1
Ἀποθέμενοι οὖν πᾶσαν κακίαν καὶ πάντα δόλον καὶ ὑποκρίσεις καὶ φθόνους καὶ πάσας καταλαλιάς,
Therefore, having put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisies and envies and all slanders,
οὖν draws the moral consequence from 1:22–25 (the new birth through the abiding word): the imperishable seed must shed the vices of the old life. The fronted participle is grounding for the imperative of v.2.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Ἀποθέμενοιhaving put awayAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀποτίθημιcircumstantial participle (antecedent, grounding the imperative)→ aorist — the decisive renunciation, the 'taking off' of a garmentἀποτίθημι: 'put off, lay aside'; the disrobing-metaphor of conversion (cf. Eph 4:22, 25; Col 3:8).
οὖνthereforeinferential particleοὖν: 'therefore'; drawing the consequence from the new birth of 1:23.
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective modifying κακίανπᾶς: 'all, every'; the sweep 'all malice' — no malice tolerated.
κακίανmaliceAccusativedirect object of ἀποθέμενοικακία: 'malice, ill-will, wickedness'; the heading-vice from which the others flow.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective modifying δόλονπᾶς: 'all, every.'
δόλονdeceitAccusativedirect object of ἀποθέμενοιδόλος: 'deceit, guile, treachery'; the same word denied of Christ in v.22 (Isa 53:9).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὑποκρίσειςhypocrisiesAccusativedirect object of ἀποθέμενοιὑπόκρισις: 'hypocrisy, play-acting'; plural, the manifold forms of pretense.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φθόνουςenviesAccusativedirect object of ἀποθέμενοιφθόνος: 'envy, jealousy'; plural, the recurrent grudges of community life.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective modifying καταλαλιάςπᾶς: 'all, every.'
καταλαλιάςslandersAccusativedirect object of ἀποθέμενοικαταλαλιά: 'slander, evil-speaking, backbiting'; the social poison answered by the 'pure milk' of the word.
2
ὡς ἀρτιγέννητα βρέφη τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα ἐπιποθήσατε, ἵνα ἐν αὐτῷ αὐξηθῆτε εἰς σωτηρίαν,
like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up unto salvation,
The governing imperative ἐπιποθήσατε, with a simile (newborns) and a purpose clause (growth to salvation). The vices laid aside (v.1) make room for the nourishing word.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ὡςlikecomparative particle (simile)ὡς: 'as, like'; introducing the newborn-infant simile.
ἀρτιγέννηταnewbornNominativeattributive adjective modifying βρέφηἀρτιγέννητος: 'newly born' (ἄρτι + γεννάω); a NT hapax, picking up the new birth of 1:23.
βρέφηinfantsNominativepredicate of the simile (nominative of comparison)βρέφος: 'baby, infant'; here figuratively, the believers as newborns craving milk.
τὸtheAccusativearticle modifying γάλα
λογικὸνspiritualAccusativeattributive adjective modifying γάλαλογικός: 'rational, of the word'; here 'pertaining to the λόγος' — the milk that is the word (cf. 1:23–25), rendered 'spiritual'; cf. Rom 12:1.
ἄδολονpureAccusativeattributive adjective modifying γάλαἄδολος: 'unadulterated, guileless' (α- + δόλος); deliberately negating the δόλος laid aside in v.1 — milk without guile.
γάλαmilkAccusativedirect object of ἐπιποθήσατεγάλα: 'milk'; the nourishing word, a positive image here (not the elementary 'milk' rebuked in 1 Cor 3:2; Heb 5:12).
ἐπιποθήσατεlong forAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐπιποθέωmain imperative→ aorist — urgent command to a settled, intense cravingἐπιποθέω: 'long for, yearn after intensely'; the infant's instinctive hunger as model for desire for the word.
ἵναthatconjunction introducing purpose clauseἵνα: 'in order that'; the goal of the craving.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)ἐν: 'by, by means of'; instrumental — growth comes through the milk.
αὐτῷitDativeobject of ἐν (referring to γάλα)
αὐξηθῆτεyou may growAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · αὐξάνωsubjunctive in purpose clause→ aorist — the growth viewed as a whole, divinely effected (passive)αὐξάνω: 'grow, increase'; the divine passive — God gives the growth (cf. 1 Cor 3:6–7).
εἰςuntopreposition + accusative (goal/result)εἰς: 'to, unto'; the terminus of growth — eschatological salvation.
σωτηρίανsalvationAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)σωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; the final salvation 'ready to be revealed' (1:5).
3
εἰ ἐγεύσασθε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ κύριος.
if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
A first-class condition assuming the reality: 'since you have tasted.' A near-citation of Ps 33:9 LXX (ʻtaste and see that the Lord is good'); χρηστός puns on Χριστός.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
εἰif indeedconjunction (first-class condition, assumed true)εἰ: 'if'; here the condition of fact — 'since (as is the case).'
ἐγεύσασθεyou have tastedAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · γεύομαιverb of the conditional protasis→ aorist — the experienced fact of having tastedγεύομαι: 'taste, experience'; allusion to Ps 33:9 LXX, the language of personal experience of God's goodness.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing content clauseὅτι: 'that'; the content of what was tasted.
χρηστὸςgoodNominativepredicate adjectiveχρηστός: 'kind, good, gracious'; from Ps 33:9 LXX, with a deliberate assonance on Χριστός ('Christ').
ὁtheNominativearticle modifying κύριος
κύριοςLordNominativesubject of the implied copulaκύριος: 'Lord'; in the Psalm Yahweh, here applied to Christ (the κύριος to whom they come, v.4).
4
πρὸς ὃν προσερχόμενοι, λίθον ζῶντα, ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπων μὲν ἀποδεδοκιμασμένον παρὰ δὲ θεῷ ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον,
to whom coming, a living stone — rejected indeed by men, but in God's sight chosen and precious —
πρὸς ὃν resumes ὁ κύριος of v.3, launching the stone-temple section. The participle προσερχόμενοι frames the believers' approach; the μέν…δέ antithesis sets human rejection against divine election.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (motion toward)πρός: 'to, toward'; the approach to the living Lord.
ὃνwhomAccusativeobject of πρός (relative, antecedent ὁ κύριος)ὅς: relative pronoun; resuming 'the Lord' of v.3.
προσερχόμενοιcomingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant / present approach)→ present — continual coming, the cultic 'drawing near' to Godπροσέρχομαι: 'come to, approach'; LXX cultic verb of approaching God — the worshippers drawing near the living Stone.
λίθονstoneAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ὅνλίθος: 'stone'; the messianic Stone-testimonia (Isa 28:16; Ps 117:22; Isa 8:14) gathered around Christ.
ζῶνταlivingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ζάωattributive participle modifying λίθον→ present — the abiding life of the risen Christζάω: 'live'; paradoxical of a 'stone' — the risen, living Christ, whose life flows to the 'living stones' of v.5.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent)ὑπό: 'by'; the agent of rejection.
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivegenitive of agent with ἀποδεδοκιμασμένονἄνθρωπος: 'man, human'; the human builders who rejected the stone (Ps 117:22).
μὲνindeedcorrelative particle (μέν … δέ)μέν: marking the first member of the rejection/election antithesis.
ἀποδεδοκιμασμένονrejectedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἀποδοκιμάζωattributive participle modifying λίθον→ perfect — the abiding state of having been rejectedἀποδοκιμάζω: 'reject after testing'; the verb of Ps 117:22 LXX, the builders' rejected stone.
παρὰin the sight ofpreposition + dative (in the judgment of)παρά: 'in the presence/judgment of'; God's verdict over against men's.
δὲbutadversative particle (answering μέν)δέ: 'but'; the divine reversal of the human verdict.
θεῷGodDativeobject of παρά (in God's sight)θεός: 'God'; whose estimate is the true one.
ἐκλεκτὸνchosenAccusativeattributive adjective modifying λίθονἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect'; from Isa 28:16, the chosen cornerstone — applied also to the people in v.9.
ἔντιμονpreciousAccusativeattributive adjective modifying λίθονἔντιμος: 'honored, precious'; from Isa 28:16 LXX — God's high valuation of the Stone.
5
καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡς λίθοι ζῶντες οἰκοδομεῖσθε οἶκος πνευματικὸς εἰς ἱεράτευμα ἅγιον, ἀνενέγκαι πνευματικὰς θυσίας εὐπροσδέκτους θεῷ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
you also, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house into a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The believers share the Stone's quality: 'living stones' built into a temple-people. The main verb οἰκοδομεῖσθε (likely indicative — what God is doing) governs a double predicate (house/priesthood) and an infinitive of purpose (to offer).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunctionκαί: 'also'; you too, like the Stone.
αὐτοὶyourselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (subject)αὐτός: intensive — 'you yourselves,' emphatically the believers.
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'as, like.'
λίθοιstonesNominativepredicate of the simile (nominative of comparison)λίθος: 'stone'; the believers as stones derived from the living Stone.
ζῶντεςlivingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ζάωattributive participle modifying λίθοι→ present — sharing the abiding life of the living Stoneζάω: 'live'; the stones live because the Stone lives.
οἰκοδομεῖσθεare being built upPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (indicative; the divine building work)→ present — the ongoing construction of God's temple-peopleοἰκοδομέω: 'build (up)'; the construction of the eschatological temple; read as indicative (God's act) rather than imperative.
οἶκοςhouseNominativepredicate nominative (result of building)οἶκος: 'house, household'; the spiritual temple (cf. the new-covenant temple, Eph 2:21–22).
πνευματικὸςspiritualNominativeattributive adjective modifying οἶκοςπνευματικός: 'spiritual, of the Spirit'; the temple not of stone but of the Spirit.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal/result)εἰς: 'to, into'; toward the function of priesthood.
ἱεράτευμαpriesthoodAccusativeobject of εἰςἱεράτευμα: 'priesthood, body of priests'; from Exod 19:6 LXX — the corporate priestly people.
ἅγιονholyAccusativeattributive adjective modifying ἱεράτευμαἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the priesthood's consecration.
ἀνενέγκαιto offer upAor Act Infin · ἀναφέρωinfinitive of purpose→ aorist — the priestly act of offering, viewed as a wholeἀναφέρω: 'offer up, bring up (to the altar)'; the cultic verb of sacrifice.
πνευματικὰςspiritualAccusativeattributive adjective modifying θυσίαςπνευματικός: 'spiritual'; sacrifices of the Spirit (praise, obedience, self — cf. Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15).
θυσίαςsacrificesAccusativedirect object of ἀνενέγκαιθυσία: 'sacrifice, offering'; the priestly people's spiritual offerings.
εὐπροσδέκτουςacceptableAccusativeattributive adjective modifying θυσίαςεὐπρόσδεκτος: 'acceptable, well-received'; acceptable only through the mediation that follows.
θεῷto GodDativedative of recipient/advantageθεός: 'God'; the recipient of the sacrifices.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (mediation)διά: 'through'; the sole mediator of acceptable worship.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveobject of διάἸησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the mediator through whom the offerings are acceptable.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive in apposition to ἸησοῦΧριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; the high-priestly mediator.
6
διότι περιέχει ἐν γραφῇ· Ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον, καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ’ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ.
For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.'
The first of three Stone-citations grounding vv.4–5. Isa 28:16 LXX: God himself lays the chosen cornerstone, and faith in him is vindicated — the believing community honored.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
διότιforcausal conjunctionδιότι: 'because, for'; introducing the scriptural ground.
περιέχειit standsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · περιέχωmain verb (impersonal, 'it is contained')→ present — the abiding witness of the written textπεριέχω: 'contain, stand written'; idiom for 'it says in Scripture.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)ἐν: 'in.'
γραφῇScriptureDativeobject of ἐνγραφή: 'Scripture, writing'; the authoritative written word.
Ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (demonstrative particle)ἰδού: 'behold, see'; the prophetic announcement opener.
τίθημιI layPres Act Indic 1 Sg · τίθημιverb of the citation (God speaking)→ present — the laying of the foundation, vivid presentτίθημι: 'lay, place, set'; God himself the builder who sets the cornerstone.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)ἐν: 'in.'
ΣιὼνZionDativeobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)Σιών: 'Zion'; the place of God's saving foundation.
λίθονstoneAccusativedirect object of τίθημιλίθος: 'stone'; the foundation-stone of Isa 28:16.
ἀκρογωνιαῖονcornerstoneAccusativeattributive adjective modifying λίθονἀκρογωνιαῖος: 'cornerstone, capstone' (ἄκρον + γωνία); the decisive stone of the structure.
ἐκλεκτὸνchosenAccusativeattributive adjective modifying λίθονἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect'; echoing v.4.
ἔντιμονpreciousAccusativeattributive adjective modifying λίθονἔντιμος: 'honored, precious'; from Isa 28:16 LXX.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participle
πιστεύωνwho believesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present — the believer's ongoing trustπιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; faith resting on the Stone.
ἐπ’inpreposition + dative (object of faith)ἐπί: 'on, upon'; faith resting 'upon' him.
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐπί (referring to the Stone)
οὐnotnegative (with μή, emphatic)οὐ: 'not'; with μή forming the emphatic denial.
μὴnevernegative (οὐ μή + subjunctive, emphatic)μή: 'not'; οὐ μή with the subjunctive is the strongest negation — 'will surely never.'
καταισχυνθῇbe put to shameAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · καταισχύνωsubjunctive with οὐ μή (emphatic future denial)→ aorist — the eschatological vindication, decisively denied of shameκαταισχύνω: 'put to shame, disgrace'; the believer will be vindicated, not disappointed, at the judgment.
7
ὑμῖν οὖν ἡ τιμὴ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν· ἀπιστοῦσιν δὲ λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας
To you therefore who believe is the honor; but to those who disbelieve, 'the stone which the builders rejected, this has become the head of the corner,'
Drawing the application of v.6: honor for believers, but for unbelievers the verdict of Ps 117:22 — the rejected stone exalted as keystone, a witness against them.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of advantage (fronted, emphatic)σύ: 'you'; emphatic — to you who believe belongs the honor.
οὖνthereforeinferential particleοὖν: 'therefore'; drawing the consequence of v.6.
ἡtheNominativearticle modifying τιμή
τιμὴhonorNominativesubject (predicate of implied copula)τιμή: 'honor, value'; the believers share the 'precious' (ἔντιμος) status of the Stone.
