1:2a

in the hope of eternal life: There are several ways to interpret how this phrase is connected to 1:1. The two main interpretations are:

(1) The hope of eternal life is the purpose or result of the faith and knowledge mentioned in 1:1c-d. For example:

Then they will have the hope of eternal life. (Contemporary English Version)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

(2) The hope of eternal life is the basis or grounds of this faith and knowledge. For example:

which is based on the hope for eternal life (Good News Bible)

(New International Version (1984 Revision), Good News Bible, New Century Version, God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Although interpretation (2) is possible from the Greek, normally in the NT eternal life is the result of faith. It is the ultimate goal of believing in Jesus and knowing his truth.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Because of their faith and knowledge, they hope to live forever.
-or-
This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

the hope: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hope means “confident hope” or “waiting for and expecting something to happen.” Christians can know for certain that God will do what he has promised. They can believe what he has said without any doubt. In English the word hope often indicates that we are not sure that something will happen. For instance, when we say “I hope that it rains,” it means that we want it to rain but we do not know if it will. This is not the Greek meaning of the word.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

the expectation
-or-
they are certain/sure

eternal life: The word eternal refers to something that does not end. The phrase eternal life refers to life in God’s kingdom. This life continues forever.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

life forever
-or-
life that does not end

In some languages it may be best to translate life as a verb. For example:

they will live eternally
-or-
they will live with God forever

1:2b

which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God, who cannot lie is more literally “the non-lying God.” The adjective “non-lying” describes God as one who does not say anything that is false. He only speaks the truth.

Here are some ways to translate this verse part:

which God, the one who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time
-or-
which God promised before the beginning of time. And he does not lie.
-or-
God does not lie. He promised this eternal life before the beginning of the world.

before time began: This phrase refers to the time before God made the world.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

before the world began (God’s Word)
-or-
before the word was/existed
-or-
before he created the world (T4T)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.