You have made them
This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative and action. The Greek verb "ἐποίησας" (epoiesas) indicates a completed action, underscoring God's sovereign power in transforming believers. Historically, this reflects the biblical theme of God choosing and forming a people for Himself, as seen in the calling of Israel in the Old Testament.

to be a kingdom
The concept of a "kingdom" (Greek: βασιλεία, basileia) is central to biblical theology, representing God's rule and reign. In the New Testament, this kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope. Archaeologically, the idea of a kingdom would resonate with first-century believers familiar with the Roman Empire's power, contrasting earthly kingdoms with God's eternal reign.

and priests
The term "priests" (Greek: ἱερεῖς, hiereis) connects to the Old Testament priesthood, where priests served as mediators between God and people. In the New Testament context, all believers are called to this priestly role, offering spiritual sacrifices and interceding for others. This reflects the democratization of the priesthood, where every believer has direct access to God.

to serve our God
Service to God (Greek: λατρεύειν, latreuein) is a central theme in Scripture, denoting worship and devotion. Historically, this service was expressed through temple rituals, but in the New Testament, it encompasses all of life. The phrase underscores the purpose of believers' transformation: to live lives of worship and obedience to God.

and they will reign
The promise of reigning (Greek: βασιλεύσουσιν, basileusousin) speaks to the future hope of believers sharing in Christ's authority. This reign is both a present spiritual reality and a future physical one, as believers are called to exercise dominion in alignment with God's will. It echoes the Genesis mandate for humanity to rule over creation.

upon the earth
The phrase "upon the earth" (Greek: ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, epi tēs gēs) grounds the promise in the physical realm, affirming the Christian hope of a renewed creation. This counters any notion of escapism, emphasizing that God's redemptive plan includes the restoration of the earth. Historically, this would have been a powerful assurance to early Christians facing persecution, reminding them of God's ultimate victory and justice.

Verse 10. - And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and didst make them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests. Of those whom thou didst redeem from every nation, thou didst make a kingdom and priests. Wordsworth remarks that these honours conferred upon the redeemed imply duties as well as privileges. They receive the princely honours conferred upon them only on condition that they also become priests, presenting themselves, their souls and bodies, a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1, 2), and, being a holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). (On the person of "us," see on previous verse.) And we shall reign on the earth; or, and they reign on the earth (see on ver. 9). The interpretation of this passage will necessarily be influenced to some extent by the view adopted of the millennium (see on Revelation 20.), Those who expect a personal reign of Christ on the earth for a thousand years naturally consider that in this verse reference is made to that period. And if the thousand years be understood to denote the time which elapses between the first and second comings of Christ, that is to say, the present time, the two passages - that in Revelation 20:4 and the one before us - may be connected, and intended to refer to the same time. We have, therefore, to inquire in what sense the word "reign" is used, and how the redeemed can be said to reign on the earth at the present time. In the first place, nothing is more plainly taught us than that Christ's reigning, his power, and his kingdom on earth are a spiritual reign, a spiritual power, a spiritual kingdom; though the Jews and our Lord's disciples themselves frequently erred by supposing that his kingdom would be a visible, worldly power. It seems natural, therefore, that if such is the meaning of Christ's reigning, that of his servants should be of the same nature; and we ought not to err in the same way as the Jews did, by expecting to see the redeemed exercise at any time visible authority over their fellowmen. The redeemed reign, then, spiritually. But it will be well to inquire more fully and exactly what we intend to signify by this expression. The word "reign" is not often used of Christians in the New Testament. In Romans 5:17 we read, "Much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." And in 1 Corinthians 4:8. "And I would to God ye did reign." In both these places St. Paul seems to intend a reigning over self - an ability to subdue personal passions; a power which comes from the "abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness" which are mentioned, and which are possessed only by the redeemed, through Jesus Christ. This ability to subdue personal passions and ambitions is what the apostle wishes for the Corinthians, and of which many of them had shown themselves to be destitute, or only possessing in an inadequate degree. It is the truth which is expressed by Solomon in the words, "Better is he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:32); and in the words of the Collect for Peace in the Morning Prayer of the Church of England, "Whose service is perfect freedom;" or, as it should be rendered, "Whom to serve is to reign." The representatives of the Church and of creation, then, adore the Lamb, through whose redeeming act grace may be given to men of every kindred and tongue, to enable them to overcome sin and Satan, and in the freedom of God's service to reign on earth as kings and conquerors over all unworthy passions. In this way, too, we account for the present tense of the verb, which is most probably the correct reading.

Parallel Commentaries ...


You have made
ἐποίησας (epoiēsas)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

them {into}
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

a kingdom,
βασιλείαν (basileian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

priests
ἱερεῖς (hiereis)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2409: A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.

to [ serve ]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

God,
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they will reign
βασιλεύσουσιν (basileusousin)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 936: (a) I rule, reign, (b) I reign over. From basileus; to rule.

upon
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth.”
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 5:10 And made us kings and priests (Rev. Re Apocalypse)