τοῖςthe onesDativearticle substantizing the participle
πιστεύουσινwho believePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle in apposition to ὑμῖν→ present — the believers' continuing faithπιστεύω: 'believe, trust.'
ἀπιστοῦσινto those who disbelievePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἀπιστέωsubstantival participle (dative of reference, contrast)→ present — the unbelievers' continuing refusalἀπιστέω: 'disbelieve, refuse to believe'; the foil to the believers.
δὲbutadversative particleδέ: 'but'; the contrast between believer and unbeliever.
λίθοςstoneNominativesubject (citation, Ps 117:22)λίθος: 'stone'; the rejected stone of Ps 117:22 LXX.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun, object of ἀπεδοκίμασανὅς: relative pronoun.
ἀπεδοκίμασανrejectedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποδοκιμάζωverb of the relative clause→ aorist — the historical act of rejectionἀποδοκιμάζω: 'reject'; the builders' rejection (Ps 117:22), echoing v.4.
οἱtheNominativearticle substantizing the participle
οἰκοδομοῦντεςbuildersPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἰκοδομέωsubstantival participle (subject of ἀπεδοκίμασαν)→ present — the builders at their workοἰκοδομέω: 'build'; the 'builders' — Israel's leaders who rejected the Messiah.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (resumptive subject)οὗτος: 'this (very one)'; resumptive, emphasizing the reversal.
ἐγενήθηhas becomeAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of the citation→ aorist — God's decisive act of exaltationγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the divine reversal — the rejected stone exalted.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (predicate, Semitic εἰς)εἰς: 'to, into'; LXX-style predicate ('become').
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeobject of εἰς (predicate)κεφαλή: 'head'; 'head of the corner' — the chief, decisive stone.
γωνίαςof the cornerGenitivegenitive of relationshipγωνία: 'corner, angle'; the keystone/cornerstone position.
8
καὶ λίθος προσκόμματος καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου· οἳ προσκόπτουσιν τῷ λόγῳ ἀπειθοῦντες, εἰς ὃ καὶ ἐτέθησαν.
and 'a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, to which also they were appointed.
Isa 8:14 joined to the Stone-testimonia: the same stone is foundation to faith and stumbling-block to unbelief. The closing relative clause (εἰς ὃ … ἐτέθησαν) is the chapter's hardest line — the appointing of the disobedient to their stumbling.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking citations)καί: 'and'; joining Isa 8:14 to Ps 117:22.
λίθοςstoneNominativepredicate nominative (citation, Isa 8:14)λίθος: 'stone'; now the stone over which the disobedient trip.
προσκόμματοςof stumblingGenitivegenitive of result/qualityπρόσκομμα: 'stumbling, occasion of tripping'; from Isa 8:14 LXX.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πέτραrockNominativepredicate nominative (citation)πέτρα: 'rock, crag'; parallel to λίθος, the rock of offense.
σκανδάλουof offenseGenitivegenitive of result/qualityσκάνδαλον: 'snare, trap, occasion of offense'; from Isa 8:14.
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject; antecedent the disobedient)ὅς: relative pronoun; the unbelievers of v.7.
προσκόπτουσινstumblePres Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκόπτωmain verb of the relative clause→ present — their habitual tripping over the Stoneπροσκόπτω: 'strike against, stumble'; cognate with πρόσκομμα.
τῷtheDativearticle modifying λόγῳ
λόγῳwordDativedative of reference (object of ἀπειθοῦντες)λόγος: 'word'; the gospel-word, disobeyed.
ἀπειθοῦντεςdisobeyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀπειθέωcausal participle ('because they disobey')→ present — their persistent refusal of the wordἀπειθέω: 'disobey, refuse to be persuaded'; unbelief as disobedience — the cause of their stumbling.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)εἰς: 'to, unto'; the appointed end.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun, object of εἰς (the stumbling)ὅς: relative pronoun; antecedent the stumbling/disobedience just named.
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunctionκαί: 'also, indeed'; intensifying the appointment.
ἐτέθησανthey were appointedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (divine passive)→ aorist — the settled appointment, divine passiveτίθημι: 'set, appoint, destine'; the disobedient 'appointed' to stumbling — God's just ordaining of unbelief's outcome (the crux of the verse).
9
ὑμεῖς δὲ γένος ἐκλεκτόν, βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα, ἔθνος ἅγιον, λαὸς εἰς περιποίησιν, ὅπως τὰς ἀρετὰς ἐξαγγείλητε τοῦ ἐκ σκότους ὑμᾶς καλέσαντος εἰς τὸ θαυμαστὸν αὐτοῦ φῶς·
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
The emphatic ὑμεῖς δέ turns from the disobedient to the church, draping it with Israel's titles (Exod 19:6; Isa 43:20–21). A purpose clause names its vocation: to proclaim God's excellencies.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, contrastive)σύ: 'you'; emphatic — the church over against the disobedient.
δὲbutadversative particleδέ: 'but'; the bright contrast to v.8.
γένοςraceNominativepredicate nominativeγένος: 'race, kind, stock'; from Isa 43:20 LXX — the elect 'race.'
ἐκλεκτόνchosenNominativeattributive adjective modifying γένοςἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect'; the people share the Stone's election (v.4).
βασίλειονroyalNominativeattributive adjective modifying ἱεράτευμαβασίλειος: 'royal, kingly'; from Exod 19:6 LXX — a kingdom of priests.
ἱεράτευμαpriesthoodNominativepredicate nominativeἱεράτευμα: 'priesthood'; from Exod 19:6 LXX, echoing v.5.
ἔθνοςnationNominativepredicate nominativeἔθνος: 'nation, people'; from Exod 19:6 LXX — a holy nation.
ἅγιονholyNominativeattributive adjective modifying ἔθνοςἅγιος: 'holy, set apart.'
λαὸςpeopleNominativepredicate nominativeλαός: 'people'; the covenant 'people of God' (Isa 43:21; cf. v.10).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)εἰς: 'for'; the purpose of possession.
περιποίησινpossessionAccusativeobject of εἰςπεριποίησις: 'possession, acquisition'; a people God made his own (cf. Mal 3:17; Exod 19:5 LXX).
ὅπωςthatconjunction introducing purpose clauseὅπως: 'so that, in order that'; the vocation of the people.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle modifying ἀρετάς
ἀρετὰςexcellenciesAccusativedirect object of ἐξαγγείλητεἀρετή: 'excellence, virtue, praiseworthy deed'; from Isa 43:21 LXX — God's mighty acts to be told.
ἐξαγγείλητεyou may proclaimAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐξαγγέλλωsubjunctive in purpose clause→ aorist — the act of proclamation, viewed wholeἐξαγγέλλω: 'proclaim, declare abroad'; the priestly people's missionary witness.
τοῦof the oneGenitivearticle substantizing the participle
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (separation)ἐκ: 'out of, from'; the calling from darkness.
σκότουςdarknessGenitiveobject of ἐκσκότος: 'darkness'; the former state of ignorance and sin.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of καλέσαντοςσύ: 'you'; the called community.
