1
Πρεσβυτέρους οὖν ἐν ὑμῖν παρακαλῶ ὁ συμπρεσβύτερος καὶ μάρτυς τῶν τοῦ Χριστοῦ παθημάτων, ὁ καὶ τῆς μελλούσης ἀποκαλύπτεσθαι δόξης κοινωνός·
The elders among you therefore I exhort, the fellow-elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that is about to be revealed:
The οὖν draws a pastoral conclusion from the foregoing (esp. the judgment beginning at God's house, 4:17): Peter turns to address the elders directly, leveling himself with them as συμπρεσβύτερος and grounding his appeal in his eyewitness share in Christ's sufferings and coming glory.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ΠρεσβυτέρουςeldersAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the leaders of the local congregation, here addressed as a body — fronted to mark the new addressee.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; drawing a consequence from the prior call to suffer as Christians and the judgment beginning at God's household (4:17).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativedat. of sphere
παρακαλῶI exhortPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ customary presentπαρακαλέω: 'urge, exhort, appeal' (lit. 'call alongside'); pastoral entreaty among equals rather than a magisterial command.
ὁtheNominativearticle
συμπρεσβύτεροςfellow-elderNominativenom. in apposition to subject of παρακαλῶσυμπρεσβύτερος: 'fellow-elder' (συν- + πρεσβύτερος); a NT hapax — Peter sets himself alongside, not above, the elders he addresses.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μάρτυςwitnessNominativenom. in apposition (coordinate)μάρτυς: 'witness'; one who testifies — Peter as eyewitness of the passion (cf. Acts 1:8; 2:32), grounding his authority to exhort.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (w/ παθημάτων)
τοῦofGenitivearticle (w/ Χριστοῦ)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive (whose sufferings)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the sufferings are his — the theme woven through the letter (1:11; 2:21; 3:18; 4:13).
παθημάτωνsufferingsGenitiveobjective genitive (witness of the sufferings)πάθημα: 'suffering, affliction'; Christ's passion, to which the elders' flock is also conformed.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes κοινωνός phrase)
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (w/ δόξης)
μελλούσηςabout toPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · μέλλωattributive participle (w/ infinitive)→ imminent/future-referring presentμέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to'; the glory is certain and near — the eschatological unveiling at Christ's appearing (v.4).
ἀποκαλύπτεσθαιbe revealedPres Pass Inf · ἀποκαλύπτωcomplementary infinitive (w/ μελλούσης)→ present (process)ἀποκαλύπτω: 'unveil, disclose'; the glory now hidden, to be revealed — a key letter-motif (1:5, 7, 13; 4:13).
δόξηςgloryGenitivegenitive (objective, share in the glory)δόξα: 'glory'; the radiance Peter both witnessed (Transfiguration; 2 Pet 1:16–18) and will share — fellow-partaker with the elders.
κοινωνόςpartakerNominativenom. in apposition (predicate of ὁ)κοινωνός: 'sharer, partner'; Peter shares not only the witnessing of suffering but the coming glory — binding pastor and flock to one hope.
2
ποιμάνατε τὸ ἐν ὑμῖν ποίμνιον τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐπισκοποῦντες μὴ ἀναγκαστῶς ἀλλὰ ἑκουσίως κατὰ θεόν, μηδὲ αἰσχροκερδῶς ἀλλὰ προθύμως,
shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have it, nor for shameful gain but eagerly,
The substance of the appeal (v.1): an imperative to shepherd, qualified by three antithetical adverb-pairs (willing vs. compelled, eager vs. greedy, exemplary vs. domineering, v.3) that define faithful eldership over against its corruptions.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ποιμάνατεshepherdAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιμαίνωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive/constative aorist imperativeποιμαίνω: 'shepherd, tend'; echoes the risen Lord's charge to Peter (John 21:16) — feed, lead, and guard the flock.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (w/ ποίμνιον)
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativedat. of sphere (attributive to ποίμνιον)
ποίμνιονflockAccusativedirect objectποίμνιον: 'flock'; the congregation as God's sheep — the elders' charge, not their possession.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (w/ θεοῦ)
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession (whose flock)θεός: God; the flock belongs to God — the ground of accountable, non-self-serving oversight.
