What was the price that bought believers?

Believers were bought with a price, but not with money or anything they possessed. The price was the blood of Christ. As Peter writes, they are not their own; their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and they are to glorify God in their bodies.

Les explains that Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 6:19 whether believers know their body is the temple or dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, whom they have of God. The Holy Spirit is not bought. Simon in Samaria tried to buy the gift and power of the Holy Spirit, and Peter said, “Your money perish with you.” It is a gift of God, and believers are not their own. They did not deserve or earn it. Verse 20 says they were bought with a price—not with their money or anything they have, but with the blood of Christ. As Peter puts it, they are therefore to glorify God in their body, which belongs to the Creator God Himself.

1 Corinthians 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

What does being bought with a price mean for how God sees believers?

Being bought with a price means believers are not their own. God sees them as something special in His eyes and in His program, because their body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and both body and spirit belong to God.