καλέσαντοςwho calledAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · καλέωsubstantival participle (the caller, genitive after ἀρετάς)→ aorist — the decisive call at conversionκαλέω: 'call, summon'; God's effectual call out of darkness into light.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)εἰς: 'into'; the destination of the call.
τὸtheAccusativearticle modifying φῶς
θαυμαστὸνmarvelousAccusativeattributive adjective modifying φῶςθαυμαστός: 'wonderful, marvelous'; the astonishing light of salvation.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτός: 'his'; God's own light.
φῶςlightAccusativeobject of εἰςφῶς: 'light'; the realm of salvation, knowledge, and life.
10
οἵ ποτε οὐ λαὸς νῦν δὲ λαὸς θεοῦ, οἱ οὐκ ἠλεημένοι νῦν δὲ ἐλεηθέντες.
you who once were not a people, but now are God's people; who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.
A double 'once/now' antithesis from Hosea (1:6, 9; 2:1, 25): the Gentile readers, formerly no-people and unpitied, are now constituted God's people and recipients of mercy.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
οἵwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject, antecedent ὑμεῖς)ὅς: relative pronoun; resuming the 'you' of v.9.
ποτεoncetemporal adverbποτέ: 'once, formerly'; the former state.
οὐnotnegativeοὐ: 'not.'
λαὸςa peopleNominativepredicate nominativeλαός: 'people'; from Hos 1:9 LXX — 'not my people.'
νῦνnowtemporal adverbνῦν: 'now'; the present state of grace.
δὲbutadversative particleδέ: 'but'; the reversal.
λαὸςa peopleNominativepredicate nominativeλαός: 'people'; from Hos 2:1, 25 — 'my people.'
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship/possessionθεός: 'God'; whose people they now are.
οἱthe onesNominativearticle substantizing the participle
οὐκnotnegativeοὐ: 'not.'
ἠλεημένοιhaving received mercyPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐλεέωsubstantival participle (the formerly unpitied)→ perfect — the prior state of being unpitiedἐλεέω: 'have mercy, pity'; with οὐκ — the 'unpitied' of Hos 1:6 (Lo-Ruhamah).
νῦνnowtemporal adverbνῦν: 'now.'
δὲbutadversative particleδέ: 'but.'
ἐλεηθέντεςhaving received mercyAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐλεέωsubstantival participle (the now-pitied)→ aorist — the decisive act of mercy receivedἐλεέω: 'have mercy'; the now-pitied (Hos 2:25) — God's mercy reverses their state.
11
Ἀγαπητοί, παρακαλῶ ὡς παροίκους καὶ παρεπιδήμους ἀπέχεσθαι τῶν σαρκικῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν, αἵτινες στρατεύονται κατὰ τῆς ψυχῆς·
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the fleshly passions, which wage war against the soul,
A fresh address (Ἀγαπητοί) opens the ethical section. The pilgrim identity (παροίκους καὶ παρεπιδήμους) grounds the call to abstinence; the relative clause depicts the passions as combatants against the soul.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἈγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of direct addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the affectionate address opening the exhortation.
παρακαλῶI urgePres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (verb of exhortation)→ present — the apostle's ongoing appealπαρακαλέω: 'urge, exhort, beseech'; the verb of pastoral appeal.
ὡςascomparative particle (characterizing)ὡς: 'as'; framing their identity.
παροίκουςsojournersAccusativeaccusative (object of the implied 'you' as)πάροικος: 'resident alien, sojourner'; one dwelling beside, without citizenship — the church's status in the world.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρεπιδήμουςexilesAccusativeaccusative (parallel to παροίκους)παρεπίδημος: 'temporary resident, exile, pilgrim'; cf. 1:1 — the dispersion-pilgrim identity.
ἀπέχεσθαιto abstainPres Mid Infin · ἀπέχωinfinitive of indirect command (object of παρακαλῶ)→ present — continual abstainingἀπέχω (mid.): 'abstain, keep away from'; deliberate, ongoing self-distancing.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle modifying ἐπιθυμιῶν
σαρκικῶνfleshlyGenitiveattributive adjective modifying ἐπιθυμιῶνσαρκικός: 'fleshly, of the flesh'; pertaining to fallen human nature in rebellion.
ἐπιθυμιῶνpassionsGenitivegenitive after ἀπέχεσθαι (object of abstaining)ἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, passion'; the disordered cravings of the flesh.
αἵτινεςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative; subject)ὅστις: 'which (of such a kind)'; qualitative — 'the very sort that.'
στρατεύονταιwage warPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · στρατεύωverb of the relative clause→ present — the continual campaign of the passionsστρατεύω (mid.): 'wage war, campaign'; the passions as an army assaulting the soul (cf. Jas 4:1).
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition)κατά: 'against'; hostile direction.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle modifying ψυχῆς
ψυχῆςsoulGenitiveobject of κατάψυχή: 'soul, life'; the true self, the object of salvation (1:9), here under assault.
12
τὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἔχοντες καλήν, ἵνα ἐν ᾧ καταλαλοῦσιν ὑμῶν ὡς κακοποιῶν, ἐκ τῶν καλῶν ἔργων ἐποπτεύοντες δοξάσωσιν τὸν θεὸν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπισκοπῆς.
keeping your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that in the matter in which they slander you as evildoers, by observing your good works they may glorify God on the day of visitation.
The participle ἔχοντες extends the exhortation of v.11: honorable conduct is the church's apologetic. The ἵνα clause sets the missionary goal — slander overturned, the slanderers converted to praise on the visitation day.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
τὴνtheAccusativearticle modifying ἀναστροφήν
ἀναστροφὴνconductAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςἀναστροφή: 'conduct, way of life, behavior'; a keyword of the letter (1:15, 18; 3:1–2, 16).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possessionσύ: 'your.'
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location)ἐν: 'among, in.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle modifying ἔθνεσιν
ἔθνεσινGentilesDativeobject of ἐνἔθνος: 'nation, Gentile'; the pagan outsiders among whom the church lives.
ἔχοντεςkeepingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωimperatival/circumstantial participle (continuing v.11)→ present — the steady maintenance of honorable conductἔχω: 'have, hold, keep'; here 'keep (your conduct) honorable.'
καλήνhonorableAccusativepredicate adjective (object complement to ἀναστροφήν)καλός: 'good, honorable, beautiful'; conduct visibly noble to outsiders.
ἵναso thatconjunction introducing purpose clauseἵνα: 'in order that.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (the matter in which)ἐν: 'in (the matter in which).'
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun, object of ἐνὅς: relative pronoun; 'in the very thing in which.'
καταλαλοῦσινthey slanderPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καταλαλέωverb of the relative clause→ present — the ongoing slander of the pagansκαταλαλέω: 'speak against, slander'; cognate with καταλαλιά (v.1) — now the slander the church suffers.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of καταλαλοῦσινσύ: 'you'; the slandered believers.
ὡςascomparative particle (alleged character)ὡς: 'as'; the false charge.
κακοποιῶνevildoersGenitivegenitive in apposition to ὑμῶνκακοποιός: 'evildoer, criminal'; the slanderous accusation against Christians.
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (source/cause)ἐκ: 'from, by'; the source of their changed verdict.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle modifying ἔργων
καλῶνgoodGenitiveattributive adjective modifying ἔργωνκαλός: 'good, noble'; the visibly good deeds.
