A Royal Priesthood and a Chosen Generation: 1 Peter 2:4-10

1Pet. 2:4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

We came to Jesus Christ in salvation but we continue coming to Him.

1Pet. 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We are part of the new temple of God, in the Spirit. In addition, we are part of a new priestly order. As the Jewish priesthood offered up animal sacrifices, we offer up our spiritual sacrifices, of serving, giving, prayer and worship.

1Pet. 2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

         “Behold, I lay in Zion

         A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,

         And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

Peter is quoting Isaiah 28:6. The cornerstone determines how the rest of the building will be built. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone that determines how the rest of His temple of followers is built. 

1Pet. 2:7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

         “The stone which the builders rejected

         Has become the chief cornerstone,”

This is a quote from Psalm 118:22 that Jesus used concerning Himself. He was rejected but now is the chief cornerstone.

1Pet. 2:8 and

         “A stone of stumbling

         And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

This is a quote from Isaiah 8:14. Jesus is both the cornerstone and a rock of offense that causes people to stumble.

1Pet. 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

In contrast to the disobedient in verse 8, we are now His chosen generation, His royal priesthood and His holy nation. These were terms used for Israel. We have become the new Israel of God. This does not mean God has forsaken the nation of Israel (Rom 11). But in the Spirit we have become His new nation, made up of people from all nations.

1Pet. 2:10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Peter concludes this section by quoting the book of Hosea. When God told Hosea those who were not His people are now the people of God and those who had not obtained mercy, have found mercy, He was talking about us. We are God’s people who have become special recipients of His mercy.