Lectionary Year A
April 21, 2002
1 Peter 2:19-25

Step I: Initial Acquaintance

(JFC) A. COMPARISON OF TRANSLATIONS

The New English Bible (1961) reads more clearly and more gently, as we might expect.
From verse 19, it rather consistently translates "charis" as "a fine thing", with a footnote, "or creditable". It translates "dia suneidesin theou" as "because God is in his thoughts".
In verse 20, the NEB paraphrases "hupomeneite" as "in fortitude". Then for "hagathopoiountes", NEB records, " you have behaved well". Then, later in that verse, NEB translates "para. theo" to read "in the sight of God".
In verse 21, "Huper humon" gets translated, "on your behalf".
Late in verse 23, NEB translates "paredidou" "He entrusted Himself".
In verse 24 the NEB reads for "hos tas hamartias hemon autos anenegken en to somati autou epi to xulon", "In His own person He carried our sins to the gibbet". They footnote the preposition, "on". No explanation for the meaning of the English word, "gibbet". Thereafter, we read, "so that we might cease to live for sin", for "hina tais hamartiais apogenomenoi."
In the last verse of this chapter, NEB translates, "epestrafete nun epi ton poimena kai episkopon", "you have turned towards the Shepherd and Guardian".

The Jerusalem Bible (1966), in English, admittedly comes from the French, authenticated by comparisons with Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek versions. This passage from 1 Peter gets high marks for clarity and contemporaniety (for the 1960's, at least). Verse 19 begins with an exclamation, "You see," appropriately enough, yet without textual evidence. In that verse they translate "charis" as "merit". JB has a footnote, "Add. 'in the sight of God'." From "hupoferei tis lupas paschon avdikos", it gets "putting up with the pains of unearned punishment". They use "merit" and "meritorious" throughout this pericope.
In verse 20, JB calls "agathopoiountes" "doing your duty".
In verse 21, JB translates "tois ichnesin autou", "the way he took".
Verses 22f are translated, "He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge."
Then, verse 24 begins, "He was bearing our faults in his own body . . ." Verse 24 continues, "so that we might die to our faults and live to holiness". No italics in that part of the verse. Then they do italicize the concluding phrase of this verse, "through his wounds you have been healed." Italics in the Jerusalem Bible signal quotes from elsewhere in the Bible and marginal notes locate the original.
Verse 25 translates, as does the NEB, but without capitalizing, shepherd and guardian. They footnote this last term, "The "episcopos". i. e. the inspector or overseer, conf. Tt 1:5+."

(JFC) B. TEXTUAL CRITICISM

The Majority of texts, Papyrus 72 and several uncials prefer not to insert "para tO theo between "charis" and "ei dia" in verse 19. Later in that verse, the majority of suggestions prefer to keep it as received while several favor adding "agathen", good, excellent or fine. P72 wants to make it read, "agathen theou". Metzger points out in The Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, that the weighty evidence indicates "the reading "theou" is strongly supported."
In verse 21, P81 and uncials want to omit "kai Christos", while P72 and uncials and others retain the Textus Receptus. Next, "epathen", gets replaced by "apethanen" by P81, while P72 retains the original. P72 and A replace "huper" with "peri".

(JFC) C. ROUGH TRANSLATION

19 For it is a benefit if through being aware of God, you endure any pain suffering unjustly. 20 For what manner of honor if doing wrong you are beaten and stand firm? Yet, if you do good and suffer, you bear up, you benefit before God. 21 For this is for what you were called that also Christ suffered for you unto you leaving an example so that you might follow in His footsteps. 22 Who sin not did He perform nor was found deceit in the mouth of Him, 23 Who being insulted not did He reply with a curse, suffering not did He threaten, but He handed over to the one judging justly, 24 Who the sin of ours Himself He bore in the body of His on the cross, so that the sins we would be finished with so that the righteousness we remain alive so that the wound be healed. 25 For you were like sheep going wandering around, but you returned now to the shepherd and guardian of the inner life of yours.



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