The 1Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may proclaim set forth the wonderful deeds / display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 AMPC

Based on the original Greek text there are two important words here:
One is "exaggelos", which contains the word angel = sent, representative, but it means to exhibit sg. in the form of "ex-aggelos".
Our other word is "arete", which means: tested and proved character. Arete is possessed by mythical heroes as they go through their peculiar bumpy path, usually led by the gods. So. It is very puzzling why Peter, the simple fisherman, used such a profound term for the character of the Lord Jesus, at least in the Greek heritage.
So. It means that most of our modern translations and cultural interpretations are now damaged. Most of them, but not the all.* Damaged, mainly, by simple, theologically misconceptions, mostly for the intellectual approach. Unfortunately, this is a theoretical prejudice because a proven character cannot really be proclaimed/preached. Excellence - by matured personality - can only be demonstrated throughout our lives, as the original word "ex-aggelos" expresses: "to represent" or "demonstrate". When we walk with Christ "in good & bad". Peter teaches about the source of the believer's identity and character, right in the next verse:
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
1Pt 2:10
Compare this statement with three other verses in the Word where we get a description of how the believer's character is built. Let's observe that the base, the dynamics started by the Heaven:
1Pt 4:11
Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
(New Revised Standard Version)
2Pt 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge {relationship & mindset} of Him Who called us to his own glory and excellence..
For this very reason, make every effort
to supplement your faith with virtue,
and virtue with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control,
and self-control with steadfastness,
and steadfastness with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with (agape) love.
(ESV)
Heb 6:11-12
Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.
(NASB)
You can read more about this practical life
in this series
Article about the believer's character
* Nevertheless, it is a fun fact that some well-known Bible translations correctly quote the apostolic word : KJ21, AKJV, ASV, BRG, AMPC, Darby, GNV, NMB, RGT, YLT, JUB.
YouTube Jesus the Royal Priest
change lngESP
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