ἐπισκοποῦντεςexercising oversightPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐπισκοπέωadverbial participle (means/manner)→ present (ongoing)ἐπισκοπέω: 'oversee, watch over'; the cognate of ἐπίσκοπος — eldership as watchful pastoral care, here defined by the adverb-pairs.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ participle)
ἀναγκαστῶςunder compulsionadverb of mannerἀναγκαστῶς: 'by constraint, under compulsion'; a NT hapax — oversight grudgingly performed as duty, the first vice rejected.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἑκουσίωςwillinglyadverb of mannerἑκουσίως: 'willingly, of one's own free will'; the glad, voluntary spirit of true pastoral service.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of κατά (norm: 'as God wills')θεός: God; κατὰ θεόν = 'in accordance with God,' marking the willingness as conformed to God's own will.
μηδὲnornegative coordinating particle
αἰσχροκερδῶςfor shameful gainadverb of mannerαἰσχροκερδῶς: 'in a manner greedy for base gain' (αἰσχρός + κέρδος); a NT hapax — the second vice, mercenary motive in ministry.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
προθύμωςeagerlyadverb of mannerπροθύμως: 'eagerly, readily, with zeal'; the wholehearted readiness that contrasts with greed.
3
μηδ' ὡς κατακυριεύοντες τῶν κλήρων ἀλλὰ τύποι γινόμενοι τοῦ ποιμνίου·
nor as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but becoming examples to the flock;
The third and climactic contrast of the charge (vv.2–3): not the domineering posture of worldly rulers but the leadership of example — authority exercised through imitable holiness, anticipating the Chief Shepherd's own pattern (2:21).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
μηδ'nornegative coordinating particleμηδέ: 'and not, nor'; continuing the negated manner-clauses of v.2.
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)ὡς: 'as'; characterizing the rejected manner of oversight.
κατακυριεύοντεςlording it overPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κατακυριεύωadverbial participle (manner, negated)→ present (ongoing)κατακυριεύω: 'subdue, lord it over, dominate'; the very verb of Gentile rulers Jesus forbade his own (Mark 10:42; Matt 20:25).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (w/ κλήρων)
κλήρωνthose allottedGenitivegenitive (object of κατακυριεύοντες)κλῆρος: 'lot, portion, that assigned'; here the people/charges allotted to each elder — God's heritage entrusted, not owned (cf. Deut 9:29).
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τύποιexamplesNominativepredicate nominative (w/ γινόμενοι)τύπος: 'pattern, model, example'; the elder leads by being imitable — a stamped impression others may follow (cf. Phil 3:17).
γινόμενοιbecomingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γίνομαιadverbial participle (manner, positive)→ present (ongoing)γίνομαι: 'become, prove to be'; the elders are to keep becoming patterns — an ongoing formation, not a static office.
τοῦto theGenitivearticle (w/ ποιμνίου)
ποιμνίουflockGenitiveobjective/possessive genitive ('to the flock')ποίμνιον: 'flock'; the same charge of v.2 — now those who watch the flock are to model its life before it.
4
καὶ φανερωθέντος τοῦ ἀρχιποίμενος κομιεῖσθε τὸν ἀμαράντινον τῆς δόξης στέφανον.
and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
The eschatological incentive sealing the charge: faithful under-shepherds will be vindicated by the ἀρχιποίμην at his manifestation, receiving an imperishable glory-crown — set pointedly against the perishable 'gain' (v.2) renounced now.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φανερωθέντοςhaving appearedAor Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · φανερόωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aoristφανερόω: 'make manifest, reveal'; the genitive absolute ('when [he] is manifested') sets the time — Christ's eschatological appearing.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (w/ ἀρχιποίμενος)
ἀρχιποίμενοςChief ShepherdGenitivesubject of genitive absoluteἀρχιποίμην: 'chief shepherd' (ἀρχι- + ποιμήν); a rare term — Christ over the under-shepherds (cf. 2:25, the 'Shepherd and Overseer of souls').
