1 Peter

1 Peter front

Introduction to 1 Peter

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of 1 Peter

1. Introduction (1:1–2)

2. Peter reminds the believers of their identity in Christ (1:3–2:10)

   • Praise to God for saving the believers (1:3–12)
   • Command to be holy (1:13–21)
   • Command to love each other as a family (1:22–2:10)

3. Peter tells the believers how they should behave (2:11–4:11)

   • How believers should act toward other people (2:11–3:12)
   • How believers should endure suffering (3:13–4:6)
   • How believers should act because the end is near (4:7–11)

4. Peter encourages the believers to persevere when suffering (4:12–5:11)

   • How believers should respond to trials (4:12–19)
   • How believers should interact with one another (5:1–11)

5. Conclusion (5:12–14)

Who wrote the book of 1 Peter?

The author identified himself as Peter, who was also called Simon Peter. He was an apostle, and he also wrote the book of 2 Peter. Peter probably wrote this letter in Rome. He wrote the letter to Gentile Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor. (See: Peter, Simon Peter, Cephas)

What is the book of 1 Peter about?

Peter wrote this letter to encourage Gentile Christians who were being persecuted and to exhort them to stand firm in “the true grace of God” (5:12). Peter told his readers how they should act in the midst of a society that hated them. He encouraged Christians to continue obeying God even when they were suffering. He told them to do this because Jesus would return soon. Peter also instructed Christians about submitting to people in authority over them.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title “1 Peter” or “First Peter, ” or they may choose a clearer title, such as “The First Letter from Peter” or “The First Letter Peter Wrote.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

How were Christians treated in Rome?

Peter was probably in Rome when he wrote this letter. In 5:13 Peter referred to Rome symbolically as “Babylon.” It appears that when Peter wrote this letter, Romans were severely persecuting Christians.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

Singular and plural “you”

In this book, the word “I” refers to Peter, except in two places: 1:16 and 2:6. The word “you” is always plural and refers to Peter’s audience. Sometimes it refers to a specific group of people within Peter’s audience, such as wives, husbands, church leaders, or other groups. These groups are indicated in the notes. (See: Forms of You)

What are the major issues in the text of the book of 1 Peter?

“Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1:22). The ULT, UST, and most other modern versions read this way. Some older versions read, “Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit for sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from the heart.” Translators are advised to follow the modern reading.

(See: Textual Variants)

1 Peter 1

1 Peter 1 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. Introduction (1:1–2)
2. Praise to God for saving the believers (1:3–12)
3. Command to be holy (1:13–21)
4. Command to love each other as a family (1:22–2:10)

Peter begins this letter in 1:1–2 by giving his name, identifying the people to whom he is writing, and offering a greeting. That was the way people typically began letters at that time.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in 1:24–25.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

What God reveals

When Jesus comes again, everyone will see how good God’s people were because they had faith in Jesus. Then God’s people will see how gracious God has been to them, and all people will praise both God and his people.

Holiness

God wants his people to be holy because God is holy (1:15). (See: holy, holiness, unholy, sacred)

Eternity

Peter tells Christians to live for things that will last forever and not to live for the things of this world, which will end. (See: eternity, everlasting, eternal, forever)

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

Paradox

A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. Peter writes that his readers are glad and sad at the same time (1:6). He can say this because they are sad because they are suffering, but they are also glad because they know that God will save them “in the last time” (1:5)

1 Peter 1:1

Πέτρος

In this culture, letter writers would give their own names first, and they would refer to themselves in the third person. If that would be confusing in your language, you could use the first person. If your language has a particular way of introducing the author of a letter, you could also use that. Alternate translation: “I, Peter, am writing this letter” or “From Peter” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Πέτρος

Peter is the name of a man, a disciple of Jesus. See the information about him in Part 1 of the Introduction to 1 Peter. (See: How to Translate Names)

ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

This phrase gives further information about Simon Peter. He describes himself as being someone given the position and authority of being Christ’s apostle. (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

ἐκλεκτοῖς παρεπιδήμοις

In this culture, after giving their own names, letter writers would then state to whom they were writing, naming those people in the third person. If that would be confusing in your language, you could use the second person. Alternate translation: “to you elect exiles” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἐκλεκτοῖς παρεπιδήμοις διασπορᾶς

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of elect and dispersion, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “to those whom God has elected and exiled among those whom God has dispersed” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐκλεκτοῖς παρεπιδήμοις διασπορᾶς

When Peter calls his readers exiles, he could mean: (1) they are exiles because they are far away from their true home in heaven. Alternate translation: “to the elect exiles of the dispersion who are far from their home in heaven” (2) they are exiles because they were forced to leave their homes and go far away to Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Alternate translation: “to you elect exiles of the dispersion who are far away from your homes” (See: Metaphor)

διασπορᾶς

Here, dispersion could refer to: (1) groups of Gentile Christians who were spread throughout the world instead of in their true home in heaven. In this case, dispersion would have a similar meaning to exiles and would add emphasis. Alternate translation: “among those dispersed outside of their true home in heaven” (2) the groups of Jewish people who were spread across the Greek-speaking world that was outside of the land of Israel, which is the common technical meaning for this word. Alternate translation: “among the dispersed Jews” (See: Metaphor)

Πόντου, Γαλατίας, Καππαδοκίας, Ἀσίας, καὶ Βιθυνίας

Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia are names of Roman provinces that were located in what is now the country of Turkey. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Peter 1:2

πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of foreknowledge, you could express the same idea with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “what God the Father foreknew” (See: Abstract Nouns)

πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ Πατρός

This phrase could mean: (1) God had determined what would happen ahead of time. Alternate translation: “what God the Father planned previously” (2) God knew what would happen ahead of time. Alternate translation: “what God the Father knew beforehand” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Πατρός

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of sanctification, you could express the same idea with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “by the Spirit sanctifying you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος

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

εἰς ὑπακοὴν καὶ ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Here, obedience could refer to: (1) obeying God. Alternate translation: “for obedience of God and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (2) obeying Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: “for obedience of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of his blood” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς ὑπακοὴν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of obedience, you could express the same idea with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “for you to obey” (See: Abstract Nouns)

εἰς ὑπακοὴν

Here, for introduces a purpose clause. Peter is stating a purpose for which the Holy Spirit sanctifies believers. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of obedience” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

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

αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Here, blood refers figuratively to the death of Jesus. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “of the blood, the symbol of the death of Jesus Christ” (See: Metonymy)

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

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

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns grace and peace, you could express the ideas behind them with equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: “May God multiply his kind acts to you and give you a more peaceful spirit” (See: Abstract Nouns)

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

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

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “May God multiply grace and peace to you” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:3

Peter begins to talk about the believers’ salvation and faith. Verses 3–5 are one sentence, but you may need to divide them into shorter sentences in your language.

εὐλογητὸς

Peter is using a statement to give an exhortation. If this is confusing in your language, you can use a more natural form for exhortation. Alternate translation: “Let us bless” or “Let us praise” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

Πατὴρ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ἡμῶν…ἡμᾶς

The words our and us are inclusive. They refer to Peter and those believers to whom he is writing. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν

Peter is using the possessive form to describe Jesus as the Lord who rules over those who believe in him. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “of the person who is lord over us,” or “of the person who rules over us,” (See: Possession)

κατὰ τὸ πολὺ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of mercy, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “according to his great merciful character” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἀναγεννήσας ἡμᾶς

The phrase born again is a metaphor that refers to spiritual rebirth. Since this is an important metaphor in the Bible, you should keep it in your translation and include an explanation if necessary. Alternate translation: “has caused us to be spiritually reborn” (See: Metaphor)

ἀναγεννήσας ἡμᾶς εἰς ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν, δι’ ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐκ νεκρῶν

The clause into a living hope is parallel to “into an imperishable and undefiled and unfading inheritance” in the next verse. If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of the phrases in this verse in order to show that parallel structure. Alternate translation: “who has caused us to be born again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from dead ones into a living hope” (See: Information Structure)

εἰς ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν

Here, into introduces a purpose clause. Peter is stating a purpose for which God causes believers to be born again. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of giving us a living hope” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

εἰς ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν

Peter uses living figuratively to describe hope that is certain and will not lead to disappointment. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “into a hope that will not disappoint you” (See: Metaphor)

δι’ ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐκ νεκρῶν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of resurrection, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “through Jesus Christ being resurrected from among dead ones” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:4

εἰς κληρονομίαν ἄφθαρτον, καὶ ἀμίαντον, καὶ ἀμάραντον

Here, into introduces a purpose clause. Peter is stating a second purpose for which God causes believers to be born again. This clause states what the “living hope” in the previous verse is. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of giving us an imperishable and undefiled and unfading inheritance” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

εἰς κληρονομίαν ἄφθαρτον, καὶ ἀμίαντον, καὶ ἀμάραντον

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word inheritance, you could express the same idea with a verb. Alternate translation: “into what we will inherit that is imperishable and undefiled and unfading” (See: Abstract Nouns)

κληρονομίαν ἄφθαρτον, καὶ ἀμίαντον, καὶ ἀμάραντον

Peter uses inheritance figuratively to refer to what we will receive in heaven. This could refer to: (1) The promise of God that we will live forever with him. Alternate translation: “a sure and unfailing promise the we will live forever with God” (2) future blessings in heaven after this life. Alternate translation: “imperishable and undefiled and unfading blessings” (See: Metaphor)

τετηρημένην ἐν οὐρανοῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which God has kept in heaven for you” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:5

τοὺς ἐν δυνάμει Θεοῦ φρουρουμένους

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the ones whom God is protecting with his power” (See: Active or Passive)

διὰ πίστεως

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of faith, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “by believing in Jesus” (See: Abstract Nouns)

εἰς σωτηρίαν

Here, for introduces a purpose clause. Peter is stating a purpose for which God is protecting believers. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of giving us a salvation” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

εἰς σωτηρίαν ἑτοίμην ἀποκαλυφθῆναι

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of salvation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “for the time when God saves you, which is ready to be revealed” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἑτοίμην ἀποκαλυφθῆναι

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that God is ready to reveal” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν καιρῷ ἐσχάτῳ

Here, the last time refers to “the day of the Lord,” which is the time when Jesus returns to the world to judge everyone and vindicate those who believe in him. (See: day of the Lord, day of Yahweh) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “in the last time, when Jesus returns and judges everyone” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 1:6

ἐν ᾧ

Here, this could refer to: (1) the “last time” referred to at the end of the previous verse. Alternate translation: “About this last time” (2) everything described in verses 3–5. Alternate translation: “In all of this that I have said” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἐν ᾧ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε

In here introduces the reason why Peter’s readers rejoice. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “On account of this you greatly rejoice” or “Because of this you greatly rejoice” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἄρτι, εἰ δέον λυπηθέντες

Peter is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Peter is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “if now it is necessary, and it is, to have been distressed” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

ὀλίγον ἄρτι, εἰ δέον λυπηθέντες ἐν ποικίλοις πειρασμοῖς

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “if now it is necessary for various trials to distress you a little while” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:7

τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως…διὰ πυρὸς δὲ δοκιμαζομένου

Here Peter speaks of faith figuratively, as if it were gold that is refined by passing it through fire. He also uses fire figuratively to refer to the hardships that test how well believers trust in Christ. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “the genuineness of your faith … but being tested by hardships the way fire tests gold” (See: Metaphor)

τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of genuineness and faith, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “the fact that you genuinely believe” (See: Abstract Nouns)

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

If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “so that the genuineness of your faith might be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; that faith is more precious than the perishing gold, but being tested by fire” (See: Information Structure)

ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως πολυτιμότερον χρυσίου τοῦ ἀπολλυμένου, διὰ πυρὸς δὲ δοκιμαζομένου

In this clause Peter means that faith is more valuable than gold because faith lasts forever but gold does not, even if it is refined by someone passing it through fire. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. It may be helpful to make this a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “of your faith, which is more precious than gold because even gold that is tested by fire can perish, but your faith will not perish” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εὑρεθῇ εἰς ἔπαινον, καὶ δόξαν, καὶ τιμὴν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “it might result in praise and glory and honor” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Peter assumes that his readers will know that he is referring to the future revelation of Jesus Christ, when Jesus returns to earth. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternate translation: “at the future revelation of Jesus Christ” or “when Jesus Christ reveals himself again in the future” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of revelation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “at the time when Jesus Christ is revealed” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:8

χαρᾷ ἀνεκλαλήτῳ καὶ δεδοξασμένῃ

Here, inexpressible and filled with glory mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how great the joy is. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “with joy so great that words cannot describe it” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 1:9

κομιζόμενοι…σωτηρίαν

Here Peter speaks figuratively of salvation as if it were an object that someone could receive. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “experiencing … the salvation” (See: Metaphor)

τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of faith, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “of you believing in Jesus” (See: Abstract Nouns)

σωτηρίαν ψυχῶν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of salvation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “God saving your souls” (See: Abstract Nouns)

σωτηρίαν ψυχῶν

Here, souls refers to the individual Christians to whom Peter is writing this letter. If this might confuse your readers, you could use plain language. Alternate translation: “your salvation” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Peter 1:10

ἐξεζήτησαν καὶ ἐξηραύνησαν

The phrases searched and inquired carefully mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how hard the prophets tried to understand this salvation. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “examined very carefully” (See: Doublet)

ἧς σωτηρίας

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of salvation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “God saving you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

εἰς ὑμᾶς χάριτος

Here, this grace refers to this salvation, mentioned earlier in this verse. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of grace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “God being gracious to you by saving you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:11

εἰς τίνα ἢ ποῖον καιρὸν

The word translated whom could also be translated “what.” In that case, “what” would refer to the time when salvation would take place and what time would then refer to the specific circumstances. However, most translations agree with the ULT’s use of whom. Alternate translation: “into what time or what circumstances” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὸ…Πνεῦμα Χριστοῦ

Peter is using the possessive form to describe the Holy Spirit as being the Spirit that is associated with Christ. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the Holy Spirit, associated with Christ,” (See: Possession)

προμαρτυρόμενον

This could indicate: (1) the time when the Spirit of Christ was revealing information to the prophets. Alternate translation: “when testifying beforehand” (2) the means by which the Spirit of Christ was revealing information to the prophets. Alternate translation: “by means of testifying beforehand”

τὰ εἰς Χριστὸν παθήματα, καὶ τὰς μετὰ ταῦτα δόξας

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of sufferings and glories, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “about how Christ would suffer, and glorious things would happen afterwards” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:12

οἷς ἀπεκαλύφθη

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God revealed to them” (See: Active or Passive)

ἃ νῦν ἀνηγγέλη ὑμῖν, διὰ τῶν εὐαγγελισαμένων ὑμᾶς

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which those who proclaimed the gospel to you have now declared to you” (See: Active or Passive)

Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ, ἀποσταλέντι ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ

This phrase indicates the means by which the evangelists proclaimed the gospel to Peter’s readers. Peter uses the Holy Spirit here to refer specifically to the Holy Spirit’s work of giving those evangelists the ability or power to proclaim the gospel effectively. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “by means of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven enabling them to do so” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἀποσταλέντι ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language, as in the UST. (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς ἃ

Here, things refers to what God had revealed to the prophets and some evangelists had proclaimed to Peter’s readers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “into which things God revealed to the prophets and which were declared to you” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς ἃ ἐπιθυμοῦσιν ἄγγελοι παρακύψαι

Peter uses look figuratively to refer to getting a clearer understanding of what God has revealed about salvation. This does not mean that the angels do not understand salvation at all. If this might confuse your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “things which angels desire to understand more clearly” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 1:13

διὸ

Therefore here refers back to everything that Peter has written in verses 1–12. If it might be helpful to your readers, you could state this concisely. Alternate translation: “Since all these things I have just written are true” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

ἀναζωσάμενοι τὰς ὀσφύας τῆς διανοίας ὑμῶν, νήφοντες, τελείως ἐλπίσατε

The clauses having girded up the loins of your mind and being sober could indicate: (1) two commands in addition to the command to hope fully that occurs in the next phrase. Alternate translation: “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, hope fully” (2) two actions that are means by which Peter wants his readers to obey the command to hope fully. Alternate translation: “hope fully, by having girded up the loins of your mind and by being sober” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

ἀναζωσάμενοι τὰς ὀσφύας τῆς διανοίας ὑμῶν

Girding up the loins is an idiom that means to prepare to work hard. It comes from the custom of tucking the bottom of one’s robe into a belt around the waist in order to move with ease. If this might confuse your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “having prepared your minds for action” (See: Idiom)

νήφοντες

Here Peter uses sober figuratively to refer to mental clarity and alertness. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “thinking clearly” (See: Metaphor)

τὴν φερομένην ὑμῖν χάριν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the grace God is bringing to you” (See: Active or Passive)

τὴν φερομένην ὑμῖν χάριν

Here Peter speaks of grace as if it were an object that could be brought to people. If this might confuse you readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the grace God is giving to you” (See: Metaphor)

τὴν φερομένην ὑμῖν χάριν

Here, the grace refers to salvation, as it also does in verse 10. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the gracious salvation being brought to you” (See: Metonymy)

ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

See how you translated this phrase in verse 7. (See: Possession)

1 Peter 1:14

ὡς τέκνα ὑπακοῆς

Here Peter uses children figuratively to refer to people who love and obey God. The relationship between God and those who love him is like the relationship between a father and his children. Because this is an important concept in the Bible, you should not express the meaning plainly here, but you may use a simile. Alternate translation: “Like children of obedience” (See: Metaphor)

τέκνα ὑπακοῆς

Peter is using the possessive form to describe children who are characterized by obedience. If this is not clear in your language, you could use the adjective “obedient” instead of the noun “obedience.” Alternate translation: “obedient children” (See: Possession)

μὴ συνσχηματιζόμενοι ταῖς πρότερον…ἐπιθυμίαις

Here, not being conformed to is an idiom meaning “not letting one’s life be controlled by.” If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “not being controlled by your former desires” (See: Idiom)

μὴ συνσχηματιζόμενοι ταῖς πρότερον…ἐπιθυμίαις

Peter is using a statement to give a command. If this is confusing in your language, you can use a more natural form for a command. Alternate translation: “do not be conformed to your former desires” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

ἐν τῇ ἀγνοίᾳ ὑμῶν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of ignorance, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “when you were ignorant” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:15

τὸν καλέσαντα ὑμᾶς

This phrase refers to God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “God who called you” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐν πάσῃ ἀναστροφῇ

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of behavior, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “in how you conduct yourselves” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:16

γέγραπται

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, Moses was the author of the quotation that follows. Alternate translation: “Moses had written” (See: Active or Passive)

γέγραπται

Here Peter uses it is written to introduce a quotation from an Old Testament book (Leviticus 11:44). If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Peter is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “it had been written in the scriptures” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε

Peter quotes God using a future statement to give a command. If this is confusing in your language, you can use a more natural form for a command. Alternate translation: “You must be holy” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιος

In this quotation from the Old Testament, I refers to God. If this is confusing in your language, you can express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “because I, God, am holy” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

1 Peter 1:17

εἰ…ἐπικαλεῖσθε

Peter is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Peter is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “because you call” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

τὸν ἀπροσωπολήμπτως κρίνοντα

This phrase refers to God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “God, who judges impartially” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὸν τῆς παροικίας ὑμῶν χρόνον

Here Peter speaks of his readers as if they were people living in a foreign land far away from their homes. Like people living away from home, so are Christians living away from their home in heaven. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “during the time that you are living away from your true home” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 1:18

οὐ φθαρτοῖς, ἀργυρίῳ ἢ χρυσίῳ, ἐλυτρώθητε ἐκ τῆς ματαίας ὑμῶν ἀναστροφῆς πατροπαραδότου

If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “you have been redeemed from your futile behavior handed down from your fathers, not with perishable things, with silver or with gold” (See: Information Structure)

ἐλυτρώθητε

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God has redeemed you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐκ τῆς ματαίας ὑμῶν ἀναστροφῆς πατροπαραδότου

Here, handed down figuratively refers to one generation teaching futile behavior to another generation, as if that behavior were an object that could be passed by hand from one person to another. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from your futile behavior taught to you by your fathers” (See: Metaphor)

ἐκ τῆς ματαίας ὑμῶν ἀναστροφῆς

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of behavior, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “from behaving in futile ways” (See: Abstract Nouns)

πατροπαραδότου

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that your fathers handed down” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 1:19

τιμίῳ αἵματι…Χριστοῦ

Peter uses the blood of Christ figuratively to refer to Jesus’ death. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “with Christ’s precious death” (See: Metonymy)

ὡς ἀμνοῦ ἀμώμου καὶ ἀσπίλου

Peter compares Jesus’ blood to the blood of the lambs that the Jewish priests sacrificed to God because of the people’s sins. The point of this comparison is that Jesus died as a sacrifice so that God would forgive people’s sins. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent comparison or express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “like that of the unblemished and spotless lambs that the Jewish priests sacrificed to God for sins” (See: Simile)

ἀμώμου καὶ ἀσπίλου

The words unblemished and spotless mean basically the same thing. Peter uses this repetition to emphasize that Christ was completely perfect and sinless. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “completely perfect” or “with no imperfections at all” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 1:20

προεγνωσμένου

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God having foreknown him” (See: Active or Passive)

προεγνωσμένου

This phrase could mean: (1) God had determined what Christ would do. Alternate translation: “having been planned previously” (2) God knew what Christ would do ahead of time. Alternate translation: “having been known beforehand,” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of foundation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “before God founded the world” (See: Abstract Nouns)

φανερωθέντος

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God having revealed him” (See: Active or Passive)

φανερωθέντος

Here, having been revealed refers to the first time Jesus came to the earth. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “having been revealed when he came to earth” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐπ’ ἐσχάτου τῶν χρόνων

Here, the last of the times refers to the final period of history which began when Jesus came to the earth for the first time. This period will end when Jesus returns to earth. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “in this final time period of history” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 1:21

τὸν ἐγείραντα αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν

Here, to raise him is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “who caused him to live again so that he was no longer among the dead people” (See: Idiom)

δόξαν αὐτῷ δόντα

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “has glorified him” or “has shown that he is glorious” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν καὶ ἐλπίδα, εἶναι εἰς Θεόν

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of faith and hope, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “you would believe and hope in God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 1:22

τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν ἡγνικότες

Having purified figuratively refers to being forgiven for sins. In the Bible, sin is often referred to as something that makes people dirty, and the forgiveness for sin is referred to as the removal of that dirt. God is the one who forgives sins and purifies those who believe in Jesus. However, here Peter is referring to his readers’ responsibility in their salvation, which is the responsibility to repent and believe that the gospel is true. Alternate translation: “Having made your souls spiritually pure” or “Having cleansed your souls from sin” (See: Metaphor)

τὰς ψυχὰς

See how you translated souls in verse 9. (See: Synecdoche)

ἐν τῇ ὑπακοῇ τῆς ἀληθείας

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of obedience and truth, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “by obeying what is true” or “by obeying the true information” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῆς ἀληθείας

Here, the truth refers to the true teaching about Jesus, which includes the command to repent and believe the gospel. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “to the true message about Jesus” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

φιλαδελφίαν

Although brotherly is a masculine word, Peter is using the phrase brotherly love in a generic sense to refer to the kind of love that all believers should have for other believers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “love for fellow believers” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας, ἀλλήλους ἀγαπήσατε ἐκτενῶς

Peter uses heart here figuratively to refer to a person’s thoughts or emotions. The word from indicates that the heart must be the source of the love that Peter is telling his readers to have. Therefore, this phrase has a similar meaning to the word “sincere” in the previous clause. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “love one another earnestly based on sincere thoughts” (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 1:23

ἀναγεγεννημένοι

See how you translated born again in verse 3. (See: Metaphor)

οὐκ ἐκ σπορᾶς φθαρτῆς

The word seed usually refers to either the seed of a plant or the sperm cell of a man, which is used to produce a baby. However, here Peter uses seed as a metaphor. It could refer to: (1) the word of God mentioned later in the verse. In this case, Peter is saying what the word of God is not. Alternate translation: “not by means of a human message that can perish” (2) physical human birth, in which case the meaning is similar to the idea expressed in John 1:13. Alternate translation: “not by means of mortal physical birth” (See: Metaphor)

ἀφθάρτου

Peter is leaving out a word that a phrase would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply the word from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “from imperishable seed” (See: Ellipsis)

λόγου ζῶντος Θεοῦ, καὶ μένοντος

Here Peter uses word figuratively to describe the gospel message that came from God and was proclaimed to Peter’s readers by using words. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God’s living and enduring message about Jesus” (See: Metonymy)

ζῶντος…καὶ μένοντος

Here, living and enduring mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that God’s word is permanent. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “perpetually enduring” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 1:24

διότι

For here introduces a quotation of some phrases from an Old Testament book (Isaiah 40:6–8). If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Peter is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “It is as Isaiah wrote in the scriptures” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

πᾶσα σὰρξ ὡς χόρτος, καὶ πᾶσα δόξα αὐτῆς ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου. ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ἄνθος ἐξέπεσεν,

In these clauses and the first clause of the next verse, Peter quotes parts of Isaiah 40:6–8. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

