1 Peter 2 10

1 Peter 2:10 kjv

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

1 Peter 2:10 nkjv

who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

1 Peter 2:10 niv

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:10 esv

Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:10 nlt

"Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God's people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God's mercy."

1 Peter 2 verses

1 Peter 2 10 Meaning

This verse profoundly declares the new spiritual identity and transformed status of believers. It highlights a radical transition from a state of alienation and lack of divine favor to being recognized as God's very own people and recipients of His abundant mercy. This transformation is solely a sovereign act of God's grace, not based on human merit or heritage. It underscores the redemptive work through Christ that brings individuals, who were once spiritually lost and excluded, into a covenant relationship with God, inheriting His compassion and love.

1 Peter 2 10 Context

First Peter chapter 2 focuses on the transformed identity and new responsibilities of believers in Christ. Peter has just reminded them that as living stones, they are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:4-5). This transformation centers on Christ, the cornerstone, who is precious to believers but a stumbling block to unbelievers (1 Pet 2:6-8). Immediately preceding verse 10, verse 9 culminates in a magnificent declaration of the believers' new status: they are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession," called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. Verse 10 serves as an explanation and a retrospective affirmation of how they became this glorious people, emphasizing the profound change from their former state.

Historically, Peter is addressing scattered believers (Jews and Gentiles) facing various forms of hardship, including social alienation and nascent persecution across Asia Minor. Many Gentile believers, particularly, had no prior covenant relationship with God. Peter's letter reminds them that their present suffering does not diminish their secure and glorious identity in Christ, which is rooted in God's eternal purposes and immense mercy. He draws upon Old Testament prophetic language, especially from the book of Hosea, which originally spoke of Israel's future restoration after their unfaithfulness. By applying these prophecies to the New Testament church, Peter emphasizes the continuation of God's covenant purposes now embracing all who are in Christ, transcending previous ethnic distinctions.

1 Peter 2 10 Word analysis

• who: Refers back directly to the believers described in 1 Pet 2:9, identifying them as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession." This word anchors the subsequent transformation to their divinely appointed new identity.
• once were not a people (οὐ λαός, ou laos): This phrase is a direct echo from Hos 1:9 in the Septuagint, where God declares to Israel, "You are not my people." While Hosea spoke of Israel's temporary rejection due to sin, Peter applies this concept more broadly. For Gentile believers, this literally described their former state as "outside" the covenant community of God; they had no claim on Yahweh. Even for Jewish believers, it underscored their spiritual separation from God prior to Christ's redemption. It signifies alienation and a lack of identity rooted in divine covenant.
• but are now the people of God (νῦν δὲ λαὸς Θεοῦ, nun de laos Theou): "But now" (νῦν δὲ, nun de) emphasizes a radical and immediate shift from their former status. This is the positive fulfillment side, directly echoing Hos 2:23. "The people of God" (laos Theou) is the specific Old Testament designation for Israel, signifying those uniquely chosen and in covenant relationship with God. Its application to New Testament believers signifies the radical inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles into God's eschatological, restored covenant community through Christ, becoming the true Israel of God.
• who had not received mercy (οὐκ ἠλεημένοι, ouk eleemenoi): This is a passive participle meaning "those not pitied" or "not shown mercy," echoing Hos 1:6 and 1:8, where a child is named "No Mercy." It speaks of their prior state of being under divine judgment or being beyond the reach of divine compassion due to sin and spiritual death. There was no innate claim or human merit that could attract God's favor.
• but have now received mercy (νῦν δὲ ἐλεηθέντες, nun de eleethentes): Again, "but now" signifies the pivotal turnaround. This passive aorist participle means "those who have now been shown mercy" or "obtained mercy." It denotes a decisive, completed act of God's grace. It emphasizes that mercy is not earned but unilaterally bestowed by God. It signifies the removal of God's disfavor and the pouring out of His compassion and saving grace upon the undeserving.

1 Peter 2 10 Bonus section

The strong allusions to the book of Hosea (specifically Hosea 1:9, 1:10, 2:23 in the Septuagint) demonstrate the continuity and fulfillment of God's covenant promises across the Old and New Testaments. What was once spoken of a faithless Israel in the context of their exile and potential restoration is now dramatically applied by Peter to the diverse community of believers in Christ. This demonstrates that the Church, comprised of both Jew and Gentile, is the true inheritors and recipients of God's covenant blessings and mercy, embodying the "people of God" in the new covenant. This highlights the universal scope of God's redemption plan, bringing "outsiders" into the very heart of His divine family, an unprecedented move for many of the original hearers, particularly Gentile Christians who never thought they could be part of Israel's promises. The phrase "people of God" (λαὸς Θεοῦ) elevates their status to be equal to those chosen historically by God, underscoring the reality that in Christ, traditional barriers are removed, and a new unified humanity, defined by God's mercy, is formed.

1 Peter 2 10 Commentary

First Peter 2:10 serves as the powerful summary and retrospective explanation of the glorious identity declared in the preceding verse. It highlights the stunning contrast between the believers' past spiritual destitution and their present state of divine favor. Peter uses language from the prophet Hosea to underline that this profound transformation—from "not a people" to "God's people" and from "not received mercy" to "received mercy"—is entirely God's doing. This is not a human achievement but an act of sovereign grace, drawing once alienated individuals, particularly Gentiles but also underscoring the redemption needed by all, into His covenant family. This divine mercy fundamentally reshapes their identity, giving them a purpose and belonging they never had. This new identity is foundational for enduring suffering, living holy lives, and declaring God's praises in the world, reminding believers that despite external circumstances, their status before God is eternally secure and gloriously transformed by His boundless compassion. For practical application, this verse offers immense comfort in times of social ostracization, assurance of belonging when feeling outcast, and a profound basis for gratitude for the unmerited favor bestowed by God.