1
Πέτρος ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐκλεκτοῖς παρεπιδήμοις διασπορᾶς Πόντου, Γαλατίας, Καππαδοκίας, Ἀσίας, καὶ Βιθυνίας,
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect sojourners of the Dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
The epistolary superscription: the sender named first, his apostleship asserted bare, then the addressees defined by a dense theological double — 'elect' yet 'sojourners' — and located by a sweep of the northern provinces of Asia Minor.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ΠέτροςPeterNominativesubject (nominative of superscription)Πέτρος: 'Rock,' the Greek name Jesus gave Simon (Jn 1:42); the Greek letter-opening names the sender first.
ἀπόστολοςapostleNominativeapposition to Πέτροςἀπόστολος: 'one sent,' commissioned envoy; from ἀποστέλλω — Peter writes with the authority of the Twelve.
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivegenitive of possession (whose envoy)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition to ἸησοῦΧριστός: 'Anointed,' Messiah; here functionally a name-title for Jesus.
ἐκλεκτοῖςto the electDativeindirect object (addressee)ἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect'; the verbal adj. of ἐκλέγομαι — Israel's covenant title (Isa 43:20) applied to the church, unpacked in v.2.
παρεπιδήμοιςsojournersDativeapposition (or attributive) to ἐκλεκτοῖςπαρεπίδημος: 'resident alien, sojourner' (παρά + ἐπί + δῆμος); a temporary stranger in a foreign land — the believers' status in the world (cf. 2:11).
διασπορᾶςof the DispersionGenitivegenitive (of the diaspora to which they belong)διασπορά: 'scattering, Dispersion'; the technical term for Jews scattered among the nations, here transferred to the dispersed Christian people.
ΠόντουPontusGenitivegenitive of place (region of the diaspora)Πόντος: Pontus, the province along the Black Sea coast of northern Asia Minor.
ΓαλατίαςGalatiaGenitivegenitive of placeΓαλατία: Galatia, the central Anatolian province.
ΚαππαδοκίαςCappadociaGenitivegenitive of placeΚαππαδοκία: Cappadocia, the eastern interior province.
ἈσίαςAsiaGenitivegenitive of placeἈσία: the Roman province of Asia, western Asia Minor.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΒιθυνίαςBithyniaGenitivegenitive of placeΒιθυνία: Bithynia, the northwestern province; the list traces a clockwise circuit, perhaps the courier's route.
2
κατὰ πρόγνωσιν θεοῦ πατρός, ἐν ἁγιασμῷ πνεύματος, εἰς ὑπακοὴν καὶ ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη.
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace be multiplied.
Three prepositional phrases anatomize election — its ground (the Father's foreknowledge), its sphere (the Spirit's sanctifying), its goal (obedience and blood-sprinkling) — a Trinitarian shape; then the salutation, with the optative 'be multiplied' broadening the standard grace-and-peace.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)
πρόγνωσινforeknowledgeAccusativeobject of κατά (ground of election)πρόγνωσις: 'foreknowledge'; not bare prescience but God's prior, electing 'knowing'/setting-of-affection (cf. v.20, Christ προεγνωσμένου).
θεοῦof GodGenitivesubjective/possessive genitive
πατρόςthe FatherGenitiveapposition to θεοῦπατήρ: 'Father'; the first person of the triad — election originates in the Father's purpose.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/means)
ἁγιασμῷsanctificationDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of election)ἁγιασμός: 'sanctification, consecration'; the setting-apart act, here ascribed to the Spirit who applies election.
πνεύματοςof the SpiritGenitivesubjective genitive (the Spirit who sanctifies)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the genitive is best subjective — the Spirit is the agent of the sanctifying.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
ὑπακοὴνobedienceAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of election)ὑπακοή: 'obedience' (lit. 'hearing-under'); the believing response election aims at (cf. v.14, 22).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ῥαντισμὸνsprinklingAccusativeobject of εἰς (coordinate goal)ῥαντισμός: 'sprinkling'; evoking the covenant ratification of Exod 24:8 (Moses sprinkles the people with blood) — the goal is covenant-belonging through Christ's blood.
αἵματοςof the bloodGenitivegenitive (the blood used to sprinkle)αἷμα: 'blood'; the sacrificial blood of Christ, the covenant means anticipated here and named at v.19.
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivegenitive of possession (whose blood)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition to Ἰησοῦ
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (nom. in greeting formula)χάρις: 'grace'; the reshaped Greek χαίρειν greeting — God's unmerited favor.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (coordinate)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness, paired with grace.
πληθυνθείηbe multipliedAor Pass Opt 3 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (optative of wish)→ volitive optativeπληθύνω: 'multiply, increase'; the optative voices a wish/blessing — echoing the greeting of Dan 4:1 (LXX), 'peace be multiplied.'
3
Εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ κατὰ τὸ πολὺ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἀναγεννήσας ἡμᾶς εἰς ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν δι' ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐκ νεκρῶν,
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begot us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
In place of a thanksgiving, the letter opens with a Jewish 'Blessed be God' eulogy. God is praised as the one who 'begot us again' — the new-birth verb governing the whole sentence (vv.3–5), grounded in his mercy and the resurrection, aimed at a living hope.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ΕὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (verbless clause)εὐλογητός: 'blessed, worthy of praise'; the verbal adj. opening a berakah — reserved in the NT for God, not (like μακάριος) for people.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πατὴρFatherNominativeapposition (one article, two titles)πατήρ: 'Father'; the single article binds 'God and Father' as one referent — the God who is Father of the Lord Jesus.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of relationship (whose God and Father)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX title of YHWH, confessed of Jesus.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/cause)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πολὺgreatAccusativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'much, great'; the abundance of the divine mercy is the measure of the new birth.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
ἔλεοςmercyAccusativeobject of κατά (ground of the new birth)ἔλεος: 'mercy, compassion'; God's covenant ḥesed — the cause of regeneration.
ἀναγεννήσαςhaving begotten againAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀναγεννάωsubstantival ptc. (in apposition to ὁ θεός)→ constative aoristἀναγεννάω: 'beget again, cause to be born anew' (ἀνά + γεννάω); a rare verb (NT only here and v.23) — God is the begetter of the new life.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
ἐλπίδαa hopeAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the new birth)ἐλπίς: 'hope'; not wishful but confident expectation — the dominant note of the letter (cf. v.13, 21).
ζῶσανlivingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · ζάωattributive participle→ stative presentζάω: 'live'; 'living' = vital, life-giving, undying — the hope shares the quality of the resurrection that grounds it.