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἐκἔργον: 'work, deed'; the good deeds that refute the slander.
ἐποπτεύοντεςobservingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐποπτεύωcircumstantial participle (means; subject the Gentiles)→ present — the pagans' attentive watchingἐποπτεύω: 'observe, watch closely'; the outsiders attentively eyeing Christian conduct (cf. 3:2).
δοξάσωσινthey may glorifyAor Act Subj 3 Pl · δοξάζωsubjunctive in purpose clause (subject the Gentiles)→ aorist — the act of glorifying God, the converted verdictδοξάζω: 'glorify, praise'; the slanderers turned to praise (cf. Matt 5:16).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle modifying θεόν
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect object of δοξάσωσινθεός: 'God'; the one to be glorified.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)ἐν: 'on, in (the day).'
ἡμέρᾳdayDativeobject of ἐν (time)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of God's visiting.
ἐπισκοπῆςof visitationGenitivegenitive of descriptionἐπισκοπή: 'visitation, oversight'; God's coming to judge or to save (cf. Isa 10:3; Luke 19:44) — here likely the day of gracious visitation/conversion.
13
Ὑποτάγητε πάσῃ ἀνθρωπίνῃ κτίσει διὰ τὸν κύριον· εἴτε βασιλεῖ ὡς ὑπερέχοντι,
Submit yourselves to every human institution for the Lord's sake: whether to the emperor as supreme,
The governing imperative of the civic code. The motive is theological — διὰ τὸν κύριον. The εἴτε…εἴτε structure (vv.13–14) itemizes emperor and governors.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
Ὑποτάγητεsubmit yourselvesAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ὑποτάσσωmain imperative→ aorist — the decisive command to ordered submissionὑποτάσσω (pass.): 'submit, subordinate oneself'; the keyword of the household/civic code (vv.13, 18; 3:1, 5).
πάσῃeveryDativeattributive adjective modifying κτίσειπᾶς: 'every, all.'
ἀνθρωπίνῃhumanDativeattributive adjective modifying κτίσειἀνθρώπινος: 'human, of mankind'; the institution is 'human' — established among men, yet under God.
κτίσειinstitutionDativedative object of Ὑποτάγητεκτίσις: 'creation, institution, ordinance'; here a created/established authority — the civic order.
διὰfor the sake ofpreposition + accusative (cause/reason)διά: 'because of, for the sake of'; the motive of submission.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle modifying κύριον
κύριονLordAccusativeobject of διάκύριος: 'Lord'; submission rendered ultimately for Christ's sake, not the state's.
εἴτεwhethercorrelative conjunction (εἴτε … εἴτε)εἴτε: 'whether'; itemizing the authorities.
βασιλεῖto the emperorDativedative (in apposition to κτίσει)βασιλεύς: 'king, emperor'; here the Roman emperor (the supreme civil ruler).
ὡςascomparative particle (characterizing role)ὡς: 'as'; the ground of his honor.
ὑπερέχοντιsupremePres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ὑπερέχωsubstantival/attributive participle (the one over all)→ present — the emperor's standing position of preeminenceὑπερέχω: 'be superior, hold the highest place'; the emperor as the supreme civil authority.
14
εἴτε ἡγεμόσιν ὡς δι’ αὐτοῦ πεμπομένοις εἰς ἐκδίκησιν κακοποιῶν ἔπαινον δὲ ἀγαθοποιῶν·
or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do good.
The second εἴτε: governors as the emperor's delegates, with the classic two-fold function of the magistrate (cf. Rom 13:3–4) — punishing evil, praising good.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
εἴτεorcorrelative conjunction (second member)εἴτε: 'or whether.'
ἡγεμόσινto governorsDativedative (parallel to βασιλεῖ)ἡγεμών: 'governor, ruler'; provincial officials under the emperor.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as.'
δι’throughpreposition + genitive (agency)διά: 'through, by'; the emperor as the channel of their commission.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of διά (the emperor)αὐτός: 'him'; the emperor of v.13.
πεμπομένοιςsentPres Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · πέμπωattributive participle modifying ἡγεμόσιν→ present — their standing commission as those sentπέμπω: 'send'; the governors as delegated emissaries of imperial authority.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)εἰς: 'for, unto'; the purpose of their mission.
ἐκδίκησινpunishmentAccusativeobject of εἰςἐκδίκησις: 'punishment, vengeance, retribution'; the magistrate's penal function.
κακοποιῶνof evildoersGenitiveobjective genitiveκακοποιός: 'evildoer'; the proper objects of state punishment.
ἔπαινονpraiseAccusativeobject of εἰς (parallel to ἐκδίκησιν)ἔπαινος: 'praise, commendation'; the state's commendation of the good.
δὲandconnective particle (mild contrast)δέ: 'and, but'; pairing punishment with praise.
ἀγαθοποιῶνof those who do goodGenitiveobjective genitiveἀγαθοποιός: 'doer of good'; those the state should commend — the Christians' aim (v.15).
15
ὅτι οὕτως ἐστὶν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ, ἀγαθοποιοῦντας φιμοῦν τὴν τῶν ἀφρόνων ἀνθρώπων ἀγνωσίαν·
For so is the will of God, that by doing good you silence the ignorance of foolish men;
The theological warrant for submission and good-doing: God's will is that good conduct muzzle slander. The infinitive φιμοῦν with accusative participle ἀγαθοποιοῦντας names the means.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because, for'; grounding the exhortation.
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (forward-pointing)οὕτως: 'thus, so'; anticipating the infinitive clause.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ present — stative, the abiding will of Godεἰμί: 'be'; the copula linking 'so' to 'the will of God.'
τὸtheNominativearticle modifying θέλημα
θέλημαwillNominativesubject (predicate nominative)θέλημα: 'will'; God's will, defining the believers' conduct.
τοῦofGenitivearticle modifying θεοῦ
θεοῦGodGenitivesubjective/possessive genitiveθεός: 'God'; whose will it is.
ἀγαθοποιοῦνταςby doing goodPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἀγαθοποιέωcircumstantial participle (means; accusative subject of infinitive)→ present — the continual practice of good-doingἀγαθοποιέω: 'do good'; the means by which slander is silenced.
φιμοῦνto silencePres Act Infin · φιμόωepexegetical infinitive (defining the will of God)→ present — the ongoing muzzling of slanderφιμόω: 'muzzle, silence, gag'; vivid — to put a muzzle on the slander of the ignorant.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle modifying ἀγνωσίαν
τῶνof theGenitivearticle modifying ἀνθρώπων
ἀφρόνωνfoolishGenitiveattributive adjective modifying ἀνθρώπωνἄφρων: 'foolish, senseless'; lacking moral and spiritual sense.
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivepossessive genitive (whose ignorance)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; the slandering pagans.
ἀγνωσίανignoranceAccusativedirect object of φιμοῦνἀγνωσία: 'ignorance, lack of knowledge'; the uninformed hostility behind the slander.
16
ὡς ἐλεύθεροι, καὶ μὴ ὡς ἐπικάλυμμα ἔχοντες τῆς κακίας τὴν ἐλευθερίαν, ἀλλ’ ὡς θεοῦ δοῦλοι.
as free, yet not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as slaves of God.
