PETER (Πετρος). Greek form for the Aramaic (Chaldaic) Χηφας, the nickname given Simon by Jesus when he first saw him (John 1:42) and reaffirmed in the Greek form on his great confession (Matthew 16:18), with an allusion to πετρα, another form for a rock, ledge, or cliff. In 2 Peter 1:1 we have bot... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO (κατα). Probably to be connected with εκλεκτοις rather than with αποστολος in spite of a rather loose arrangement of words and the absence of articles in verses 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2.THE FOREKNOWLEDGE (προγνωσιν). Late substantive (Plutarch, Lucian, papyri) from προγινωσκω (1 Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED BE (ευλογητος). No copula in the Greek (εστω, let be, or εστιν, is, or ειη, may be). The verbal adjective (from ευλογεω) occurs in the N.T. only of God, as in the LXX (Luke 1:68). See also 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3.THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (ο θεος κα πατηρ του κ... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO AN INHERITANCE (εις κληρονομιαν). Old word (from κληρονομος, heir) for the property received by the heir (Matthew 21:38), here a picture of the blessedness in store for us pilgrims (Galatians 3:18).INCORRUPTIBLE (αφθαρτον). Old compound adjective (alpha privative and φθειρω, to corrupt), i... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE POWER OF GOD (εν δυναμε θεου). No other δυναμις (power) like this (Colossians 1:3).ARE GUARDED (φρουρουμενους). Present (continuous process) passive articular (τους) participle of φρουρεω, to garrison, old verb (from φρουρος sentinel), a military term (Acts 9:24; 2 Corinthians 11:32), us... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN (εν ω). This translation refers the relative ω to καιρω, but it is possible to see a reference to Χριστου (verse 1 Peter 1:3) or to θεου (verse 1 Peter 1:5) or even to the entire content of verses 1 Peter 1:3-5. Either makes sense, though possibly καιρω is correct.YE GREATLY REJOICE (αγ... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PROOF OF YOUR FAITH (το δοκιμιον υμων της πιστεως). The identical phrase in James 1:3 and probably derived from there by Peter. See there for discussion of το δοκιμιον (the test or touchstone of faith).BEING MORE PRECIOUS (πολυτιμοτερον). No word for "being" (ον) in the Greek. The secondary... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM (ον). Relative referring to Christ just before and accusative case, object of both ιδοντες and αγαπατε (ye love).NOT HAVING SEEN (ουκ ιδοντες). Second aorist active participle of οραω, to see, with ουκ rather than μη because it negatives an actual experience in contrast with μη ορωντες (th... [ Continue Reading ]
RECEIVING (κομιζομενο). Present middle participle of κομιζω, old verb, to receive back, to get what is promised (1 Peter 5:4; Hebrews 10:36).THE END OF YOUR FAITH (το τελος της πιστεως). The conclusion, the culmination of faith (2 Corinthians 3:13; Romans 2:21; Romans 10:4). See Hebrews 12:2 of... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCERNING WHICH SALVATION (περ ης σωτηριας). Another relative clause (taking up σωτηρια from verse 1 Peter 1:9 and incorporating it) in this long sentence (verses 1 Peter 1:3-12, inclusive, all connected by relatives). Peter lingers over the word σωτηρια (salvation) with something new to say eac... [ Continue Reading ]
SEARCHING (εραυνωντες). Present active participle of εραυναω, late form for older ερευναω (both in the papyri), uncompounded verb (John 7:52), the compound occurring in verse 1 Peter 1:10 above.WHAT TIME OR WHAT MANNER OF TIME (εις τινα η ποιον καιρον). Proper sense of ποιος (qualitative interro... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOM (οις). Dative plural of the relative pronoun. To the prophets who were seeking to understand. Bigg observes that "the connexion between study and inspiration is a great mystery." Surely, but that is no argument for ignorance or obscurantism. We do the best that we can and only skirt the s... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE (διο). "Because of which thing," the glorious free grace opened for Gentiles and Jews in Christ (verses 1 Peter 1:3-12).GIRDING UP (αναζωσαμενο). First aorist middle participle of αναζωννυμ, late and rare verb (Judges 18:16; Proverbs 29:35; Proverbs 31:17), here only in N.T., vivid me... [ Continue Reading ]