πᾶσα σὰρξ

Here Peter quotes Isaiah using the term flesh figuratively to refer to human beings in general, which are made of flesh. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “All humankind” or “Everyone” (See: Metonymy)

πᾶσα δόξα αὐτῆς

Peter quotes Isaiah using glory figuratively to refer to whatever is beautiful or magnificent about humankind. If this might confuse your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “everything that is glorious about humankind” (See: Metaphor)

ἄνθος χόρτου. ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ἄνθος ἐξέπεσεν

Peter quotes Isaiah speaking of grass and flowers in general, not of one particular blade of grass or one flower. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “flowers of grass. Grass dried up, and flowers fell off” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

ἄνθος χόρτου

Here Peter quotes Isaiah using the possessive form to describe the flower that grows in the grass. If this is not clear in your language, you could use state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the flower that grows in the grass” (See: Possession)

ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος

In this clause the prophet Isaiah continues the comparison between humankind and grass. Just like grass dies quickly, so human beings only live a short time. If this would confuse your readers, you could express this meaning by repeating the simile language from earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: “Like the grass dries up, so do people die after a short time” (See: Simile)

τὸ ἄνθος ἐξέπεσεν

In this clause the prophet Isaiah continues the comparison between the glory of humankind and flowers. Just like a flower dies and falls to the ground, so does the beauty of mankind disappear. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could express this meaning by repeating the simile language from earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: “like the flower that fell off the plant, so does everything that is glorious about humankind come to an end” (See: Simile)

1 Peter 1:25

τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα Κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα

This clause completes Peters quotation of Isaiah 40:6–8 that began in the previous verse. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this ending by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate the end of a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

τὸ…ῥῆμα Κυρίου

Peter quotes Isaiah using word figuratively to describe all that God has spoken by using words. This general reference to God’s word would include what God had said about the Messiah. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the message that comes from the Lord” (See: Metonymy)

τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν τὸ ῥῆμα

Here Peter uses word in the same specific sense as in verse 23. It is not the general meaning of word used earlier in the verse. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And this is the message about Jesus” (See: Metonymy)

τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the word that we have proclaimed” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. Command to love each other as a family (1:22–2:10)
2. How believers should act toward other people (2:11–3:12)

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 2:10 and the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in 2:6, 7, 8, and 22.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Stones

The Bible uses a building made of large stones as a metaphor for the church. Jesus is the cornerstone, which is the most important stone. According to Ephesians 2:20, the apostles and prophets are the foundation, which is the part of the building on which all the other stones rest. In this chapter, Christians are the stones that make up the walls of the building. (See: Metaphor and cornerstone and found, founder, foundation)

Milk and babies

When Peter tells his readers to “long for pure spiritual milk” in 2:2, he is using the metaphor of a baby craving his mother’s milk. Peter wants Christians to crave God’s word the same way a baby craves milk. (See: Metaphor)

Sheep and shepherds

The Bible often speaks metaphorically of people as sheep because sheep do not see well, do not think well, often walk away from those who care for them, and cannot defend themselves when other animals attack them. In verse 25, Peter alludes to Isaiah 53:6 to describe unbelievers as sheep that wander aimlessly and don’t know where they are going. God’s people are also similar to sheep in that they are weak and do foolish things like rebelling against God. In verse 25, Peter also refers to Jesus as a shepherd who takes care of believers, which is a similar idea to what Jesus said in John 10:11–18. (See: ewe, ram, sheep, sheepfold, sheepshearers, sheepskins and shepherd, herder, pastor)

1 Peter 2:1

οὖν

Therefore here refers back to everything that Peter has said in the previous paragraph (1:22–25). (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἀποθέμενοι…πᾶσαν κακίαν, καὶ πάντα δόλον, καὶ ὑποκρίσεις, καὶ φθόνους, καὶ πάσας καταλαλιάς

This clause indicates a command in addition to the command to “long for pure spiritual milk” that occurs next in the verse. If this is confusing in your language, you can use a more natural form for a command. Alternate translation: “put aside all evil and all deceit and hypocrisies and envies and all slanders” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

ἀποθέμενοι…πᾶσαν κακίαν, καὶ πάντα δόλον, καὶ ὑποκρίσεις, καὶ φθόνους, καὶ πάσας καταλαλιάς

Peter speaks of these sinful actions figuratively as if they were objects that people could put aside the way people remove dirty clothing. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “having stopped being evil or being deceptive or being hypocritical or being envious or speaking slander” (See: Metaphor)

ἀποθέμενοι…πᾶσαν κακίαν, καὶ πάντα δόλον, καὶ ὑποκρίσεις, καὶ φθόνους, καὶ πάσας καταλαλιάς

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of evil, deceit, hypocrisies, envies, or slanders, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “having put aside every kind of evil and all deceitful, hypocritical, deceptive, and slanderous acts” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 2:2

ὡς ἀρτιγέννητα βρέφη τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα ἐπιποθήσατε

The point of this comparison is that Peter wanted his readers to desire knowledge of God’s word just as newborn babies desire milk. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent comparison or express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Just as babies long for their mother’s milk, so you must long for the pure rational milk” (See: Simile)

ἐπιποθήσατε

Alternate translation: “desire intensely” or “yearn for”

τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα

The word translated as rational could also be translated “pertaining to the word”; it refers to the word of God. Peter speaks figuratively of the word of God as if it were rational milk that nourishes children. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God’s pure word” (See: Metaphor)

αὐξηθῆτε

Peter speaks figuratively of believers advancing in the knowledge of God and faithfulness to him as if they were children growing up. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you may mature in your faith” (See: Metaphor)

εἰς σωτηρίαν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of salvation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “until you are saved” (See: Abstract Nouns)

εἰς σωτηρίαν

Here, salvation refers to when Jesus returns and God completes the salvation of his people. Peter also uses this meaning for salvation in 1:5. See how you translated this word there. Alternate translation: “until God saves you completely” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 2:3

εἰ ἐγεύσασθε

Peter is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Peter is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “since you have tasted” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

εἰ ἐγεύσασθε

Peter uses tasted figuratively to refer to personally experiencing something. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if you have experienced” (See: Metaphor)

ἐγεύσασθε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ Κύριος

This clause is a paraphrase of Psalm 34:8. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

1 Peter 2:4

πρὸς ὃν προσερχόμενοι

Here, coming could indicate: (1) a factual statement, as in the UST. (2) a command, in which case “being built up” in the next verse would also be a command. Alternate translation: “Come to him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πρὸς ὃν

The pronoun him refers to Jesus, who is called “Lord” in the previous verse. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “to Jesus” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

πρὸς ὃν προσερχόμενοι λίθον ζῶντα

Peter refers to Jesus figuratively as if he were a stone in a building. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or with a simile. Alternate translation: “coming to him, who is like a living stone in a building” (See: Metaphor)

λίθον ζῶντα

Peters speaks of a stone figuratively as if it were living. This could refer to: (1) a stone that is alive. This interpretation emphasizes the fact that Jesus is alive even though he had died. Alternate translation: “a stone that lives” (2) a stone that gives life. This interpretation emphasizes the fact that Jesus gives eternal life to everyone who believes in him. Alternate translation: “a stone that gives eternal life to others” (See: Personification)

ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπων μὲν ἀποδεδοκιμασμένον

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “one that men have rejected” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπων

Although the term men is masculine, Peter is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “by people” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

παρὰ δὲ Θεῷ ἐκλεκτὸν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “but that God has chosen” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 2:5

αὐτοὶ ὡς λίθοι ζῶντες οἰκοδομεῖσθε, οἶκος πνευματικὸς

Peter uses stones figuratively to refer to his readers, people who believe in Jesus. Just as people in the Old Testament used stones to build the temple that God dwelled in, God is using believers to bring together a group of people in whom he will dwell. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you, like stones that are put together and built into a house, are living stones that are being brought together into a spiritual community in which God dwells” (See: Metaphor)

αὐτοὶ ὡς λίθοι ζῶντες

Peters uses stones figuratively as if they were living. This emphasizes the fact that Peter’s readers have eternal life because they believe in Jesus. In this verse, living cannot mean to give life, because only God can give life. Alternate translation: “like stones that live” (See: Simile)

οἰκοδομεῖσθε, οἶκος πνευματικὸς

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that God is building up as a spiritual house” (See: Active or Passive)

οἰκοδομεῖσθε

Here, are being built up could indicate: (1) a factual statement, as in the UST. (2) a command, in which case “coming to him” in the previous verse would also be a command. Alternate translation: “be built up” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς ἱεράτευμα ἅγιον ἀνενέγκαι πνευματικὰς θυσίας

Here Peter speaks of believers figuratively as if they were part of a priesthood and as if their good deeds and acts of worship were sacrifices offered to God. Just as the priests in the Old Testament offered sacrifices to God, so should believers do good deeds and worship God. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or with a synonym. Alternate translation: “like the holy priesthood that offered sacrifices to God, so you are made into a group which does good spiritual deeds” (See: Metaphor)

εἰς ἱεράτευμα ἅγιον

The word priesthood is a singular noun that refers to a group of priests. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “a group of holy priests” (See: Collective Nouns)

πνευματικὰς θυσίας εὐπροσδέκτους

This could mean: (1) the sacrifices are of a spiritual, rather than physical, nature. Alternate translation: “the sacrifices of a spiritual nature that are acceptable” (2) the sacrifices are offered by the power of the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: “the sacrifices offered by the power of the Holy Spirit, which are acceptable” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 2:6

περιέχει ἐν Γραφῇ

Here the quotation of scripture that occurs next in the verse is spoken of as if it were a person who stands. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it is written in scripture” (See: Personification)

περιέχει ἐν Γραφῇ

This phrase introduces a quotation of an Old Testament book (Isaiah 28:16). If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Peter is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “what Isaiah wrote in scripture stands” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

ἰδοὺ, τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον, ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον; καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ’ αὐτῷ, οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ.

This sentence is a quotation from Isaiah 28:16. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

ἰδοὺ

Peter quotes Isaiah using Behold to call his readers to pay attention to what he is about to say. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use here. (See: Metaphor)

τίθημι

In this quotation from the Old Testament, I refers to God. If this is confusing in your language, you can express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “I, God, lay” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

λίθον, ἀκρογωνιαῖον

Here God refers to the Messiah figuratively as if he were not only a stone, but even the most important stone in a building, the cornerstone. If this might confuse your readers, you could use a simile or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “someone who is like the most important stone in a building” (See: Metaphor)

λίθον, ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἐκλεκτὸν ἔντιμον

Here, chosen and precious show a distinction between this cornerstone and any other cornerstone. If this is not understood in your language, you can make the relationship between these phrases more clear. Alternate translation: “a cornerstone that is chosen and precious” (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

οὐ μὴ

The phrase certainly not translates two negative words in Greek. God uses them together to emphasize the truth of this statement. If your language can use two negatives together for emphasis without them cancelling each other to create a positive meaning, it would be appropriate to use that construction here. (See: Double Negatives)

1 Peter 2:7

ἡ τιμὴ

Here, this honor refers to the statement in the previous verse that people who believe in Jesus will “certainly not be ashamed.” If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “this honor of never being ashamed is” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἡ τιμὴ

The phrase translated this honor could also be translated as “precious,” in which case it would refer to the “cornerstone” in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “he is precious” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἀπιστοῦσιν δὲ

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “But to those who do not believe, God says in the scriptures” (See: Ellipsis)

λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας

This sentence is a quotation from Psalm 118:22. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

λίθος ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες

The author uses stone figuratively to refer to the Messiah, and he uses builders figuratively to refer to those who rejected Jesus. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “The Messiah who was rejected just like builders reject a stone” (See: Metaphor)

κεφαλὴν γωνίας

This phrase has the same meaning as “cornerstone” in the previous verse. It refers to the most important stone in a building. Here it refers specifically to the Messiah. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the Messiah, who is like a cornerstone” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:8

καὶ

Here, and introduces a quotation of an Old Testament book (Isaiah 8:14). If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Peter is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “and Isaiah wrote in the scriptures” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

λίθος προσκόμματος, καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου

This sentence is a quotation from Isaiah 8:14. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

λίθος προσκόμματος, καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου

Peter quotes Isaiah speaking figuratively of the Messiah as if he were a stone or rock that people tripped over. Peter means that many people would be offended by Jesus’ teachings and reject him. If your readers would not understand this, you could use a simile or express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “He is like a stone of stumbling and like a rock of offense” (See: Metaphor)

λίθος προσκόμματος, καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου

Peter quotes Isaiah using the possessive form twice in this sentence to describe a stone that causes stumbling and a rock that causes offense. If this is not clear in your language, you could use express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “A stone that makes people stumble and a rock that makes people feel offended” (See: Possession)