The paradox of Christian liberty: free, yet God's slaves. Freedom is no license; submission is the free service of those owned by God. Three ὡς-phrases balance the claim.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὡςascomparative particle (characterizing)ὡς: 'as'; characterizing their status.
ἐλεύθεροιfreeNominativepredicate adjective (in apposition to the subject)ἐλεύθερος: 'free, free-born'; the believers' gospel freedom.
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: 'and (yet).'
μὴnotnegative (with participle)μή: 'not'; prohibiting the abuse of freedom.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as.'
ἐπικάλυμμαa cover-upAccusativepredicate accusative (object complement)ἐπικάλυμμα: 'covering, veil, cloak'; freedom misused as a screen for evil.
ἔχοντεςusingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωcircumstantial participle (continuing the ὡς-clauses)→ present — the manner of holding their freedomἔχω: 'have, hold, use'; 'holding/using freedom as a cloak.'
τῆςforGenitivearticle modifying κακίας
κακίαςevilGenitiveobjective genitive (cover for evil)κακία: 'evil, wickedness'; echoing v.1 — the freedom must not screen the very malice laid aside.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle modifying ἐλευθερίαν
ἐλευθερίανfreedomAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςἐλευθερία: 'freedom, liberty'; the gospel liberty not to be abused.
ἀλλ’butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the corrective.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as.'
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive genitive (whose slaves)θεός: 'God'; the true Owner whose service is perfect freedom.
δοῦλοιslavesNominativepredicate nominative (in apposition to subject)δοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant'; the believer's paradoxical freedom — owned by God.
17
πάντας τιμήσατε, τὴν ἀδελφότητα ἀγαπᾶτε, τὸν θεὸν φοβεῖσθε, τὸν βασιλέα τιμᾶτε.
Honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the emperor.
A crisp quatrain summing the section: the aorist τιμήσατε (general honor to all) framing three present imperatives. The first and last share the verb τιμάω — honor to all and to the emperor — while God alone is to be feared.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
πάνταςeveryoneAccusativedirect object of τιμήσατεπᾶς: 'all, everyone'; universal honor to all persons.
τιμήσατεhonorAor Act Impv 2 Pl · τιμάωimperative (general/constative)→ aorist — the comprehensive command to honor allτιμάω: 'honor, value'; the umbrella duty governing the rest.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle modifying ἀδελφότητα
ἀδελφότηταbrotherhoodAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπᾶτεἀδελφότης: 'brotherhood, fellowship of believers'; the Christian community (also 5:9).
ἀγαπᾶτεlovePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀγαπάωimperative→ present — the continual practice of loveἀγαπάω: 'love'; the special love owed to fellow believers.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle modifying θεόν
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect object of φοβεῖσθεθεός: 'God'; the sole object of religious fear.
φοβεῖσθεfearPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιimperative→ present — the abiding reverence due to Godφοβέομαι: 'fear, reverence'; God alone is feared — the emperor only honored (a pointed distinction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle modifying βασιλέα
βασιλέαemperorAccusativedirect object of τιμᾶτεβασιλεύς: 'king, emperor'; given honor, not the reverence due God.
τιμᾶτεhonorPres Act Impv 2 Pl · τιμάωimperative→ present — the continual honoring of the rulerτιμάω: 'honor'; the emperor receives honor, paralleling 'honor all' — but not divine fear.
18
Οἱ οἰκέται ὑποτασσόμενοι ἐν παντὶ φόβῳ τοῖς δεσπόταις, οὐ μόνον τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς καὶ ἐπιεικέσιν ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς σκολιοῖς.
Household servants, submitting yourselves with all respect to your masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the perverse.
The household-code addressed to servants. The participle ὑποτασσόμενοι functions imperativally (continuing v.13). The hard case is named: submission even to the unjust master, the bridge to Christ's example.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with vocative force) modifying οἰκέται
οἰκέταιhousehold servantsNominativenominative of address (subject of imperatival participle)οἰκέτης: 'house-slave, domestic servant'; the warmer term (vs. δοῦλος), one of the household.
ὑποτασσόμενοιsubmitting yourselvesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὑποτάσσωimperatival participle (continuing Ὑποτάγητε, v.13)→ present — the continual posture of submissionὑποτάσσω (mid.): 'submit, subordinate oneself'; the code's keyword applied to servants.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner)ἐν: 'in, with'; the manner of submission.
παντὶallDativeattributive adjective modifying φόβῳπᾶς: 'all, every.'
φόβῳrespectDativedative of mannerφόβος: 'fear, reverence, respect'; reverent submission, ultimately toward God (cf. v.17).
τοῖςtheDativearticle modifying δεσπόταις
δεσπόταιςmastersDativedative object of ὑποτασσόμενοιδεσπότης: 'master, lord, owner'; the household head.
οὐnotnegativeοὐ: 'not.'
μόνονonlyadverb (with οὐ … ἀλλὰ καί)μόνον: 'only'; part of the 'not only … but also' structure.
τοῖςtheDativearticle substantizing ἀγαθοῖς
ἀγαθοῖςgoodDativesubstantival adjective (kind of master)ἀγαθός: 'good, kind'; the benevolent master.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιεικέσινgentleDativesubstantival adjective (kind of master)ἐπιεικής: 'gentle, reasonable, forbearing'; the considerate master.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the harder case.
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunctionκαί: 'also.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle substantizing σκολιοῖς
σκολιοῖςperverseDativesubstantival adjective (kind of master)σκολιός: 'crooked, perverse, harsh'; the unjust master — submission even here is the point.
19
τοῦτο γὰρ χάρις εἰ διὰ συνείδησιν θεοῦ ὑποφέρει τις λύπας πάσχων ἀδίκως.
For this is grace, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
γάρ explains why submission even to the harsh is worthwhile: undeserved suffering borne for God's sake is χάρις — grace, what wins favor with God (cf. v.20). A first-class condition states the case.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative (subject)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing forward to the condition that follows.
γὰρforcausal/explanatory particleγάρ: 'for'; grounding the call to submit even to the harsh.
χάριςgraceNominativepredicate nominativeχάρις: 'grace, favor, credit'; here 'a gracious thing,' what finds favor with God (cf. Luke 6:32–34).
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; the condition assumed real.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διά: 'because of'; the motive of endurance.
συνείδησινconsciousnessAccusativeobject of διάσυνείδησις: 'conscience, consciousness, awareness'; here 'awareness of God' — endurance out of God-consciousness.
θεοῦof GodGenitiveobjective genitive (consciousness directed to God)θεός: 'God'; the object of the believer's awareness.
ὑποφέρειenduresPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑποφέρωverb of the conditional clause→ present — the ongoing bearing-up under sorrowὑποφέρω: 'bear up under, endure'; patient endurance of pain.
τιςsomeoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)τις: 'someone, anyone'; the suffering servant in view.
λύπαςsorrowsAccusativedirect object of ὑποφέρειλύπη: 'grief, pain, sorrow'; the sufferings borne.
πάσχωνsufferingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πάσχωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ present — suffering in progressπάσχω: 'suffer'; the keyword of the section (vv.19–23; cf. 1:11; 3:14).