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (means)
ἀναστάσεωςthe resurrectionGenitiveobject of διά (means of the living hope)ἀνάστασις: 'resurrection, rising'; Christ's rising is the means by which the new birth produces a living hope.
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivesubjective genitive (whose resurrection)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκ (substantival adj.)νεκρός: 'dead'; 'from among the dead ones' — the resurrection out of the realm of the dead.
4
εἰς κληρονομίαν ἄφθαρτον καὶ ἀμίαντον καὶ ἀμάραντον, τετηρημένην ἐν οὐρανοῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς,
to an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
A second εἰς-phrase parallel to 'living hope': the goal of the new birth is an inheritance described by a triple alpha-privative chime (imperishable, undefiled, unfading) and secured by being 'kept in heaven' — the opposite of any earthly land-inheritance, immune to decay.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal, parallel to v.3)
κληρονομίανan inheritanceAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the new birth)κληρονομία: 'inheritance, allotted possession'; the OT 'inheritance' (the land) reconceived as the imperishable heavenly portion.
ἄφθαρτονimperishableAccusativeattributive adjectiveἄφθαρτος: 'incorruptible, imperishable' (ἀ- + φθείρω); not subject to decay — first of the alliterating triad.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀμίαντονundefiledAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀμίαντος: 'undefiled, unstained' (ἀ- + μιαίνω); unpolluted by sin or impurity — second of the triad.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀμάραντονunfadingAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀμάραντος: 'unfading' (ἀ- + μαραίνω, 'wither'); like an unwilting flower — third of the triad, contrasting the fading grass of v.24.
τετηρημένηνkeptPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · τηρέωattributive participle→ intensive perfect (settled state)τηρέω: 'keep, guard, preserve'; the perfect marks an inheritance already and abidingly reserved — safe-kept in heaven (cf. the cognate guarding of believers, v.5).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
οὐρανοῖςheavenDativedat. of placeοὐρανός: 'heaven(s)'; the inheritance is stored where moth, rust, and thief cannot reach (cf. Mt 6:20).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (advantage/destination)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς (those for whom it is kept)
5
τοὺς ἐν δυνάμει θεοῦ φρουρουμένους διὰ πίστεως εἰς σωτηρίαν ἑτοίμην ἀποκαλυφθῆναι ἐν καιρῷ ἐσχάτῳ.
who by the power of God are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Balancing the kept inheritance (v.4): the heirs themselves are 'guarded' — a military image — by God's power through their faith, en route to a salvation already prepared and poised to be unveiled at the End. Both the inheritance and the inheritors are secured.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
τοὺςthose whoAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.; in apposition to ὑμᾶς)
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/instrument)
δυνάμειthe powerDativedat. of means (the guarding force)δύναμις: 'power, might'; God's omnipotence is the garrison protecting the elect.
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive
φρουρουμένουςbeing guardedPres Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · φρουρέωattributive participle (substantival)→ present (ongoing protection)φρουρέω: 'guard, garrison, keep under watch' (a military term, of a garrisoned city); the present pictures continuous divine protection.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of διά (means of the guarding)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; the human channel through which God's protecting power operates.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal)
σωτηρίανa salvationAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the guarding)σωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; here the consummate, future salvation revealed at the End (cf. v.9).
ἑτοίμηνreadyAccusativeattributive adjectiveἕτοιμος: 'ready, prepared'; the salvation already stands prepared, awaiting only its disclosure.
ἀποκαλυφθῆναιto be revealedAor Pass Inf · ἀποκαλύπτωepexegetical infinitive (w/ ἑτοίμην)→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'unveil, reveal'; the salvation is presently hidden, to be uncovered at the last time (cf. v.7, 13).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
καιρῷthe timeDativedat. of time (when)καιρός: 'appointed time, season'; the decisive eschatological moment.
ἐσχάτῳlastDativeattributive adjectiveἔσχατος: 'last, final'; 'the last time' — the close of the age at Christ's revealing.
6
ἐν ᾧ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὀλίγον ἄρτι εἰ δέον ἐστὶν λυπηθέντες ἐν ποικίλοις πειρασμοῖς,
In this you rejoice greatly, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
A relative-prepositional hinge ('in which' = in this whole salvation-state) turns from objective hope to subjective response: present exultant joy, qualified by a concessive participle — grief, but brief, conditional ('if necessary'), and through varied trials, not from them.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/cause)
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun (antecedent: the whole foregoing)ὅς: the antecedent is debated — 'in whom' (God/Christ), 'in which (time)' (v.5), or, best, 'in which' = the whole salvation-reality just described.
ἀγαλλιᾶσθεyou rejoice greatlyPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀγαλλιάωmain verb→ customary presentἀγαλλιάω (mid.): 'exult, rejoice greatly'; a strong, often eschatological/cultic joy (cf. v.8) — read as indicative ('you rejoice'), not imperative.
ὀλίγονfor a little whileAccusativeadverbial accusative (extent of time)ὀλίγος: 'little, small'; here temporal ('a little while') — the grief is brief against the eternal inheritance.
ἄρτιnowadverb of timeἄρτι: 'now, at present'; the present grieving stands over against the future revealing (vv.5, 7).
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative ἐστίν, a real condition — granting that suffering is, for now, in fact appointed.
δέονnecessaryPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · δεῖpredicate participle (w/ ἐστίν, periphrastic)→ stative presentδεῖ (ptc. δέον): 'it is necessary, binding'; the impersonal of divine necessity — trials are, when they come, providentially ordained.
ἐστὶνit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (w/ δέον)→ stative present
λυπηθέντεςhaving been grievedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λυπέωconcessive participle→ constative aoristλυπέω: 'grieve, cause pain'; the passive 'be distressed' — concessive ('though grieved'), the sorrow real but subordinate to joy.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (cause/means)
ποικίλοιςvariousDativeattributive adjectiveποικίλος: 'manifold, of various kinds, many-colored'; trials come in diverse forms (cf. Jas 1:2).
πειρασμοῖςtrialsDativedat. of cause/means (occasion of grief)πειρασμός: 'trial, testing'; here the afflictions that test faith (next verse), not enticement to sin.
7
ἵνα τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως πολυτιμότερον χρυσίου τοῦ ἀπολλυμένου, διὰ πυρὸς δὲ δοκιμαζομένου, εὑρεθῇ εἰς ἔπαινον καὶ δόξαν καὶ τιμὴν ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
so that the proven genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though tested by fire — may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
The God-intended purpose of the grief: that faith's tested genuineness — likened to, yet outvaluing, fire-assayed gold — may at Christ's revealing 'be found' to result in praise, glory, and honor. Suffering is refining, not punitive.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: 'in order that'; introducing the divine purpose behind the trials of v.6.
