1 PET 1:2 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–2: Peter greeted his readers

In this section, Peter began his letter by greeting the believers to whom he was writing his letter.

Peter began this letter in the usual way that people wrote letters during the time that he lived. First, he wrote his name, “Peter.” Then he added a description of himself: “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” Next, he identified the people to whom he was writing. He was writing to the Christians living in five areas of Asia Minor, and he included a description of these Christians in 1:2a–d. Finally, Peter gave them a Christian greeting or blessing in 1:2e.

In some languages it is more common for a writer to begin a letter by mentioning the people who will receive it before he mentions his own name. If it is not polite in your language to put the author’s name first, it may be necessary to reorder the information. For example:

To God’s elect from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: I write to you who are strangers….

This letter is for those who have been chosen by God and who are living as strangers in the world, who are scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. It is I, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, who am writing to you.

However, try to find a polite way in your language to maintain the original order, if possible.

Other possible headings for the section are:

Greetings from Peter (NLT)

Peter began his letter to scattered believers/Christians

1:2

There are different ways to interpret the connections between the ideas in 1:2. The Notes on 1:2a–e discuss the ideas and connections in detail. Here is a summary:

God the Father chose the believers to whom Peter was writing (and all who believe in Jesus) to be his own people.
God knew the believers before he chose them, and his choice agreed with that knowledge.
God chose the believers by the work of his Spirit to make them holy as his own people.
God chose them so that they would obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood.

Notice that (c) expresses the means by which God chose the believers and (d) expresses the purpose for which he chose them.

1:2a

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father

in agreement with God the Father’s prior knowledge of you,
and God the Father knew you long ago,
just as he, the Father, had already known you long before.

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father: The Greek word that the BSB translates as according to means “in agreement with.” God knew the believers before he chose them, and his choice was consistent with what he already knew of them.

In some languages it is necessary to change the order of choosing and knowing. For example, the GW says:

God the Father knew you long ago and chose you

the foreknowledge of God the Father: The Greek word that the BSB translates as foreknowledge indicates that what God planned in the past, God makes sure will happen according to his plan. The word does not indicate when in the past God made his plan.Ephesians 1:4 indicates that God chose believers before he created the world. This fact implies that God knew people even before he created them. In some languages it may be necessary to include a general expression like:

much earlier

long ago (NLT)

The phrase may be expressed in several ways:

God planned long ago to choose you (NCV)

God the Father chose you long ago according to his plan

God the Father purposed long ago to choose you

If your language uses passive verbs, you could say:

It was God the Father’s purpose long ago to choose you

1:2b

and sanctified by the Spirit

by/through the work the Holy Spirit did to dedicate/indicate you as holy for him/God,
by the Holy Spirit setting you apart for him/God
He chose you through what the Holy Spirit did to sanctify/consecrate you to God.

and sanctified by the Spirit: The Greek word that the BSB translates as and is literally “in” or “by.” There are several ways to understand the way that this part of the verse relates to 1:1b–1:2a:

The sanctifying work of the Spirit was the means by which God chose Peter’s readers to be his own people. For example, the NASB says:
[chosen…] by the sanctifying work of the Spirit (NIV, KJV, NCV, REB, NASB)
The sanctifying work of the Spirit was another thing that God did for Peter’s readers. For example, the GNT says:
[You were chosen…] and were made a holy people by his Spirit (BSB, RSV, CEV, NLT, GNT)
The sanctifying work of the Spirit was the purpose for which God chose Peter’s readers. For example, the NJB says:
[chosen] to be made holy by the Spirit (GW, NJB)

It is recommended that you choose interpretation (1). God’s Spirit sanctified (set apart) the people for God as his own. This was the way that God chose them.

sanctified by the Spirit: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as sanctified by the Spirit means that God’s Holy Spirit had sanctified Peter’s readers. To “sanctify” something is to set it apart as holy and belonging to God. In this context the Spirit had made Peter’s readers holy and had set them apart for God. Now they belonged to God alone. Other ways to translate this are:

being set apart by the Spirit (NET)

the consecrating work of the Spirit (REB)

the Spirit has made you holy (NLT)

the Spirit setting you apart only for God

1:2c

for obedience to Jesus Christ

in order that you would become obedient to Jesus Christ
God did this so that you would do what Jesus Christ said
He/God chose you, because he desired/wanted you to obey Jesus Christ

