King James Version (KJV)
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
New International Version (NIV)
6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
6 And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
American Standard Version (ASV)
6 and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
I have heard it taught that some were called to be priests, and some kings.
I have heard it taught that there is a scale with priest on one end and king on the other and that we are all on that scale somewhere. Some being more on the King side (successful businessmen) and others farther on the priest side (5 fold ministers).
I have heard it taught that a proper way to read that passage is “a kingdom of priests.” I like this but I do not think the Greek bears witness to a literal interpretation to this end.
Here is the basic question: Is it that some believers are priests and some kings? Is it that the believers are each both priest and king to varying degrees? Or do we collectively comprise a kingdom. And each of us are now priests? Small point but big difference. I have read the Greek and I cannot see how it says what I want it to say.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Whether we are literal, spiritual, or figurative priests and kings, the Greek simply says we are βασιλεις και ιερεις. (Not sure if the Greek will come through here.) Basileus could be “kings,” “kingdom,” or simply “royalty.” And hierus is typically rendered “priest” or “priesthood.” Kai is a copulative, and could supply a twist on the meaning beyond the simple English “and.” But the simplest rendering may be the best. As the NASB puts it:
“He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father…”
And as Peter puts it:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9)
In other words: All of the above!
I would say this is not a matter of some being “kings” and some being “priests.” The sense of what’s being driven at is that Christ elevated our status to royalty and holy men and women who have direct access to God.
There’s a beautiful irony in the phrase if you reflect on it. Royalty–kings–serve noone but have servants themselves. Priests have no servants but serve no man–not even the king.
Under Christ we become as kings who serve and minister to God. No king ever had such access or privelege! And no priest ever drew so close to Him!
Regards,
Rich
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