1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

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;

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Peter 2:9

Commentary

In the midst of their troubles, Peter reminded these believers of what it means to belong to Jesus Christ. Instead of seeing themselves as virtual nonpersons in a hostile culture, they needed to focus on their standing in Christ, who had called them out of darkness into His marvelous light (2:9).

They were:
· A chosen generation. They were among the elect of God, chosen according to His foreknowledge and born again to a living hope (1:2-5). God had called each one of them out of sin, to be a part of His redeemed people.

· A royal priesthood. These believers were part of the fulfillment of God's plan to prepare a kingdom of priests for Himself (Ex. 19:6; Is. 61:6; Rev. 1:6). They were to serve and worship God not by offering up the bodies of animals, but by presenting their own bodies as living sacrifices, available for His purposes (Rom. 12:1).

· A holy nation. Like the God who had called them to Himself, these people were to be holy (1 Pet. 1:16; compare Ex. 19:6). Their lifestyles were to reflect the very character of God, and their identity as His people was to be expressed in their character.

· A special people. They were called to a special, intimate relationship with God and each other. As a community, they were the people of God, with unique access to Him (Eph. 2:18).

Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (1 Pe 2:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

James 4:15 - If it is the Lord's will ...

Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."

James 4:15

Commentary

God should be consulted in all our plans, and they should be made in His will. We should live and speak in the realization that our destinies are in His control. We should say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." Thus, in the book of Acts, we find the Apostle Paul saying, "I will return again to you, God willing" (18:21), and in 1 Corinthians 4:19 he wrote, "I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills."

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jas 4:15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?

Sometimes Christians employ the letters "D.V." to express this sense of dependence on God. These letters are the initials of two Latin words, Deo volente meaning God willing.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jas 4:15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.