τὸtheNominativearticle
δοκίμιονproven genuinenessNominativesubject of εὑρεθῇδοκίμιον: 'the tested/proven quality' (or 'the means of testing'); the genuineness of faith that emerges from the assay.
ὑμῶνof yourGenitivepossessive genitive (whose faith)
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitivegenitive (the faith that is tested)πίστις: 'faith'; what the trials assay and prove.
πολυτιμότερονmore preciousNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)πολύτιμος (compar.): 'very precious, more precious'; tested faith outvalues even refined gold.
χρυσίουthan goldGenitivegenitive of comparisonχρυσίον: 'gold'; the proverbial standard of value, yet itself perishable.
τοῦthatGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀπολλυμένουperishesPres Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Neut · ἀπόλλυμιattributive participle (modifies χρυσίου)→ present (process)ἀπόλλυμι (mid.): 'perish, be destroyed'; even gold belongs to the perishing order (contrast ἄφθαρτος, v.4).
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
πυρὸςfireGenitiveobject of διά (means of testing)πῦρ: 'fire'; the refiner's furnace that assays gold — the image for faith's trials.
δὲthoughconjunction (mild adversative/concessive)
δοκιμαζομένουtestedPres Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Neut · δοκιμάζωattributive participle (modifies χρυσίου)→ present (process)δοκιμάζω: 'test, assay, prove' (cognate with δοκίμιον); even tested gold perishes — faith so tested does not.
εὑρεθῇmay be foundAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of ἵνα clause→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: 'find'; passive 'be found (to be)' — the verdict disclosed at the parousia.
εἰςuntopreposition + accusative (result)
ἔπαινονpraiseAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)ἔπαινος: 'praise, commendation'; the approving verdict on tested faith — granted by God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δόξανgloryAccusativeobject of εἰς (coordinate result)δόξα: 'glory, honor, splendor'; the glorification awaiting the faithful (cf. v.8, 11).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τιμὴνhonorAccusativeobject of εἰς (coordinate result)τιμή: 'honor, value'; completing the threefold result — the reversal of present shame.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
ἀποκαλύψειthe revelationDativedat. of time (when)ἀποκάλυψις: 'revealing, unveiling'; Christ's parousia, the time of vindication (cf. v.13).
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitiveobjective genitive (who is revealed)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
8
ὃν οὐκ ἰδόντες ἀγαπᾶτε, εἰς ὃν ἄρτι μὴ ὁρῶντες πιστεύοντες δὲ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε χαρᾷ ἀνεκλαλήτῳ καὶ δεδοξασμένῃ,
whom, not having seen, you love; in whom, though not seeing him now, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and glorified,
A relative clause on 'Jesus Christ' (v.7): unlike Peter and the first eyewitnesses, the readers have never seen Christ, yet love and trust him — and so even now share the eschatological 'unspeakable and glorified joy,' a foretaste of the revealing.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀγαπᾶτε)ὅς: antecedent Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (v.7).
οὐκnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ἰδόντεςhaving seenAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωconcessive participle→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; 'not having seen' — the readers never beheld the earthly Jesus, yet love him (cf. Jn 20:29).
ἀγαπᾶτεyou lovePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀγαπάωmain verb→ customary presentἀγαπάω: 'love'; the volitional, committed love directed to the unseen Lord.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (object of faith)
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of πιστεύοντες via εἰς)πιστεύω εἰς: 'believe in/into' — the idiom of trustful self-commitment to Christ.
ἄρτιnowadverb of timeἄρτι: 'now, at present'; in the present age, before the revealing, sight is withheld.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ὁρῶντεςseeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωconcessive participle→ present (ongoing)ὁράω: 'see'; 'though not seeing now' — present non-sight, balanced by present faith.
πιστεύοντεςbelievingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πιστεύωadversative/circumstantial participle→ present (ongoing)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; faith here functions in the place of sight (cf. 2 Cor 5:7).
δὲyetadversative conjunction
ἀγαλλιᾶσθεyou rejoice greatlyPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀγαλλιάωmain verb→ customary presentἀγαλλιάω (mid.): 'exult'; the eschatological joy of v.6 deepened — already tasted by faith.
χαρᾷwith joyDativedat. of manner (cognate)χαρά: 'joy'; the cognate dative intensifies — 'rejoice with joy.'
ἀνεκλαλήτῳinexpressibleDativeattributive adjectiveἀνεκλάλητος: 'unspeakable, beyond words' (ἀ- + ἐκλαλέω); a NT hapax — the joy surpasses utterance.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δεδοξασμένῃglorifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · δοξάζωattributive participle (modifies χαρᾷ)→ intensive perfect (settled state)δοξάζω: 'glorify'; the perfect marks the joy as already suffused with the coming glory — heaven's joy begun (cf. δόξαν, v.7).
9
κομιζόμενοι τὸ τέλος τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν σωτηρίαν ψυχῶν.
obtaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
A participial clause grounding the joy: even now believers are 'receiving' faith's τέλος — its aim and outcome — namely the salvation of their souls; the future salvation (v.5) is so certain that its securing is spoken as a present reality.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
κομιζόμενοιobtainingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κομίζωadverbial participle (cause/attendant circ.)→ present (in process)κομίζω (mid.): 'receive, obtain (for oneself), carry off'; the middle of receiving what is due — here faith's promised reward.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
τέλοςgoalAccusativedirect objectτέλος: 'end, goal, outcome'; faith's intended terminus — not mere cessation but fulfillment.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitivegenitive (whose goal)πίστις: 'faith'; the faith of v.5, 7, 8 now reaching its goal.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
σωτηρίανthe salvationAccusativeaccusative in apposition to τέλοςσωτηρία: 'salvation'; here defined as the goal of faith (cf. v.5) — the deliverance of the whole person.
ψυχῶνof soulsGenitiveobjective genitive (what is saved)ψυχή: 'soul, life, self'; the whole person/self, not a disembodied part — the human life God saves.
10
Περὶ ἧς σωτηρίας ἐξεζήτησαν καὶ ἐξηραύνησαν προφῆται οἱ περὶ τῆς εἰς ὑμᾶς χάριτος προφητεύσαντες,
Concerning this salvation the prophets searched and inquired carefully, who prophesied of the grace that was to come to you,
A relative link on 'salvation' (v.9) opens the chapter's great parenthesis on revelation history: the OT prophets, foretelling 'the grace meant for you,' intently searched out the salvation now disclosed — its precious continuity with Israel underlined by two strong compound verbs of seeking.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἧςthisGenitiverelative pronoun (object of περί)ὅς: 'which,' resuming σωτηρίαν of v.9.
