1:2
There are different ways to interpret the connections between the ideas in 1:2. The Notes on 1:2a–e discuss the ideas and connections in detail. Here is a summary:
(a) God the Father chose the believers to whom Peter was writing (and all who believe in Jesus) to be his own people.
(b) God knew the believers before he chose them, and his choice agreed with that knowledge.
(c) God chose the believers by the work of his Spirit to make them holy as his own people.
(d) God chose them so that they would obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood.
Notice that (c) expresses the means by which God chose the believers and (d) expresses the purpose for which he chose them.
1:2a
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as according to means “in agreement with.” God knew the believers before he chose them, and his choice was consistent with what he already knew of them.
In some languages it is necessary to change the order of choosing and knowing. For example, the God’s Word says:
God the Father knew you ⌊long ago⌋ and chose you
the foreknowledge of God the Father: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as foreknowledge indicates that what God planned in the past, God makes sure will happen according to his plan. The word does not indicate when in the past God made his plan. In some languages it may be necessary to include a general expression like:
much earlier
-or-
long ago (New Living Translation (2004))
The phrase may be expressed in several ways:
God planned long ago to choose you (New Century Version)
-or-
God the Father chose you long ago according to his plan
-or-
God the Father purposed long ago to choose you
If your language uses passive verbs, you could say:
It was God the Father’s purpose long ago to choose you
1:2b
and sanctified by the Spirit: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and is literally “in” or “by.” There are several ways to understand the way that this part of the verse relates to 1:1b–1:2a:
(1) The sanctifying work of the Spirit was the means by which God chose Peter’s readers to be his own people. For example, the New American Standard Bible says:
[chosen…] by the sanctifying work of the Spirit
(New International Version, King James Version, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible)
(2) The sanctifying work of the Spirit was another thing that God did for Peter’s readers. For example, the Good News Translation says:
[You were chosen…] and were made a holy people by his Spirit
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation)
(3) The sanctifying work of the Spirit was the purpose for which God chose Peter’s readers. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:
[chosen] to be made holy by the Spirit
(God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you choose interpretation (1). God’s Spirit sanctified (set apart) the people for God as his own. This was the way that God chose them.
sanctified by the Spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sanctified by the Spirit means that God’s Holy Spirit had sanctified Peter’s readers. To “sanctify” something is to set it apart as holy and belonging to God. In this context the Spirit had made Peter’s readers holy and had set them apart for God. Now they belonged to God alone. Other ways to translate this are:
being set apart by the Spirit (NET Bible)
-or-
the consecrating work of the Spirit (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the Spirit has made you holy (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the Spirit setting you apart ⌊only for God⌋
1:2c
for obedience to Jesus Christ: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces two purposes for which God chose the believers (1:2c and 1:2d). The first purpose was that they would obey Jesus Christ. In this context Peter probably implied a special way in which they had obeyed. They had obeyed Jesus Christ by believing in him and recognizing him as their Lord whom they would continue to obey forever. Other ways to translate this are:
to be obedient to Jesus Christ
-or-
in order that you would obey Jesus Christ
-or-
because he/God wanted you to obey Jesus Christ
1:2d
sprinkling by His blood: This phrase is a figure of speech that tells the second purpose for which God chose the believers. Jesus’ blood symbolizes his death. The action of sprinkling the blood symbolizes that God purifies believers from their sins because Jesus died for them. It does not imply that Jesus’ literal blood would be sprinkled on them.
The symbol of sprinkling a person with blood was used in the Old Testament. In Exodus 24:3–8, Moses sprinkled the blood of bulls on the people of Israel in order to symbolize that God was purifying them.
Here are possible ways to translate this:
• Translate both the figure of speech and its meaning. For example:
so that ⌊God would declare you not guilty of your sins⌋ because of Jesus Christ’s ⌊death, as though his⌋ blood was sprinkled on you
-or-
to be sprinkled by his blood ⌊that purifies you from your sins⌋
• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:
[to] be purified by his blood. (Good News Translation)
-or-
so that ⌊God⌋ might use the blood/death of Jesus Christ to make/declare you pure/not guilty
• Translate the figure of speech and include a footnote to explain the meaning. An example of a possible footnote is:
Jesus’ blood symbolized his death for people. In the Old Testament, Moses sprinkled the Israelites with blood from bulls sacrificed to God. This was a symbol that God was purifying them. See Exodus 24:3–8 and Leviticus 14:6–7. Now God purifies believers from their sins and declares them forgiven because Jesus died for them.
His blood: The blood of Jesus Christ refers to blood that he shed when he died. You may need to make this explicit. For example:
the blood of his ⌊death⌋
-or-
his ⌊life⌋ blood
Paragraph 1:2e
1:2e
Grace and peace be yours in abundance: During the time that Peter wrote this letter, Christians often greeted each other by saying “Grace and peace to you.” It was a sort of blessing. Here Peter expressed his desire for God to bless his readers. If you have a similar form of greeting or blessing in your language, you may be able to use it here. Refer to your translation of the similar phrases in Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; and Philippians 1:2.
Some English versions indicate that God is the source/giver of the Grace and peace (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004)). You may do this if it sounds natural in your language and culture. For example:
May you know more and more of God’s grace and peace (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
• In some languages it may be necessary to use different phrases to express the ideas of Grace and peace. Notice the two phrases connected by “and” in the examples below:
⌊May God show⌋ you much grace and ⌊give⌋ you much peace.
-or-
⌊May God⌋ favor you and calm your hearts/minds more and more.
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in abundance is literally “be multiplied.” To have grace and peace in abundance means “to have much grace and peace,” “to experience grace and peace greatly or increasingly.” In some languages, there may be an idiom to express this idea. Some ways to translate this are:
May you receive ⌊God’s⌋ special favor and live in increasing peace.
-or-
May God favor you more and more and make you supremely content.
Grace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Grace refers to kindness that is shown to people freely, not because they have done anything to deserve it. The Christians added the word Grace to the common Jewish greeting of “peace.” In this context, the word refers to God’s grace. He is good to people because he loves them. The people have not done anything to deserve his goodness.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
kindness
-or-
generous help
-or-
favor
peace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as peace means wholeness or well-being. It describes the calmness that people could feel by knowing that God was taking care of them. For believers in Jesus, it also implies the peace of knowing that God has forgiven them and is pleased with them. They do not have to worry or be afraid.
Another way to say this is:
that you may be calm/peaceful
In some languages there may be an idiom to express this idea.
General Comment on 1:2e
Your language may usually require you to translate both of the nouns Grace and peace with a clause, rather than a single word. However, when you translate greetings, you may want to use a shorter expression. In 1:2e, Peter was greeting his readers, not teaching them about “Grace and peace”.
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