1 Peter 2:9,10 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But ye Who have been born again of incorruptible seed, and have purified your souls by obeying the truth, &c., (1 Peter 1:22-23,) and have tasted that the Lord is gracious, (1 Peter 2:3,) and are built up upon him as lively stories; ye, who bear this character are a chosen generation Εκλελτον γενος, an elect race; all such, and such only, have that title, and other titles of a similar import, in the New Testament. See on Eph 1:3-7; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. A royal priesthood Kings and priests unto God, Revelation 1:6. As princes, you have power with God, and victory over sin and Satan, the world and the flesh: as priests, ye are consecrated to God for the purpose of offering spiritual sacrifices; a holy nation Under Christ, your King; a peculiar or purchased people, as λαος εις περιποιησιν is rendered in the margin; that is, a people who, being purchased by the blood of Christ, and dedicated to, and accepted of, God, are taken into covenant with him, and are his in a peculiar sense. See on Titus 2:14; that ye should show forth In your spirit and conduct, in all your tempers, words, and works; the praises Τας αρετας, the virtues, that is, the perfections; the wisdom, power, goodness, truth, justice, mercy, the holiness, the love; of him Christ, or the Father, in and through Christ; who hath called you out of darkness Out of that state of ignorance and error, sin and misery, in which you lay formerly involved; into his marvellous light The light of knowledge, wisdom, holiness, and happiness, into which you are now brought. Which in time past were not a people (Much less the people of God,) but scattered individuals of many nations. This is a quotation from Hosea 2:23, where the conversion of the Gentiles is foretold, as the Apostle Paul informs us, Romans 9:25. Upon which passages see the notes; which had not, formerly, obtained mercy Namely, the pardoning, saving mercy of God; but now In consequence of repentance, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; have obtained mercy Are forgiven, accepted, and made God's children.