σωτηρίαςsalvationGenitivegenitive (object of περί; resumes v.9)σωτηρία: 'salvation'; the theme that links prophet and reader across the ages.
ἐξεζήτησανsearchedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκζητέωmain verb→ constative aoristἐκζητέω: 'seek out, search diligently' (intensive of ζητέω); the prophets sought after this salvation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξηραύνησανinquired carefullyAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξεραυνάωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristἐξεραυνάω: 'search out, investigate thoroughly' (intensive of ἐραυνάω); paired with the former verb for emphatic diligence.
προφῆταιprophetsNominativesubject (of both verbs)προφήτης: 'prophet'; the OT prophets, whose oracles pointed forward to this grace.
οἱthose whoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς (recipients of the grace)
χάριτοςgraceGenitiveobject of περί (content of the prophecy)χάρις: 'grace'; the gospel salvation, 'destined for you,' that the prophets announced beforehand.
προφητεύσαντεςhaving prophesiedAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προφητεύωattributive participle (modifies προφῆται)→ constative aoristπροφητεύω: 'prophesy, speak forth (God's word)'; their prophesying concerned this very grace.
11
ἐραυνῶντες εἰς τίνα ἢ ποῖον καιρὸν ἐδήλου τὸ ἐν αὐτοῖς πνεῦμα Χριστοῦ προμαρτυρόμενον τὰ εἰς Χριστὸν παθήματα καὶ τὰς μετὰ ταῦτα δόξας·
inquiring into what or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating, when it testified beforehand of the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories after these;
What the prophets probed: the 'who/when' the Spirit of Christ in them disclosed — the Spirit already bearing witness in advance to the pattern of Messiah's sufferings-then-glories, the very gospel sequence. Christ's pre-existent Spirit inspired the prophets about Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἐραυνῶντεςinquiringPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐραυνάωadverbial participle (manner/means)→ present (ongoing)ἐραυνάω: 'search, examine'; their searching probed the time and circumstances of fulfillment.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (object of inquiry)
τίναwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of εἰς)τίς: 'who? what?'; here probing the identity/circumstance — 'what or what kind of time.'
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
ποῖονwhat kind ofAccusativeinterrogative adjectiveποῖος: 'of what kind?'; refining the question — what manner of time.
καιρὸνtimeAccusativedirect object (of the inquiry)καιρός: 'time, season'; the appointed moment of fulfillment the prophets sought to date.
ἐδήλουwas indicatingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δηλόωmain verb (of indirect question)→ progressive imperfectδηλόω: 'make clear, indicate, reveal'; the imperfect of the Spirit's ongoing disclosure through the prophets.
τὸtheNominativearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν (where the Spirit was)
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject of ἐδήλουπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; 'the Spirit of Christ in them' — the pre-existent Christ's own Spirit inspiring the prophets.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivepossessive/source genitiveΧριστός: 'Christ'; the Spirit belongs to Christ — a striking witness to his pre-incarnate activity.
προμαρτυρόμενονtestifying beforehandPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · προμαρτύρομαιadverbial participle (modifies πνεῦμα)→ present (ongoing)προμαρτύρομαι: 'testify in advance, predict' (προ- + μαρτύρομαι); a NT hapax — the Spirit's prior witness to Messiah's path.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
εἰςdestined forpreposition + accusative (reference/destination)
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeobject of εἰς (to whom the sufferings pertain)Χριστός: 'Christ'; 'the sufferings destined for Christ' (or 'pointing to Christ').
παθήματαsufferingsAccusativedirect object of προμαρτυρόμενονπάθημα: 'suffering, affliction'; the Messiah's passion — the first member of the gospel pattern (cf. Lk 24:26).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (sequence)
ταῦταtheseAccusativeobject of μετά (the sufferings)οὗτος: 'these'; i.e. the sufferings — glory follows them.
δόξαςgloriesAccusativedirect object (coordinate w/ παθήματα)δόξα: 'glory'; the plural 'glories' — resurrection, exaltation, parousia — the second member of the pattern.
12
οἷς ἀπεκαλύφθη ὅτι οὐχ ἑαυτοῖς ὑμῖν δὲ διηκόνουν αὐτά, ἃ νῦν ἀνηγγέλη ὑμῖν διὰ τῶν εὐαγγελισαμένων ὑμᾶς ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ ἀποσταλέντι ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ, εἰς ἃ ἐπιθυμοῦσιν ἄγγελοι παρακύψαι.
to whom it was revealed that not for themselves but for you they were ministering these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look.
The climax of the digression: the prophets were shown that their ministry served a later generation — 'you' — now reached by the same Spirit-empowered gospel preaching; the privilege of the gospel age is so great that even angels stoop to peer into it.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
οἷςto whomDativerelative pronoun (dat. of indirect object; antecedent: prophets)ὅς: 'to whom,' i.e. the prophets of vv.10–11.
ἀπεκαλύφθηit was revealedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (impersonal w/ ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'reveal, disclose'; God unveiled to the prophets the futurity of their message.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of revelation)
οὐχnotnegative particle
ἑαυτοῖςfor themselvesDativedat. of advantage (negated)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'themselves'; the prophets did not serve their own generation.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedat. of advantage
δὲbutadversative conjunction
διηκόνουνthey were ministeringImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · διακονέωverb of ὅτι clause→ progressive imperfectδιακονέω: 'serve, minister'; the prophets' oracular service rendered, in effect, to the gospel-age church.
αὐτάthese thingsAccusativedirect object (the revealed truths)αὐτός: 'them,' i.e. the things of vv.10–11.
ἃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀνηγγέλη)
νῦνnowadverb of timeνῦν: 'now'; the gospel age — the prophets' 'then' fulfilled in the readers' 'now.'
ἀνηγγέληhave been announcedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'announce, report, proclaim'; the same content now openly declared.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of indirect object
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency)
τῶνthose whoGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
εὐαγγελισαμένωνpreached the gospel toAor Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · εὐαγγελίζωsubstantival participle (object of διά)→ constative aoristεὐαγγελίζω (mid.): 'announce good news, evangelize'; the apostolic preachers who brought them the message.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of the participle
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)
πνεύματιthe SpiritDativedat. of meansπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the gospel was preached in the power of the Spirit (cf. v.11).
ἁγίῳHolyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; 'the Holy Spirit' — the same Spirit who inspired the prophets now empowers the preachers.