λίθος προσκόμματος, καὶ πέτρα σκανδάλου

These two phrases mean almost the same thing. Isaiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize that people will be offended by this stone. If stating the same thing twice might be confusing for your readers, you can combine the phrases into one. Alternate translation: “a stone or a rock over which people will surely stumble” (See: Parallelism)

τῷ λόγῳ

Here, the word refers to the gospel message, which includes the command to repent and believe the gospel. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the message about Jesus” (See: Metonymy)

οἳ προσκόπτουσιν

Here, stumble could refer to: (1) being offended by the gospel, which is the meaning in the rest of this verse. Alternate translation: “They get offended” (2) being judged for rejecting the gospel. Alternate translation: “They are judged” (See: Metaphor)

οἳ προσκόπτουσιν τῷ λόγῳ ἀπειθοῦντες

Here, disobeying the word indicates the reason why they stumble. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They stumble because they disobey the word” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

τῷ λόγῳ ἀπειθοῦντες

Here, disobeying refers to disobeying the command to repent and believe the gospel, which is part of the gospel message. Therefore, this disobeying means refusing to believe the gospel. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “refusing to believe the word” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς ὃ καὶ ἐτέθησαν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to which God also appointed them” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς ὃ

Here, which refers back to the previous part of this sentence. Those who do not believe in Jesus were appointed to stumble and disobey the word. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “To this, stumbling and disobeying the word,” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 2:9

γένος ἐκλεκτόν, βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα, ἔθνος ἅγιον, λαὸς εἰς περιποίησιν

All four of these phrases are quotations from the Old Testament. The phrase a chosen people is from Isaiah 43:20, a royal priesthood and a holy nation are from Exodus 19:6, and a people for possession is from Isaiah 43:21. It may be helpful for your readers to indicate these quotations with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate quotations. (See: Quote Markings)

γένος ἐκλεκτόν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “a family whom God has chosen” (See: Active or Passive)

βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα

This could refer to: (1) members of a priesthood who are also members of the king’s family. Alternate translation: “a kingly priesthood” (2) a priesthood which serves the king. Alternate translation: “a priesthood which serves the king” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα

The word priesthood is a singular noun that refers to a group of priests. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “a group of royal priests” (See: Collective Nouns)

λαὸς εἰς περιποίησιν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of possession, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “a people for God to possess” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ ἐκ σκότους ὑμᾶς καλέσαντος, εἰς τὸ θαυμαστὸν αὐτοῦ φῶς

This clause refers to God. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “of God, who called you from darkness into his marvelous light” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐκ σκότους…εἰς τὸ θαυμαστὸν αὐτοῦ φῶς

Here, darkness refers figuratively to the condition of people who do not know God and are sinful, and light refers figuratively to the condition of people who know God and are righteous. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use similes. Alternate translation: “from a life of sin and ignorance of God to a life of knowing and pleasing him” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:10

οὐ λαὸς…λαὸς Θεοῦ…οὐκ ἠλεημένοι…ἐλεηθέντες

All four of these phrases are quotations from the Old Testament (Hosea 1:6–10). It may be helpful to your readers to indicate these quotations with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate quotations. (See: Quote Markings)

1 Peter 2:11

Peter begins to tell his readers how to live Christian lives.

παροίκους καὶ παρεπιδήμους

Here, foreigners and exiles mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that Christians on this earth are far away from their home in heaven. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “true exiles” (See: Doublet)

παροίκους

Peter uses foreigners here figuratively to refer to his Christian readers. Just like a foreigner is not in his homeland, so are Christians not at home while living on the earth. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “those living away from their home in heaven” (See: Metaphor)

παρεπιδήμους

See how you translated this word in 1:1. (See: Metaphor)

ἀπέχεσθαι τῶν σαρκικῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν

Here, fleshly refers figuratively to a person’s sinful nature. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to abstain from satisfying your sinful desires” (See: Metonymy)

στρατεύονται κατὰ τῆς ψυχῆς

Peter speaks of fleshly desires figuratively as if they were soldiers trying to destroy the spiritual life of believers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “will destroy your spiritual life” (See: Personification)

τῆς ψυχῆς

Peter is referring to each individual Christian to whom he is writing this letter, not one particular soul. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “your souls” or “you” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

1 Peter 2:12

τὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἔχοντες καλήν

Peter is using a statement to give a command. If this is confusing in your language, you can use a more natural form for command, starting a new sentence. Alternate translation: “Keep your behavior among the Gentiles good” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

τὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἔχοντες καλήν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of behavior, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “behaving well among the Gentiles” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν

Peter uses Gentiles here figuratively to refer to people who are not Christians. Just like a Gentile was not a member of the Jewish people, so people who are not Christians are not members of God’s people. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “among those who do not believe in Jesus” or “among those who are not Christians” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν ᾧ καταλαλοῦσιν ὑμῶν ὡς

Alternate translation: “with regard to what they slander you for as ” or “with respect to the very things that they slander you for as”

ἐκ τῶν καλῶν ἔργων ἐποπτεύοντες

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of works, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “they may observe the good things that you do” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπισκοπῆς

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of visitation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “on the day when he visits” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπισκοπῆς

This phrase is an idiom that refers to the time when God will judge all people. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “on the day when he comes to judge everyone” (See: Idiom)

1 Peter 2:13

διὰ τὸν Κύριον

Here, the Lord refers to Jesus. This phrase could mean: (1) we should do this to follow the example of Jesus, who also obeyed human authorities. Alternate translation: “in order to follow the Lord’s example” (2) we should do this to honor Jesus. Alternate translation: “in order to honor the Lord” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

βασιλεῖ ὡς ὑπερέχοντι

Alternate translation: “to the king as the highest human authority” or “to the king, who has supreme human authority”

1 Peter 2:14

ἡγεμόσιν ὡς δι’ αὐτοῦ πεμπομένοις

Alternate translation: “to governors, who have been sent through him”

δι’ αὐτοῦ πεμπομένοις

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom the king has sent” (See: Active or Passive)

δι’ αὐτοῦ πεμπομένοις

Here, him could refer to: (1) the king mentioned in the previous verse, as in the UST. (2) God, who is the one who installs and removes all governing authorities. Alternate translation: “those being sent by God” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

εἰς ἐκδίκησιν κακοποιῶν, ἔπαινον δὲ ἀγαθοποιῶν

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of punishment and praise, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “to punish evildoers and praise those who do good” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 2:15

ἀγαθοποιοῦντας φιμοῦν τὴν τῶν ἀφρόνων ἀνθρώπων ἀγνωσίαν

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good” (See: Information Structure)

ἀγαθοποιοῦντας φιμοῦν τὴν τῶν ἀφρόνων ἀνθρώπων ἀγνωσίαν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of ignorance, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “doing good to silence the ignorant things that foolish people are saying” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 2:16

ὡς ἐλεύθεροι

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. These words could be: (1) the command to submit to authorities stated in verse 13. Alternate translation: “submit as free people” (2) an implied imperative verb. Alternate translation: “act as free people” or “live as free people” (See: Ellipsis)

ὡς ἐπικάλυμμα…τῆς κακίας

Here, covering could refer to: (1) something to prevent people from knowing about one’s evil deeds. Alternate translation: “as a way to prevent others from seeing your evil” (2) an excuse or pretext to do evil deeds. Alternate translation: “as an excuse to do evil” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:17

τὴν ἀδελφότητα

Here, brotherhood refers to all Christian believers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the community of believers” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:18

Peter begins to speak specifically to people who were slaves who worked in people’s houses.

τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς καὶ ἐπιεικέσιν

The words good and gentle mean similar things. Peter uses this repetition to emphasize that such masters treat their servants very kindly. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “to the very kind ones” (See: Doublet)

τοῖς σκολιοῖς

Here, crooked ones is used figuratively to refer to people who act dishonestly or unjustly as if their morals were an object that could be bent or twisted. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to the dishonest ones” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:19

τοῦτο…χάρις

Peter assumes that his readers will know that he is referring to finding favor with God, which is what he states in the next verse. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternate translation: “this is deserving of God’s favor” or “this is pleasing to God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

διὰ συνείδησιν Θεοῦ

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of consciousness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “because one is aware of God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

διὰ συνείδησιν Θεοῦ

Peter is using the possessive form to describe consciousness that is about or concerning God. If this is not clear in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “because of having consciousness about God” (See: Possession)

Θεοῦ

Here, God refers to who God is and what he requires from his people. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “because of consciousness of who God is and what he requires” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 2:20

ποῖον γὰρ κλέος, εἰ ἁμαρτάνοντες καὶ κολαφιζόμενοι ὑπομενεῖτε?

Peter is not asking for information, but is using the question form here to emphasize that there is nothing praiseworthy about suffering for doing something wrong. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate this sentence as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “For there is no credit if, sinning and being beaten, you will endure.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

κολαφιζόμενοι

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone beats you” or “your master beats you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀγαθοποιοῦντες καὶ πάσχοντες

This could mean: (1) someone suffers even though that person did what is good. Alternate translation: “suffering despite doing good” (2) someone suffers because that person did what is good. Alternate translation: “suffering because of doing good” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

τοῦτο χάρις παρὰ Θεῷ

See how you translated a similar phrase in the previous verse.

1 Peter 2:21

εἰς τοῦτο

Here, this refers back to what Peter stated at the end of the previous verse. Believers are called by God to endure suffering while doing what is good. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “to endure suffering when you have done what is good” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς τοῦτο…ἐκλήθητε

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God has called you to this” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐπακολουθήσητε τοῖς ἴχνεσιν αὐτοῦ

Peter uses follow in his footsteps figuratively to refer to following Jesus’ example about enduring suffering. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you might imitate his behavior” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:22

ὃς ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ

This verse is a quotation from Isaiah 53:9. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “neither did anyone find deceit in his mouth” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ

Peter quotes Isaiah referring to deceit figuratively as if it were an object that could be found inside someone’s mouth. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “neither was deceit spoken out of his mouth” (See: Metaphor)

οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ

Peter quotes Isaiah figuratively describing something the Messiah would say by association with his mouth, which he would use to say something. In this case it is something the Messiah did not say. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “neither did he say something deceitful” (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 2:23

ὃς λοιδορούμενος, οὐκ ἀντελοιδόρει

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom people reviled, did not revile them back” (See: Active or Passive)

παρεδίδου…τῷ κρίνοντι δικαίως

Here, the one who judges justly refers to God. This means that Jesus trusted God to punish those who reviled him or to prove that he was innocent. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “he entrusted himself to God, who judges justly” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 2:24

ὃς τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν αὐτὸς ἀνήνεγκεν

Peter uses the word himself here to emphasize that Jesus alone is the one who bore our sins. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this emphasis. Alternate translation: “none other than Jesus bore our sins” or “Jesus, that very person, bore our sins” (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν…ἀνήνεγκεν ἐν τῷ σώματι αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον

Peter uses bore our sins figuratively to refer to Jesus being punished for our sins as if sins were an object that he carried on his body. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “suffered the punishment for our sins in his body on the tree” (See: Metaphor)

τὸ ξύλον

Peter uses tree figuratively to refer to the cross on which Jesus died, which was made of wood. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language, as in the UST. (See: Metonymy)

ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἀπογενόμενοι

Here, having died to sins is a metaphor that means to no longer be controlled by sin. Like a dead person is free from sinning because they are no longer alive, so believers are free to stop sinning because Jesus bore the punishment for their sins. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “being no longer controlled by sin” (See: Metaphor)

ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἀπογενόμενοι

This clause refers to an event that occurs before the event in the next clause. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could show this relationship by using a fuller phrase. Alternate translation: “after having died to sins” (See: Connect — Sequential Time Relationship)

τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ ζήσωμεν

When Peter says we, he is speaking of himself and other believers in Christ, so we would be inclusive. Your language may require you to mark this form. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

οὗ τῷ μώλωπι ἰάθητε

This clause is a quotation from Isaiah 53:5. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

οὗ τῷ μώλωπι ἰάθητε

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God has healed you by means of his wounds” (See: Active or Passive)

οὗ τῷ μώλωπι

Here, wounds figuratively refers to all the suffering Jesus endured when he was beaten and killed on the cross. If our readers would misunderstand this, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “by whose suffering and death” (See: Synecdoche)

ἰάθητε

Here, healed could mean: (1) being freed from the penalty and power of sin, which could include physical healing. Alternate translation: “you were freed from the effects of sin” (2) being forgiven for their sins and having a restored relationship with God. Alternate translation: “you were forgiven” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 2:25

ἦτε…ὡς πρόβατα πλανώμενοι

Peter speaks figuratively about his readers before they believed in Christ as if they had been similar to lost sheep that were wandering around aimlessly. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you were living aimlessly without knowing God” (See: Simile)

ἐπεστράφητε

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God has turned you back” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸν ποιμένα καὶ ἐπίσκοπον τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν

Peter uses shepherd and overseer figuratively to refer to Jesus. Just as a shepherd protects his sheep and an overseer takes care of his workers, Jesus protects and takes care of those who trust in him. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one who protects and takes care of your souls” (See: Metaphor)

τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν

See how you translated this phrase in 1:9. (See: Synecdoche)

1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. How believers should act toward other people (2:11–3:12)
2. How believers should endure suffering (3:13–4:6)

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in verses 10–12.

