1 Peter 2:5

Context

1 Peter is a letter addressed to Christians scattered throughout various regions of Asia Minor, whom it calls "strangers" (1 Peter 1:1–2). It has traditionally been attributed to the apostle Peter, though scholars hold other views as well.

First Peter 2:4–10 presents Jesus as a "living stone," rejected by people but chosen by God. The passage goes on to say that believers who come to him are likewise "lively stones" who together form a house. The section quotes Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22, among other texts, and leads into the "royal priesthood" of 2:9.

Verse 5 combines the architectural image of a house under construction with a priestly image. In this way it applies the meaning of the Temple in Jerusalem and its priestly system to the community of believers.

Interpretation

• The community as temple: Many commentators hold that the "spiritual house" refers not to a building but to the gathering of believers in whom God dwells. The Greek word translated "priesthood," hierateuma, denotes a body of priests. On this basis, many interpreters place greater emphasis on the community than on the individual.
• The Reformation reading: Martin Luther is known to have argued for the priesthood of all believers on the basis of this passage, especially 2:9. The priesthood of all believers is the teaching that every believer has direct access to God through Christ. Protestant denominations generally read this verse as grounds for holding that pastors and the laity are distinguished only by the office entrusted to them, not by status.
• The Catholic reading: The documents of the Second Vatican Council cite this passage in speaking of the "common priesthood" of all the baptized, while distinguishing it from the "ministerial priesthood" of those who have received Holy Orders.
• The content of "spiritual sacrifices": These are commonly understood as praise, good works and sharing, and the offering of one's own life in place of animal sacrifices. The phrase "by Jesus Christ" is read to mean that such sacrifices are acceptable only through Christ's mediation.

Debates and Issues

• Relation to church order: Denominations with ordained offices, such as Presbyterians and Methodists, hold that the teaching that all believers are priests can stand alongside offices charged with the ministry of Word and sacrament. Baptist traditions, with their congregational polity, tend to place greater emphasis on the verse as grounds for the participation of the whole membership in the affairs of the church.
• Individualistic citation: Some point out that citing this verse merely as support for an individualistic faith, in which "anyone can be a priest on his own," overlooks its communal language.
• Translation: The Greek verb rendered "are built up" can be read grammatically either as indicative ("are being built up") or as imperative ("be built up"). Accordingly, translations render it either as a statement or as an exhortation.

In the Korean Church

In sermons and study materials that emphasize lay ministry and discipleship training, the verse is often cited alongside 2:9 as a basis for the priesthood of all believers. It is also used in sermons at the construction or dedication of church buildings to convey that "the church is not a building but people."

Related Passages

• 1 Peter 2:9
• Exodus 19:5–6
• Revelation 1:6
• Hebrews 13:15–16
• 1 Corinthians 3:16