ἀποσταλέντιsentAor Pass Ptc · Dat Sg Neut · ἀποστέλλωattributive participle (modifies πνεύματι)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send (with commission)'; the Spirit 'sent from heaven' — Pentecost in view (Acts 2:33).
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (source)
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; whence the Spirit was sent.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (object of desire)
ἃwhich thingsAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παρακύψαι via εἰς)
ἐπιθυμοῦσινlongPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιθυμέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentἐπιθυμέω: 'desire, long for'; even angels yearn — a measure of the gospel's grandeur.
ἄγγελοιangelsNominativesubjectἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; the heavenly beings who, never having been redeemed, peer into salvation from outside.
παρακύψαιto look intoAor Act Inf · παρακύπτωcomplementary infinitive (w/ ἐπιθυμοῦσιν)→ constative aoristπαρακύπτω: 'stoop to look, peer in' (as into a tomb, Lk 24:12; Jn 20:5); the angels bend low to gaze at grace.
13
Διὸ ἀναζωσάμενοι τὰς ὀσφύας τῆς διανοίας ὑμῶν, νήφοντες, τελείως ἐλπίσατε ἐπὶ τὴν φερομένην ὑμῖν χάριν ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, set your hope fully on the grace that is being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The hinge of the chapter: 'therefore' draws the imperatives from the indicative of vv.3–12. Two preparatory participles (gird up, be sober) lead to the single main command — hope fully — directed forward to the grace coming at the revelation.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'wherefore, therefore'; the strong inference from the whole foregoing salvation.
ἀναζωσάμενοιhaving girded upAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀναζώννυμιparticiple of attendant circumstance (preparatory)→ ingressive aoristἀναζώννυμι (mid.): 'gird up' (tuck the long robe into the belt for action); a NT hapax evoking the Passover readiness of Exod 12:11.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ὀσφύαςloinsAccusativedirect object of the participleὀσφῦς: 'loins, waist'; the seat one girds for travel/work — here figurative for mental readiness.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
διανοίαςmindGenitivegenitive (the loins which are the mind)διάνοια: 'mind, understanding, disposition'; the faculty to be readied for disciplined hope.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
νήφοντεςbeing soberPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · νήφωparticiple of attendant circumstance / manner→ present (ongoing)νήφω: 'be sober, self-controlled, clear-headed'; spiritual vigilance, free of intoxicating distraction (cf. 4:7, 5:8).
τελείωςfullyadverb of manner/degreeτελείως: 'completely, perfectly'; modifies the hope — wholehearted, unreserved (some take it with 'sober': 'be perfectly sober').
ἐλπίσατεset your hopeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐλπίζωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive/constative aoristἐλπίζω: 'hope, set hope upon'; the chapter's first and governing command — fix hope decisively.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (object of hope)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
φερομένηνbeing broughtPres Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · φέρωattributive participle (modifies χάριν)→ present (in process; futuristic)φέρω: 'bring, bear'; the grace is even now 'on its way,' to arrive at the revealing.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient/advantage
χάρινgraceAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the thing hoped for)χάρις: 'grace'; the consummate gift unveiled at the parousia — the object of full hope.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
ἀποκαλύψειthe revelationDativedat. of time (when)ἀποκάλυψις: 'revealing'; Christ's appearing, when grace fully arrives (cf. v.7).
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitiveobjective genitive (who is revealed)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
14
ὡς τέκνα ὑπακοῆς, μὴ συσχηματιζόμενοι ταῖς πρότερον ἐν τῇ ἀγνοίᾳ ὑμῶν ἐπιθυμίαις,
as obedient children, not being conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
The first amplification of the command: the hopeful life is the obedient life. A Semitic genitive ('children of obedience') names their identity; a prohibitive participle bars conformity to the desires of their pre-conversion ignorance.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ὡςascomparative particle (characterizing)ὡς: 'as, like'; introducing the character in which they are to act.
τέκναchildrenNominativepredicate nominative (characterizing)τέκνον: 'child'; the new-birth motif (v.3, 23) yields a filial identity.
ὑπακοῆςof obedienceGenitivegenitive of quality (Hebraic; = obedient children)ὑπακοή: 'obedience'; the attributive/Semitic genitive — children marked by obedience (cf. v.2, 22).
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
συσχηματιζόμενοιbeing conformedPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συσχηματίζωimperatival/prohibitive participle→ present (ongoing, prohibited)συσχηματίζω (mid./pass.): 'be conformed, fashioned after' (cf. Rom 12:2); do not let the old σχῆμα remold you.
ταῖςtheDativearticle
πρότερονformerlyadverb of time (attributive to ἐπιθυμίαις)πρότερον: 'former, previously'; the desires of the pre-Christian past.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/time)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀγνοίᾳignoranceDativedat. of sphere (their former state)ἄγνοια: 'ignorance'; the pagan past of not-knowing God (cf. Acts 17:30) — the seedbed of the old desires.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐπιθυμίαιςpassionsDativedat. (object of συσχηματιζόμενοι)ἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, lust'; the disordered passions that ruled them in ignorance.
15
ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸν καλέσαντα ὑμᾶς ἅγιον καὶ αὐτοὶ ἅγιοι ἐν πάσῃ ἀναστροφῇ γενήθητε,
but as the one who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
The 'but' completes the antithesis of v.14: not conformity to old desires, but conformity to God's character. The holiness of the Caller becomes the pattern and demand for the called, extending to 'all conduct.'
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong)ἀλλά: 'but, rather'; the sharp contrast to the prohibited conformity.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὸνthe oneAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καλέσανταwho calledAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · καλέωsubstantival participle (object of κατά)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call'; God the Caller (cf. v.2, 2:9) is the measure of the holiness required.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of the participle
ἅγιονholyAccusativepredicate adjective (of the Caller)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the Caller's defining attribute — the ground of the imperative.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
αὐτοὶyourselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (subject)αὐτός: 'self'; 'you yourselves' — the imitation is emphatic.
ἅγιοιholyNominativepredicate adjective (of the subject)ἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the called share the Caller's holiness.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
πάσῃallDativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, every'; holiness embraces the whole of conduct, with no reserved area.
ἀναστροφῇconductDativedat. of sphereἀναστροφή: 'way of life, conduct, behavior'; a key word of the letter (cf. v.18, 2:12, 3:1–2).
γενήθητεbeAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become, be'; 'become holy' — the imperative of transformation, not mere status.