for obedience to Jesus Christ: The Greek word that the BSB translates as for introduces two purposes for which God chose the believers (1:2c and 1:2d). The first purpose was that they would obey Jesus Christ.Though it is not explicit in the Greek text that God chose Peter’s readers to be obedient to Jesus Christ, many translations make this explicit (BSB, CEV, GW, JBP, NASB, NIV, NJB, NLT, NRSV, REB, RSV, GNT). The NCV specifies that the obedience is to God: “God wanted you to obey him.” The KJV and the NET do not make explicit who is to be obeyed. In this context Peter probably implied a special way in which they had obeyed. They had obeyed Jesus Christ by believing in him and recognizing him as their Lord whom they would continue to obey forever. Other ways to translate this are:

to be obedient to Jesus Christ

in order that you would obey Jesus Christ

because he/God wanted you to obey Jesus Christ

1:2d

and sprinkling by His blood:

and in order that you would be sprinkled with his/Jesus’ blood.
and so that Jesus’ blood would be sprinkled on you to purify you.
and he wanted to cause the blood from Jesus’ death to clean you.

sprinkling by His blood: This phrase is a figure of speech that tells the second purpose for which God chose the believers. Jesus’ blood symbolizes his death. The action of sprinkling the blood symbolizes that God purifies believers from their sins because Jesus died for them. It does not imply that Jesus’ literal blood would be sprinkled on them.

The symbol of sprinkling a person with blood was used in the Old Testament. In Exodus 24:3–8, Moses sprinkled the blood of bulls on the people of Israel in order to symbolize that God was purifying them.An alternative way to understand the metaphor is as a figure of speech illustrating the sealing of the covenant. See the footnote in the CEV, which says: According to Exodus 24:3–8, the people of Israel were sprinkled with the blood of cows to show they would keep their agreement with God. Peter says that it is the blood of Jesus that seals the agreement between God and his people. However, this understanding is not reflected in the texts of any of the main English versions.

Here are possible ways to translate this:

Translate both the figure of speech and its meaning. For example:
so that God would declare you not guilty of your sins because of Jesus Christ’s death, as though his blood was sprinkled on you
to be sprinkled by his blood that purifies you from your sins
Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:
[to] be purified by his blood. (GNT)
so that God might use the blood/death of Jesus Christ to make/declare you pure/not guilty
Translate the figure of speech and include a footnote to explain the meaning. An example of a possible footnote is:
Jesus’ blood symbolized his death for people. In the Old Testament, Moses sprinkled the Israelites with blood from bulls sacrificed to God. This was a symbol that God was purifying them. See Exodus 24:3–8 and Leviticus 14:6–7. Now God purifies believers from their sins and declares them forgiven because Jesus died for them.

His blood: The blood of Jesus Christ refers to blood that he shed when he died. You may need to make this explicit. For example:

the blood of his death

his life blood

1:2e

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

May God show you much grace and give you much peace.
May God greatly favour you and fill you with peaceful contentment.
I pray that God will be very good to you and increase your peace more and more.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance: During the time that Peter wrote this letter, Christians often greeted each other by saying “Grace and peace to you.” It was a sort of blessing. Here Peter expressed his desire for God to bless his readers. If you have a similar form of greeting or blessing in your language, you may be able to use it here. Refer to your translation of the similar phrases in Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; and Philippians 1:2.

Some English versions indicate that God is the source/giver of the Grace and peace (CEV, NLT). You may do this if it sounds natural in your language and culture. For example:

May you know more and more of God’s grace and peace (JBP)

In some languages it may be necessary to use different phrases to express the ideas of Grace and peace. Notice the two phrases connected by “and” in the examples below:
May God show you much grace and give you much peace.
May God favor you and calm your hearts/minds more and more.

The Greek word that the BSB translates as in abundance is literally “be multiplied.” To have grace and peace in abundance means “to have much grace and peace,” “to experience grace and peace greatly or increasingly.” In some languages, there may be an idiom to express this idea. Some ways to translate this are:

May you receive God’s special favor and live in increasing peace.

May God favor you more and more and make you supremely content.

Grace: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Grace refers to kindness that is shown to people freely, not because they have done anything to deserve it. The Christians added the word Grace to the common Jewish greeting of “peace.” In this context, the word refers to God’s grace. He is good to people because he loves them. The people have not done anything to deserve his goodness.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

kindness

generous help

favor

peace: The Greek word that the BSB translates as peace means wholeness or well-being.Its meaning in this context is the same as the Hebrew word shalom, which was used in Jewish greetings and blessings. It describes the calmness that people could feel by knowing that God was taking care of them. For believers in Jesus, it also implies the peace of knowing that God has forgiven them and is pleased with them. They do not have to worry or be afraid.

