The term “nation” denotes a group of people who have banded together not so much because of common blood (that’s more true of the term “race”) but because of common customs or outlook or purpose. Inasmuch as the nations of the Old Testament were banded together against God (Psalm 2:1–12), the Lord instructed his people to stay separate, be different—holy (Leviticus 18:3; Ezekiel 20:7). The elect exiles of the Dispersion, as living stones, have been (and are being) built up as a spiritual house together with Jesus Christ and so share common values and a shared outlook on life—a “holy nation” of “born again” persons. Note that the word “nation” is singular. God’s born-again people form a unity; they are marked by the same holiness.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.