1 Peter 2:9 says, “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.” This verse refers to believers as “God’s special possession”. The word translated as “special” in some Bible versions is the Greek word “periousios”, which means “peculiar, set apart, treasured”. So what does it mean for believers to be called “peculiar people”?
First, believers are “peculiar” in the sense that they have been specially chosen and set apart by God. Out of all the people in the world, God chose believers and called them to be his treasured possession. This shows that God values believers highly – they have a special status and purpose in God’s eyes (Deuteronomy 14:2). Believers do not belong to the world anymore but to God, so they are “peculiar” in the sense of being distinguished from the rest of the world.
Secondly, believers are called to be morally and spiritually “peculiar”. Their beliefs, values, speech and conduct should be noticeably different from the unbelieving world (Titus 2:14). As people set apart for God’s purposes, they are to pursue holiness and avoid sin and impurity. Their lives are to reflect the character of God – showing love, righteousness, kindness, etc. This “peculiar” lifestyle witnesses to the world that believers belong to God (2 Corinthians 6:17).
Thirdly, believers are “peculiar” because they have a special relationship with God that unbelievers do not have. Believers are God’s children, they have direct access to him through Christ and enjoy a close, intimate relationship with God through the Spirit (Galatians 4:6-7, Ephesians 2:18). Unbelievers are separated from God by their sin but believers are reconciled to God through faith in Christ. This new relationship and intimacy with God makes believers “peculiar” from the rest of the world.
Fourthly, as God’s “peculiar people”, believers have a special function and purpose (1 Peter 2:9). They are a “royal priesthood” called to serve God, represent him to the world and make him known to others. Believers have the privilege of worshipping God, interceding for others through prayer and being God’s ambassadors on earth. Unbelievers obviously cannot serve God in this way, so believers are “peculiar” in their spiritual purpose and ministry.
Fifthly, the identity of believers as God’s “peculiar people” is not based on any inherent value in themselves but solely on God’s gracious choice (Deuteronomy 7:6-7). There is nothing naturally special about believers – their “peculiar” status is a gift and calling from God. He chose them and set them apart, out of His mercy and love, to be His treasured people. So believers should not boast but humbly live out their calling as God’s special, chosen ones.
In summary, when 1 Peter 2:9 refers to believers as “peculiar people”, it means that believers have been specially chosen by God, set apart from the world to belong to Him. They are to live distinctly moral, holy lives that reflect God’s character. Their relationship with God and privileges of service are unique compared to unbelievers. And their identity is based entirely on God’s gracious, merciful choice to make them His peculiar, special, treasured possession. This remarkable privilege and responsibility requires believers to humbly obey and serve God out of gratitude and worship.
Background of 1 Peter
To properly understand 1 Peter 2:9, it is helpful to consider the background of 1 Peter. This letter was written by the apostle Peter to Christians living as exiles and scattered throughout modern-day Turkey (1 Peter 1:1). These Gentile believers faced intense persecution and suffering for their faith from both local communities and the Roman government (1 Peter 1:6, 4:12-19).
Peter wrote this letter to encourage these suffering Christians to stand firm in their faith and continue living holy lives. A key theme is that though they face trials now, they have an unshakable heavenly inheritance to look forward to (1 Peter 1:3-5). Peter calls them to follow Christ’s example of patient, undeserved suffering and remember that their true home is in heaven (1 Peter 2:20-25, 4:12-13).
So the believers Peter wrote to were marginalized and persecuted for their faith. By calling them God’s “peculiar people”, Peter reminds them of their true, exalted identity and status in God’s eyes. Though rejected by society, they are chosen, loved and valued by God. This brings great encouragement amidst their trials. Their “peculiar” identity also calls them to continue living upright, faithful lives even while suffering.
Meaning of “Peculiar People” in Biblical Context
The phrase “peculiar people” comes from the King James Version translation of 1 Peter 2:9. More modern translations use words like “chosen”, “special”, “treasured”. But what did being “peculiar” mean in the Bible’s historical context?
In modern English, “peculiar” often has a negative connotation of something strange, odd, or weird. But in the 1611 KJV time, “peculiar” simply meant belonging exclusively to or set apart for a person or group. It denoted ownership and special value. For example, Exodus 19:5 in the KJV says Israel would be God’s “peculiar treasure”. Clearly this meant they were God’s special, treasured possession.
Several other Bible versions translated the Greek word “periousios” in 1 Peter 2:9 using “peculiar” (Wycliffe, 1530 Tyndale, 1568 Bishop’s Bible). So “peculiar” originally communicated the sense of uniquely belonging to God, not modern strangeness.
This is confirmed by looking at related Biblical words. Deuteronomy 14:2 says Israel was God’s “peculiar people” or “treasured possession”. The Hebrew word here is “segullah” meaning valued property or special treasure. Malachi 3:17 also uses “segullah” saying God would spare those who fear Him as a man spares his treasured “peculiar” son.