Another way to say this is:

that you may be calm/peaceful

In some languages there may be an idiom to express this idea.

General Comment on 1:2e

Your language may usually require you to translate both of the nouns Grace and peace with a clause, rather than a single word. However, when you translate greetings, you may want to use a shorter expression. In 1:2e, Peter was greeting his readers, not teaching them about "Grace and peace".

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός

˓the˒_foreknowledge ˱of˲_God ˓the˒_Father

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of foreknowledge, you can express the same idea with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: [what God the Father foreknew]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός

˓the˒_foreknowledge ˱of˲_God ˓the˒_Father

This phrase could mean: (1) God had determined what would happen ahead of time. Alternate translation: [what God the Father planned previously] (2) God knew what would happen ahead of time. Alternate translation: [what God the Father knew beforehand]

Note 3 topic: guidelines-sonofgodprinciples

Πατρός

˓the˒_Father

Father is an important title for God.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος

by ˓the˒_holiness ˱of˲_˓the˒_Spirit

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of sanctification, you can express the same idea with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: [by the Spirit sanctifying you]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος

by ˓the˒_holiness ˱of˲_˓the˒_Spirit

Peter is using the possessive form to describe sanctification that is produced by the Holy Spirit. If this is not clear in your language, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: [by the Spirit causing you to be sanctified]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἰς ὑπακοὴν καὶ ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

to (Some words not found in SR-GNT: κατά πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος εἰς ὑπακοήν καί ῥαντισμόν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ χάρις ὑμῖν καί εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη)

Here, obedience could refer to: (1) obeying God. Alternate translation: [for obedience of God and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ] (2) obeying Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: [for obedience of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of his blood]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

εἰς ὑπακοὴν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of obedience, you can express the same idea with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: [for you to obey]

Note 8 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

εἰς ὑπακοὴν

Here, for introduces a purpose clause. Peter is stating a purpose for which the Holy Spirit sanctifies believers. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [for the purpose of obedience]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: κατά πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος εἰς ὑπακοήν καί ῥαντισμόν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ χάρις ὑμῖν καί εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη)

Peter uses sprinkling to refer to believers being in a covenant relationship with God. Just as Moses sprinkled blood on the people of Israel in [Exodus 24:1–11](../exo/24/01.md) to symbolize that they were joining in a covenant relationship with God, believers are joined in a covenant relationship with God by means of Jesus’ death. Moses also sprinkled blood on the priests to set them apart to serve God as priests ([Leviticus 8:30](../lev/08/30.md)). If your readers would not understand this, you could use a simile or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the covenant between believers and God established by the blood of Jesus Christ]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

˱of˲_˓the˒_blood ˱of˲_Jesus Christ

Here, blood refers to the death of Jesus. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [of the blood, the symbol of the death of Jesus Christ]

Note 11 topic: translate-blessing

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

grace ˱to˲_you_all (Some words not found in SR-GNT: κατά πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος εἰς ὑπακοήν καί ῥαντισμόν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ χάρις ὑμῖν καί εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη)

In this culture, letter writers would offer a good wish for the recipient before introducing the main business of the letter. Use a form in your language that makes it clear that this is a greeting and blessing. Alternate translation: [May God increase his kind acts to you and make you more peaceful]

Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the abstract nouns Grace and peace by stating the ideas behind them with equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: [May God multiply his kind acts to you and give you a more peaceful spirit]

Note 13 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

Peter speaks of Grace and peace as if they were objects that could increase in size or number. If this is confusing in your language, you can use a different metaphor that means that these things will increase, or use plain language. Alternate translation: [May grace and peace increase in your lives]

Note 14 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [May God multiply grace and peace to you]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear 1 PET 1:2

SR Greek word order

Section 1:1–2: Peter greeted his readers

1:2

1:2a

1:2b

1:2c

1:2d

1:2e

General Comment on 1:2e

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 1 PET 1:2

SR Greek word order

Section 1:1–2: Peter greeted his readers

1:2

1:2a

1:2b

1:2c

1:2d

1:2e

General Comment on 1:2e

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 1 PET 1:2