SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2018

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 5:5

Paragraph 5:5

In this paragraph Peter urged his readers to be humble in their attitude and in their behavior to one another.

5:5a

Young men: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Young men refers in a general way to men under the age of about forty. It is a masculine form but can refer to people of both sexes. Peter was not excluding young women, so some versions translate this as:

younger people (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you that are younger (Revised Standard Version)

in the same way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the same way appears to be a way of introducing a new subject on the same general theme. This same expression was used in 3:1, addressed to wives. As the elders submit to the Chief Shepherd, so the young men should submit to their elders. As it is a new subject, the most natural way to start the paragraph may be:

As for you, young men/men and women…

submit yourselves to: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as submit yourselves to means to accept the authority of someone. This is the same word that was used in 2:13a. Some other ways this word has been translated include:

accept the authority of (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
obey (Contemporary English Version)

your elders: There are two ways of interpreting the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as elders here:

(1) It refers to church leaders. For example:

the elders (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It refers to older people in general. For example:

older people (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Peter was probably using the word “elder” in the same sense in which he used it in 5:1–4.

5:5b

all of you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all of you here means the whole church, including the elders. Here is another way to translate this:

everyone (Contemporary English Version)

clothe yourselves with humility: This is a metaphor. Peter was comparing humility to an item of clothing that a person wraps around himself. Other ways to translate this include:

wrap yourselves in humility
-or-
cover/cloak yourself with humility
-or-
wear a humble attitude

Avoid giving the impression that Peter was referring to hiding oneself. He wanted this virtue to be an important part of every believer’s way of thinking.

If it is hard to translate this metaphor in your language, you may need to say something more general:

always behave in a modest/humble way
-or-
Everyone should be humble toward everybody else. (Contemporary English Version)

humility: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as humility refers to having a modest and appropriate attitude towards oneself. It means not being proud or arrogant. In some languages, humility may need to be expressed in a verb form. For example:

be humble

5:5c

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because here introduces a quotation from the Scriptures that supports what Peter had just been saying.

You may wish to make clear that the quotation is from Scripture (Proverbs 3:34) and say:

as they wrote in God’s word/book

5:5d

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble: This is a proverb or a saying similar in form to a proverb. Other ways to translate it include:

God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble (God’s Word)
-or-
God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble (Contemporary English Version)

God opposes the proud: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God opposes the proud means that God rejects, resists, or refuses to help people who are proud. Some other ways this phrase is translated include:

God is against the proud (New Century Version)
-or-
God resists the proud (Good News Translation)

the proud: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the proud refers to people who are arrogant or haughty, who are not humble. These are people who think highly of themselves and despise others. They may think that they do not need God’s grace. Here are some other ways to translate this noun:

the arrogant (God’s Word)
-or-
proud people

but gives grace to the humble: This phrase describes the opposite situation. God does not oppose or refuse to help humble people. On the contrary, he is kind to them. See how you translated the related word “humility” in 5:5b.

grace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grace here refers to kindness or favor that is undeserved. See how you translated this word in 1:2e and 1:10a.

the humble: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the humble is the opposite of “the proud.” It refers to people who are modest and think of themselves in a humble and appropriate way. They realize that they are undeserving of God’s kindness. See how you translated the related word “humility” in 5:5b. Here is another way to translate this noun:

proud people

© 2018 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2:7

2:7–8

In 2:7–8, Peter continued to use the metaphor of a cornerstone for Jesus Christ. He contrasted the positive result for any person who believes in Jesus Christ (2:7a) with the negative result for people who do not believe (2:7b–2:8). To prove his point, Peter quotes from two OT passages, Psalm 118:22 (in 2:7) and Isaiah 8:14 (in 2:8).

