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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Peter 2:10 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_peter/2-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/60_1Pe_02_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Peter 2:10 - The Living Stone" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_peter/2-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_peter/2-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_peter/">1 Peter</a> > <a href="/1_peter/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm" title="1 Peter 2:9">◄</a> 1 Peter 2:10 <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm" title="1 Peter 2:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_peter/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_peter/2.htm">New International Version</a> 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. <a href="/nlt/1_peter/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> “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.” <a href="/esv/1_peter/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/1_peter/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/1_peter/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; those not having received mercy, but now having received mercy. <a href="/kjv/1_peter/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_peter/2.htm">New King James Version</a> who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. <a href="/nasb_/1_peter/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. <a href="/nasb/1_peter/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. <a href="/nasb77/1_peter/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. <a href="/lsb/1_peter/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. <a href="/amp/1_peter/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Once you were NOT A PEOPLE [at all], but now you are GOD’S PEOPLE; once you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. <a href="/csb/1_peter/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. <a href="/hcsb/1_peter/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Once you were not a people, but now you are God&#8217s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. <a href="/asv/1_peter/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. <a href="/cev/1_peter/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had mercy on you. Now God has treated you with kindness." <a href="/erv/1_peter/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> which in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. <a href="/gwt/1_peter/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Once you were not God's people, but now you are. Once you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy. <a href="/gnt/1_peter/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> At one time you were not God's people, but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God's mercy, but now you have received his mercy. <a href="/isv/1_peter/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/msb/1_peter/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/1_peter/2.htm">NET Bible</a> You once were not a people, but now you are God's people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy. <a href="/nheb/1_peter/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> who once were not a people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. <a href="/wbt/1_peter/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. <a href="/wey/1_peter/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not found mercy, but now you have. <a href="/web/1_peter/2.htm">World English Bible</a> In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_peter/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> who [were] once not a people, but [are] now the people of God; who had not found mercy, but now have found mercy. <a href="/blb/1_peter/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; those not having received mercy, but now having received mercy. <a href="/ylt/1_peter/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> who were once not a people, and are now the people of God; who had not found kindness, and now have found kindness. <a href="/slt/1_peter/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Who once not a people, and now the people of God: they not commiserated, and now commiserated.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_peter/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Who in time past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy; but now have obtained mercy. <a href="/cpdv/1_peter/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Though in past times you were not a people, yet now you are the people of God. Though you had not obtained mercy, yet now you have obtained mercy. <a href="/nabre/1_peter/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Once you were “no people” but now you are God’s people; you “had not received mercy” but now you have received mercy. <a href="/nrsvce/1_peter/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_peter/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> You, who in the past were not considered a people, but who are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but who now have mercy poured out upon you. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_peter/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> You are those who at the first were not considered a people, but now are the people of God, neither were mercies upon you, but now mercies are poured out upon you.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_peter/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> who formerly were not a people, but now are the people of God; who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.<CM> <a href="/godbey/1_peter/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> who at one time were no people, but now you are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, lint just now having received mercy. <a href="/haweis/1_peter/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but are now the objects of mercy.