κομιεῖσθεyou will receiveFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · κομίζωmain verb→ predictive futureκομίζω (mid.): 'receive, carry off (for oneself)'; to be paid one's due — the reward awaited at the Parousia (cf. 1:9).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (w/ στέφανον)
ἀμαράντινονunfadingAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀμαράντινος: 'unfading, amaranthine'; like the inheritance of 1:4 (ἀμάραντον) — a wreath that, unlike the athlete's, never withers.
τῆςofGenitivearticle (w/ δόξης)
δόξηςgloryGenitivegenitive of content/apposition (the crown that is glory)δόξα: 'glory'; epexegetical — the crown consists in glory itself, the δόξα Peter shares (v.1).
στέφανονcrownAccusativedirect objectστέφανος: 'wreath, victor's crown'; the garland of the games or the festal honor — here the imperishable reward of faithful service.
5
Ὁμοίως, νεώτεροι, ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις· πάντες δὲ ἀλλήλοις τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν.
Likewise, you younger ones, submit to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Ὁμοίως turns from elders to the younger and then to all: a call to mutual humility, vividly imaged as putting on the servant's apron (ἐγκομβόομαι), grounded in the Proverbs 3:34 maxim (LXX) that God resists the proud — the citation shared with James 4:6 and the hinge into vv.6–7.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Ὁμοίωςlikewiseadverb (transitional)ὁμοίως: 'likewise, in the same way'; binding the new exhortation to the preceding charge — a recurring connector in the letter (3:1, 7).
νεώτεροιyounger onesVocativevocative of addressνεώτερος: 'younger, the young'; the younger members over against the πρεσβύτεροι — perhaps with overtones of those newer in the faith.
ὑποτάγητεsubmitAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ὑποτάσσωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeὑποτάσσω (pass.): 'submit, be subject'; the letter's order-keeping verb (2:13, 18; 3:1) — voluntary deference, not servility.
πρεσβυτέροιςto the eldersDativedative (complement of ὑποτάγητε)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; resuming v.1 — the leaders to whom the younger defer.
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; widening the address from the younger to the whole congregation.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ἀλλήλοιςtoward one anotherDativereciprocal dative (relationship)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the mutual scope of the humility enjoined.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (w/ ταπεινοφροσύνην)
ταπεινοφροσύνηνhumilityAccusativedirect object (the garment 'put on')ταπεινοφροσύνη: 'humility, lowliness of mind'; the Christian virtue prized where the Greco-Roman world saw weakness — to be worn like a garment.
ἐγκομβώσασθεclothe yourselves withAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἐγκομβόομαιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἐγκομβόομαι: 'tie on (as an apron/garment)'; a NT hapax from κόμβος ('knot') — to fasten on the slave's apron, perhaps recalling Jesus girding himself (John 13).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introduces citation)ὅτι: 'because'; grounding the call to humility in Scripture (Prov 3:34 LXX).
ὁtheNominativearticle (w/ θεός)
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the agent of the dual response — resistance to the proud, grace to the lowly.
ὑπερηφάνοιςthe proudDativedative (object of ἀντιτάσσεται)ὑπερήφανος: 'arrogant, haughty' (lit. 'showing oneself above'); the self-exalting whom God sets himself against.
ἀντιτάσσεταιopposesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀντιτάσσωmain verb (citation)→ gnomic presentἀντιτάσσω (mid.): 'set oneself against, oppose' (a military term, 'array against'); God draws up battle-line against pride.
ταπεινοῖςto the humbleDativedat. of indirect object (fronted, contrast)ταπεινός: 'lowly, humble'; the recipients of grace — the antithesis to the proud.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
δίδωσινgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (citation)→ gnomic presentδίδωμι: 'give'; God bestows grace on the lowly — the promise that drives the self-humbling of v.6.
χάρινgraceAccusativedirect objectχάρις: 'grace, favor'; the divine gift to the humble — picked up in 'the God of all grace' (v.10).
