SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2018 – Page 13

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2:16

2:16a

Live in freedom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Live in freedom is literally “as free ⌊people⌋.” The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word Live. It is also possible to supply a word meaning “Act” (as in the New American Standard Bible). Peter meant that his readers should consider themselves to be free and conduct themselves in a way that is appropriate for free people.

freedom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as freedom is the opposite of “slavery” and describes the state of “not being under the control of others.” In one sense, this is a metaphor. Many of the believers were, in fact, slaves. But the believers were free inwardly and spiritually. They were free to judge what was right and good. They were free from having to sin and from the pagan customs of their ancestors (see 1:18). Christ had set them free from those things.

Some other ways to translate this clause include:

Live as free people (New Century Version)
-or-
Live as those who are free (Revised English Bible)

2:16b

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but and the Revised Standard Version as “yet” here introduces a limitation to the previous idea. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. Introduce this limitation in a way that is natural for your language.

do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil: Peter was concerned that his readers might misunderstand what he had said about being free, He emphasized that being free did not mean that they were free to do wrong.

In some languages freedom may not be something that a person can use. So you may need to translate it in one of these ways:

the fact that you are free is not an excuse for doing evil
-or-
do not try to cover/veil your sin by saying that you are free

cover-up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cover-up is literally “cloak.” Here it refers to something that is used to hide something else. Think whether there is an idiomatic expression in your language for a cover-up, that is, something good that is used to hide an evil deed. Other translations include:

pretext (NET Bible)
-or-
excuse (New Century Version)

2:16c

live as servants of God: Peter was calling on the believers to realize that they must obey God above anyone else. They must try to please him. As in 2:16a, the Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word live.

servants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servants referred to people who were not free to leave their employment. The idea is the opposite of being “in freedom,” as 2:16a says. In some languages it may be most accurate to translate this as:

slaves

General Comment on 2:16a–c

In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 2:16b and 16c:

16a You are free, 16b but still you are God’s servants, 16c and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong (Contemporary English Version)

© 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 4:1

Section 4:1–6

Christians should live to please God

In this section, Peter continued with the theme of suffering as followers of Christ. He urges his readers to follow Christ’s example and be willing to suffer for doing right and so avoid sinning. They must not follow the bad behavior of their pagan neighbors, who will be judged by God, but they should live according to God’s will.

Some other headings for this section are:

Change your lives (New Century Version)
-or-
Being Faithful to God (Contemporary English Version)

Paragraph 4:1–6

4:1a

Therefore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces something that Peter’s readers should do as a result of what he had earlier said. It is also possible to translate this as:

So then

since Christ suffered in His body: By using this phrase Peter was reminding his readers of what he had said in 3:18. The fact that Christ suffered in His body was the basis for what he was about to command his readers.

Christ suffered in His body: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Christ suffered in His body means that Christ suffered physically. It is probably referring specifically to Christ’s death on the cross. Refer back to your translation of 3:18d, where the same word (“flesh”) is used for body. Other translation models include:

Christ endured bodily suffering (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Christ suffered physically (Good News Translation)

4:1b

arm yourselves with the same resolve: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as arm yourselves also with the same attitude means to prepare yourself for suffering by thinking in the right way, just as Christ did.

In some languages it may be natural to make explicit what the same attitude was. For example

Now you must be ready to suffer as he did (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages it may be necessary to say something like:

Think in the same way that Christ thought, and so strengthen/prepare yourselves ⌊for suffering⌋

arm yourselves: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as arm yourselves is a military term meaning to equip or provide oneself with weapons. Peter wanted his readers to strengthen and prepare themselves for what they might have to suffer. Some other ways to translate arm yourselves are:

strengthen yourselves (New Century Version)
-or-
be ready (Good News Translation)

the same resolve: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as resolve refers to the way in which Christ thought. He was willing to suffer and die on the cross. It can also be translated as:

thought (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
way of thinking (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be necessary to translate it as a verb phrase. For example:

Think in the same way that Christ thought

4:1c

because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin: There are two ways of interpreting the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because :

(1) It means for or because and introduces the reason for Christ’s attitude. For example:

for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (Revised Standard Version)

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

(2) It means that and introduces the content of Christ’s attitude. For example:

[the same conviction] that anyone who has undergone bodily suffering has broken with sin (New Jerusalem Bible)

(God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible)

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

anyone who has suffered in his body: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as anyone who has suffered in his body is literally “the one who has suffered in flesh.” In this context it refers to someone who has suffered physically because of persecution. This could include being beaten or nor receiving food. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

whoever suffers physically (New Living Translation (2004))

is done with sin: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is done with sin in this context means “has renounced/ rejected sin.” A person who is willing to suffer persecution because of Christ has shown that he has renounced sin. He wants to obey Christ whatever happens. He has decided it is better to suffer than to sin. An English idiom that expresses this is:

has made a clean break with sin

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

is finished with sin (New Century Version)

In some languages it may be necessary to translate sin as a verb. For example:

is determined to stop sinning

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 5:14

5:14a

Greet one another with a kiss of love: A similar command appears at the end of four of Paul’s letters. See Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, and 1 Thessalonians 5:6. In New Testament times, members of a family showed their love for one another by greeting each other with a kiss on the cheek or forehead. It was also the custom in the meetings of the early church for Christians to express their affection for their fellow believers by kissing each other on the cheek or forehead.

Today in cultures where kissing is practiced, it is often strongly associated with sexual love, so a literal translation might convey the wrong meaning. In other cultures the custom of kissing is not known. In either case it may be better to use the word for the usual greeting or a general word such “embrace.” For example:

Give each other a warm greeting (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
embrace each other as fellow believers

If you use the word kiss, you may need to make clear the kind of kiss that Peter had in mind and the reason for it:

kiss on the cheek to show your love for your fellow Christians.

5:14b

Peace to all of you who are in Christ: This is a blessing. Peter concluded his letter by giving his readers the blessing of peace. In some languages it may be necessary to make it explicit that God is the one who gives peace. For example:

⌊May God give peace⌋ to all of you who are in Christ.

Peace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Peace here refers to having a quiet heart and life and a good relationship with God and other people. See how you translated this word in 1:2e. In some languages you may need to translate it as a verb:

May you be calm/peaceful

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 1:20

1:20

Even before God created the world, he had already appointed his Son, Christ, to save mankind. Finally, after many ages had passed, Christ came into the world as a human being. God sent him to be the perfect sacrifice and save people from their sins.

1:20a

He was known: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He was known is passive. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you could say:

⌊God⌋ knew ⌊Jesus⌋

God “knew” Jesus in the sense that he decided that Jesus would do a certain task. The expression does not mean that God selected Jesus from a group. Other ways to translate this include:

⌊God⌋ appointed/designated him
-or-
he was predestined/destined (Revised English Bible)

before the foundation of the world: The words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the foundation of the world refer to God’s creating the world and everything in it. In some languages it may be natural to translate the abstract noun foundation as a verb. For example:

before the world was created (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
before the world existed (God’s Word)
-or-
before ⌊God⌋ created/made the world

1:20b

but: There are two ways of understanding the relationship between 1:20a and 1:20b:

(1) The relationship is one of contrast. For example:

but (Revised Standard Version)

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

(2) The relationship is one of continuation. For example:

and (Good News Translation)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation)

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

was revealed: The verb phrase was revealed is referring to Christ’s life and ministry on earth during Peter’s lifetime. Christ came from heaven to earth for everyone to see him. The verb is passive. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you may say:

⌊God⌋ revealed him
-or-

⌊God sent him to earth⌋ for all to see
-or-
he appeared

in the last times: The period of the last times began when Jesus Christ “was revealed” in Peter’s time (see note above), and they will end when the world comes to an end.

There is a textual issue here. The Greek manuscripts do not all say the same thing:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts speak of a period of time, literally “the ends of the times.” For example:

in this last period of time (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Revised English Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts speak of a point of time, literally “the end of the times.” For example:

at the final point of time (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) and the majority of English versions. You may be able to translate this phrase as:

in this final ⌊period of⌋ time
-or-
in these final times ⌊before the world ends⌋

for your sake: In this context, the phrase for your sake means “for your benefit.” God sent Jesus Christ into the world for the benefit of all who trust him. He planned to do good to them by saving them from sin and giving them eternal life. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

for your good (God’s Word)

In some languages it may be necessary to use a verb form. For example:

to help you

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 3:2

3:2

This verse is the reason of the result of 3:1a–c. You should introduce and connect it to 3:1 in a way that is natural in your language. In some languages it may be more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

Your husbands will see… (New Century Version)

when they see: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when they see is literally “seeing.” In this context it is equivalent to “because they see” (as in the Good News Translation). The Greek verb is the same as in 2:12c and means to observe closely.

your pure and reverent demeanor: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as your pure and reverent demeanor is more literally “your pure way of life in fear.” The phrase “in fear” refers to fearing God. In some languages it may be natural to translate the phrase “in fear” as an adjective, as the Berean Standard Bible has done. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in what a pure and reverent way you live
-or-
how pure and reverent are your lives
-or-
how pure and reverent your conduct is (Good News Translation)

pure: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pure refers to holy and chaste behavior. Another way to translate pure is:

sincere

reverent: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reverent is literally “fear.” It is the same as in 2:18a (note on “respect”). There are two ways of understanding this word in this context:

(1) It refers to reverence for God. For example:

your respect for God (New Century Version)

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

(2) It refers to respect for the husband. For example:

respectful behavior (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

The King James Version does not indicate whom the women were to fear. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation is implied by the use of the word reverence in the majority of English versions.

General Comment on 3:1c–3:2

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the clauses of 3:1c and 3:2 in this way:

1c Even though you do not speak about Christ to them, 2 they will see that you behave in a way that is holy and pious/reverential. 1c Then they will turn and believe in him.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 4:12

Section 4:12–19

Suffering for being a Christian

In this section, Peter reminds his readers that as Christians they should expect to suffer because Christ also suffered. He explained that it is a blessing to be insulted for following Christ. He also reminded them that a time of judgment was coming. Some other headings for this section include:

Suffering as Christ suffered
-or-
Your attitude when you suffer

Paragraph 4:12–16

4:12a–b

Some of the Christians that Peter wrote this letter to were experiencing persecution from non-Christians. Peter told believers not to be shocked or alarmed by this persecution, which was a test of their faith.

4:12a

Beloved: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Beloved was a common way for New Testament letter writers to address the Christian people they were writing to. It does not imply that Peter personally knew his readers. See how you translated this expression in 2:11a.

do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you: This is a passive form. In some languages, it may be natural to translate it with an active form. For example:

do not let the fiery trial that has come upon you surprise you

do not be surprised: The word surprised here refers to the shock a person feels at unexpected bad news. Peter was saying that believers should expect to suffer. Here is another way to translate this:

astonished (NET Bible)

In some languages, it may be natural to translate this expression with an idiom. For example:

taken aback (Revised English Bible)

the fiery trial that has come upon you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the painful trial is literally “the burning/firing as a test.” Peter is here using the metaphor of refining precious metals that he had used in 1:6b and 1:7b–c. There are several ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

the testing fire which is taking place among you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a trial by fire is occurring among you (NET Bible)
-or-
the fiery ordeal which is coming upon you to prove you (Revised Standard Version)

• Translate the metaphor as a simile. For example:

you are going through testing that is like walking through fire (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate the meaning. For example:

the painful test you are suffering (Good News Translation)

4:12b

Some translations start a new sentence here. For example:

Do not think that something strange is happening to you. (New Century Version)

as though something strange were happening to you: The word strange here refers to something that is unusual in a bad way. Peter was saying that Christians should not think it was strange or unusual that they should suffer. Some other ways strange has been translated include:

unusual (Good News Translation)
-or-
extraordinary (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2:6

2:6

In 2:6, Peter quoted from Isaiah 28:16 in the Old Testament. Isaiah had prophesied about the Christ whom God had promised to send. He had used the metaphor of a “stone” to tell about Jesus Christ long before Peter used this metaphor (2:4).

2:6a

For it stands in Scripture: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For here introduces a verse of Scripture that supports what Peter just wrote. You should introduce this Old Testament quote in a way that is natural for you language.

it stands: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it stands is literally “it is contained,” as in the New American Standard Bible. You may also be able to translate this as:

For you will find in scripture: (Revised English Bible)

Isaiah 28:16 quotes God as the speaker. Therefore, you may want to include a reference to God. For example:

It is just as God says in the Scriptures… (Contemporary English Version)

Your language may require you to say who wrote the prophecy and whose words he wrote. For example:

⌊The prophet Isaiah wrote⌋ in the Scriptures ⌊God’s talk/words⌋ that said this ⌊would happen⌋

in Scripture: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Scripture is used in a special way in the New Testament. It refers to words that God directed someone to write. Such writings had authority because God guided a person to write them. In the New Testament the word Scripture almost always refers to something that was written in the Old Testament.

The Scripture from which Peter was quoting is Isaiah 28:16 in the Old Testament. You may translate Scripture with the term you use for the Old Testament. If you have a more specific term for the writings of the Old Testament prophets, you may use it here. Some ways to translate the phrase in Scripture are:

God’s written word
-or-
the message of God that they/someone wrote

2:6b

See: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as See is the first word of Peter’s quotation of Isaiah 28:16. Its purpose is to catch the attention of the reader. Some other ways to translate this word are:

Look (NET Bible)
-or-
Behold (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Listen to this

Some English versions have not translated this Greek word (God’s Word, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, Good News Translation).