<CM> <a href="/mace/1_peter/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> of darkness into his marvellous light: you, who formerly were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, <a href="/wey/1_peter/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not found mercy, but now you have. <a href="/worrell/1_peter/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> who once were not a people, but are now God's people; who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. <a href="/worsley/1_peter/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> who heretofore were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. <a href="/parallel/1_peter/2-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1h9-AlUcaGE?start=340" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_peter/2.htm">The Living Stone</a> …9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10<a href="/greek/4218.htm" title="4218: pote (Prtcl) -- At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.">Once</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hoi (RelPro-NMP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">you were</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/2992.htm" title="2992: laos (N-NMS) -- Apparently a primary word; a people.">a people,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3568.htm" title="3568: nyn (Adv) -- A primary particle of present time; now; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.">now you are</a> <a href="/greek/2992.htm" title="2992: laos (N-NMS) -- Apparently a primary word; a people.">the people</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God;</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">once you</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1653.htm" title="1653: ēleēmenoi (V-RPM/P-NMP) -- To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.">had not received mercy,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3568.htm" title="3568: nyn (Adv) -- A primary particle of present time; now; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.">now</a> <a href="/greek/1653.htm" title="1653: eleēthentes (V-APP-NMP) -- To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.">you have received mercy.</a> 11Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hosea/2-23.htm">Hosea 2:23</a> And I will sow her as My own in the land, and I will have compassion on ‘No Compassion.’ I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” <a href="/romans/9-25.htm">Romans 9:25-26</a> As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” / and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” <a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Ephesians 2:11-13</a> Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. <a href="/titus/3-3.htm">Titus 3:3-7</a> For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. / But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, / He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. ... <a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Isaiah 43:20-21</a> The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. / The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Deuteronomy 32:21</a> They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding. <a href="/hosea/1-9.htm">Hosea 1:9-10</a> And the LORD said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people, and I am not your God. / Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ <a href="/romans/10-19.htm">Romans 10:19</a> I ask instead, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says: “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation without understanding.” <a href="/colossians/1-21.htm">Colossians 1:21-22</a> Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. / But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence— <a href="/isaiah/65-1.htm">Isaiah 65:1</a> “I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ <a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8</a> For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-11</a> Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. <a href="/isaiah/56-8.htm">Isaiah 56:8</a> Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.” <a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a> But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. <a href="/galatians/3-26.htm">Galatians 3:26-29</a> You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. / For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. / There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.were.<a href="/hosea/1-9.htm">Hosea 1:9,10</a> Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God… <a href="/romans/9-25.htm">Romans 9:25,26</a> As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved… obtained.<a href="/hosea/2-23.htm">Hosea 2:23</a> 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.<a href="/romans/11-6.htm">Romans 11:6,7,30</a> 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… <a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">1 Corinthians 7:25</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/6-11.htm">Enjoying</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">Found</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-3.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-3.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-39.htm">Obtained</a> <a href="/james/1-24.htm">Once</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm">Past</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">Received</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/9-35.htm">Enjoying</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-22.htm">Found</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-15.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-10.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-20.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-1.htm">Obtained</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-5.htm">Once</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-5.htm">Past</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-10.htm">Received</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-5.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">1 Peter 2</div>1. <a href="/1_peter/2-1.htm">He exhorts to put away wickedness;</a> 4. <a href="/1_peter/2-4.htm">showing that Christ is the foundation whereupon they are built.</a> 11. <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">He beseeches them also to abstain from sinful desires;</a> 13. <a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">to be obedient to authorities;</a> 18. <a href="/1_peter/2-18.htm">and teaches servants how to obey their masters;</a> 20. <a href="/1_peter/2-20.htm">patiently suffering for well doing, after the example of Christ.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_peter/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Once you were not a people This phrase draws from the Old Testament, specifically <a href="/hosea/1-9.htm">Hosea 1:9-10</a>, where God speaks to Israel about their identity and relationship with Him. The Greek word for "people" here is "laos," which signifies a group bound by common identity or purpose. Historically, Peter addresses Gentile believers who were once outside the covenant community of Israel. This highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, which unites all believers into a new spiritual family, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries.but now you are the people of God The transition from "not a people" to "the people of God" signifies a profound change in status and identity. The Greek word "nun" (now) emphasizes the present reality of this new identity. Through Christ, believers are grafted into the spiritual lineage of Israel, becoming part of God's chosen people. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (<a href="/genesis/12-3.htm">Genesis 12:3</a>). It underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel and the unity of the Church as the body of Christ.once you had not received mercy The concept of mercy, "eleos" in Greek, is central to understanding God's character and His dealings with humanity. In the Old Testament, mercy is often associated with God's covenantal love and faithfulness. Before coming to faith, Gentiles were outside the covenant and thus did not experience the covenantal mercy extended to Israel. This phrase highlights the spiritual alienation and separation from God that existed prior to the redemptive work of Christ.but now you have received mercy The shift from not receiving to receiving mercy marks the transformative impact of Christ's atoning sacrifice. The Greek verb "eleeō" (have received mercy) indicates a completed action with ongoing effects. Through Christ, believers experience God's mercy, which is not merely a passive feeling but an active intervention in their lives. This mercy is a gift of grace, unearned and freely given, reflecting God's love and compassion. It serves as a foundation for the believer's new identity and relationship with God, encouraging a life of gratitude and service.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_peter/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) Which in time past were not a people.--Here at last, say some, we have a distinct proof that the Epistle was written to the Gentiles only, or, at least, to churches which contained a very small proportion of Jews. Such, however, is by no means the case; in fact, the opposite. We have here an emphasised adaptation of <a href="/hosea/2-23.htm" title="And I will sow her to me in the earth; and I will have mercy on her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, You are my people; and they shall say, You are my God.">Hosea 2:23</a>, "And I will have mercy upon Lo-ruhamah, and I will say to Lo-ammi, 'Thou art Animi,' i.e., My people." Now who were Lo-ruhamah and Lo-ammi? Types of Israel left unpitied, and rejected from their covenant with God. And this unpitied and rejected Israel, after being "scattered," or sown, all over the earth, was to be restored again to favour, together with the increment of the Gentiles who joined, it as the result of the "sowing." St. Peter means, then, that in his Hebrew readers and the brethren from among the Gentiles, who by the gospel of St. Paul had adhered to them, this promise given by Hosea had found its fulfilment. But, as usual, the quotation demands a more searching scrutiny of the context from which it is taken. The name Diaspora, or Dispersion, by which St. Peter, in <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm" title="Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,">1Peter 1:1</a>, designates those to whom he writes, was applied to themselves by the Jews in direct allusion (as seems probable) to the name Jezreel, or God will scatter, in <a href="/hosea/1-4.htm" title="And the LORD said to him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.">Hosea 1:4</a>. Now mark that St. Peter does not say "which in time past were not God's people," but "were not a people." This was the effect of the dispersion, or "scattering." Though each Jew of the dispersion retained, and still retains, in isolation, his national characteristics and aspirations, yet their unity--that which made them a "people"--was, and is, for the time broken. The Hebrews had not only ceased to be in covenant as "God's people," but had ceased to be "a people" at all. But in Christ, that very "scattering" becomes a "sowing" (<a href="/hosea/2-23.htm" title="And I will sow her to me in the earth; and I will have mercy on her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, You are my people; and they shall say, You are my God.">Hosea 2:23</a>), for the name Jezreel means both equally; their very dispersion becomes the means of their multiplication by union with the Gentiles in Christ, and thus spiritually they recover the lost unity, and become once more a solid and well-governed confederation, i.e., "a people," and that "the people of God." (See <a href="/john/11-52.htm" title="And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.">John 11:52</a>, and Dr. Pusey's notes on Hosea.) It is a mistake to take St. Paul's quotation of this passage in <a href="/romans/9-26.htm" title="And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.">Romans 9:26</a>, as if it referred solely to the Gentiles; for he expressly affirms that the title "My people" belongs to neither section exclusively, but to both in reunion--"us whom He called, not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_peter/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 10. - Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God. St. Peter quotes the prophecy of Hosea (<a href="/hosea/2-23.htm">Hosea 2:23</a>), as St. Paul also does in <a href="/romans/9-25.htm">Romans 9:25, 26</a>. And as St. Paul applies the prophet's words (said originally of the Jews) to the Christian Church, to those called "not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles," so apparently does St. Peter here. They were not a people; "Ne populus quidem," says Bengel, "nedum Dei populus." It is the calling of God which gives a unity to the Church gathered out of all races and all lands, and makes it the people of God. Which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. The aorist participle, ἐεληθέντες, implies that that mercy had been obtained at a definite time, at their conversion. <a href="/commentaries/1_peter/2-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Once ποτε (pote) Particle <a href="/greek/strongs_4218.htm">Strong's 4218: </a> At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever. [you were] οἵ (hoi) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. not οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. a people, λαὸς (laos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2992.htm">Strong's 2992: </a> Apparently a primary word; a people. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. now [you are] νῦν (nyn) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3568.htm">Strong's 3568: </a> A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate. [the] people λαὸς (laos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2992.htm">Strong's 2992: </a> Apparently a primary word; a people. of God; Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [once you] οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. had not received mercy, ἠλεημένοι (ēleēmenoi) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1653.htm">Strong's 1653: </a> To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. now νῦν (nyn) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3568.htm">Strong's 3568: </a> A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate. you have received mercy. ἐλεηθέντες (eleēthentes) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1653.htm">Strong's 1653: </a> To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-10.htm">NT Letters: 1 Peter 2:10 Who in time past were no people (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Peter 2:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Peter 2:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Peter 2:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Peter 2:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>