6
Ταπεινώθητε οὖν ὑπὸ τὴν κραταιὰν χεῖρα τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα ὑμᾶς ὑψώσῃ ἐν καιρῷ,
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
The οὖν draws the imperative directly from the citation: since God gives grace to the humble, humble yourselves — submitting to his 'mighty hand' (an OT exodus image of saving power) in confident hope of exaltation at his appointed time (ἐν καιρῷ).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Ταπεινώθητεhumble yourselvesAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ταπεινόωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeταπεινόω: 'humble, make low'; passive-reflexive — submit to God's lowering hand, the cognate of ταπεινός (v.5).
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; inferring the command from the maxim of v.5b.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (place/subordination)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (w/ χεῖρα)
κραταιὰνmightyAccusativeattributive adjectiveκραταιός: 'mighty, strong'; with 'hand' a fixed OT phrase for God's powerful, saving action (Exod 3:19; Deut 9:26).
χεῖραhandAccusativeobject of ὑπόχείρ: 'hand'; the 'mighty hand of God' both chastens and delivers — submission under it is the posture of trust.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (w/ θεοῦ)
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession (whose hand)
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: 'in order that'; introducing the divinely promised purpose of self-humbling.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ὑψώσῃ (fronted)
ὑψώσῃhe may exaltAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ὑψόωverb of ἵνα clause→ constative aoristὑψόω: 'lift up, exalt'; the divine reversal — the humbled are raised (cf. Luke 14:11; Matt 23:12), here at the appointed time.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
καιρῷdue timeDativedat. of time (when)καιρός: 'appointed time, opportune moment'; God's own time of vindication — the eschatological 'last time' (1:5).
7
πᾶσαν τὴν μέριμναν ὑμῶν ἐπιρίψαντες ἐπ' αὐτόν, ὅτι αὐτῷ μέλει περὶ ὑμῶν.
casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
The participle ἐπιρίψαντες specifies how one humbles oneself (v.6): by hurling every worry onto God — an act of dependent faith — grounded in the assurance that he personally cares (a striking echo of Ps 55:22 and the dominical 'do not be anxious').
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of anxiety — nothing withheld from God.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (w/ μέριμναν)
μέριμνανanxietyAccusativedirect object of ἐπιρίψαντεςμέριμνα: 'care, anxiety, worry'; the burdening concern of life (cf. Matt 6:25–34) — collected as one weight and thrown off.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐπιρίψαντεςhaving castAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιρίπτωadverbial participle (means/manner, w/ v.6 imperative)→ constative aorist (coincident action)ἐπιρίπτω: 'throw upon, cast on'; the vivid verb of Ps 54:23 LXX (55:22) and of flinging garments on the colt (Luke 19:35) — a decisive heaving-off of worry.
ἐπ'onpreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπί (whom the burden is cast on)αὐτός: 'him'; God, under whose mighty hand (v.6) the anxiety is laid down.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; grounding the casting in God's caring concern.
αὐτῷto himDativedative w/ impersonal μέλειαὐτός: 'him'; the dative of the one to whom it matters — 'it is a care to him.'
μέλειit mattersPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μέλειimpersonal main verb→ stative presentμέλει: '(it) is a care, concern'; impersonal — 'he cares,' the personal, attentive concern of God for his people.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (reference)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of περί (the object of God's care)
8
Νήψατε, γρηγορήσατε. ὁ ἀντίδικος ὑμῶν διάβολος ὡς λέων ὠρυόμενος περιπατεῖ ζητῶν τινα καταπιεῖν·
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour;
Two staccato asyndetic imperatives launch the warning: trustful casting of cares (v.7) does not mean lowered guard. The devil, named ἀντίδικος (legal accuser) and διάβολος (slanderer), is pictured as a hungry lion on the prowl — the menace that vigilance must meet.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Νήψατεbe soberAor Act Impv 2 Pl · νήφωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeνήφω: 'be sober, self-controlled, clear-minded'; spiritual sobriety, a recurring summons (1:13; 4:7) — alertness against intoxicating illusion.
γρηγορήσατεbe watchfulAor Act Impv 2 Pl · γρηγορέωmain verb (imperative, asyndeton)→ ingressive aorist imperativeγρηγορέω: 'be awake, watch, stay alert'; the Gethsemane watchword (Mark 14:38) — wakeful readiness against the prowling foe.
ὁtheNominativearticle (w/ ἀντίδικος)
ἀντίδικοςadversaryNominativesubjectἀντίδικος: 'opponent at law, adversary' (the prosecuting party in a lawsuit); Satan as accuser (cf. Job 1; Zech 3:1; Rev 12:10).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive/objective genitive
διάβολοςthe devilNominativeapposition to ἀντίδικοςδιάβολος: 'slanderer, accuser' (the Devil); the LXX rendering of śāṭān — the personal enemy of God's people.
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'like, as'; introducing the lion-simile (cf. Ps 22:13).
λέωνa lionNominativepredicate of comparisonλέων: 'lion'; the image of ravening, predatory menace stalking the flock.
ὠρυόμενοςroaringPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὠρύομαιattributive participle (w/ λέων)→ present (ongoing)ὠρύομαι: 'roar, howl'; the hunting-roar of a lion seeking prey — a NT hapax evoking Ps 21:14 LXX (22:13).
περιπατεῖprowls aboutPres Act Indic 3 Sg · περιπατέωmain verb→ customary present (habitual)περιπατέω: 'walk about, go around'; the restless circling of the predator (cf. Job 1:7, Satan roaming the earth).
ζητῶνseekingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ζητέωadverbial participle (purpose)→ present (ongoing)ζητέω: 'seek, look for'; the devil's purposeful hunt — actively casting about for a victim.
τιναsomeoneAccusativedirect object (of καταπιεῖν)τις: 'someone, anyone'; the indefinite prey — the devil will take whomever he can.
καταπιεῖνto devourAor Act Inf · καταπίνωcomplementary infinitive (object of ζητῶν)→ constative aoristκαταπίνω: 'swallow down, devour, gulp' (κατά + πίνω); the lion's consuming of its prey — total destruction is the aim.
9
ᾧ ἀντίστητε στερεοὶ τῇ πίστει, εἰδότες τὰ αὐτὰ τῶν παθημάτων τῇ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ὑμῶν ἀδελφότητι ἐπιτελεῖσθαι.
resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of sufferings are being accomplished in your brotherhood throughout the world.
The relative ᾧ (resuming the devil) commands resistance — not flight: stand firm by faith. The closing participle εἰδότες consoles by solidarity: the readers' afflictions are not anomalous but the common lot of the worldwide ἀδελφότης, being brought to completion under God's purpose.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (dat. w/ ἀντίστητε)ὅς: relative pronoun, resuming the devil (v.8) — the one to be resisted.
ἀντίστητεresistAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀνθίστημιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀνθίστημι: 'stand against, resist, withstand'; firm opposition (cf. James 4:7, 'resist the devil and he will flee').
στερεοὶfirmNominativepredicate adjective (manner)στερεός: 'firm, solid, steadfast'; the stability of those who stand on faith — immovable like rock.
τῇin theDativearticle (w/ πίστει)
πίστειfaithDativedat. of respect (firm with respect to faith)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; the sphere or instrument of firmness — perhaps both 'your faith' and the body of belief.
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαadverbial participle (cause/manner)→ perfect with present force (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know'; the perfect-as-present of settled awareness — the consolation that grounds steadfast resistance.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (w/ αὐτὰ)
αὐτὰsame thingsAccusativeacc. subject of infinitive (substantival adj.)αὐτός: 'same'; 'the same [experiences]' — the readers' sufferings match those of believers everywhere.
τῶνofGenitivearticle (w/ παθημάτων)
παθημάτωνsufferingsGenitivepartitive/epexegetical genitive (the same in kind of sufferings)πάθημα: 'suffering, affliction'; the same as Christ's (v.1) and the world's brotherhood — afflictions shared in kind.
