INSTRUCTIVE COMPARISONS #8
In reference to: Believers as PECULIAR PEOPLE
(and yes, many of us are.)
(and yes, many of us are.)
Titus 2:13,14... [we are] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14: Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Here are the same two verses from the Amplified Bible for some clarification: Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
14: Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. (Sounds like what James wrote doesnt it? Redeemed first, then good works.)
1st 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 marvelous light.
To adjust our thinking away from the modern concept of just what peculiar means, here is the Greek word and definition periousios, being beyond usual, i.e. special (ones own): peculiar.
In other words, those who have been purchased into the unique position of belonging to Christ, and being preserved in Him.
As we have seen previously, Peter was addressing both Jews and Gentiles in his epistles, (including those who in time past were not a people), and so those spoken of here must be included as well.
So the peculiar people spoken of by both Peter and Paul were Christians of whatever ethnic heritage, which shows once again that they shared not only personal interaction, but far more importantly, they shared intimate relationship with the One Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us
HALLELUJAH!
Shalom WAB
