Our Purpose (1 Peter 2:9)

1 PETER 2:9 says that we are, "...a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people of His own, that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light"

We are a chosen people,

"...that the excellence ye may tell forth..." (Rotherham)

"...that you may proclaim the wondrous deeds..." (Moffatt)

"...that you may make known the perfections..." (Weymouth)

"...a congregation redeemed to proclaim the glories of Him..." (Lamsa)

"...that you might proclaim abroad the excellencies..." (Wuest)

"...It is for you now to demonstrate the goodness of Him..." (Phillips)

"...to tell the wonderful deeds of Him..." (Beck)

"...that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him..." (Amplified)

"...you should publish the virtues..." (Apostolic Bible)

ANNOUNCE

In the KJV it says we are to "show forth", more literally to tell or announce, or to make know abroad, the "praises".

PRAISES

The word "praises" in the KJV is the Greek word (aretes). This word has no direct translation into English, and is a "catch phrase" of definition, even in the Greek, encompassing a broad spectrum of ideas and visual imagery.

ULTIMATE POTENTIAL

(arete), [Strong's 703], is the full realization and demonstration of ultimate potential, so that it can describe:

- an athlete, who has achieved and demonstrates, his "full potential" of skill level

- a mother, who fully embodies, all the qualities and character, symbolizing the perfect care-giver

- a warrior, who totally and completely, displays all the rugged effectiveness, of military might

ULTIMATE ACHIEVEMENT

The important aspect of the definition of the word, is that it describes the ultimate achievement possible, of that person or thing, in their intended function or purpose.

(DUNAMIS)

The KJV mistakenly translated (dunamis), on at least two occasions, by the English word "virtue', which is often used to translate (arete):

"...and Jesus, realizing in Himself, the power [KJV, "virtue"], went forth from out of Him..." (Mk.5:30) [Apostolic Bible]

"...all the multitude sought to touch Him, for power [KJV, "virtue"], by Him came forth, and healed all" (Lk.6:19) [Apostolic Bible]

ULTIMATE ACIEVEMENT POSSIBLE

(Arete) is used to describe "the ultimate achievement possible, of a person or thing, in their intended function or purpose", and so the KJV attempted to convey this, by using the word "virtue", which is the common translation of (arete), to translate (dunamis), instead of the English word "power".

1 PETER 2:9, is a quote from ISAIAH 42:12:

 "They shall give to God glory; they shall report His virtues (arete) in the islands. (13) The LORD God of forces shall go forth, and shall break war. He shall rouse zeal, and shall yell against His enemies with strength". (Is.42:12-13) [Apostolic Bible]

"Let them give glory to the Lord and declare His praise in the islands and coastal regions. (13) The Lord will go forth like a mighty man, He will rouse up His zealous indignation and vengeance like a warrior; He will cry, yes, He will shout aloud, He will do mightily against His enemies" (Amplified)

MANIFESTATION & DEMONSTARTION

In the context of the Old Testament passage, the scripture is speaking directly about the manifestation and demonstration of the power and might of the Lord.

DECLARE & PROCLAIM

What is fascinating, is that 1 Peter 2:9 is saying that part of our primary purpose; the reason that the Lord redeemed us unto Himself, was for us, as a church, to declare and proclaim, the miraculous working of His power [obviously, to bring other people to deliverance].

Notice, that in the Isaiah passage, that the manifestation followed the declaration!

"...I am not ashamed of the announcement of the good news of Christ, for it [i.e., the announcement], is the power of God for deliverance, to everyone who believes.." (Rm.1:16)

Jesus "...traveled through by city and town, proclaiming and announcing the good news..." (Lk.8:1)

The declaration brings the manifestation!

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours