1 Peter 2:10
The sermon explains that God's elect people, chosen from eternity, are redeemed to himself through Christ's obedience, sufferings, and death, and obtain mercy through regeneration and the application of God's pardoning grace.
John Gill expounds on 1 Peter 2:10, illustrating the transformation of those who were once not recognized as God's people into a chosen and beloved community through Christ. He emphasizes that prior to conversion, individuals are not acknowledged as God's people, but through regeneration and the mercy of God, they are now recognized and accepted. Gill references the prophetic words of Hosea to highlight the shift from being 'Loammi' to being embraced as God's own, showcasing the profound mercy that is granted upon their spiritual awakening.
Text
Ver. 10. Which in time were not a people,.... A "Loammi" being put upon them; see Ho 1:9 to which the apostle here refers: God's elect, whether among Jews or Gentiles, were, from eternity, his chosen people, and his covenant people; and, as such, were given to Christ, and they became his people, and his care and charge; and he saved them by his obedience, sufferings, and death, and redeemed them to himself, a peculiar people: but then, before conversion, they are not a people formed by God for himself, and his praise; nor Christ's willing people, either to be saved by him, or to serve him; nor are they, nor can they be truly known by themselves, or others, to be the people of God: the Syriac version gives the true sense of the phrase, by rendering it "these who before were not" Nwbvx, "reckoned or accounted a people"; that is, by others:
but are now the people of God; being regenerated, called, and sanctified, they are avouched by God to be his people; they have the witness of the Spirit to their spirits, that they are the people of God; they can then claim their relation to God, and are known, acknowledged, and called the people of God, by others:
which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy; being called formerly, Loruhamah, Ho 1:6 which passages the apostle has in view: before conversion there is mercy in God's heart towards his elect, and so there is in the covenant of grace, and which was shown in the provision of his Son, as a Saviour, in the mission of him, and redemption by him; but this is not manifested to them, until they are begotten again, according to abundant mercy, and then they obtain mercy; having in their regeneration an evident display of the mercy of God towards them, and an application of his pardoning grace and mercy, through the blood of his Son, unto them.
Sermon Outline
- God's Elect People
- From eternity, God's chosen people
- Given to Christ, saved by his obedience, sufferings, and death
- Redeemed to himself, a peculiar people
Key Quotes
“Which in time were not a people,.... A 'Loammi' being put upon them; see Ho 1:9 to which the apostle here refers: God's elect, whether among Jews or Gentiles, were, from eternity, his chosen people, and his covenant people;” — John Gill
Application Points
- We can be truly known as God's people through regeneration, calling, and sanctification.
- We obtain mercy through the application of God's pardoning grace and mercy through the blood of his Son.
- God's elect people are redeemed to himself through Christ's obedience, sufferings, and death.