1 Peter 2:10
What does 1 Peter 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 2:10 means
Peter reminds his readers that they once were “no people,” outside God’s covenant family, and had not received mercy. Now, by grace, they are God’s people and have obtained mercy. This great reversal, echoing the prophetic story of estrangement and restoration, underscores that the church’s status is sheer gift, not achievement. Remembering past emptiness deepens gratitude and fuels proclamation. It also humbles and unites a diverse community around one testimony: we were without God’s pity and place, but now we live under His fatherly care, joined together as His own, through His compassion revealed in Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In the past you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; then there was no mercy for you, but now mercy has been given to you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who <FI>were<Fi> once not a people, and <FI>are<Fi> now the people of God; who had not found kindness, and now have found kindness.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who in times past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have obtained mercy.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who once [were] not a people, but nowGod's people; who were not enjoying mercy, but now have found mercy.
Context
Verse 10 completes the identity declaration of verse 9 by emphasizing the before-and-after of salvation. Having established who the readers are and how they came to be so, Peter will, in verses 11–12, pivot to exhortations about conduct among unbelievers. The flow is intentional: identity births ethics. Those who have tasted mercy and become God’s people are to live as sojourners, resisting fleshly desires and adorning the gospel through honorable behavior that leads others to glorify God.
v.9But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
v.10This passage
v.11Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 9:25
As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.
- Romans 10:19
But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, With a nation void of understanding will I anger you.
- Romans 11:30
For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,
- 1 Timothy 1:13
though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
- Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.
- Romans 11:6
But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.
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