A column appeared in Mad Magazine in 1970. It was a satirical treatment of a politician making a speech against his opponent, thought to be uncomplimentary, but it was actually quite complimentary. Of course, those unfamiliar with the terms used in it would perhaps not recognize the article as complimentary. Let me give you one example: “When I embarked upon this political campaign I hoped that it could be conducted on a high level and that my opponent would be willing to stick to the issues. Unfortunately, he has decided to be tractable instead—to indulge in unequivocal language, to eschew the use of outright lies in his speeches, and even to make repeated veracious statements about me.” Sounds rather vicious? Well, consider the meaning of the terms in bold italics: “tractable” (easy to deal with); “unequivocal” (clear); “eschew” (avoiding); and “veracious” (truthful). Now, go back and read the sentence again with these definitions fresh in your mind and you will see how words may sound one way but actually have an unexpected meaning.
What would your reaction be if someone said you were “peculiar”? If you are like me, your first reaction may be, “Who are you calling ‘peculiar’?” The word “peculiar” can be a loaded word these days. If you say someone is acting peculiarly, he or she might take offense. Notice this passage: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). Some have taken the word “peculiar” and have invented all kinds of ways to make themselves look, well, peculiar to others.
The challenge with this word “peculiar” is two-fold—the definition of the English word and the definition of the Greek word. First, the English word “peculiar” has changed in our common vernacular or every day conversation. Some tend to think the word means “weird” or “bizarre.” However, if you were to look up the definition of “peculiar” in Webster’s 1828 dictionary, you will read this definition: “one’s own property…belonging to a nation, system, or other thing, and not to others.” Now, if you were to look up in a Greek lexicon the word translated “peculiar” in the KJV, you would find out that the word peripoíēsis means “that which is acquired, possessing, possession, property…a people that has become (God’s own) possession 1 Pt 2:9” (BDAG 804). Similarly, the apostle Paul wrote, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”(1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV). So, the term “peculiar” in this passage does not mean strange or weird but that we are to be Christ’s possession, His people. By examining both the English and Greek definitions, we gain clarity of meaning! This is one of the advantages of more modern but reputable translations. Notice how other translations treat this phrase: “His own special people” (NKJV), “a people for God’s own possession” (NASV) or “a people for His own possession” (ESV). Looking up words in their respective dictionaries and keeping terms in their historical context can help our understanding of the message being communicated!
