A term descriptive of truth (Matt. 4:16; Luke 11:35) and of those who abide in it (Matt. 5:14; Acts 13:47; Eph. 5:8). Jesus Christ (see on John 1:4, 5, 9; 8:12) and the Father (1 John 1:5) are the source of all light. The light of truth dispels the darkness of ignorance, and is thus a Biblical symbol of the presence and guidance of God (see on John 1:4, 7).

Or, “wonderful,” “astonishing.”

 Gr. aretai, “excellences,” “perfections,” with emphasis on these qualities actively manifested in deeds. Reference here is to God’s glorious character, abounding love, and gracious provision for the salvation of sinners (see Ex. 34:6, 7). God acquired the church as His own special possession in order that its members might reflect His precious traits of character in their own lives and proclaim His goodness and mercy to all men. By the winsomeness of a Christlike personality and the compassion of Christlike deeds Christians are to reveal God to the world as Jesus did (see on 2 Cor. 2:14-16).

 Gr. genos eklekton, “elect kind,” “chosen people.” The “corner stone” is also said to be “chosen” (eklekton, 1 Peter 2:4, 6; cf. Rev. 17:14). The Jewish nation was once “chosen” to represent God on earth (see Vol. IV, pp. 26, 27; see on Isa. 43:10), but because of unbelief and hardness of heart they lost their favored position (see Vol. IV, pp. 30, 31). Peter here declares that God has now assigned the privileges and responsibilities of the Jewish nation to the Christian community, not as a national group, but as a people called out of every nation to constitute one spiritual entity, one great family, throughout the world (see on Gal. 3:28). The former special status of literal Israel has been revoked (see Vol. IV, pp. 35, 36).

 A quotation from the LXX of Ex. 19:6 (see comment there), where the same Greek expression (basileion hierateuma) is used. Compare on Rev. 1:6, where textual evidence attests the reading “a kingdom, priests.” As priests, Christians are to offer to God the “spiritual sacrifices” mentioned in 1 Peter 2:5; they also offer themselves as living sacrifices (see on Rom. 12:1), a body of believers completely dedicated to God. They need no human priest serving as mediator between them and God, for there is but one Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ (see on Heb. 7:17; 7:24-28; cf. ch. 4:16).

 As God set the Jewish nation apart to bear witness to the principles of His government (see on Deut. 7:6), so He later called the Christian church to be a “holy nation” to represent Him on earth (see Vol. IV, pp. 35, 36).

 Gr. peripoiēsis, “possession,” “[one’s] own property,” literally, “an acquisition” (see on Eph. 1:14). Compare the related verb, peripoieō, “to acquire [for oneself],” “to preserve [for oneself].” The English word “peculiar,” which properly means “belonging to an individual,” “privately owned,” “one’s own,” is from the Latin peculiaris, “one’s own,” “belonging particularly to oneself,” “special.” The use of “peculiar” to mean “queer” or “eccentric” is colloquial, and the idea that Peter so characterizes God’s people here is not justified by the Greek word peripoiēsis (see on Deut. 14:2). The expression translated “peculiar people” reads, literally, “a people into possession,” meaning “a people whom God has come into possession of,” or “a people God has acquired for Himself,” “a people that belongs to God.” See on Ex. 19:5; Deut. 7:6; Mal. 3:17. Christ has acquired the church and considers it to be in a special sense His own purchased possession (see on Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:14).

Literally, “proclaim abroad.”

 The Scriptures speak of the “darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12) and the “works of darkness” (Rom. 13:12), which are “unfruitful” (Eph. 5:11). God’s people are not “in darkness” (1 Thess. 5:4), because they have been called from it (see on John 1:5).