2:7a

To you who believe, then, this stone is precious: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as precious can mean either “honor” or “value/worth/preciousness.” The Greek literally says, “to you therefore the honor/value to the believing ones.” English versions interpret this clause in two ways:

(1) Believers receive honor from the stone. For example:

To you believers it brings honor (New Jerusalem Bible)

(God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version)

(2) The stone has value to the believers. It is precious to them. Translations that follow this interpretation often supply the words this stone, which are not in the Greek text. For example:

This stone is of great value for you that believe (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The great majority of commentators understand this word to mean “honor” in this context. Peter was saying that God honors those who believe in Jesus Christ. The New Jerusalem Bible is therefore used as the Source Line in the Display. Here are some other ways to translate this:

This honor, then, is for you who believe (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
This honor belongs to those who believe. (God’s Word)
-or-
So the honor is for you who believe (English Standard Version)

believe: In some languages it may be necessary to make the object of the belief explicit. For example:

believe ⌊in this stone⌋

then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is literally “therefore.” It is not a time word but connects this sentence with the last part of the quotation in 2:6. Some English models to follow include:

So (NET Bible)
-or-
Therefore (Revised Standard Version)

2:7b

But to those who do not believe: In 2:7b Peter stopped writing about believers and started writing about people who did not believe in Jesus Christ. Through the end of 2:8, Peter discussed what happens to unbelieving people.

Other ways to translate this verse part include:

But for unbelievers (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but for those who have no faith (Revised English Bible)
-or-
But to/for the ⌊people⌋ who do not believe ⌊in him⌋

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But in this context marks contrast. Peter contrasted the bad result of unbelief (2:7b–8) with what he had just written about the good result for those people who believed in Jesus Christ (2:6c–7a).

believe: In some languages it may be necessary to make the object of the belief explicit. If that is the case in your language, it is recommended that you use the same pronoun that you used in 2:6d:

believe ⌊in him⌋

2:7c

Here in 2:7c, Peter quoted from Psalm 118:22.

The stone the builders rejected: Peter continued using the metaphor of a stone to represent Jesus Christ. Here the metaphor is of builders who rejected this stone as if it were unfit for them to use. It may be more natural in your language to make explicit why they rejected the stone. For example:

The stone which the builders rejected as worthless (Good News Translation)

Your translation should not imply that The stone was actually unfit for use. Peter did not mean there was something wrong with Christ. Instead, Peter meant that there was something wrong with the decision of the builders. You may be able to say:

The builders would not use a certain stone
-or-
The stone that the builders refused to use

the builders: Writers of the Gospels also quoted Psalm 118:22. They too used it as a metaphor concerning Jesus Christ. In their writings, the builders represented the religious leaders of the Jews (see Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17). In Acts 4:11, Peter himself spoke of the Jewish authorities who had Christ killed as the builders. In this context, however, the builders refers to anyone who rejected Jesus Christ. Some other ways to translate builders are:

workmen
-or-
those who make houses

rejected: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rejected is in the past tense. The Old Testament prophets often wrote about a future event as if it had already happened.

When you translate this verb, you should use a tense that is natural for this situation in your language. For some languages, it is natural to use a future tense. For example:

will reject

A form of this same Greek verb is found at 2:4b. See the note at 2:4b for other ways to translate this verb.

has become the cornerstone: Peter continued the metaphor of the stone. Even though the builders rejected this stone, it became the most important stone.

Neither Peter nor Psalm 118:22 that Peter quoted said how the rejected stone became so important in the building. If your language requires you to specify an agent, then you may make God explicit as the agent. For example:

⌊God⌋ has made it the capstone
-or-

⌊God⌋ used it as the cornerstone ⌊of his house⌋

If it is natural in your language to translate 2:7c as a continuation of God talking in 2:6, then you may be able to say:

⌊I⌋ made it the cornerstone
-or-

⌊I⌋ used it as the cornerstone ⌊of the building⌋

the cornerstone: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cornerstone may be translated literally as “the head of the corner.” There are two ways of interpreting this phrase:

(1) It means “the cornerstone.” A cornerstone is a bottom stone where two walls meet. For example:

the cornerstone (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It means “the capstone.” A capstone is the top stone of a wall or arch. For example:

the capstone (New International Version)

(New International Version, compare Revised Standard Version “the head of the corner”)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions. See how you translated “cornerstone” in 2:6b.

