1 Peter 2:10 (DRB)

Passage

Who in times past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

Nearby Context

1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

1 Peter 2:10 Who in times past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul,

1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "mercy", "times", "past", "people", and "obtained". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "mercy" and "times", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 9's "But you are a chosen generation a..." into verse 11's "Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers...", so "mercy" and "times" belong inside that flow. In 1 Peter context, the local focus is hope in suffering, holy conduct, submission, and grace.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "mercy" and "times" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.