τῇin theDativearticle (w/ ἀδελφότητι)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle (w/ κόσμῳ)
κόσμῳworldDativeobject of ἐν (place: 'in the world')κόσμος: 'world'; the worldwide scope of the suffering church — the readers are not alone.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive (w/ ἀδελφότητι)
ἀδελφότητιbrotherhoodDativedative of reference (in whom the sufferings are accomplished)ἀδελφότης: 'brotherhood, the community of believers'; a term distinctive to 1 Peter (also 2:17) — the family of faith bound in common suffering.
ἐπιτελεῖσθαιare being accomplishedPres Pass Inf · ἐπιτελέωinfinitive in indirect discourse (object of εἰδότες)→ present (in process)ἐπιτελέω: 'complete, accomplish, bring to fulfillment'; the sufferings are being 'paid in full' / brought to their appointed measure — purposeful, not random.
10
Ὁ δὲ θεὸς πάσης χάριτος, ὁ καλέσας ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον αὐτοῦ δόξαν ἐν Χριστῷ, ὀλίγον παθόντας αὐτὸς καταρτίσει, στηρίξει, σθενώσει, θεμελιώσει.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and ground you.
The δέ turns from the readers' duty to God's promise: the suffering He permits is brief (ὀλίγον), but He — the 'God of all grace' who effectually called them — will Himself (αὐτός, emphatic) act, the four piled-up future verbs hammering home a fourfold restoration that crowns the body of the letter.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ὉtheNominativearticle (w/ θεὸς)
δὲanddevelopmental/contrastive conjunction
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the subject of the fourfold promise — set against the prowling devil (v.8) and the readers' weakness.
πάσηςof allGenitiveattributive adjective (w/ χάριτος)πᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive source — every kind of grace flows from him.
χάριτοςgraceGenitivegenitive of source/quality (God characterized by grace)χάρις: 'grace'; the 'God of all grace' is the giver of grace to the humble (v.5) — the title that anchors the assurance.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes καλέσας)
καλέσαςwho calledAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καλέωsubstantival participle (apposition to θεὸς)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call'; the effectual divine call to glory (cf. 1:15; 2:9) — the guarantee that the caller will complete his work.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of καλέσας
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (w/ δόξαν)
αἰώνιονeternalAccusativeattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal, everlasting'; the glory is unending — over against the 'little while' of present suffering.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (w/ δόξαν)
δόξανgloryAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the call)δόξα: 'glory'; the destiny of the called — the same glory the elders will share (v.1, 4).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of the calling/glory)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the glory is reached only in union with him — the mediating sphere of the call.
ὀλίγονa little whileAccusativeadverbial accusative (extent of time)ὀλίγος: 'little, small, brief'; here adverbial — the present suffering is short by contrast with eternal glory (cf. 1:6).
παθόνταςhaving sufferedAor Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · πάσχωadverbial participle (temporal/concessive, agreeing w/ ὑμᾶς)→ constative aorist (antecedent)πάσχω: 'suffer, experience'; the letter's signature verb (2:19–23; 3:14, 17; 4:1, 19) — the brief affliction preceding restoration.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (w/ subject θεὸς)αὐτός: 'himself'; emphatic — God personally and in his own power will accomplish the fourfold work.
καταρτίσειwill restoreFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καταρτίζωmain verb (first of four)→ predictive futureκαταρτίζω: 'restore, mend, make complete, equip'; to set right what is broken (nets, Mark 1:19) — God repairs and perfects the sufferers.
στηρίξειwill establishFut Act Indic 3 Sg · στηρίζωmain verb (second of four, asyndeton)→ predictive futureστηρίζω: 'make firm, establish, confirm'; the very charge to Peter ('strengthen your brothers,' Luke 22:32) now passed to the flock.
σθενώσειwill strengthenFut Act Indic 3 Sg · σθενόωmain verb (third of four, asyndeton)→ predictive futureσθενόω: 'strengthen, make strong'; a NT hapax (from σθένος, 'strength') — God infuses might into the weak.
θεμελιώσειwill groundFut Act Indic 3 Sg · θεμελιόωmain verb (fourth of four, asyndeton)→ predictive futureθεμελιόω: 'lay a foundation, ground firmly' (from θεμέλιος); the climactic image — built on rock, immovable (cf. Matt 7:25).