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

“the spirits in prison”

Verse 19 states that Jesus went and proclaimed to “the spirits in prison,” but does not mention what Jesus proclaimed or who those spirits are. Verse 20 states that these spirits disobeyed God during the time of Noah. Many scholars think that this means one of the following three meanings, each of which will be discussed in the notes for verses 19 and 20: (1) The spirits are demons who were imprisoned by God because they did something evil during Noah’s time (see 2 Peter 2:4–5; Jude 6–7; Genesis 6:1–4). Verse 19 then means that Jesus went to the place where they are imprisoned and proclaimed his victory to them at some time between his death on the cross and his return to heaven. (2) The spirits are sinful human beings who died during the flood in Noah’s time, and the prison is the realm of the dead. Verse 19 then means that Jesus went to hell and proclaimed his victory to those dead people there at some time between his death and resurrection. (3) The spirits are sinful human beings who died during the flood in Noah’s time, but verse 19 refers to the pre-incarnate form of Jesus indirectly preaching the gospel to them through the preaching of Noah.

“Baptism now saves you”

In verse 20 Peter refers to the story of God rescuing Noah and his family from the flood “through water.” Then in verse 21 he states that the water is an “antitype” for baptism, which is a Christian ritual by which a person publicly identifies as a Christian. Then Peter makes the statement that baptism “now saves you.” Since the New Testament authors repeatedly state that God alone saves people and that no one can do any work to be saved, Peter’s statement cannot mean that a person can be saved by being baptized. Rather, Peter uses the word “baptism” figuratively to refer to the faith in Jesus that a person publicly confesses when that person is baptized. Peter indicates later in verse 21 that he is not referring to water baptism, which he describes as “the removal of dirt from the flesh.” Peter further states that the baptism he is referring to saves “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” which means that a person is saved by faith in Jesus, because Jesus rose from the dead.

1 Peter 3:1

In verses 1–6 Peter gives instructions specifically to women who are wives.

τινες ἀπειθοῦσιν τῷ λόγῳ

Here, being disobedient to the word could refer to: (1) refusing to believe the gospel message, as in 2:8. Alternate translation: “some do not believe the message about Jesus” (2) disobeying the commands God gave in his word. Alternate translation: “some do not obey what God commands in his word” (See: Metonymy)

κερδηθήσονται

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you will win them” (See: Active or Passive)

κερδηθήσονται

Here, won is an idiom that means that the unbelieving husbands will become believers in Jesus. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “they will be persuaded to believe in Christ” (See: Idiom)

ἄνευ λόγου

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “without you saying a word.” (See: Ellipsis)

ἄνευ λόγου

Here, word refers to anything the wives might say to their husbands about the gospel message. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “without a word about the gospel” (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 3:2

ἐποπτεύσαντες

This phrase indicates the reason why the unbelieving husbands would become believers in Jesus. These husbands became believers because they observed how their wives behaved. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “because they observed” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

τὴν ἐν φόβῳ ἁγνὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of behavior, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “you behave purely and with fear” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὴν…ἁγνὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν

This could refer to: (1) the wives’ sincere and honest behavior. Alternate translation: “your sincere behavior” (2) the wives’ sexually chaste behavior. Alternate translation: “your sexually chaste behavior” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 3:3

ὧν

Here, whose refers to the Christian wives to whom Peter is speaking. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “your” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ὧν…κόσμος

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of adornment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “they way you adorn yourselves” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 3:4

ἀλλ’ ὁ κρυπτὸς τῆς καρδίας ἄνθρωπος

If it would be helpful in your language, you could begin this verse as a new sentence. If you do so, then you will need to repeat the subject and verb from the previous verse. Alternate translation: “Rather, let your adornment be the inner man of the heart” (See: Connect — Contrast Relationship)

ὁ κρυπτὸς τῆς καρδίας ἄνθρωπος

Here, hidden man and heart both refer to a person’s thoughts or emotions. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the inner thoughts” (See: Metonymy)

ὁ κρυπτὸς τῆς καρδίας ἄνθρωπος

Peter is using the possessive form to indicate that the hidden man is the same thing as the heart. If this is not clear in your language, you could use express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the hidden man, which is the heart” or “the hidden man, namely, the heart” (See: Possession)

ἐν τῷ ἀφθάρτῳ τοῦ πραέως καὶ ἡσυχίου πνεύματος

Peter is using the possessive form to indicate that the imperishable thing is the same thing as a gentle and quiet spirit. If this is not clear in your language, you could use express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “in the imperishable thing, which is a gentle and quiet spirit” or “in the imperishable thing, namely, a gentle and quiet spirit” (See: Possession)

τοῦ πραέως καὶ ἡσυχίου πνεύματος

Here,quiet means “peaceful” or “calm.” It does not mean the opposite of loud. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of a gentle and peaceful spirit” (See: Metonymy)

τοῦ πραέως καὶ ἡσυχίου πνεύματος

Here, spirit refers to a person’s attitude or temperament. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of a gentle and quiet attitude.” (See: Metonymy)

ὅ ἐστιν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ πολυτελές

Peter refers to God’s opinion figuratively as if it were a person standing directly in front of him. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “which God considers to be very precious” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:5

ἐκόσμουν ἑαυτάς

Peter speaks figuratively of the attitude of the holy women as if it were something with which they adorned themselves. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternative translation: “made themselves beautiful” (See: Metaphor)

ὑποτασσόμεναι τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν

See how you translated the similar clause in verse 1.

1 Peter 3:6

Σάρρα…τῷ Ἀβραάμ

Sarah is the name of a woman and Abraham is the name of her husband. (See: How to Translate Names)

ἧς ἐγενήθητε τέκνα

Peter uses a Hebrew idiom here in which people are said to be the children of someone who has qualities similar to theirs. Women who believe and who act like Sarah acted are thought of as if they were her actual children. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “who resemble her as if you were her children” (See: Idiom)

μὴ φοβούμεναι μηδεμίαν πτόησιν

The phrase not being afraid of any translates two negative words in Greek. Peter uses them together to emphasize that believing women should not fear anything at all. If your language can use two negatives together for emphasis without them cancelling each other to create a positive meaning, it would be appropriate to use that construction here. (See: Double Negatives)

1 Peter 3:7

In this verse Peter gives instructions specifically to men who are husbands.

συνοικοῦντες…τῷ γυναικείῳ

Here, the female refers to the wives of the men to whom Peter is writing, not to one particular woman. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “live with the women whom you have married” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

κατὰ γνῶσιν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of knowledge, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “in a knowledgeable way” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ὡς ἀσθενεστέρῳ σκεύει

Here Peter refers to women figuratively as if they were weaker containers. The word container is a term used to refer to both men and women in the Bible (Acts 9:15). Just as clay pots can break easily, so are human beings weak. Here Peter specifically refers to women as weaker containers because woman are usually physically weaker than men. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “as with someone who is weaker than you are” (See: Metaphor)

ἀπονέμοντες τιμήν ὡς καὶ συνκληρονόμοις χάριτος ζωῆς

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of honor and heirs, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “honor them as also those who will inherit with you the grace of life” (See: Abstract Nouns)

συνκληρονόμοις χάριτος ζωῆς

Peter speaks of the grace of life figuratively as if it were something that people inherit. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “those who will experience the grace of life together” (See: Metaphor)

χάριτος ζωῆς

Peter is using the possessive form to describe grace that is life. The word grace refers to a gracious gift and life refers to eternal life. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “of the gracious gift, namely, eternal life” (See: Possession)

εἰς τὸ μὴ ἐνκόπτεσθαι τὰς προσευχὰς ὑμῶν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 3:8

In verses 8–12 Peter writes instructions to all believers.

ὁμόφρονες

Alternate translation: “have the same opinion and be” or “have the same attitude and be”

φιλάδελφοι

Although brothers is masculine, Peter is using the phrase loving as brothers in a generic sense to refer to the kind of love that all believers should have for other believers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “loving as fellow believers” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

1 Peter 3:9

μὴ ἀποδιδόντες κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ, ἢ λοιδορίαν ἀντὶ λοιδορίας

Peter uses paying back figuratively to refer to responding to the actions of another person as if one was returning money to that person for those actions. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “not doing evil to someone who does evil to you or insulting someone who insults you” (See: Metaphor)

εὐλογοῦντες

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: “blessing those who do evil to you or insult you” (See: Ellipsis)

εἰς τοῦτο ἐκλήθητε

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God called you to this” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς τοῦτο ἐκλήθητε, ἵνα

Here, this could refer to: (1) blessing earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: “you were called to bless so that” (2) inherit a blessing later in the verse “to this you were called so that” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἵνα εὐλογίαν κληρονομήσητε

Peter speaks of experiencing God’s blessing figuratively as if one is receiving an inheritance. If this might confuse your readers, you could express it plainly. Alternate translation: “so that you might experience God’s blessing as your permanent possession” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:10

γὰρ

For here introduces a quotation from the Old Testament (Psalm 34:12–16). If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Peter is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “It is as David wrote in the scriptures” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

ὁ…θέλων ζωὴν ἀγαπᾶν, καὶ ἰδεῖν ἡμέρας ἀγαθὰς, παυσάτω

From this clause through to the end of verse 12, Peter quotes from Psalm 34:12–16. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

ὁ…θέλων ζωὴν ἀγαπᾶν, καὶ ἰδεῖν ἡμέρας ἀγαθὰς

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the desire to have a good life. If stating the same thing twice might be confusing for your readers, you can combine the phrases into one. Alternate translation: “the one truly wanting to have a good life” (See: Parallelism)

ἰδεῖν ἡμέρας ἀγαθὰς

Peter quotes David speaking figuratively of experiencing a good lifetime as seeing good days. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to experience a good lifetime” (See: Metaphor)

τὴν γλῶσσαν ἀπὸ κακοῦ, καὶ χείλη τοῦ μὴ λαλῆσαι δόλον

Peter quotes David using the words tongue and lips figuratively to refer to the person who is speaking. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: “himself from speaking evil and from speaking deceit” (See: Synecdoche)

τὴν γλῶσσαν ἀπὸ κακοῦ, καὶ χείλη τοῦ μὴ λαλῆσαι δόλον

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of evil and deceit, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “his tongue from saying evil things and his lips from speaking deceitful things” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 3:11

ἐκκλινάτω…ἀπὸ κακοῦ

Here, turn away from is a metaphor that means to avoid doing something. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “let him avoid doing evil” (See: Metaphor)

ζητησάτω εἰρήνην καὶ διωξάτω αὐτήν

The phrases seek peace and pursue it mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize the importance of living peacefully with other people. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “Let him earnestly pursue peace” (See: Doublet)

ζητησάτω εἰρήνην

Here, peace refers to peaceful relationships between people. If it might be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Let him seek to live peacefully with others” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 3:12

ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου ἐπὶ δικαίους

Here, eyes being on someone is an idiom that refers to God acting favorably toward someone by taking care of that person. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a similar idiom in your language. Alternate translation: “The Lord lovingly takes care of the righteous ones” (See: Idiom)

ὦτα αὐτοῦ εἰς δέησιν αὐτῶν

Here, ears being toward someone’s request is an idiom that refers to God listening to that person’s request. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a similar idiom in your language. Alternate translation: “the Lord listens to their request” (See: Idiom)

ὦτα αὐτοῦ εἰς δέησιν αὐτῶν

The idea that the Lord listens to the requests of righteous people also implies that he responds to those requests. If this might be helpful to your readers, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “he listens to and grants their request” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

δέησιν αὐτῶν

Here, request refers to requests in general, not to one particular request. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “their requests” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

πρόσωπον δὲ Κυρίου ἐπὶ

Here, face refers figuratively to the Lord himself. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “But the Lord is against” (See: Synecdoche)

πρόσωπον δὲ Κυρίου ἐπὶ

Here, the face being against someone is an idiom that refers to one person opposing another person. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a similar idiom in your language. Alternate translation: “But the Lord opposes” (See: Idiom)

ποιοῦντας κακά

After this phrase, Peter also ends his quotation from the book of Psalms. If you decided in verse 10 to mark this as a quotation, indicate that ending here with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate the end of a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

1 Peter 3:13

In verses 13–22 Peter teaches the believers how to behave when unbelievers persecute them.