General Comment on 2:7c

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the phrase in 2:7c. Reordering may also make the transition to the quotation in 2:8 more natural. For example:

The most important stone of all is the one the builders rejected.
-or-
The stone that is now the main foundation stone ⌊of my/the house/temple⌋ is the ⌊same⌋ stone that the builders rejected.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 3:14

3:14a

But even if: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But even if introduces the possibility that what Peter had just said might not always be true. Peter admitted that sometimes people do harm those who are eager to do good. It is not common, but the possibility does exist. Here is another way to translate this:

Yet if (Revised English Bible)

you should suffer: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you should suffer means “(if) you do suffer.” For example:

you have to suffer (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages it may be necessary to speak of who causes the suffering. For example:

someone causes you to suffer

for what is right: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for what is right here means “for doing what is right” or “because you are doing what is right.” Here is another way to translate this phrase:

for doing what God approves (God’s Word)

you are blessed: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you are blessed means that people who suffer for doing right are actually fortunate or to be envied, because God is pleased with them. This is the same word used in Matthew 5:3–11 and Luke 6:20–22. Refer to your translation there. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

How happy is your lot
-or-
Consider yourselves favored by God
-or-
God will do good to you

This phrase is passive. In some languages it may be necessary to use an active form. For example:

God will bless you (Contemporary English Version)

3:14b

This verse part is a quotation of Isaiah 8:12.

Do not fear what they fear: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Do not fear what they fear is literally “do not fear their fear.” There are two ways of understanding this phrase:

(1) It means “do not fear them.” For example:

Have no fear of them (Revised Standard Version)

(Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, Revised Standard Version)

(2) It means Do not fear what they fear. For example:

Do not fear what they fear (New Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Century Version, New Revised Standard Version)

The King James Version is ambiguous, and the New Living Translation (2004) and Contemporary English Version do not translate the object “their fear.” It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

3:14c

do not be shaken: The meaning of this phrase is very similar to “Do not fear…” in 3:14b. Some other ways this phrase has been translated include:

don’t…be afraid of their threats (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
don’t worry about what people might do (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 1:11

1:11

Long before Peter wrote this letter, the Holy Spirit revealed to the prophets of the Old Testament what would happen to the Christ, God’s Son. The Holy Spirit revealed that he would suffer and then receive glory from God his Father.

1:11a

trying to determine the time and setting: There are two ways of interpreting the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as time and setting :

(1) It means what time and what circumstances. For example:

[The prophets] tried to learn…when those things would happen, and what the world would be like at that time. (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, King James Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation, New Century Version)

(2) It means what person and what time. For example:

they searched to find out exactly who Christ would be and when this would happen. (Contemporary English Version)

(New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). However, since scholars are uncertain about this and either meaning is possible, you may wish to follow the major-language version in your area.

and: There are two ways of interpreting the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and :

(1) It means and.

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, Good News Translation)

(2) It means or.

(God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) since in this context it is clear that the prophets were searching for both the time and the circumstances.

1:11b

the Spirit of Christ: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Spirit of Christ refers to the Holy Spirit. It does not refer to Jesus’ human spirit, but the Holy Spirit sent from Jesus.

If your readers would understand the phrase the Spirit of Christ to refer to Christ’s own spirit, then you may need to say something like:

the ⌊Holy⌋ Spirit ⌊sent by⌋ Christ

See also John 16:7, where Jesus explained to his disciples that, after he went to His Father, he would send the Holy Spirit.

Christ: These notes and the meaning lines in the Display follow the interpretation that Peter used Christ as a name rather than a title (see the note on “Christ” at 1:1a).

in them: The phrase in them implies that the Holy Spirit was controlling the words of these prophets. The prophets were speaking, but the Holy Spirit was causing them to speak and telling them what to say. If saying that the Spirit of Christ was in them is unnatural in your language, or communicates a wrong meaning, you may be able to say:

who directed them to speak/prophesy
-or-
who told/gave them what to write/say
-or-
who inspired their writings

was pointing: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was pointing in this context means to reveal or make something known. The verb is in the imperfect tense, showing that the Spirit continued doing this again and again. The God’s Word therefore translates this as:

kept referring to (God’s Word)

Other ways to translate this verb include:

was indicating (New American Standard Bible, NET Bible)
-or-
was showing (New Century Version)