11
αὐτῷ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.
To him be the dominion forever. Amen.
A brief doxology (verbless) closing the letter's body: to the God of all grace belongs the κράτος — the might that secures the promise of v.10 — forever, sealed with the liturgical ἀμήν (cf. the fuller doxology of 4:11).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of possession (in doxology)αὐτός: 'him'; God, the subject of v.10 — to whom dominion is ascribed.
τὸtheNominativearticle (w/ κράτος)
κράτοςdominionNominativesubject (verbless doxology, 'be' supplied)κράτος: 'might, power, dominion'; the sovereign strength of God — fitting the One who will Himself strengthen (v.10).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (w/ αἰῶνας)
αἰῶναςagesAccusativeobject of εἰς ('unto the ages' = forever)αἰών: 'age'; the idiom εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας = 'forever, for all ages' — the eternal scope of God's dominion.
ἀμήνamenliturgical affirmation (indeclinable)ἀμήν: 'truly, so be it' (transliterated Hebrew ʾāmēn); the congregation's confirming assent sealing the doxology.
12
Διὰ Σιλουανοῦ ὑμῖν τοῦ πιστοῦ ἀδελφοῦ, ὡς λογίζομαι, δι' ὀλίγων ἔγραψα, παρακαλῶν καὶ ἐπιμαρτυρῶν ταύτην εἶναι ἀληθῆ χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ· εἰς ἣν στῆτε.
By Silvanus, the faithful brother — as I regard him — I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
The epistolary closing names the bearer/amanuensis Silvanus, states the letter's brevity and double purpose (exhortation + testimony), and sums up its message: 'this is the true grace of God' — capped by a terse final imperative, στῆτε, 'stand fast in it.'
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Διὰbypreposition + genitive (agency/means)διά: 'through, by means of'; marking Silvanus as the agent of the letter's conveyance (or its writing-up).
ΣιλουανοῦSilvanusGenitiveobject of διάΣιλουανός: 'Silvanus' (the Silas of Acts); the bearer and/or secretary of the letter — a trusted Pauline associate now with Peter.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient (w/ ἔγραψα)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (w/ ἀδελφοῦ)
πιστοῦfaithfulGenitiveattributive adjectiveπιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy'; Peter's warm commendation of Silvanus — reliable in the commission.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitiveapposition to Σιλουανοῦἀδελφός: 'brother'; the family term marking Silvanus as a fellow-believer and partner.
ὡςascomparative particle (parenthetical)ὡς: 'as'; introducing Peter's parenthetical estimate of Silvanus.
λογίζομαιI regard himPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · λογίζομαιverb of parenthetical clause→ stative presentλογίζομαι: 'reckon, consider, regard'; 'as I account him' — Peter's personal endorsement of Silvanus's fidelity.
δι'inpreposition + genitive (means: 'in few [words]')διά: 'through, by means of'; with ὀλίγων = 'in few [words],' i.e. briefly.
ὀλίγωνfew wordsGenitiveobject of διά (substantival adj., 'few [words]')ὀλίγος: 'few, little'; the conventional modesty-topos of the letter's brevity (cf. Heb 13:22).
ἔγραψαI have writtenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ epistolary aoristγράφω: 'write'; the epistolary aorist ('I write/have written'), viewing the letter as complete from the readers' standpoint.
παρακαλῶνexhortingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · παρακαλέωadverbial participle (purpose/manner)→ present (ongoing)παρακαλέω: 'exhort, encourage'; one of the two aims of the letter — to urge faithful endurance.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιμαρτυρῶνtestifyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιμαρτυρέωadverbial participle (purpose/manner, coordinate)→ present (ongoing)ἐπιμαρτυρέω: 'bear witness to, testify solemnly' (a NT hapax); the second aim — solemnly attesting the message as God's true grace.
ταύτηνthisAccusativeacc. subject of εἶναι (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the whole message/state of grace just expounded in the letter.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive in indirect discourse (object of ἐπιμαρτυρῶν)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the testified content — 'that this is...'