So in the Bible’s historical context, “peculiar people” meant a people specially set apart for God’s ownership and purpose, His uniquely treasured possession and special treasure.
Old Testament Background
The idea of God’s people being “peculiar” or His special treasure has roots in the Old Testament. After saving Israel from Egypt, God declared they would be His “peculiar treasure” above all peoples, if they kept His covenant (Exodus 19:5). God specially chose Israel and set them apart from nations to belong to Him as His treasured possession and kingdom of priests (Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2).
Later prophets and psalms expanded on this. God called Israel the “apple of His eye” and would protect them as a man guards the pupil of his eye (Zechariah 2:8). God described Israel as His special treasure spared like a son who serves his father (Malachi 3:17). Israel was God’s heritage, His special possession (Psalm 33:12).
So the concept of a people specially chosen by God, set apart to belong to Him as His treasured possession, already existed in the Old Testament. Israel’s identity as God’s peculiar, treasured people is the background for the New Testament calling believers the same.
New Testament Application
While “peculiar people” had Old Testament roots, Peter uniquely applies it to Gentile Christian believers in the New Testament. He calls these persecuted, rejected believers God’s chosen, royal, holy priesthood and special possession. This reminds them that though the world rejects them, God values them highly as His own specially chosen people (1 Peter 2:4-5, 9). They are precious to God despite their present fiery trials (1 Peter 4:12).
Paul says similar things to Gentile Christians. God predestined those He calls to be conformed to Christ’s image, so “many sons” can share Christ’s glory (Romans 8:29-30). The Holy Spirit within believers is a pledge of their future total redemption, to God’s praise and glory (Ephesians 1:13-14). God chose the foolish and weak to shame the wise so none may boast before Him (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
So 1 Peter 2:9 applies the Old Testament idea that Israel uniquely belonged to God as His special people to all believers in Christ. While the world may reject and persecute them, believers have an exalted identity and future hope as God’s peculiar, treasured possession through faith in Christ.
Implications
Recognizing believers’ identity as God’s “peculiar people” carries several important implications:
- It gives believers dignity and comfort amidst suffering and isolation (1 Peter 2:9-10). They are treasured by God.
- It calls believers to live holy lives worthy of their status as God’s special people (Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9).
- It motivates evangelism, to declare God’s praises to the lost world (1 Peter 2:9-10).
- It promotes unity among believers, who share this identity regardless of race, status or ethnicity (Ephesians 2:14-15).
- It humbles believers, since God chose them by grace not because of their merit (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
In summary, recognizing believers as God’s peculiar people should transform how they view themselves and live as His representatives on earth. This remarkable identity is both a privilege and a responsibility.
Verses
Some key Bible verses that mention believers as God’s peculiar or special people include:
- 1 Peter 2:9 – “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.”
- Titus 2:14 – “[Jesus Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
- Deuteronomy 14:2 – “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.”
- Exodus 19:5 – “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,”
- Malachi 3:17 – “They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.”
These and other verses convey the special status, value, purpose and calling of believers as God’s uniquely chosen and treasured people.
Peculiar People in Church History
Throughout church history, many Christian groups saw themselves as God’s “peculiar people” in the positive sense of being set apart from the world. For example:
- Puritans – 17th century English Protestants who sought strict biblical purity in the Church of England. They saw themselves as distinct from the corrupt English church and world.
- Quakers – Known for plain dress and speech to avoid worldly corruption. Their inner spiritual experience set them apart.
- Amish – An Anabaptist sect emphasizing simple living and separation from modern culture.
- Moravians – 18th century renewal movement focused on spiritual community. Count Zinzendorf’s motto was “I have one passion: It is He, He alone.”
- Methodists – Early Methodists were noted for methodical spiritual disciplines and lifestyles reflecting their faith.
- It reminds believers they are loved and valued by God even when rejected or marginalized by society for their faith.
- It calls believers to live out the high ethical demands of belonging to a holy God (Colossians 3:12-14).
- It creates a countercultural identity for believers as pilgrims on earth who are loyal to God’s Kingdom, not any specific earthly nation or ideology (Hebrews 11:13-16).
- It motivates believers to share the Gospel so more may be reconciled to God and joining His peculiar people (Acts 13:47).
- It promotes unity among believers across ethnic, social and gender differences since all alike are God’s treasured possession (Galatians 3:28).
These groups interpreted what it means to live as God’s peculiar people through various traditions of worship, dress, speech and lifestyles expressing spiritual commitment and separation from the fallen world. They aimed for their faith to tangibly impact how they lived.
Relevance Today
The Bible’s teaching that believers are God’s special, peculiar people remains highly relevant today. Among other implications:
In an increasingly polarized, anonymous and secular society, living as God’s peculiar people provides believers with a purposeful identity. It calls them to live out the high moral demands of belonging to a God who chose them as His own prized possession despite their unworthiness of such grace.