ἀδίκωςunjustlyadverb of mannerἀδίκως: 'unjustly, undeservedly'; the suffering is unmerited — that is what makes it grace.
20
ποῖον γὰρ κλέος εἰ ἁμαρτάνοντες καὶ κολαφιζόμενοι ὑπομενεῖτε; ἀλλ’ εἰ ἀγαθοποιοῦντες καὶ πάσχοντες ὑπομενεῖτε, τοῦτο χάρις παρὰ θεῷ.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if, when you do good and suffer for it, you endure, this is grace before God.
A diatribe-style rhetorical question sharpens v.19: enduring deserved punishment earns no credit; enduring undeserved suffering for doing good is grace before God. The two conditions are exactly parallel but morally opposite.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ποῖονwhatNominativeinterrogative adjective modifying κλέοςποῖος: 'what kind of, what'; rhetorical — 'what sort of credit?'
γὰρforexplanatory particleγάρ: 'for'; developing v.19.
κλέοςcreditNominativesubject (predicate of implied copula)κλέος: 'glory, fame, credit'; a NT hapax — 'what honor is there?'
εἰifconjunction (condition)εἰ: 'if.'
ἁμαρτάνοντεςsinningPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἁμαρτάνωcircumstantial participle (condition/cause)→ present — doing wrongἁμαρτάνω: 'sin, do wrong'; the deserved-punishment case.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κολαφιζόμενοιbeing beatenPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κολαφίζωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ present — undergoing blowsκολαφίζω: 'strike with the fist, buffet'; the same verb of Christ's mistreatment (Matt 26:67).
ὑπομενεῖτεyou endureFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ὑπομένωverb of the conditional apodosis→ future — the endurance envisagedὑπομένω: 'endure, hold out, bear patiently'; steadfast endurance under hardship.
ἀλλ’butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the contrasting case.
εἰifconjunction (condition)εἰ: 'if.'
ἀγαθοποιοῦντεςdoing goodPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀγαθοποιέωcircumstantial participle (condition)→ present — the practice of goodἀγαθοποιέω: 'do good'; the undeserved-suffering case (cf. vv.14–15).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάσχοντεςsufferingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πάσχωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ present — suffering in progressπάσχω: 'suffer'; suffering for well-doing.
ὑπομενεῖτεyou endureFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ὑπομένωverb of the conditional apodosis→ future — the endurance envisagedὑπομένω: 'endure, hold out'; this endurance is what God commends.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative (subject)οὗτος: 'this'; the commended endurance.
χάριςgraceNominativepredicate nominativeχάρις: 'grace, favor'; favor with God (echoing v.19).
παρὰbeforepreposition + dative (in the judgment of)παρά: 'before, in the sight of'; God's estimate (cf. v.4).
θεῷGodDativeobject of παράθεός: 'God'; before whom the endurance is gracious.
21
εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ ἐκλήθητε, ὅτι καὶ Χριστὸς ἔπαθεν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ὑμῖν ὑπολιμπάνων ὑπογραμμὸν ἵνα ἐπακολουθήσητε τοῖς ἴχνεσιν αὐτοῦ·
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps:
The hinge of the section: undeserved suffering is the believers' very calling, grounded in Christ's own suffering 'for you.' He left a ὑπογραμμός — a copy-line for the pupil to trace. This launches the Isa 53 meditation (vv.22–25).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/purpose)εἰς: 'to, for'; the purpose of the calling.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative, object of εἰςοὗτος: 'this'; the patient endurance of v.20.
γὰρforcausal particleγάρ: 'for'; grounding the call in Christ's example.
ἐκλήθητεyou were calledAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · καλέωmain verb (divine passive)→ aorist — the decisive divine callκαλέω: 'call'; the believers' calling includes a calling to suffer (cf. 3:9).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; the christological ground.
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunctionκαί: 'also, even'; Christ too suffered.
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject of ἔπαθενΧριστός: 'Christ'; the model sufferer.
ἔπαθενsufferedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πάσχωmain verb→ aorist — the once-for-all suffering of the crossπάσχω: 'suffer'; the redemptive suffering, here also exemplary.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (substitution/benefit)ὑπέρ: 'for, on behalf of'; vicarious — for your benefit and in your place.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρσύ: 'you'; the beneficiaries of Christ's suffering.
ὑμῖνyouDativedative of advantage (indirect object of ὑπολιμπάνων)σύ: 'you'; for whom the example is left.
ὑπολιμπάνωνleavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὑπολιμπάνωcircumstantial participle (attendant/result)→ present — leaving behind a model for the followersὑπολιμπάνω: 'leave behind' (a rare by-form of ὑπολείπω); Christ leaves a pattern to be traced.
ὑπογραμμὸνan exampleAccusativedirect object of ὑπολιμπάνωνὑπογραμμός: 'copy, model, pattern'; a NT hapax — the writing-master's copy-line a pupil traces over.
ἵναthatconjunction introducing purpose clauseἵνα: 'in order that.'
ἐπακολουθήσητεyou should followAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐπακολουθέωsubjunctive in purpose clause→ aorist — the act of following, viewed wholeἐπακολουθέω: 'follow closely, follow after'; to walk in his footprints.
τοῖςtheDativearticle modifying ἴχνεσιν
ἴχνεσινstepsDativedative object of ἐπακολουθήσητεἴχνος: 'footprint, track'; the steps of Christ to be retraced.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτός: 'his'; Christ's own footsteps.
22
ὃς ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ·
who committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth;
The first of the Isa 53 strophes. A near-verbatim citation of Isa 53:9 LXX: Christ's sinlessness — no act of sin, no guile in speech — the spotless Servant who suffered though innocent (cf. δόλον, v.1).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject; antecedent Χριστός)ὅς: relative pronoun; resuming Christ of v.21.
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησενἁμαρτία: 'sin'; from Isa 53:9 LXX — he did no sin.
οὐκnotnegativeοὐ: 'not.'
ἐποίησενcommittedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ aorist — the summary verdict on his lifeποιέω: 'do, commit'; 'did no sin' — Christ's perfect innocence.
οὐδὲneithernegative conjunctionοὐδέ: 'nor, neither'; the second negation.
εὑρέθηwas foundAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ aorist — the divine examination's resultεὑρίσκω: 'find'; passive — no deceit was discovered in him.
δόλοςdeceitNominativesubject of εὑρέθηδόλος: 'deceit, guile'; from Isa 53:9 — the same vice the readers must lay aside (v.1).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)ἐν: 'in.'
τῷtheDativearticle modifying στόματι
στόματιmouthDativeobject of ἐνστόμα: 'mouth'; the seat of speech — no guile in his words.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτός: 'his'; Christ's mouth.
23
ὃς λοιδορούμενος οὐκ ἀντελοιδόρει, πάσχων οὐκ ἠπείλει, παρεδίδου δὲ τῷ κρίνοντι δικαίως·
who, when reviled, did not revile in return; when suffering, did not threaten, but kept entrusting himself to the one who judges justly;
The second strophe: Christ's non-retaliation under abuse, the model for the suffering servant of v.18. The three imperfects (ἀντελοιδόρει, ἠπείλει, παρεδίδου) depict his sustained restraint and trustful self-committal to God the Judge.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)ὅς: relative pronoun; continuing the description of Christ.