ἀληθῆtrueAccusativepredicate adjective (w/ χάριν)ἀληθής: 'true, genuine, real'; the grace attested is the authentic grace of God, not a counterfeit — they stand in the real thing.
χάρινgraceAccusativepredicate accusative (w/ εἶναι)χάρις: 'grace'; the keyword of the letter's close — the sphere in which they are commanded to stand.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (w/ θεοῦ)
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (whose grace)
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (sphere/goal)εἰς: 'in, into'; with στῆτε, 'stand [firm] in/into which' — the grace as the standing-place.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)ὅς: relative pronoun, antecedent χάριν — 'this grace, in which stand fast.'
στῆτεstand fastAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (final imperative)→ ingressive/constative aorist imperativeἵστημι: 'stand, take a stand'; the closing charge — be established and immovable in the true grace of God.
13
Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς ἡ ἐν Βαβυλῶνι συνεκλεκτὴ καὶ Μᾶρκος ὁ υἱός μου.
She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does Mark my son.
The sending greetings: 'she in Babylon, chosen-with-you' — most probably the church Peter is with (Babylon = code for Rome), personified as the elect sister-congregation — and Mark, Peter's 'son' in the faith. The veiled 'Babylon' is the chapter's notable crux.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἈσπάζεταιgreetsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ customary/epistolary presentἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, salute, embrace'; the standard verb of letter-closing greetings.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἡthe (she)Nominativearticle (substantizes the phrase; subject)ἡ: the feminine article makes 'the [feminine one] in Babylon' the subject — most likely ἐκκλησία ('church') understood.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΒαβυλῶνιBabylonDativeobject of ἐν (place)Βαβυλών: 'Babylon'; most likely a cryptic name for Rome (so the early church; cf. Rev 17–18) — the place from which Peter writes; literal-Babylon and woman readings are minority.
συνεκλεκτὴshe who is chosen togetherNominativesubject (substantival adj., in apposition to ἡ)συνεκλεκτή: 'fellow-elect (fem.)' (συν- + ἐκλεκτός); a NT hapax — 'chosen together with you,' marking the sister-church as co-elect (cf. 1:1, 2:9).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΜᾶρκοςMarkNominativesubject (coordinate)Μᾶρκος: 'Mark' (John Mark of Acts 12:12); Peter's close associate, traditionally the recorder of Peter's preaching (the Gospel of Mark).
ὁtheNominativearticle (w/ υἱός)
υἱόςsonNominativeapposition to Μᾶρκοςυἱός: 'son'; 'my son' in the spiritual sense — Mark as Peter's convert or protégé in the faith.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
14
ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἀγάπης. εἰρήνη ὑμῖν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν Χριστῷ.
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
The closing: a command to the holy kiss (here 'kiss of love'), the bond of fellowship within the suffering community, and the peace-benediction — embracing all who are 'in Christ,' the inclusive note on which the letter ends.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἀσπάσασθεgreetAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist imperativeἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, embrace'; here the reciprocal command to exchange the fellowship-greeting.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativedirect object (reciprocal pronoun)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the mutual scope — the greeting binds the whole community.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (means/manner)
φιλήματιa kissDativedat. of means (instrument of greeting)φίλημα: 'kiss'; the early Christian greeting of fellowship (cf. Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20), here qualified as a kiss 'of love.'
ἀγάπηςof loveGenitivegenitive of quality/source (kiss characterized by love)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the ἀγάπη-kiss — Peter's distinctive phrase (Paul's 'holy kiss') stressing the affection it expresses.
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (verbless benediction, 'be' supplied)εἰρήνη: 'peace' (the Hebrew šālôm); the closing wish of wholeness and well-being — inclusio with the grace-and-peace opening (1:2).
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient (of the benediction)
πᾶσινallDativeattributive/appositional dative (w/ ὑμῖν)πᾶς: 'all'; the inclusive reach of the peace — none in Christ excluded.
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (substantizes prepositional phrase)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of being)Χριστός: 'Christ'; 'in Christ' defines the recipients of peace — the union-formula sealing the letter.