1 Peter 2:10
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
Peter continues the inclusive theme: previously not a people, now the people of God; previously without mercy, now have mercy. This is a Christian redefinition of identity that echoes Hosea’s language of mercy and inclusion. Believers’ status shifts from outsiders to recipients of mercy, marking a dramatic transformation in relationship with God. The verse emphasizes the gracious initiative of God in making a people for himself, shaping their narrative from lament of exclusion to celebration of belonging.
Themes include mercy, identity, and the moving of God’s redemptive plan from Israel to a united people in Christ. The verse reinforces the continuity of salvation history—God’s mercy extends beyond ethnic lines, uniting Jew and Gentile into one people for a common mission.
Live from a place of gratitude for God’s mercy. Embrace your identity as part of a people with a shared mission to reflect God’s light. In daily life, treat others as fellow recipients of mercy, demonstrating inclusion, hospitality, and humility. Recognize the moral and social implications of belonging to God’s people—advocating for justice, mercy, and neighbor-love.
Cross-References: Hosea 2:23; Isaiah 56:6-7; Ephesians 2:11-22; Romans 9:25-26; Titus 2:14