1 Peter 2 · Verse 10

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, King James Version

1 Peter 2:10 in other translations

BSBOnce 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.
WEBIn the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
ASVwho in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
YLTwho were once not a people, and are now the people of God; who had not found kindness, and now have found kindness.
DARBYwho once were not a people, but now God's people; who were not enjoying mercy, but now have found mercy.
BBEIn 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.
WebsterWho in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

What does 1 Peter 2:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. Adapted from Ho 1:9, 10; 2:23. Peter plainly confirms Paul, who quotes the passage as implying the call of the Gentiles to become spiritually that which Israel had been literally, "the people of God." Primarily, the prophecy refers to literal Israel, hereafter to be fully that which in their best days they were only partially, God's people. not obtained mercy--literally, "who were men not compassionated." Implying that it was God's pure mercy, not their merits, which made the blessed change in their state; a thought which ought to kindle their lively gratitude, to be shown with their life, as well as their lips.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. Which in time past were not a people. That is, who formerly were not regarded as the people of God. There is an allusion here to the passage in Hoss 2:23, "And I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God." It is, however, a mere allusion, such as one makes who uses the language of another to express his ideas, without meaning to say that both refer to the same subject. In Hosea, the passage refers evidently to the reception of one portion of the Israelites into favour after their rejection; in Peter, it refers mainly to those who had been Gentiles, and who had never been recognised as the people of God. The language of the prophet would exactly express his idea, and he therefore uses it without intending to say that this was its original application. See it explained Rom 9:25. Comp. Eph 2:11, seq.

Which had not obtained mercy. That is, who had been living unpardoned, having no knowledge of the way by which sinners might be forgiven, and no evidence that your sins were forgiven. They were then in the condition of the whole heathen world, and they had not then been acquainted with the glorious method by which God forgives iniquity.

(a) "which in past" Rom 9:25

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 Which in time past were not a people - This is a quotation from Hos 1:9, Hos 1:10; Hos 2:23, where the calling of the Gentiles, by the preaching of the Gospel, is foretold. From this it is evident, that the people to whom the apostle now addresses himself had been Gentiles, covered with ignorance and superstition, and now had obtained mercy by the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 2:1-10

Chapter Outline A temper suitable to the Christian character as born again, is recommended. (1-10) Holy conversation among the Gentiles directed. (11-12) Subjects exhorted to pay all proper obedience to their civil governors. (13-17) Also servants to their masters, and all to be patient, according to the example of the suffering Saviour. (18-25) Verses 1-10 Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart…

Read the full comment on 1 Peter 2:1-10 →

1 Peter 2:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οἵoiwhoG3739
ποτεpoteonce [were]G4218
οὐounotG3756
λαός,laosa people,G2992
νῦνnunnowG3568
δὲdehoweverG1161
λαὸςlaos[the] peopleG2992
θεοῦ,theouof God,G2316
οἱhoithose [who]G3588
οὐκouknotG3756
ἠλεημένοι,ēleēmenoireceived mercy,G1653
νῦνnunnowG3568
δὲdehoweverG1161
ἐλεηθέντες.¶eleēthenteshaving received mercy.G1653

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Peter 2:10

  • Hosea 2:23

    And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

  • Hosea 1:9-10

    Then said God, Call his name Lo–ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  • Romans 9:25-26

    As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

  • Romans 11:6-7

    And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

  • Romans 10:19

    But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

  • Romans 11:30

    For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:25

    Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
were.
Ho 1:9,10; Ro 9:25,26
obtained.
Ho 2:23; Ro 11:6,7,30; 1Co 7:25; 1Ti 1:13; Heb 4:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    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:

  • 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 2:11

    Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Read all of 1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Vosotros, que en el tiempo pasado no erais pueblo, mas ahora sois pueblo de Dios; que en el tiempo pasado no habíais alcanzado misericordia, mas ahora habéis alcanzado misericordia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		vous qui autrefois n’étiez pas un peuple, mais qui maintenant êtes le peuple de Dieu; vous qui n’aviez pas obtenu miséricorde, mais qui maintenant avez obtenu miséricorde.
German
Elberfelder 1871		die ihr einst "nicht ein Volk" waret, jetzt aber ein Volk Gottes seid; die ihr "nicht Barmherzigkeit empfangen hattet", jetzt aber Barmherzigkeit empfangen habt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui aliquando non populus, nunc autem populus Dei: qui non consecuti misericordiam, nunc autem misericordiam consecuti.