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1. Because they are the most precious of men, even the most noble persons of the earth, descended of the blood of Christ.

2. In regard of God they are a peculiar people, distinct from others by His grace of election by which they are chosen out of the world and set high in His favour above all others. For they lie before Him in the righteousness of Christ in whom the Father is well pleased; they are bought from the earth and stand before Him in the work of His own fingers, namely, their new birth and second creation in which He also delighteth to behold. Hence are they called a holy nation, the spouse of Christ, the daughter of God, the choice of God, and God's delight.

3. They are a peculiar people in regard of their whole manner and condition of life, which made Balaam say of Israel that it was a people dwelling alone and numbered not himself among other nations, that is, altogether different in laws, customs, manner, and condition of life. But let us see this truth in some instances.

(1) Their original are not some few families coming out of some corner of the earth; but they sprung of Christ, of whom all the families in heaven and earth are called.

(2) Their country is no part of earth, for they are here but strangers and pilgrims, but heaven, to which they tend and from whence they look for a Saviour.

(3) Their King is neither born nor created, but the everlasting King of glory who ruleth not some one country but from sea to sea, yea, to the world's end, and not for an age, but as He is a King forever and His kingdom an everlasting kingdom, so He ruleth forever and ever, and of His kingdom there is no end.

(4) Their laws are spiritual, to govern the conscience as well as the outward man, most perfect, never changed, never abrogated as men's be.

(5) Their war and weapons are not carnal, but spiritual, as their chiefest enemies; their Captain was never foiled nor can be, and therefore before they strike a blow they are sure of victory, and for their external enemies they conquer them, not by smiting (as others), but by suffering.

(6) Their language is the language of Canaan, their speech bewrayeth them to be citizens of heaven, hence are they called people of a pure language, no filthy, unsavoury, or corrupt communication cometh out of their mouths, but such as is holy, tending to edification, and ministering grace to the hearers.

(7) Their apparel is devised and put on by God Himself, even garments of innocency, long white robes died red in the blood of the Lamb.

(8) Their diet not rising out of the earth, but descending from heaven; Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life, and that manna that came down from heaven, and that water which gusheth out of the rock, of whom whosoever feedeth and drinketh he hath tasted of the tree of life and of the water of life, he cannot but live everlastingly.

(T. Taylor, D. D.)

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KJV: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

WEB: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,