1 Peter · Chapter 2
1 Peter 2:9 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"
KJV · King James Version
"But1161 ye5210 are a chosen1588 generation1085, a royal934 priesthood2406, an holy40 nation1484, a peculiar1519 4047 people2992; that3704 ye should shew forth1804 the praises703 of him who hath called2564 you5209 out of1537 darkness4655 into1519 his846 marvellous2298 light5457: peculiar: or, purchased praises: or, virtues"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses generation, peculiar, should, shew, while the WEB renders these as race, for, god, own. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
1 Peter 2:9 in 1 Peter 2
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 1 Peter 2:9 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 1 Peter 2. Read the full chapter →
- v.7 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone,”
- v.8 and, “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
- v.9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
- v.10 who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
- v.11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Book background
About the Book of 1 Peter
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- General epistle
- Author
- Peter the apostle
- Date written
- c. 62–64 AD
- Audience
- Christians scattered across Asia Minor, facing rising persecution
- Chapters
- 5
1 Peter writes to suffering exiles — believers facing social abuse and rising state pressure — and grounds them in their identity as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (2:9). It urges holiness, gentle witness, and unshakable hope because of Christ's resurrection and coming inheritance.
Setting: Written from "Babylon" (likely a code for Rome).
Key themes: suffering · hope · holiness · identity · submission
Memorisation aid
How to memorise 1 Peter 2:9
1 Peter 2:9 contains 36 words in 5 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
But you are a chosen race
BYAACR
- 2
a royal priesthood
ARP
- 3
a holy nation
AHN
- 4
a people for God’s own possession
APFGOP
- 5
that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
TYMPTE
Frequently asked
FAQ about 1 Peter 2:9
What does 1 Peter 2:9 say?
1 Peter 2:9 reads: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:" — from the New Testament, 1 Peter (General epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 1 Peter 2:9 in?
1 Peter 2:9 is in the book of 1 Peter, traditionally attributed to Peter the apostle and written around c. 62–64 AD. 1 Peter is general epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Christians scattered across Asia Minor, facing rising persecution. Best known for "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation".
What is the difference between 1 Peter 2:9 in WEB and KJV?
1 Peter 2:9 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "But1161 ye5210 are a chosen1588 generation1085, a royal934 priesthood2406, an holy40 nation1484, a peculiar1519 4047 people2992; that3704 ye should shew forth1804 the praises703 of him who hath called2564 you5209 out of1537 darkness4655 into1519 his846 marvellous2298 light5457: peculiar: or, purchased praises: or, virtues". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 1 Peter 2:9?
1 Peter 2:9 is 36 words in the WEB translation (197 characters), broken into 5 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 11 seconds.
How can I memorise 1 Peter 2:9?
To memorise 1 Peter 2:9, split it into its 5 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 1 Peter 2:9 matter in 1 Peter?
1 Peter writes to suffering exiles — believers facing social abuse and rising state pressure — and grounds them in their identity as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (2:9). It urges holiness, gentle witness, and unshakable hope because of Christ's resurrection and coming inheritance. 1 Peter 2:9 sits within this larger story — 1 Peter as a whole emphasises suffering, hope, holiness.
How can I apply 1 Peter 2:9 today?
Many readers use 1 Peter 2:9 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 1 Peter 2:9 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not pr…”
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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1 Peter 4:8
“And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
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1 Peter 5:10
“But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen,…”
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1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with…”
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