1Pe 2:5 | TNotes | STEP | 2:5 God’s people themselves constitute the spiritual temple where God dwells (1 Cor 3:16 ). Jesus compared his body to a “temple” (John 2:19-22 ), and the church is called the “body of Christ” (Eph 4:12 ). God no longer manifests himself in a particular place but in the people who belong to him and praise his goodness (see 1 Pet 2:10 ). • As God’s holy priests in the new covenant, Christians offer not animal sacrifices but spiritual sacrifices such as praising God, praying, and doing good (see Rom 12:1 ; Heb 13:15-16 ).

b1 Cor 3:16►

cJohn 2:19-22►

dEph 4:12►

e1 Pet 2:10►

fRom 12:1►

gHeb 13:15-16►

‏ 1 Peter 2:5

2:5 ^a God’s people themselves constitute the spiritual temple where God dwells (1 Cor 3:16 ^b). Jesus compared his body to a “temple” (John 2:19-22 ^c), and the church is called the “body of Christ” (Eph 4:12 ^d). God no longer manifests himself in a particular place but in the people who belong to him and praise his goodness (see 1 Pet 2:10 ^e).

• As God’s holy priests in the new covenant, Christians offer not animal sacrifices but spiritual sacrifices such as praising God, praying, and doing good (see Rom 12:1 ^f; Heb 13:15-16 ^g).