1:11c

when He predicted: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as predicted means to tell about something before it happens. In contrast, the English word “predict” can mean to say something about the future that does not in fact ever happen. Be sure that your translation follows the meaning of the Greek. What the Holy Spirit told the prophets was sure to happen. Other ways to say this include:

told them in advance (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
foretold (Revised English Bible)

the sufferings of Christ: The phrase the sufferings of Christ means “how Christ would suffer.” It implies that his suffering would result in death. When the Holy Spirit told the prophets about how Christ would suffer and die, it was still in the future. Christ was not born until several hundred years later. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

how Christ would suffer (Contemporary English Version)

and the glories to follow: The phrase and the glories to follow means “how Christ would receive glory after he had suffered and died.”

glories: The Greek text reads glories, in the plural. Peter was perhaps referring to a series of events, including Christ’s resurrection and ascension into heaven. But in some languages the plural of the word “glory” may be unnatural or may not exist at all. If this is the case in your language, it may be necessary to use the singular word “glory” (as in the New Living Translation (2004) and several other English versions). Some other ways to translate this word are:

glorious events
-or-
wonderful things ⌊that would happen⌋

If your language does not normally use abstract nouns such as glories, then you may want to use a verb, such as:

glorified
-or-
honored

If it is necessary in your language to say who would glorify Jesus Christ, then you should supply the subject “God”:

how ⌊God⌋ would honor/glorify him

See also the note on “glory” at 1:7d.

General Comment on 1:10–11

You may be able to make your translation of verses 10–11 clearer and more natural by reordering the verse parts. This is one suggestion:

10a
⌊Long ago God’s⌋ prophets foretold that ⌊God⌋ would be kind to you and save ⌊you⌋. 11b Christ ⌊had sent⌋ the Holy Spirit to ⌊give⌋ these prophets messages to tell ⌊people⌋ 11c ahead of time that Christ was going to suffer and afterwards be glorified/honored. 10b ⌊The prophets⌋ thoroughly researched and investigated ⌊the Scriptures, because they wanted⌋ 11a to discover when and under what circumstances ⌊these prophecies would be fulfilled⌋.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2:18

Paragraph 2:18–25

Peter now deals with how Christian slaves should behave. The slaves must respect and obey their masters, even if their masters treat them harshly. God will bless the Christian slaves if they undergo suffering that they do not deserve (2:18–20). Christ has left us an example of how to behave in the face of undeserved suffering (2:21–25).

2:18a

Servants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Servants refers specifically to those slaves who worked within a household. Some versions such as the New International Version translate this word as:

Slaves (New International Version)

submit yourselves: Peter wanted his believing slaves to choose to respect their masters, as all believers were to respect their rulers. See how you translated this same command in 2:13a.

to your masters: The word masters refers to the owners, the people who had authority over the slaves. They could be either male or female. Here is another way to translate this word:

owners (God’s Word)

with all respect: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all respect means “greatly respect” or “respect very much.”

respect: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as respect is literally “fear.” Peter does not say whom his readers should respect or fear. Scholars suggest two possibilities:

(1) They should respect their masters. For example:

always show respect to them (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word; probably New American Standard Bible, New International Version, New Century Version, Revised Standard Version which use respect)

(2) They should fear God. This is the opinion of many commentators and is probably being followed by the NET Bible, which says:

with all reverence (NET Bible)

(NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

2:18b–c

not only…but even: The Greek phrases that the Berean Standard Bible translates as not only…but even introduce two objects, the first one expected but the second unexpected. Consider what would be the natural way of introducing two such objects in your language.

2:18b

those who are good and gentle: The phrase those who are good and gentle describes some masters. They are kind and considerate in the way they treat their slaves.

gentle: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gentle means “mild, considerate.” Some other ways to translate this are:

thoughtful (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
reasonable (New Living Translation (2004))

2:18c

those who are unreasonable: The phrase those who are unreasonable refers to some others among the masters. These masters were treating their slaves in a harsh or hard way.

unreasonable: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unreasonable literally means “bent, crooked.” In this context it is the opposite of good and considerate and means “unjust, hard to please.” These masters probably often punished their slaves by beating them. Some other ways to translate this are:

cruel (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
unjust (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 4:3

4:3a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For here introduces a reason why Peter’s readers should no longer live to fulfill their human desires. Translate this conjunction in a way that is natural to introduce a reason in your language.