16
διότι γέγραπται· Ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιος.
because it is written: "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
The command of v.15 is grounded in Scripture. The Leviticus formula (Lev 11:44–45; 19:2; 20:7) — 'be holy, for I am holy' — makes God's own holiness the unchanging warrant for the holiness of his people across both Testaments.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
διότιbecausecausal conjunctionδιότι: 'because, for'; introducing the scriptural ground.
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (abiding authority)γράφω: 'write'; the perfect 'it stands written' — Scripture's settled, abiding authority.
ἍγιοιholyNominativepredicate adjective (of ἔσεσθε)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the demand of the citation, echoing v.15.
ἔσεσθεyou shall beFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (imperatival future)→ imperatival futureεἰμί: 'be'; the LXX future functions as a command — 'you shall be holy.'
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (within citation)ὅτι: 'because, for'; grounding the people's holiness in God's.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic, of implied εἰμί)ἐγώ: 'I'; the divine first person — God's own holiness is the standard.
ἅγιοςam holyNominativepredicate adjective (verbless: 'I [am] holy')ἅγιος: 'holy'; the bedrock attribute of God, ground of all imitative holiness.
17
καὶ εἰ πατέρα ἐπικαλεῖσθε τὸν ἀπροσωπολήμπτως κρίνοντα κατὰ τὸ ἑκάστου ἔργον, ἐν φόβῳ τὸν τῆς παροικίας ὑμῶν χρόνον ἀναστράφητε,
And if you call on as Father the one who judges impartially according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear throughout the time of your exile,
A real condition ('if you call on a Father…') grounds a second imperative: precisely because the Father is also the impartial Judge of works, the time of earthly sojourn is to be lived in reverent fear — not servile terror, but awe before a holy Father-Judge.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative, a real condition — 'since you do call…'
πατέραFatherAccusativedouble accusative (object complement of ἐπικαλεῖσθε)πατήρ: 'Father'; the one invoked — both Father and (next) Judge, a sobering pairing.
ἐπικαλεῖσθεyou call uponPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐπικαλέωverb of the protasis→ customary presentἐπικαλέω (mid.): 'call upon, invoke, address'; to invoke God as Father (in prayer, cf. the Lord's Prayer).
τὸνthe oneAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀπροσωπολήμπτωςimpartiallyadverb of mannerἀπροσωπολήμπτως: 'without partiality, impartially' (ἀ- + προσωπολημψία); a rare adverb — God shows no favoritism in judgment.
κρίνονταwho judgesPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · κρίνωsubstantival participle (in apposition to τὸν)→ customary/gnomic presentκρίνω: 'judge'; the Father is also Judge — his judgment proceeds by deeds, impartially.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of judgment)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἑκάστουof each oneGenitivepossessive genitive (whose work)ἕκαστος: 'each, every one'; judgment is individual — no collective shield.
ἔργονworkAccusativeobject of κατά (standard of judgment)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; the criterion of the impartial judgment (cf. Rom 2:6).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
φόβῳfearDativedat. of mannerφόβος: 'fear, reverence'; reverent awe before the holy Judge (cf. 2:17, 3:2) — not the dread later forbidden (1 Jn 4:18).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
παροικίαςexileGenitivegenitive (defining the χρόνον)παροικία: 'sojourning, temporary residence, exile'; the believers' life on earth as resident aliens (cf. παρεπίδημος, v.1; 2:11).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
χρόνονtimeAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeχρόνος: 'time, span'; the whole duration of the earthly exile.
ἀναστράφητεconduct yourselvesAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aoristἀναστρέφω (pass.): 'conduct oneself, live, behave'; cognate with ἀναστροφή (v.15) — the command to a fearing manner of life.
18
εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ φθαρτοῖς, ἀργυρίῳ ἢ χρυσίῳ, ἐλυτρώθητε ἐκ τῆς ματαίας ὑμῶν ἀναστροφῆς πατροπαραδότου,
knowing that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things, with silver or gold,
A causal participle ('knowing') grounds the reverent fear in the costliness of redemption. The ransom-price is set negatively: not perishable silver or gold; and the thing redeemed-from is the empty, ancestral pagan way of life.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαcausal participle→ intensive perfect (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know'; the perfect-with-present-force — settled knowledge grounding the fear of v.17.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
οὐnotnegative particle
φθαρτοῖςwith perishable thingsDativedat. of means (negated)φθαρτός: 'perishable, corruptible'; the foil to the imperishable inheritance (v.4) and seed (v.23) — silver/gold belong to the perishing order.
ἀργυρίῳwith silverDativedat. of means (in apposition to φθαρτοῖς)ἀργύριον: 'silver (money)'; a customary ransom-medium, here disqualified.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
χρυσίῳgoldDativedat. of means (apposition)χρυσίον: 'gold'; the highest earthly value, yet still perishable (cf. v.7).
ἐλυτρώθητεyou were redeemedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · λυτρόωmain verb (of ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristλυτρόω (pass.): 'ransom, redeem, set free by payment'; the slave-/captive-release image — believers bought out of bondage.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ματαίαςfutileGenitiveattributive adjectiveμάταιος: 'empty, futile, vain'; the OT verdict on idolatry (Jer 8:19) — the pagan life was hollow and aimless.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἀναστροφῆςway of lifeGenitiveobject of ἐκ (what they were redeemed from)ἀναστροφή: 'conduct, way of life'; here the futile former manner, contrasted with the holy ἀναστροφή of v.15.
πατροπαραδότουinherited from the fathersGenitiveattributive adjectiveπατροπαράδοτος: 'handed down by/from the fathers' (πατήρ + παραδίδωμι); a NT hapax — tradition's prestige is no defense against futility.
19
ἀλλὰ τιμίῳ αἵματι ὡς ἀμνοῦ ἀμώμου καὶ ἀσπίλου Χριστοῦ,
but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, the blood of Christ,
The positive ransom-price answering v.18's negative: precious blood — the blood of Christ, likened to the unblemished Passover/sacrificial lamb. The 'precious' counters the perishable silver and gold; the price's costliness is the warrant for fear.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong)ἀλλά: 'but, rather'; the contrast to the perishable price of v.18.
τιμίῳpreciousDativeattributive adjectiveτίμιος: 'precious, costly, of great value'; the blood's worth surpasses any earthly treasure (cf. τιμή, v.7).
αἵματιwith bloodDativedat. of means/price (the ransom paid)αἷμα: 'blood'; the sacrificial life-price of redemption (cf. v.2).
ὡςascomparative particle (introducing the simile)ὡς: 'as, like'; introducing the lamb-comparison.