I lay…a stone: This is a metaphor. God was speaking as though he were a house builder. He said that he was placing a stone into its correct position in a building. Other ways to say this include:

I am placing/setting a stone in position
-or-
I am putting a stone into place

The Greek verb is a present tense verb. However, because it is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, it may be more natural to translate it as future tense. For example:

I will put a stone in the ground (New Century Version)

a stone: Peter continued with the metaphor of a stone representing Jesus Christ. See 2:4a.

in Zion: Zion is another name for Jerusalem. Sometimes Zion and Jerusalem are used as metaphors to refer to God’s people everywhere, on earth and in heaven. Here Peter used it to refer to the Christian church, believers in Jesus Christ who live on earth or in heaven. Some English versions such as the New Living Translation (2004) translate Zion as:

Jerusalem (New Living Translation (2004))

2:6c

chosen:
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as chosen is the same as at 2:4b. At 2:4b Peter made it explicit that it was God who chose this stone. Here at 2:6b, God is speaking. If you must make explicit who chose this stone, then here you may be able to say:

chosen ⌊by me⌋
-or-

⌊I⌋ chose ⌊this stone⌋

precious: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as precious is the same as at 2:4b. You will probably want to translate it here the same way as you did at 2:4b. Other ways that the English versions have translated this include:

valuable (Good News Translation)
-or-
priceless (NET Bible)
-or-
of great worth (Revised English Bible)

cornerstone: A cornerstone was a very hard stone that builders carefully shaped to lay at the corner of a foundation. Because the walls would meet at the cornerstone and rest on top of it, the cornerstone was both a pattern and support for the building.

In the metaphor, Peter is speaking about the cornerstone of a “spiritual house” made up of living stones, Christian believers (2:5a). This metaphor represents or illustrates how God appointed Jesus Christ to support and unite the church, the fellowship of all believers. However, you will probably want to retain the metaphor in this quotation, if the grammar of your language allows you to do so naturally.

In some languages there may not be a specific word for a cornerstone. If that is the case in your language, some other ways to translate cornerstone are:

the most important stone
-or-
foundation stone
-or-
rock (New Century Version)

General Comment on 2:6b–c

In your translation of 2:6b–c, it may be more natural in your language to refer only once to the stone. Instead of saying both “stone” and “cornerstone,” several English versions mention just the cornerstone. For example:

I am laying a chosen and precious cornerstone in Zion (God’s Word)
-or-
I am laying in Zion a chosen corner-stone of great worth (Revised English Bible)

2:6d

and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame: Peter chose this quotation from Isaiah 28:16 to encourage his readers to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.

It may be more natural in your language to translate 2:6d as a separate sentence. For example:

Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed. (New Century Version)

the one who believes in Him: The phrase the one who believes in him refers to anyone and everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ, the cornerstone. Some other ways to translate this include:

Anyone who trusts (New Century Version)
-or-

whoever believes (NET Bible)
-or-

Every person who trusts

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

trusts (New International Version)
-or-
has faith (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
relies (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

(1) It is masculine. The writer was no longer using a metaphor. He was referring directly to Jesus Christ. For example:

whoever believes in him (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation)

(2) It is neuter. The writer was still using the cornerstone metaphor and was referring to this stone. For example:

who relies on this (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible)

The Contemporary English Version is ambiguous (“that one”). It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) as most English versions do.

will never be put to shame: There are two ways of interpreting the verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will never be put to shame :

(1) The believers will never be ashamed or disgraced for trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior. For example:

will never be ashamed (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, NET Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised Standard Version, God’s Word)

(2) The believers will never be disappointed. Jesus Christ will show himself worthy of their trust in him. For example:

will never be disappointed (Good News Translation)

(Contemporary English Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) if you can do so naturally in your language. It is good to use a word that is the opposite of “honor.” Believers will receive not shame but honor from God.

never: The two Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as never are two different negative particles/markers. By using them together, Peter said emphatically that his readers would definitely not be ashamed for being Christians.

Another way to state this verse part is:

No one who has faith in him will be disappointed

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 3:13

Paragraph 3:13–17

3:13

Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?: This is a rhetorical question with the implied answer “No one.” It is really a strong negative statement. There are two ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Who is going to do you harm if you are devoted to what is good? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Can anyone really harm you for being eager to do good deeds? (Contemporary English Version)

• As an emphatic statement. For example:

Surely no one will harm you if you are eager to do good!
-or-
No one is going to harm you for working hard to do what is right!

Use whichever form is most natural for a strong negative statement in your language.

zealous for what is good: The word eager describes someone who has a strong interest or desire in something. Some other ways this word can be translated include:

devoted (NET Bible)
-or-
trying hard (New Century Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2018