τίς ὁ κακώσων ὑμᾶς, ἐὰν τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ ζηλωταὶ γένησθε?

Peter is not asking for information, but is using the question form here to emphasize that it is unlikely that someone would harm them if they did good things. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “no one will harm you if you become zealous ones of the good” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ ζηλωταὶ

Peter is using the possessive form to describe people who are zealous about doing good deeds. If this is not clear in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “ones zealous to do good deeds” (See: Possession)

1 Peter 3:14

πάσχοιτε διὰ δικαιοσύνην

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of righteousness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “you might suffer because you do what is right” (See: Abstract Nouns)

μακάριοι

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will cause you to be blessed ones” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸν δὲ φόβον αὐτῶν, μὴ φοβηθῆτε μηδὲ ταραχθῆτε

This sentence is a quotation from Isaiah 8:12. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

τὸν δὲ φόβον αὐτῶν, μὴ φοβηθῆτε μηδὲ ταραχθῆτε

These two phrases mean the same thing. Peter states the same idea twice in order to emphasize that believers should not be afraid of people who persecute them. If stating the same thing twice might be confusing for your readers, you can combine the phrases into one. Alternate translation: “But you should not fear at all what people might do to you” (See: Parallelism)

τὸν…φόβον αὐτῶν, μὴ φοβηθῆτε

This could refer to: (1) the fear that unbelievers have. Alternate translation: “you should not fear what they fear” or “you should not fear the same things that they fear” (2) the fear that righteous people have for unbelievers. Alternate translation: “you should not fear them” (See: Possession)

1 Peter 3:15

Κύριον…τὸν Χριστὸν ἁγιάσατε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

Peter uses sanctify the Lord Christ figuratively to refer to acknowledging Christ’s holiness. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “acknowledge in your hearts that the Lord Christ is holy” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

Here, hearts refers to the thoughts or emotions of Peter’s readers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in your minds” or “within yourselves” (See: Metonymy)

πρὸς ἀπολογίαν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of defense, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “to defend your faith” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῷ αἰτοῦντι ὑμᾶς λόγον

Peter uses word figuratively to refer to an answer or explanation spoken by using words. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who asks you for a statement” (See: Metonymy)

περὶ τῆς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐλπίδος

Peter speaks of hope figuratively as if it were something that could be inside a person. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “concerning your hope” or “concerning the hope that you have” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:16

μετὰ πραΰτητος καὶ φόβου

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of meekness and fear, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “by being meek and fearful” (See: Abstract Nouns)

συνείδησιν ἔχοντες ἀγαθήν

This phrase implies not doing anything sinful that would cause a person to not have a good conscience. If this might confuse your readers, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “doing nothing wrong” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἵνα ἐν ᾧ καταλαλεῖσθε, καταισχυνθῶσιν, οἱ ἐπηρεάζοντες ὑμῶν τὴν ἀγαθὴν ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστροφήν

If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these clauses. Alternate translation: “so that the ones who are reviling your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed about why you are being slandered” (See: Information Structure)

καταλαλεῖσθε

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people are slandering you” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑμῶν τὴν ἀγαθὴν ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστροφήν

Here, in Christ refers to being a Christian. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “your good behavior as a Christian” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

καταισχυνθῶσιν, οἱ ἐπηρεάζοντες ὑμῶν τὴν ἀγαθὴν ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστροφήν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God may shame the ones who are reviling your good behavior in Christ” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 3:17

ἀγαθοποιοῦντας…κακοποιοῦντας

These two phrases indicate two different reasons for suffering. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because of doing good … because of doing evil” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

εἰ θέλοι τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ

Peter uses the will of God figuratively to refer to God himself. If your readers would not understand this, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if God wills” (See: Metonymy)

1 Peter 3:18

περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν

Here, sins implies the sins of people other than Jesus, because Jesus never sinned. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “for the sake of the sins of others” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

θανατωθεὶς…σαρκὶ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people having killed him in the flesh” (See: Active or Passive)

θανατωθεὶς…σαρκὶ

Here, flesh refers to Christ’s body, which was made of flesh. Peter is saying that the body of Christ was killed. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “having been killed physically” (See: Metonymy)

ζῳοποιηθεὶς…πνεύματι

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God’s spirit having made him alive” or “God having made him alive in the spirit” (See: Active or Passive)

ζῳοποιηθεὶς…πνεύματι

Here, the spirit could refer to: (1) the Holy Spirit, in which case this phrase would indicate the means by which Jesus was made alive. Alternate translation: “having been made him alive by the Spirit” (2) Jesus’ spiritual existence, in which case this phrase would be referring to the spiritual realm that is in contrast to the physical realm referred to with the phrase “in the flesh.” Alternate translation: “having been made alive spiritually” or “having been made alive in the spiritual realm” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 3:19

ἐν ᾧ

Here, which refers to “the spirit” in the previous verse. As in the previous verse, this could refer to: (1) the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: “by means of the Spirit” (2) Jesus’ spiritual existence. Alternate translation: “in the spiritual realm” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐκήρυξεν

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. This phrase could mean: (1) Jesus proclaimed God’s victory over sin and death, which he accomplished through his death and resurrection. Alternate translation: “he proclaimed God’s victory” (2) Jesus preached the gospel to wicked people indirectly through the preaching of Noah during the time before the great flood. This interpretation is less likely to be correct, because it would mean that Noah was actually the one preaching and Peter does not mention Noah preaching or Jesus’ pre-incarnate existence anywhere in this letter. Alternate translation: “he preached the gospel” (See: Ellipsis)

τοῖς ἐν φυλακῇ πνεύμασιν

Here, spirits could refer to: (1) evil spirits whom God imprisoned because of what they did before the flood that occurred in Noah’s time (see 2 Peter 2:4–5; Jude 6–7; Genesis 6:1–4), as in the UST. (2) the spirits of people who died during the flood that occurred in Noah’s time. This interpretation is a less likely to be correct because Peter never refers to people as spirits, but rather “souls,” as in the next verse. Alternate translation: “to those people who had died and were in prison” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐν φυλακῇ

Here Peter uses prison as a metaphor. It could refer to: (1) a place where God imprisoned certain evil spirits whom he will judge when he judges the whole world (see 2 Peter 2:4–5; Jude 6–7). Alternate translation: “whom God had imprisoned to await judgment” (2) the place where sinful people go when they die. Alternate translation: “in hell” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 3:20

ἀπειθήσασίν

Peter is leaving out a word that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply the word from the context. Alternate translation: “having disobeyed God” (See: Ellipsis)

ἡ τοῦ Θεοῦ μακροθυμία

Peter uses patience of God figuratively to refer to God himself. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “God himself” (See: Metonymy)

ἐν ἡμέραις Νῶε

Here Peter uses days of Noah figuratively to refer to the time period when Noah was alive. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in the time of Noah” (See: Metonymy)

κατασκευαζομένης κιβωτοῦ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when Noah was constructing an ark” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 3:21

ὃ

Here, which refers back to the “water” mentioned at the end of the last verse. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly, as in the UST. (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ὃ καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀντίτυπον νῦν σῴζει βάπτισμα

If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “which, being an antitype for baptism, now saves you also” (See: Information Structure)

ὃ καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀντίτυπον νῦν σῴζει βάπτισμα

Here, antitype refers to one thing that is an analogy for another thing. In this context the “water” from the previous verse is an analogy for baptism. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “which is a symbol for baptism, now saves you also” or “which is analogous to baptism, now saves you also” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

βάπτισμα

Here Peter uses baptism figuratively to refer to the faith in Jesus that believers profess when they are baptized. The Bible clearly states that God saves people by grace through faith, not by any work like baptism (Ephesians 2:8–9). See the discussion in the General Notes for this chapter. If this might confuse your readers, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “the faith in Jesus demonstrated by baptism” (See: Metonymy)

οὐ σαρκὸς ἀπόθεσις ῥύπου, ἀλλὰ συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς, ἐπερώτημα εἰς Θεόν

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of removal and appeal, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “it does not remove dirt from the flesh, but appeals to God for a good conscience” (See: Abstract Nouns)

σαρκὸς

Here, Peter uses flesh figuratively to refer to a person’s physical body that is made of flesh. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the body” (See: Metonymy)

συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς, ἐπερώτημα εἰς Θεόν

Here the phrase a good conscience means Peter’s readers do not feel guilty because they know that God has forgiven their sins. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “an appeal to God to know that your sins have been forgiven” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

καὶ ὑμᾶς…νῦν σῴζει βάπτισμα, οὐ σαρκὸς ἀπόθεσις ῥύπου, ἀλλὰ συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς, ἐπερώτημα εἰς Θεόν δι’ ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,

Here, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ indicates the means by which the faith demonstrated by baptism saves. If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these phrases to make that meaning clear. Alternate translation: “baptism now saves you also through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not a removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience” (See: Information Structure)

δι’ ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of resurrection, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “through God raising Jesus Christ from the dead” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 3:22

ὅς ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ Θεοῦ, πορευθεὶς εἰς οὐρανὸν, ὑποταγέντων αὐτῷ ἀγγέλων, καὶ ἐξουσιῶν, καὶ δυνάμεων

The phrases having gone and having been subjected indicate that those two clauses describe events that occurred before the event in the first clause in this verse. If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these phrases so that they appear in chronological order. Alternate translation: “after having gone into heaven, with angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to him, he is at the right hand of God” (See: Information Structure)

ὅς ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ Θεοῦ

Here, Peter uses right hand figuratively to refer to the place located at the right side of God in heaven. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who is at God’s right side” (See: Metonymy)

ὅς ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ Θεοῦ

In this culture, the place at the right side of a ruler was a position of honor. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternate translation: “who is at the place of honor next to God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὑποταγέντων αὐτῷ ἀγγέλων, καὶ ἐξουσιῶν, καὶ δυνάμεων

The words angels, authorities, and powers are all terms for the ranks of supernatural beings, both angelic and demonic. If your language does not have three different terms for rulers or authorities, you can combine them. Alternate translation: “all types of supernatural beings having been subjected to him” (See: Doublet)

ὑποταγέντων αὐτῷ ἀγγέλων, καὶ ἐξουσιῶν, καὶ δυνάμεων

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God having subjected angels and authorities and powers to him” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. How believers should endure suffering (3:13–4:6)
2. How believers should act because the end is near (4:7–11)
3. How believers should respond to trials (4:12–19)

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry that is quoted from the Old Testament in verse 18.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Ungodly Gentiles

Although the term “Gentiles” usually refers to people who are not Jewish, in verse 3 Peter uses “Gentiles” to refer to all ungodly people who are not Jews. It does not include Gentiles who have become Christians. Actions like “licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry” were typical of ungodly Gentiles. (See: godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness)

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

“Let him” and “Let those”

In verses 16–19 Peter uses these phrases to tell his readers what he wants them to do. Although they are commands that he wants his readers to obey, it is as if he were telling one person what he wants other people to do. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate these as commands, like the UST does.