AS CHILDREN OF OBEDIENCE (ως τεκνα υπακοης). A common Hebraism (descriptive genitive frequent in LXX and N.T., like υιο της απειθειας, children of disobedience, in Ephesians 2:2) suggested by υπακοην in verse 1 Peter 1:2, "children marked by obedience."NOT FASHIONING YOURSELVES (μη συνσχηματιζομ... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT LIKE AS HE WHICH CALLED YOU IS HOLY (αλλα κατα τον καλεσαντα υμας αγιον). This use of κατα is a regular Greek idiom (here in contrast with συνσχηματιζομενο). "But according to the holy one calling you or who called you" (first aorist articular participle of καλεω, to call). God is our standar... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN (διοτ γεγραπτα). "Because (διοτ stronger than οτ below) it stands written" (regular formula for O.T. quotation, perfect passive indicative of γραφω). The quotation is from Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7. Reenforced by Jesus in Matthew 5:48. The future εσεσθε... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE CALL (ε επικαλεισθε). Condition of first class and present middle indicative of επικαλεω, to call a name on, to name (Acts 10:18).AS FATHER (πατερα). Predicate accusative in apposition with τον--κρινοντα.WITHOUT RESPECT OF PERSONS (απροσωπολημπτως). Found nowhere else except in the late... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWING (ειδοτες). Second perfect active participle of οιδα, causal participle. The appeal is to an elementary Christian belief (Hort), the holiness and justice of God with the added thought of the high cost of redemption (Bigg).YE WERE REDEEMED (ελυτρωθητε). First aorist passive indicative of... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITH PRECIOUS BLOOD (αλλα τιμιω αιματ). Instrumental case of αιμα after ελυτρωθητε (repeated from verse 1 Peter 1:18). Peter here applies the old adjective τιμιος (from τιμη, of Christ in 1 Peter 2:7) to Christ as in 1 Peter 1:7 πολυτιμοτερον to testing of faith. The blood of anyone is "preci... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO WAS FOREKNOWN INDEED (προεγνωσμενου μεν). Perfect passive participle (in genitive singular agreeing with Χριστου) of προγινωσκω, old verb, to know beforehand (Romans 8:29; 2 Peter 3:17). See προγνωσιν θεου in verse 1 Peter 1:2.BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (προ καταβολης κοσμου). This p... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO THROUGH HIM ARE BELIEVERS IN GOD (τους δι' αυτου πιστους εις θεον). Accusative case in apposition with υμας (you), "the through him (that is Christ as in 1 Peter 1:8; Acts 3:16) believers (πιστους correct text of A B) in God."WHICH RAISED (τον εγειραντα). Accusative singular articular (agre... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEING YE HAVE PURIFIED (ηγνικοτες). Perfect active participle of αγνιζω, old verb from αγνος (pure), here with ψυχας (souls), with καρδιας (hearts) in James 4:8 as in 1 John 3:3 of moral cleansing also. See the ceremonial sense of the word as in LXX in John 11:55; Acts 21:24; Acts 21:26; Acts 24... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING BEEN BEGOTTEN AGAIN (αναγεγεννημενο). Perfect passive participle of αναγενναω, which see in verse 1 Peter 1:2.NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED (ουκ εκ σπορας φθαρτης). Ablative with εκ as the source, for φθαρτος see verse 1 Peter 1:18, and σπορας (from σπειρω to sow), old word (sowing, seed) here... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Peter 1:24; 1 Peter 1:25 Quotation from Isaiah 40:6-8 (partly like the LXX, partly like the Hebrew).FOR (διοτ). As in verse 1 Peter 1:16 (δια and οτ), "for that." So in 1 Peter 2:6. See a free use of this imagery about the life of man as grass and a flower in James 1:11. The best MSS. here read... [ Continue Reading ]