λοιδορούμενοςbeing reviledPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λοιδορέωcircumstantial participle (concessive/temporal)→ present — while being abusedλοιδορέω: 'revile, abuse, insult'; the verbal abuse Christ bore.
οὐκnotnegativeοὐ: 'not.'
ἀντελοιδόρειrevile in returnImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀντιλοιδορέωmain verb→ imperfect — his sustained refusal to retaliateἀντιλοιδορέω: 'revile back, return abuse'; a NT hapax — he did not answer insult with insult.
πάσχωνsufferingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πάσχωcircumstantial participle (temporal/concessive)→ present — while sufferingπάσχω: 'suffer'; the section's keyword.
οὐκnotnegativeοὐ: 'not.'
ἠπείλειthreatenImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπειλέωmain verb→ imperfect — his sustained restraint from threatsἀπειλέω: 'threaten, warn'; he uttered no threats of revenge.
παρεδίδουkept entrustingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (contrastive)→ imperfect — his continual handing-over of himself/his cause to Godπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, entrust, commit'; the object (himself or his cause) is unexpressed — he entrusted all to God's just judgment.
δὲbutadversative particleδέ: 'but'; the positive counterpart to the two negations.
τῷto the oneDativearticle substantizing the participle
κρίνοντιwho judgesPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · κρίνωsubstantival participle (indirect object of παρεδίδου)→ present — God's continual righteous judgingκρίνω: 'judge'; God the righteous Judge to whom Christ committed his cause (cf. Isa 53:7–8).
δικαίωςjustlyadverb of mannerδικαίως: 'justly, righteously'; God judges with perfect justice — the ground of Christ's trust.
24
ὃς τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν αὐτὸς ἀνήνεγκεν ἐν τῷ σώματι αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον, ἵνα ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἀπογενόμενοι τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ ζήσωμεν· οὗ τῷ μώλωπι ἰάθητε.
who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose wound you were healed.
The climactic strophe moves from example to atonement: the Servant bears our sins on the tree (Isa 53:12), with a purpose (death to sin, life to righteousness) and the healing-by-wounds of Isa 53:5. The αὐτός is emphatic — he himself, no other.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)ὅς: relative pronoun; continuing the description of Christ.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle modifying ἁμαρτίας
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativedirect object of ἀνήνεγκενἁμαρτία: 'sin'; 'our sins' — the burden the Servant carried (Isa 53:4, 12).
ἡμῶνourGenitivepossessive genitiveἐγώ: 'our'; the sins belong to us, borne by him.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (emphatic, with subject)αὐτός: intensive — 'he himself,' in his own person, bore them.
ἀνήνεγκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb→ aorist — the once-for-all bearing of sin on the crossἀναφέρω: 'carry up, bear, offer'; double sense — he carried our sins and offered them up on the altar of the cross (cf. v.5; Isa 53:12).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location/sphere)ἐν: 'in.'
τῷtheDativearticle modifying σώματι
σώματιbodyDativeobject of ἐνσῶμα: 'body'; the locus of the atoning suffering — his physical body.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτός: 'his'; Christ's own body.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (place, 'up onto')ἐπί: 'on, upon'; the sins carried up onto the tree.
τὸtheAccusativearticle modifying ξύλον
ξύλονtreeAccusativeobject of ἐπίξύλον: 'wood, tree'; the cross as 'tree' (Deut 21:23; cf. Acts 5:30; Gal 3:13) — the curse-bearing place.
ἵναthatconjunction introducing purpose clauseἵνα: 'in order that.'
ταῖςtheDativearticle modifying ἁμαρτίαις
ἁμαρτίαιςto sinsDativedative of reference (with ἀπογενόμενοι)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the sphere we have died away from.
ἀπογενόμενοιhaving diedAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀπογίνομαιcircumstantial participle (means/manner)→ aorist — the decisive break with sinἀπογίνομαι: 'die, depart from, cease to exist (for)'; a NT hapax — 'having died/been done with sins.'
τῇtoDativearticle modifying δικαιοσύνῃ
δικαιοσύνῃrighteousnessDativedative of reference (with ζήσωμεν)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the new realm of life — living to/for righteousness.
ζήσωμενwe might liveAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ζάωsubjunctive in purpose clause→ aorist — the new life as the goal of the atonementζάω: 'live'; the goal — a life given over to righteousness (cf. Rom 6:11).
οὗwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (possessive, with μώλωπι)ὅς: relative pronoun; 'by whose wound.'
τῷtheDativearticle modifying μώλωπι
μώλωπιwoundDativedative of means/instrumentμώλωψ: 'welt, bruise, wound from a blow'; from Isa 53:5 LXX — healing through his stripe.
ἰάθητεyou were healedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἰάομαιmain verb (divine passive)→ aorist — the accomplished healing through the crossἰάομαι: 'heal'; from Isa 53:5 — the paradox of being healed by his wound (spiritual healing from sin).
25
ἦτε γὰρ ὡς πρόβατα πλανώμενοι, ἀλλὰ ἐπεστράφητε νῦν ἐπὶ τὸν ποιμένα καὶ ἐπίσκοπον τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν.
For you were straying like sheep, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
The closing strophe applies Isa 53:6 to the readers: once wandering sheep, now returned to Christ as Shepherd and Overseer. The 'then/now' (ἦτε … νῦν) seals the section, naming Christ the Guardian of souls — the very souls under assault in v.11.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἦτεyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (with participle, periphrastic-like)→ imperfect — the former, ongoing state of strayingεἰμί: 'be'; describing the past condition.
γὰρforexplanatory particleγάρ: 'for'; grounding the 'healing' of v.24 in their conversion.
ὡςlikecomparative particle (simile)ὡς: 'as, like'; the sheep simile (Isa 53:6).
πρόβαταsheepNominativepredicate of the simile (nominative of comparison)πρόβατον: 'sheep'; from Isa 53:6 — 'all we like sheep have gone astray.'
πλανώμενοιstrayingPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πλανάωpredicate participle (with ἦτε; the past condition)→ present — the continual wandering of the lostπλανάω (pass.): 'wander, go astray, be led astray'; the lost sheep image of Isa 53:6.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the conversion-turn.
ἐπεστράφητεyou have returnedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb→ aorist — the decisive turning of conversionἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back, return, be converted'; the sheep brought home to the Shepherd.
νῦνnowtemporal adverbνῦν: 'now'; the present state of grace (the 'then/now' contrast).
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)ἐπί: 'to, unto'; the return's destination.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle modifying ποιμένα
ποιμέναShepherdAccusativeobject of ἐπίποιμήν: 'shepherd'; Christ the Shepherd (cf. 5:4; John 10; Ezek 34) to whom the sheep return.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπίσκοπονOverseerAccusativeobject of ἐπί (joined to ποιμένα)ἐπίσκοπος: 'overseer, guardian, bishop'; Christ the Guardian of souls (cf. ἐπισκοπή, v.12).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle modifying ψυχῶν
ψυχῶνsoulsGenitiveobjective genitive (whom he shepherds)ψυχή: 'soul, life'; the souls under his care — the same souls warred upon in v.11.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitiveσύ: 'your'; the readers' own souls.