you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: A literal translation may imply that the way Peter’s readers spent their time in the past was fine, and now sufficient. However, that is not what Peter meant. He disapproved of how his readers had lived in the past. You may need to make this clear by translating this as:

In the past you spent your time ⌊wrongly,⌋ doing what pagans choose to do
-or-
In the past you wasted too much time doing what nonbelievers enjoy (New Century Version)

in the past: The phrase in the past refers to the time before the readers of this letter became Christians. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

You have already lived long enough (Contemporary English Version)

the same desires as the Gentiles: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the same desires as the Gentiles is more literally “the will/desire of the nations/pagans.” This uses a different word for “desire” than that in 4:2, but it refers to the same thing. Before they became Christians, Peter’s readers did whatever they wanted to do, not what God wanted them to do.

Gentiles: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Gentiles is literally “the nations.” It refers to non-Jewish peoples who did not worship the true God. Some other ways to translate this word include:

people who don’t know God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
godless people (New Living Translation (2004))

4:3b–d

In these verse parts Peter mentioned some of the sins that were common among the pagans. Not every one of Peter’s readers had done all of these bad things, but these were the sort of things they often used to do. In your translation, use terms that show that Peter was disgusted with all these ways of behaving.

4:3b

debauchery: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as debauchery refers to shameful sexual behavior in which the person shows no self control. Other ways to translate this include:

sexual sins (New Century Version)
-or-
you were promiscuous (God’s Word)
-or-
you were immoral (Contemporary English Version)

lust: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lust refers to strong, impure sexual desires. Other translation suggestions include:

evil desires (New Century Version)
-or-
giving way to your passions (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you…followed your evil desires (Contemporary English Version)

drunkenness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drunkenness refers to habitually drinking too much wine or other alcoholic drinks. Another way to translate this is:

always getting drunk

General Comment on 4:3b

In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of the first two items in this list. For example:

You followed your lusts and committed sexual sins. You lived in drunkenness….

4:3c

orgies, carousing: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as orgies and carousing are similar in meaning and refer to feasts where people eat and drink too much and behave without any control. Here is another way to translate these words:

having wild parties and drunken orgies (New Jerusalem Bible)

Some translations combine the two ideas into one noun phrase, For example:

wild and drunken parties (New Century Version)

4:3d

detestable idolatry: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as detestable is literally “against the law.” Here it describes behavior that God had forbidden and could therefore be considered shocking and disgusting. If your language has a word meaning “outside the boundaries of law,” you might be able to use it here. Try to use a word that implies something is to be rejected as repulsive. Other English translation models include:

the forbidden worship of idols (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the disgusting worship of idols (Good News Translation)
-or-
doing shameful things in your worship of idols

General Comment on 4:3b–d

In the Greek, as in the Berean Standard Bible, the different evil behaviors are all listed as abstract nouns. In some languages it may be necessary to use verb phrases. For example:

You sinned sexually and followed your evil passions. You got drunk and went to wild drinking parties. You stepped over God’s boundaries by worshiping idols.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 4:14

4:14

Christians are persecuted because their enemies see they are different, and they are different because the glorious Spirit of God is living within them.

4:14a

If you are insulted for the name of Christ: This conditional phrase suggests something that was a real possibility. Peter knew that sometimes the non-Christians would insult the Christians. It might not happen to everyone, but some Christians would receive insults.

you are insulted: This is a passive clause. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb here, you may say:

⌊people⌋ insult you

for the name of Christ: The phrase for the name of Christ means “because you belong to Christ” or “because you confess Christ.” Some other ways this phrase has been translated are:

for being a Christian (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
because you are Christ’s followers (Good News Translation)

4:14b

you are blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessed here means “in a good situation” or “to be envied.” See how you translated this word in 3:14a.

General Comment on 4:14a–b

In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of these verse parts. For example:

14b You are blessed 14a if people insult you because of the name of Christ.

