What Does It Mean to be a “Royal Priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9)?

In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter referred to the church as a “royal priesthood.” This means that every member of the New Testament church is a priest. Peter says that as priests (i.e., Christians), we are meant to “offer up spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5). The Mosaic priests offered physical sacrifices such as goats and pigeons, but Peter says we offer up “spiritual sacrifices.”

There are two kinds of “spiritual sacrifices.” First, are the sacrifices of good words, with which we proclaim the power of God’s grace in saving us from our sins. In 1 Peter 2:9, we are given this task (royal priesthood) so “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” This is the “sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

The second kind of sacrifices is good works. This includes living a life of holiness before the world. The church, after all, is a “holy” priesthood. We need to be aware that our holy living is not just to please God, but it is to attract others to Him. To this end Peter said we should “abstain from fleshly lusts” and keep our “behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that they may observe your good deeds and glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

The sacrifice of good works also includes works of service and benevolence with the community as a whole. As Hebrews 13:16 says, “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” By helping those in need, we show them the love of Christ and draw them to Christ. This is priestly work. As a priesthood offering up the spiritual sacrifices of good words and good works, the church thus fulfills God’s purposes for it (i.e., glorifying his name and attracting others to share in the bounty of his spiritual blessings).