1 Peter 4:1

οὖν

Therefore here refers back to what Peter has said about Jesus’ suffering in 3:18. If it might help your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Considering what I have written about Christ’s suffering” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

σαρκὶ…σαρκὶ

Here, flesh refers to the human body, which is made of flesh. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in the body … in the body” (See: Metonymy)

ὑμεῖς τὴν αὐτὴν ἔννοιαν ὁπλίσασθε

Here Peter uses arm yourselves figuratively to refer to preparing one’s mind for something. As soldiers get their weapons ready for battle, so should Christians be mentally prepared to suffer for their faith. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “prepare your minds with the same way of thinking” (See: Metaphor)

τὴν αὐτὴν ἔννοιαν

Here Peter uses the same way of thinking to refer to Jesus’ way of thinking when he suffered. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “with the same way of thinking about suffering that Christ had when he suffered” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πέπαυται ἁμαρτίας

Here, ceased from sin means “no longer living with a sinful mindset.” The idea is that suffering because of one’s faith indicates that a person is not living sinfully. Christians are often persecuted by unbelievers because they refuse to act sinfully. This phrase does not mean that Christians who suffer never sin. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “has stopped living sinfully” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 4:2

εἰς

Here, in order to introduces a purpose clause. This could mean: (1) this verse states the purpose for ceasing from sin mentioned at the end of the previous verse. Alternate translation (without a comma preceding): “so that he will” (2) this verse states the purpose for the command to “arm yourselves” in the previous verse. Alternate translation (starting a new sentence): “Arm yourselves in order to” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

τὸν ἐπίλοιπον ἐν σαρκὶ…χρόνον

Peter uses time in the flesh figuratively to refer to a person’s lifetime. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the remaining time of your life” or “the rest of your life” (See: Metonymy)

ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαις

Here, desires refers specifically to sinful desires. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “for the sinful desires of men” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαις

Although the term men is masculine, Peter is using the word here in a generic sense to refer to humans in general. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for human desires” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

1 Peter 4:3

ἀρκετὸς…ὁ παρεληλυθὼς χρόνος

Alternate translation: “enough time has passed”

τὸ βούλημα τῶν ἐθνῶν

Here Peter uses Gentiles figuratively to refer to sinful people who do not know God. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. See the discussion of this term in the General Notes for this chapter. Alternate translation: “the will of those people who do not know God” (See: Metaphor)

πεπορευμένους ἐν ἀσελγείαις, ἐπιθυμίαις, οἰνοφλυγίαις, κώμοις, πότοις, καὶ ἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαις

Peter speaks of these different sins figuratively as if they were places that his readers had formerly lived in. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “having practiced licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry” (See: Metaphor)

πεπορευμένους ἐν ἀσελγείαις, ἐπιθυμίαις, οἰνοφλυγίαις, κώμοις, πότοις, καὶ ἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαις

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, and idolatry, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “having lived licentious and lustful lives, getting drunk, attending immoral parties and drinking parties, and worshiping prohibited idols” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 4:4

μὴ συντρεχόντων ὑμῶν εἰς τὴν αὐτὴν τῆς ἀσωτίας ἀνάχυσιν

Peter uses running into figuratively to refer to being eager to participate in sinful acts with unbelievers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you are not eagerly joining them to participate in the same outpouring of recklessness” (See: Metaphor)

τῆς ἀσωτίας ἀνάχυσιν

Peter uses outpouring figuratively to refer to acting sinfully to such a high degree that it is as if sin were pouring out of the person like a flood. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “abundant acts of recklessness” (See: Metaphor)

τῆς ἀσωτίας

The word recklessness refers to dangerous behavior that shows that a person does not care about the consequences of his actions. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of careless sinning” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 4:5

οἳ ἀποδώσουσιν λόγον

Here Peter uses give figuratively to refer to speaking something. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they will speak a word” (See: Metaphor)

οἳ ἀποδώσουσιν λόγον

Here Peter uses word figuratively to refer to an explanation that they would speak using words. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they will give an account” (See: Metonymy)

τῷ ἑτοίμως ἔχοντι κρῖναι

Here, the one who is ready to judge could refer to: (1) God. Alternate translation: “to God, who is ready to judge” (2) Christ. Alternate translation: “to Christ, who is ready to judge” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς

The phrase living and dead ones refers to all people, whether they are still alive or have died. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “everyone” (See: Merism)

1 Peter 4:6

καὶ νεκροῖς εὐηγγελίσθη

Here, dead ones refers to people who heard the gospel while they were alive but had died by the time Peter wrote this letter. Some people believe that this clause means that Jesus went to hell and preached the gospel to people who had died before Jesus himself died on the cross. However, that idea would contradict the statement in Hebrews 9:27 that “men are appointed to die once, and after that, the judgment.” The Bible does not state that God gave anyone a second chance to believe in Jesus after they had already died. If this use of dead ones might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the gospel was preached also to those who have since died” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εὐηγγελίσθη

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) people preached the gospel. Alternate translation: “people preached the gospel” (2) Christ preached the gospel. Alternate translation: “Christ preached the gospel” (See: Active or Passive)

κριθῶσι…κατὰ ἀνθρώπους σαρκὶ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) men judged and persecuted them during their lives according to human standards. Alternate translation: “men judged them in the flesh by human standards” (2) God judged them as humans during their lives. Alternate translation: “God judged them in the flesh as humans” (See: Active or Passive)

κατὰ ἀνθρώπους

Although the term men is masculine, Peter is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “according to people” or “as people” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

σαρκὶ

Here Peter uses in the flesh figuratively to refer to a person’s lifetime. See how you translated this expression in verse 2. (See: Metonymy)

ζῶσι

Here, live refers to experiencing eternal life. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they might experience eternal life” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ζῶσι…πνεύματι

Here, the spirit could refer to: (1) the Holy Spirit, in which case this phrase would indicate the means by which the people received eternal life. Alternate translation: “they might live by the Spirit” (2) their spiritual existence, in which case this phrase would be referring to the spiritual realm that is contrasted with the physical realm mentioned earlier in the verse with the phrase “in the flesh.” Alternate translation: “they might live spiritually” or “they might live in the spiritual realm” See how you translated the same expression in 3:18. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 4:7

πάντων…τὸ τέλος

Here, the end of all things refers to the end of the world, when Jesus returns and judges everyone. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the end of the world, when Jesus returns,” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἤγγικεν

Peter uses has come near figuratively to refer to something that will happen soon. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will soon happen” (See: Metaphor)

σωφρονήσατε…καὶ νήψατε

The words translated as sound mind and sober mean basically the same thing. Peter uses them to emphasize the need to think clearly since the end of the world is near. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “be completely clearheaded” (See: Doublet)

νήψατε

See how you translated this word in 1:13. (See: Metaphor)

εἰς προσευχάς

Here, for introduces a purpose clause. Peter is stating a purpose for his readers to think clearly. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of praying prayers” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

1 Peter 4:8

ὅτι ἀγάπη καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν

Peter describes love figuratively as if it were a person who could cover something up, and he describes sins figuratively as if they were objects that could be covered up. This clause, covers up, means that people who love others will forgive them for the sins that they commit against them. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use similes. Alternate translation: “for those who love forgive the many sins committed against them by others” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 4:9

φιλόξενοι

The word hospitable refers to showing kindness to and providing for the needs of guests and travelers. This was especially important in Peter’s time because inns were dangerous places where people did many immoral activities, so Christians could not stay in them. If it might be helpful to your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “be those who provide food and a sleeping place” or “be those who provide room and board” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἄνευ γογγυσμοῦ

Here Peter uses a figure of speech that expresses a strong positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of the intended meaning. If this is confusing in your language, you can express the meaning positively. Alternate translation: “with cheerfulness” (See: Litotes)

1 Peter 4:10

ἕκαστος καθὼς ἔλαβεν χάρισμα

Here, gift refers to special spiritual abilities that God gives to believers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “just as each one has received a special spiritual ability from God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὡς καλοὶ οἰκονόμοι ποικίλης χάριτος Θεοῦ

Peter uses stewards figuratively to refer to Christians using spiritual abilities from God to serve other believers as if they were managing resources for a boss. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “as those managing well the diverse grace of God” (See: Metaphor)

ποικίλης χάριτος Θεοῦ

Peter is using the possessive form to describe grace that is given by God. The word grace refers to the various spiritual gifts that God graciously gives believers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “of the diverse, gracious gifts from God” (See: Possession)

1 Peter 4:11

εἴ τις λαλεῖ, ὡς λόγια Θεοῦ

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “if anyone speaks, let him speak as if he is speaking the words of God” (See: Ellipsis)

εἴ τις διακονεῖ, ὡς ἐξ ἰσχύος ἧς χορηγεῖ ὁ Θεός

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “if anyone serves others, let him serve others as if he were serving them with the strength that God supplies” (See: Ellipsis)

δοξάζηται ὁ Θεὸς

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you might glorify God” (See: Active or Passive)

ᾧ ἐστιν ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of glory and power, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “may he be recognized as glorious and powerful” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 4:12

τῇ ἐν ὑμῖν πυρώσει

Peter refers to suffering Christians as if they were gold being refined by being passed through a fire. In the same way that fire refines gold, trials test and strengthen a Christian’s faith. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or with a simile. Alternate translation: “the trial you are experiencing that is refining you like gold is refined in fire” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 4:13

ἐν τῇ ἀποκαλύψει τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of revelation and glory, you could express the same ideas in another way. This phrase could mean: (1) Christ will reveal his own glory. Alternate translation: “when he reveals how glorious he is” (2) God will reveal Christ’s glory. Alternate translation: “when God reveals how glorious Christ is” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν τῇ ἀποκαλύψει τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ

Here, the revelation of his glory refers to the time in the future when Jesus returns to earth and judges everyone. If this might be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “at the revelation of his glory when he returns to earth” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

χαρῆτε ἀγαλλιώμενοι

The words rejoice and glad mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize the intensity of joy. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “you may rejoice even more” or “you may be exceedingly glad” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 4:14

εἰ ὀνειδίζεσθε

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “If people revile you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν ὀνόματι Χριστοῦ

Here,name refers to Christ himself. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for Christ” (See: Metonymy)

μακάριοι

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you are people whom God has blessed” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸ τῆς δόξης καὶ τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ Πνεῦμα

Here, of glory and of God both refer to the Holy Spirit. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God” or “the glorious Holy Spirit of God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἀναπαύεται

Here, rests on you is an idiom that refers to the Holy Spirit continually dwelling within Christians. Peter borrowed this language from Isaiah 11:2 where it originally referred to the Holy Spirit dwelling in the Messiah. The Holy Spirit dwells in the Messiah as well as in those who believe in the Messiah (John 1:33; 14:16–17). The Holy Spirit who dwells within believers provides strength and comfort when believers are persecuted for their faith. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is staying with you” or “remains within you” (See: Idiom)

1 Peter 4:15

ὡς φονεὺς, ἢ κλέπτης, ἢ κακοποιὸς, ἢ ὡς ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of murderer, thief, evildoer, and meddler, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “as someone who murders, steals, does evil, or as someone who meddles” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος

Here, meddler refers to a person who gets involved with the affairs of others without having a right to do so. Alternate translation: “someone who needlessly meddles in the affairs of other people” (See: Translate Unknowns)

1 Peter 4:16

μὴ αἰσχυνέσθω, δοξαζέτω δὲ τὸν Θεὸν

Peter is addressing his readers indirectly by using the third person. If this might be confusing in your language, you can use the second person, as the previous verse does. See the discussion of this in the General Notes for this chapter. Alternate translation: “do not be ashamed, but glorify God” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τούτῳ

Here, this name refers to the title “Christian” mentioned earlier in the verse. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because he bears the name ‘Christian’” or “because people have recognized him as a Christian” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 4:17

ὁ καιρὸς τοῦ ἄρξασθαι τὸ κρίμα ἀπὸ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of judgment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “it is time for God to begin judging the household of God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here Peter uses household figuratively to refer to all believers as if they were a family that belongs to God. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “those who belong to God” (See: Metaphor)

εἰ δὲ πρῶτον ἀφ’ ἡμῶν

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the the previous clause. Alternate translation: “but if it is time for judgment to begin first with us” (See: Ellipsis)

ἀφ’ ἡμῶν

When Peter says us, he is speaking of himself and his readers, so us would be inclusive. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

τί τὸ τέλος τῶν ἀπειθούντων τῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ εὐαγγελίῳ?

Peter is not asking for information, but is using the question form here to emphasize that God’s judgment will be more severe for people who reject the gospel than for those who believe it. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “how terrible will be the end of the ones disobeying the gospel of God!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὸ τέλος

Here, end refers to the final result of the lives of people who do not believe in Jesus. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the final result” or “the outcome” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τῶν ἀπειθούντων

Here, disobeying refers to disobeying the command to repent and believe the gospel, which is part of the gospel message. See how you translated a similar phrase in 2:8. Alternate translation: “of the ones refusing to believe” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ εὐαγγελίῳ

Here, the gospel of God could refer to: (1) the gospel that came from God. Alternate translation: “the gospel from God” (2) the gospel that is about God. Alternate translation: “the gospel about God” (See: Possession)

1 Peter 4:18

καὶ

And here introduces a quotation from an Old Testament book (Proverbs 11:31). If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Peter is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “And Solomon wrote in the Scriptures” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

εἰ ὁ δίκαιος μόλις σῴζεται, ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς ποῦ φανεῖται?

This sentence is a quotation from Proverbs 11:31. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

εἰ ὁ δίκαιος μόλις σῴζεται

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “If with difficulty God is saving the righteous one” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ δίκαιος…ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς

Peter is speaking of these types of people in general, and not of specific, individual people. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “righteous ones … ungodly and sinful ones” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς ποῦ φανεῖται?