4:14c

because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you: Peter was referring to one Spirit, the Holy Spirit. To make this clear you may translate the Spirit of glory and of God as:

the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God (Good News Translation)
-or-
the glorious Spirit of God

Spirit of glory: The word glory refers to God’s majesty, which in the Bible is often represented by a shining brightness or light. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

wonderful Spirit
-or-
Spirit that is great

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 1:22

Paragraph 1:22–25

1:22

Peter’s readers had accepted the good news about Jesus Christ that had been preached to them (1:12c). Believing this truth worked a change in them. It made them morally pure and caused them to love one another.

1:22a

Since you have purified your souls: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Since you have purified your souls is literally “Having purified your souls.” The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word Since to show that 1:22a is the grounds for Peter’s statement in 1:21. Another way to express this is with the words “Now that.” For example:

Now that you have purified yourselves… (New International Version (2011))

you have purified your souls: The phrase you have purified your souls means that Peter’s readers had made themselves morally and spiritually pure. They had turned away from their sins. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

You were cleansed from your sins (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you have made yourselves pure

your souls: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as your souls is the same as in 1:9. The word souls refers to the whole person or self. You could translate this phrase as “yourselves,” as many English versions do.

by obedience to the truth: The phrase obedience to the truth refers to when Peter’s readers first believed the truth about God and Christ and became Christians. When they did not know the truth, their desires led them to sin (1:14b). By accepting the truth and desiring to live according to it, they purified themselves. Another way to translate this phrase is:

obeying God’s true message

obedience: Peter used the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as obedience in 1:2c and 1:14a.

1:22b

so that you have a genuine love for your brothers: Peter’s readers had a genuine love for their fellow believers in Christ.

so that: There are two ways of understanding the Greek preposition that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that :

(1) It introduces a result. Peter’s readers were able to love other Christians because they had been purified. For example:

As a result you have a sincere love for each other. (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word)

(2) It introduces a purpose. Peter’s readers purified themselves in order to love other Christians. For example:

You have purified your souls…in order to show sincere mutual love. (NET Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), with the majority of English versions.

genuine: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as genuine is literally “unhypocritical.” Other words that can be used are:

true (New Century Version)
-or-
sincere (New International Version (2011))
-or-
honest

love for your brothers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as love for your brothers means “love for all other Christians.” Peter was using the word brothers figuratively to represent fellow believers. So by it he meant the entire church, including both men and women. So you could translate this phrase as:

affection towards your fellow-Christians (Revised English Bible)
-or-
love for other believers (Good News Translation)
-or-
love for your Christian brothers and sisters (New Century Version)
-or-
mutual love (NET Bible)

love: It may be more natural in your language to translate love as a verb. For example:

sincerely love (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
truly love
-or-
honestly love

1:22c

love one another deeply: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as love is a command, and it is the main verb of this sentence (1:22–23).

love: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as love here is a different word than the one at 1:22b. You may use the same word in your translation for both, since the meanings are very similar. However, if it would be more natural in your language to use two different words, then you may do as Peter did in Greek.

deeply: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deeply can also be translated as:

warmly (God’s Word)
-or-
earnestly (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
fervently

from a pure heart: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek texts have from a pure heart. For example:

from a pure heart (English Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, King James Version, NET Bible)

(2) Some Greek texts have from the heart. For example:

from the heart (New Revised Standard Version)

(God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), since that reading is found in several reliable ancient manuscripts.

pure: In this context, the word pure refers to something that has nothing else mixed in with it. Other ways to say this include:

from a sincere heart
-or-
with genuine affection

heart: In the minds of Peter’s readers, the heart was associated with thoughts and ideas as well as emotions and feelings. So the Greek word that many English versions translate as heart is an idiom that means much the same as “deeply.” If you choose to use a figure of speech, use an idiom or metaphor from your own language that refers to seeking someone else’s well-being.

Some English versions keep the heart figure. For example:

love each other deeply with all your heart (New Century Version)
-or-
love one another wholeheartedly with all your strength (Revised English Bible)

In some languages it may be necessary to remove the heart figure. For example:

love each other deeply and earnestly

General Comment on 1:22a–c

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the parts of 1:22. For example:

22c
⌊You should⌋ love each other deeply and earnestly. After all, 22b you have true affection for each other because 22a you purified yourselves ⌊from your sin(s)⌋ when you accepted the true ⌊teaching concerning Christ⌋.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2018