is royal in personhood, is in the elite priesthood, is sanctified and made holy, and has been identified as God’s special possession. That is certainly something to help us hold our head up high when others are viewing us as “peculiar”.
While this verse certainly talks about who we are on an individual basis, it also describes us as a “nation”. Usually we think of a nation and a country as being one in the same. However, by definition, the word “nation” can also refer to a group of people who share a history, traditions, culture and, often, language—even if the group does not have a geographical place of its own. People within this type of nation share a common identity, and think of themselves as belonging to the same group. For example, there are several indigenous groups within this country that comprise different nations, such as the Iroquois Nation.
The next verse (10) tells us that we were not initially part of a nation but that when we come out of the “darkness” (our previous sinful nature) into Christ’s “wonderful light” (after accepting God’s gift of salvation) we join a unique nation—the “People of God Nation”. But because we are different, others will react to this differentness, frequently with a hostile attitude. The culture of our nation is diametrically in opposition to the prevailing culture and behaviors in the mainstream society. This constant abrasion of our interactions with those not in our “People of God Nation” causes us much suffering. Peter was totally cognizant of this and so gave us encouragement (as in verse 9) along with fatherly advice to be prepared.
Fortunately, Peter goes on to tell us what to do and what not to do. He reminds us of the example of Christ (verse 23) and that we are not to retaliate or hurl insults. Rather we are to treat everyone in a respectful manner—no matter what their station may be. These are those who are not in God’s nation. Our nation’s culture calls for a different approach to one another within the nation. We are called to live as “free” people, but not in hypocrisy with some hidden agenda, but openly to demonstrate God’s light to outsiders. He starts the chapter by admonishing us to “rid [ourselves] of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, and slander of every kind. Further, we are instructed to desire the pure spiritual milk, i.e., prayer, study of the Scriptures, training our minds in Godliness.
But lest we get an inflated opinion of ourselves, we are not to do this to make ourself or others feel better. We aren’t to do this with the idea of gaining anything. Verses 19 and 20 clearly debunk this saying that it is only because doing the right thing is commendable to God.
So then, what is the reason for this? It is so those outside of the People of God Nation may “see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (verse 12). Acting in this manner is because it is what God expects of us (verse 21) and that we are to act in a manner that he exemplified. Once again Peter is telling us to keep the goal in focus, but he also allows us to feel confident and joyful because we know that our ultimate glory is to live with God for eternity.
Lamp for my feet 