ἀμνοῦof a lambGenitivegenitive of comparison/source (whose blood)ἀμνός: 'lamb'; the sacrificial/Passover lamb (Exod 12; Isa 53:7; Jn 1:29) — Christ as the true paschal victim.
ἀμώμουwithout blemishGenitiveattributive adjectiveἄμωμος: 'unblemished, without defect'; the cultic requirement for an acceptable victim (Lev 22:21) — Christ's sinlessness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀσπίλουwithout spotGenitiveattributive adjectiveἄσπιλος: 'spotless, unstained'; reinforcing the perfection of the lamb — moral and ritual purity.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive (in apposition to ἀμνοῦ; whose blood)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the antitype named — the lamb is Christ himself.
20
προεγνωσμένου μὲν πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου, φανερωθέντος δὲ ἐπ' ἐσχάτου τῶν χρόνων δι' ὑμᾶς
foreknown before the foundation of the world, but revealed in the last of the times for your sake,
A μέν…δέ participial pair on 'Christ' (v.19): eternally foreknown before creation, yet historically manifested 'at the end of the times' — and explicitly 'for your sake,' folding the readers into the eternal redemptive plan (cf. πρόγνωσις, v.2).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
προεγνωσμένουforeknownPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · προγινώσκωattributive participle (modifies Χριστοῦ, v.19)→ intensive perfect (settled state)προγινώσκω: 'know beforehand, foreknow'; Christ was eternally appointed in God's plan (cognate of πρόγνωσις, v.2).
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν…δέ correlative)μέν: 'on the one hand'; pairing the eternal foreknowing with the temporal revealing (δέ).
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (time)
καταβολῆςthe foundationGenitiveobject of πρό (temporal)καταβολή: 'foundation, founding'; 'before the foundation of the world' — pre-temporal election (cf. Eph 1:4).
κόσμουof the worldGenitiveobjective genitive (what was founded)κόσμος: 'world, ordered universe'; its very founding postdates the foreknowing of Christ.
φανερωθέντοςrevealedAor Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · φανερόωattributive participle (modifies Χριστοῦ)→ constative aoristφανερόω: 'make manifest, reveal, bring to light'; the incarnation/appearing of the eternally-purposed Christ in history.
δὲbutparticle (μέν…δέ correlative)δέ: 'but, and'; completing the contrast — eternal plan, temporal disclosure.
ἐπ'inpreposition + genitive (time)
ἐσχάτουthe lastGenitiveobject of ἐπί (substantival adj., temporal)ἔσχατος: 'last'; 'at the last of the times' — the present is the eschatological age (cf. v.5).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
χρόνωνtimesGenitivepartitive/possessive genitiveχρόνος: 'time'; the closing era of redemptive history.
δι'for the sake ofpreposition + accusative (cause/advantage)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of διά (for whose benefit)ὑμᾶς: 'you'; the readers are the beneficiaries of Christ's manifestation — drawn into the eternal plan.
21
τοὺς δι' αὐτοῦ πιστοὺς εἰς θεὸν τὸν ἐγείραντα αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ δόξαν αὐτῷ δόντα, ὥστε τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν καὶ ἐλπίδα εἶναι εἰς θεόν.
who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Closing the redemption-section: through Christ the readers are 'believers in God,' the God who raised and glorified Christ — so that (ὥστε) faith and hope terminate not on a dead teacher but on the living God who vindicated him. Resurrection (v.3) and hope (v.13) converge.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
τοὺςthose whoAccusativearticle (substantizes; in apposition to ὑμᾶς, v.20)
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (means/agency)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of διά (Christ as mediator of faith)αὐτός: 'him,' i.e. Christ — faith in God comes through Christ.
πιστοὺςbelieversAccusativepredicate adjective (substantival)πιστός: 'believing, faithful'; here 'believers in God' — those who trust God through Christ.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (object of faith)
θεὸνGodAccusativeobject of εἰς (object of faith)θεός: 'God'; the ultimate object of faith, reached through Christ.
τὸνthe oneAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐγείρανταwho raisedAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἐγείρωattributive participle (modifies θεόν)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise (up)'; God raised Christ — the resurrection grounds the living hope (v.3).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of the participle
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκ (substantival adj.)νεκρός: 'dead'; 'from the dead' — as in v.3.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect object of δόνταδόξα: 'glory'; God exalted the risen Christ (cf. the glories foretold, v.11).
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of indirect object
δόνταwho gaveAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · δίδωμιattributive participle (coordinate w/ ἐγείραντα)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; God gave Christ glory — exaltation following the resurrection.
ὥστεso thatconjunction (result, + infinitive)ὥστε: 'so that, with the result that'; the consequence — faith and hope rest in God.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πίστινfaithAccusativeaccusative subject of εἶναιπίστις: 'faith'; resting in the God who raised Christ.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλπίδαhopeAccusativeaccusative subject of εἶναι (coordinate)ἐλπίς: 'hope'; paired with faith (cf. v.3, 13) — both anchored in God.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of result (w/ ὥστε)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the resulting state — faith and hope directed toward God.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (direction/object)
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of εἰς (terminus of faith and hope)θεός: 'God'; the goal toward which faith and hope are oriented.
22
Τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν ἡγνικότες ἐν τῇ ὑπακοῇ τῆς ἀληθείας εἰς φιλαδελφίαν ἀνυπόκριτον, ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας ἀλλήλους ἀγαπήσατε ἐκτενῶς,
Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
A new imperative opens the final movement. A causal/temporal participle ('having purified your souls by obedience') grounds the command to love: the obedience that cleansed them was aimed at genuine brotherly love, which is now to be enacted earnestly from a pure heart.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ΤὰςtheAccusativearticle
ψυχὰςsoulsAccusativedirect object of ἡγνικότεςψυχή: 'soul, self'; the whole inner person, here cleansed (cf. v.9).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἡγνικότεςhaving purifiedPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἁγνίζωcausal/temporal participle→ intensive perfect (abiding result)ἁγνίζω: 'purify, cleanse' (cultic; cf. ἁγνός, 'pure'); the perfect marks a purification accomplished and still in effect.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὑπακοῇobedienceDativedat. of means (how they were purified)ὑπακοή: 'obedience'; obeying the truth is the means of the soul's purifying (cf. v.2, 14).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobjective genitive (obedience to the truth)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the gospel obeyed (cf. v.25) — obedience to it cleanses.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
φιλαδελφίανbrotherly loveAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the purifying)φιλαδελφία: 'brotherly love, affection for fellow believers' (φίλος + ἀδελφός); the family-love of the reborn community.
ἀνυπόκριτονsincereAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀνυπόκριτος: 'unhypocritical, genuine, without pretense' (ἀ- + ὑποκρίνομαι, 'play a part'); love unfeigned (cf. Rom 12:9).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
καθαρᾶςa pureGenitiveattributive adjectiveκαθαρός: 'clean, pure'; the heart cleansed by obedience is the wellspring of true love.
καρδίαςheartGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source of the love)καρδία: 'heart'; the inner center from which genuine love must flow.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπήσατεἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the reciprocal — mutual love within the community.
ἀγαπήσατεloveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀγαπάωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aoristἀγαπάω: 'love'; the central command of the movement — committed, self-giving love.
ἐκτενῶςearnestlyadverb of mannerἐκτενῶς: 'earnestly, fervently, intensely' (lit. 'stretched out'); love at full stretch (cf. 4:8).
23
ἀναγεγεννημένοι οὐκ ἐκ σπορᾶς φθαρτῆς ἀλλὰ ἀφθάρτου, διὰ λόγου ζῶντος θεοῦ καὶ μένοντος.
having been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.
A causal participle grounds the love-command in the new birth (resuming ἀναγεννάω of v.3): they were begotten anew from imperishable seed — the living, abiding word of God — and so possess a new, enduring kinship that makes mutual love both possible and obligatory.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἀναγεγεννημένοιhaving been born againPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀναγεννάωcausal participle→ intensive perfect (abiding state)ἀναγεννάω: 'beget again'; resuming v.3, now passive — the perfect marks an accomplished, permanent regeneration.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source)
σπορᾶςseedGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source of the new birth)σπορά: 'seed, sowing, origin'; the generative source — here not human procreation but the divine word.
φθαρτῆςperishableGenitiveattributive adjectiveφθαρτός: 'perishable, corruptible'; natural human descent belongs to the perishing order (cf. v.18).
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἀφθάρτουimperishableGenitiveattributive adjective (w/ implied σπορᾶς)ἄφθαρτος: 'imperishable'; the new seed shares the quality of the inheritance (v.4) and the abiding word.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
λόγουthe wordGenitiveobject of διά (means/seed of new birth)λόγος: 'word, message'; God's word, the imperishable seed — the gospel that begets (cf. v.25).
ζῶντοςlivingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ζάωattributive participle (modifies λόγου or θεοῦ)→ stative presentζάω: 'live'; the word is 'living' (or God is 'living') — life-giving and undying (cf. ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν, v.3).
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive/source genitive (whose word)θεός: 'God'; the word belongs to God — its source and authority.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μένοντοςabidingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · μένωattributive participle (coordinate w/ ζῶντος)→ stative presentμένω: 'remain, abide, endure'; the word abides forever (developed in vv.24–25) — the seed cannot decay.
24
διότι πᾶσα σὰρξ ὡς χόρτος, καὶ πᾶσα δόξα αὐτῆς ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου· ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ἄνθος ἐξέπεσεν·
because "all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass; the grass withers, and the flower falls off,"
Isaiah 40:6–8 (LXX) is cited to undergird v.23's contrast: all flesh and its glory are as fading grass and flower — perishable, like the old seed; the verse sets up the antithesis completed in v.25, the abiding word.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
διότιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing citation)διότι: 'because, for'; grounding the imperishability of the word in Scripture.
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; 'all flesh' — every mortal, without exception.
σὰρξfleshNominativesubject (of implied 'is')σάρξ: 'flesh'; humanity in its frailty and mortality (Hebrew bāśār).
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'as, like'; introducing the grass-simile.
χόρτοςgrassNominativepredicate nominative (comparison)χόρτος: 'grass, hay, vegetation'; the image of brief, perishing life (Isa 40:6).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective
δόξαgloryNominativesubject (of implied 'is')δόξα: 'glory, splendor'; here human glory/honor — even its finest bloom soon fades (contrast the enduring glory of v.7, 11).
αὐτῆςitsGenitivepossessive genitive (of the flesh)
ὡςlikecomparative particle
ἄνθοςthe flowerNominativepredicate nominative (comparison)ἄνθος: 'flower, blossom'; the showy but fleeting bloom.
χόρτουof grassGenitivegenitive (the grass's flower)χόρτος: 'grass'; the wildflower of the field, here genitive.
ἐξηράνθηwithersAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ξηραίνωmain verb (gnomic)→ gnomic aoristξηραίνω: 'dry up, wither'; the gnomic aorist states a timeless truth — grass always withers.
ὁtheNominativearticle
χόρτοςgrassNominativesubject
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
ἄνθοςflowerNominativesubjectἄνθος: 'flower'; subject of the second clause.
ἐξέπεσενfalls offAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπίπτωmain verb (gnomic)→ gnomic aoristἐκπίπτω: 'fall off, drop' (of petals); the gnomic aorist — the bloom inevitably falls.
25
τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν εἰς ὑμᾶς.
but the word of the Lord abides forever. And this is the word that was preached to you as good news.
The δέ completes the Isaiah antithesis: over against perishing flesh, the Lord's word abides forever; then a second δέ applies it — 'this word' is the very gospel preached to them. The imperishable seed of v.23 is thereby identified with the message they received, closing the chapter on the enduring ground of their new life.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; the decisive contrast — perishing flesh vs. abiding word.
ῥῆμαwordNominativesubjectῥῆμα: 'word, utterance, spoken word'; the Lord's pronounced word — here equated with the gospel (cf. λόγος, v.23).
κυρίουof the LordGenitivepossessive/source genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; in Isaiah, YHWH; Peter's application lets it embrace the Lord Jesus and his gospel.
μένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb→ gnomic presentμένω: 'remain, abide, endure'; resuming μένοντος (v.23) — the word's permanence against all that perishes.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναforeverAccusativeobject of εἰς (idiom: 'unto the age' = forever)αἰών: 'age, eternity'; 'εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα' = 'forever' — the word's unending endurance.
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the Isaiah 'word' and identifying it with the gospel.
δέandtransitional conjunctionδέ: 'and, now'; introducing the application.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
τὸtheNominativearticle
ῥῆμαwordNominativepredicate nominativeῥῆμα: 'word'; the abiding word identified as the preached gospel.
τὸthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
εὐαγγελισθὲνpreached as good newsAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · εὐαγγελίζωattributive participle (modifies ῥῆμα)→ constative aoristεὐαγγελίζω (pass.): 'announce/preach good news'; the word that 'was gospelled' to them (cf. v.12) — the enduring seed of their new birth.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction/recipient)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς (recipients of the gospel)