Peter is not asking for information, but is using the question form here to emphasize that ungodly people will suffer much more than believers do. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “the ungodly and sinner will surely not appear!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς ποῦ φανεῖται

Here, the combination of where will and appear is an idiom meaning “what will happen.” If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner” (See: Idiom)

ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς

The words ungodly and sinner mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize the wickedness of these people. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “the ungodly sinners” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 4:19

τὰς ψυχὰς

See how you translated souls in 1:9. (See: Synecdoche)

ἐν ἀγαθοποιΐᾳ

Alternate translation: “while doing good” or “while continuing to do good deeds”

1 Peter 5

1 Peter 5 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. How believers should interact with one another (5:1–11)
2. Conclusion (5:12–14)

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Lion

Other animals are usually afraid of lions because they are fast and strong, and they eat almost every other kind of animal. They also eat people. Satan wants to make God’s people afraid, so Peter uses the simile of a lion to teach his readers that Satan can harm their bodies, but if they trust in God and obey him, they will always be God’s people, and God will care for them. (See: Simile)

Babylon

Babylon was the evil nation that had destroyed Jerusalem, taken the Jews away from their homes, and ruled over them. In other places in Scripture, the authors use Babylon as a metaphor for the enemies of God’s people. In verse 13 Peter uses Babylon as a metaphor for the nation that was persecuting the Christians to whom he was writing. Most scholars believe that here Peter is referring to Rome because the Romans were severely persecuting Christians there at that time. (See: evil, wicked, unpleasant and Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:1

In verses 1–4 Peter speaks directly to men who are leaders in the churches.

πρεσβυτέρους…ὁ συνπρεσβύτερος

In verses 1–5 the words elder and elders refer specifically to church leaders, who were often older men. Here these words do not refer to old men in general. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the fellow church leader … the church leaders” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

μάρτυς τῶν τοῦ Χριστοῦ παθημάτων

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of witness and sufferings, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “one who has witnessed Christ suffer in many ways” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῆς μελλούσης ἀποκαλύπτεσθαι δόξης

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “in the glory that God is about to reveal” (See: Active or Passive)

τῆς…δόξης

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “in the glorious nature of Christ” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῆς μελλούσης ἀποκαλύπτεσθαι δόξης

The phrase the glory that is about to be revealed refers to Christ’s glorious return to earth in the future. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in the glory that is about to be revealed when Christ returns” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Peter 5:2

ποιμάνατε τὸ…ποίμνιον τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here Peter uses Shepherd figuratively to refer to leading and taking care of believers, and he uses flock figuratively to refer to those believers. Elders who lead assemblies of believers should take care of those believers like shepherds take care of their sheep. Since the shepherd and sheep metaphors are important metaphors in the Bible, you should keep the metaphors in your translation or use similes. Alternate translation: “Take care of God’s people as if they were a flock of sheep” (See: Metaphor)

ἐπισκοποῦντες μὴ ἀναγκαστῶς

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of oversight and compulsion, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “supervising—not because you must do so” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐπισκοποῦντες μὴ ἀναγκαστῶς

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “exercising oversight over them—not doing this under compulsion” (See: Ellipsis)

μὴ ἀναγκαστῶς, ἀλλὰ ἑκουσίως

The phrases not under compulsion and willingly mean the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that Peter wants church leaders to voluntarily take care of believers. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “with complete willingness” (See: Doublet)

κατὰ Θεόν

This phrase refers to acting according to God’s will or requirements. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “according to God’s will” or “as God wants you to” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

μηδὲ αἰσχροκερδῶς, ἀλλὰ προθύμως

The phrases not greedily and eagerly mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that Peter wants church leaders to eagerly take care of believers. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “with complete eagerness” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 5:3

ὡς κατακυριεύοντες

Here Peter uses lording it over figuratively to refer to acting toward people in a harsh and controlling manner, as if someone were a harsh master who abuses his servants. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “harshly controlling” or “acting like harsh masters over” (See: Metaphor)

τῶν κλήρων

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of portion, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “those who are assigned to you” or “those whom God has apportioned to you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τύποι γινόμενοι τοῦ ποιμνίου

Peter is using the possessive form to describe examples that are for the flock. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “being examples for the flock” (See: Possession)

τοῦ ποιμνίου

See how you translated flock in the previous verse. (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:4

καὶ

And here indicates that what follows is the result of obeying the commands that Peter gave in verses 2–3. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a result clause. Alternate translation: “As a result of doing these things” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

τοῦ ἀρχιποίμενος

Chief Shepherd is a title for Jesus. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Jesus, the Chief Shepherd” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τοῦ ἀρχιποίμενος

Here Peter speaks of Jesus figuratively as if he were a shepherd who has authority over all the leaders of the assemblies of believers. Peter told those leaders to shepherd their flocks in verse 2. Since Chief Shepherd is an important title for Jesus that connects to some prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament, you should keep the metaphor in your translation or use a simile. Alternate translation: “the one who is like a lead shepherd” (See: Metaphor)

φανερωθέντος τοῦ ἀρχιποίμενος

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when the Chief Shepherd appears” or “when God reveals the Chief Shepherd” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸν ἀμαράντινον τῆς δόξης στέφανον

Here,crown refers to a symbol of victory. It does not refer to the type of crown that kings wear. In ancient times an athlete would receive this crown as a reward for winning a competition. Those crowns were often made of leaves or flowers that would fade. Unlike those victory crowns, the reward that God gives will be unfading, which means that it will last forever. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a glorious reward that will last forever” (See: Metaphor)

τῆς δόξης στέφανον

This could refer to: (1) a crown that is characterized by glory. Alternate translation: “glorious crown” (2) a crown that is the glory referred to in verse 1. Alternate translation: “crown, that is, glory” (See: Possession)

1 Peter 5:5

In this verse Peter first instructs younger men specifically and then continues to instruct all of the believers.

ὑποτάγητε

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “subject yourselves” (See: Active or Passive)

πρεσβυτέροις

See how you translated elders in verse 1. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πάντες

Here, everyone refers to all the believers to whom Peter is writing this letter, and not to all people. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “every one of you believers” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε

Peter speaks of humility figuratively as if it were a piece of clothing that a person could put on. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “act with humility” (See: Metaphor)

τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of humility, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “with humble actions” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ὅτι

Here, for introduces a quotation from the Old Testament (Proverbs 3:34). If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Peter is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “for it is as Solomon wrote in the Scriptures” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

ὁ Θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν

This sentence is a quotation from Proverbs 3:34. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off all of this material with quotation marks or with whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation. (See: Quote Markings)

δίδωσιν χάριν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of grace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “acts graciously” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 5:6

ὑπὸ τὴν κραταιὰν χεῖρα τοῦ Θεοῦ

Peter uses hand figuratively to refer to God’s power to save humble people and punish proud people. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “under God’s great power” (See: Metonymy)

ὑμᾶς ὑψώσῃ

Peter is using a spatial metaphor to describe God honoring someone as if God would lift that person up. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God may show honor to you” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:7

πᾶσαν τὴν μέριμναν ὑμῶν ἐπιρίψαντες ἐπ’ αὐτόν

Here Peter speaks of anxiety figuratively as if it were a heavy burden that a person can take off of his back and cast onto God. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “trusting him with everything that worries you” or “letting him take care of all the things that trouble you” (See: Metaphor)

1 Peter 5:8

νήψατε, γρηγορήσατε

The words translated as sober and watchful mean basically the same thing. Peter uses them to emphasize that believers need to be alert since the devil wants to destroy them. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “Be completely alert” (See: Doublet)

νήψατε

See how you translated this word in 1:13. (See: Metaphor)

ὡς λέων ὠρυόμενος περιπατεῖ, ζητῶν τινα καταπιεῖν

Peter speaks of the devil figuratively as if he were a roaring lion who wants to devour people. Just as a hungry lion devours its prey, the devil is seeking to destroy the faith of believers. See the discussion of this in the General Notes for this chapter. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is trying to find ways to destroy the faith of believers” (See: Simile)

1 Peter 5:9

στερεοὶ τῇ πίστει

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “being firm in the faith” (See: Ellipsis)

τῇ πίστει

Here, the faith could refer to: (1) a person’s trust in Jesus. Alternate translation: “in the faith that you have” (2) the Christian faith in general. Alternate translation: “in the Christian faith” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὰ αὐτὰ τῶν παθημάτων…ἐπιτελεῖσθαι

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of sufferings, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “that people are suffering in the same ways” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὰ αὐτὰ τῶν παθημάτων…ἐπιτελεῖσθαι

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the same kind of sufferings are occurring” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑμῶν ἀδελφότητι

See how you translated brotherhood in 2:17. (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ

Alternate translation: “in various places throughout the world”

1 Peter 5:10

ὁ δὲ Θεὸς πάσης χάριτος, ὁ καλέσας ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον αὐτοῦ δόξαν ἐν Χριστῷ, ὀλίγον παθόντας

If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these clauses so that they appear in chronological order. Alternate translation: “But after having suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, the one who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ” (See: Information Structure)

ὁ…Θεὸς πάσης χάριτος

God of all grace could mean: (1) God is always gracious. Alternate translation: “the God who is always gracious” (2) God always give gracious gifts, as mentioned in 4:10. Alternate translation: “the God who gives all gracious gifts” (See: Possession)

εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον αὐτοῦ δόξαν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “to his glorious presence forever” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν Χριστῷ

Here, in Christ refers to being united with Christ through faith in him. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “in union with Christ” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὀλίγον

Alternate translation: “for a short time”

αὐτὸς καταρτίσει, στηρίξει, σθενώσει, θεμελιώσει

Here, confirm, strengthen, and establish all mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that God will fully strengthen people who suffer because they trust in Jesus. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “will himself restore and thoroughly strengthen in every way” (See: Doublet)

1 Peter 5:11

αὐτῷ τὸ κράτος

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of power, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “May he rule powerfully” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Peter 5:12

διὰ Σιλουανοῦ, ὑμῖν τοῦ πιστοῦ ἀδελφοῦ (ὡς λογίζομαι), δι’ ὀλίγων ἔγραψα

Through Silvanus means that Silvanus wrote down the words that Peter told him to write in this letter. In ancient times it was common for people to use scribes to write down letters for them. If this might confuse your readers, you could express it explicitly. Alternate translation: “I wrote to you briefly by means of Silvanus, the faithful brother, as I regard him, who wrote down what I told him to write” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἀδελφοῦ

Although brother is masculine and Silvanus is a man, here Peter is using brother in a generic sense to refer to another believer. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “fellow Christian” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

ταύτην

Here, this refers back to what Peter has written in this letter, especially the gospel message that the letter contains. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “what I have written to you” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ταύτην εἶναι ἀληθῆ χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here the word grace refers to the gospel message, which tells of the kind things that God has done for believers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “this letter I have written contains God’s true and gracious message” (See: Metonymy)

εἰς ἣν στῆτε

Peter uses Stand figuratively to refer to being strongly committed to something as if someone is standing firmly in one place and refusing to move. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Remain strongly committed to it” (See: Metaphor)

εἰς ἣν στῆτε

Here, it refers to the true grace of God mentioned earlier in the verse. If this might confuse your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Stand in this true grace” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

1 Peter 5:13

ἡ ἐν Βαβυλῶνι συνεκλεκτὴ

She and fellow-elect one here both refer to the group of believers who were with Peter when he wrote this letter. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This group of believers in Babylon, who are fellow-elect ones” (See: Symbolic Language)

ἐν Βαβυλῶνι

Here, Babylon could mean: (1) the city of Rome. Alternate translation: “in Rome, which is like Babylon” (2) the city of Babylon, as it appears in the ULT. See the discussion of this in the General Notes to this chapter. (See: Symbolic Language)

συνεκλεκτὴ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “one whom God has elected” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀσπάζεται

As was customary in this culture, Peter concludes the letter by extending greetings from people who are with him and who know the people to whom he is writing. Your language may have a particular way of sharing greetings in a letter. If so, you can use that form here. Alternate translation: “asks to be remembered by” or “says hello to”

ὁ υἱός μου

Peter refers to Mark figuratively as if he were his son, because he taught him about Christianity and loved him like a son. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one who is like my son” or “my spiritual son” (See: Metaphor)

Μᾶρκος

Mark is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Peter 5:14

ἀσπάσασθε

Greet here is an imperative, but it communicates a polite request rather than a command. Use a form in your language that communicates a polite request. Alternate translation: “Make it your habit to greet” or “Make it your practice to greet” (See: Imperatives — Other Uses)

ἐν φιλήματι ἀγάπης

A kiss was an action that expressed Christian affection in this culture. It showed the unity of those who belong to Christ. If there is a gesture with similar meaning in your culture, you could consider using it here in your translation. Alternate translation: “with a loving kiss” or “a kiss to show your love for each other” (See: Symbolic Action)

εἰρήνη ὑμῖν πᾶσιν, τοῖς ἐν Χριστῷ

As was customary in his culture, Peter closes his letter with a blessing for his readers. Use a form that people would recognize as a blessing in your language. Alternate translation: “May all you who are in Christ experience peace within yourselves” or “I pray that you all who are in Christ will have peace” (See: Blessings)

ἐν Χριστῷ

See how you translated this phrase in verse 10. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)