19. But with the precious blood of Christ. The word Xpiotod, of Christ, stands at the end of the sentence, and is em- phatic. Render, as Rev., with precious blood as of a lamb, ete., even the blood of Christ. :
Lamb. Peculiarly appropriate from Peter. See John i. 35-42. The reference is to a sacrificial lamb.
Without blemish (a@u@uov). Representing the Old-Testa- ment phrase for absence of physical defect (Exod. xii. 5; Lev. xxii. 20. Compare Heb. ix. 14).
Without spot (do7idov), Compare 1 Tim: vi. 14; Jas. i. 27; 2 Pet. iii. 14. In each case in a moral sense.
Caney THE FIRST GENERAL EPISTLE OF PETER. 639
20. Foreordained (zpoeyywopévov). Lit., and better, fore- known, as Rev.
Manifested (davepwIévt0s). Observe the difference in tense. Foreknown is the perfect participle, has been known from all eternity down to the present: “in reference to the place held and continuing to be held by Christ in the divine mind ” (Salmond). Manifested is the aorist participle, pointing to a definite act at a given time.
In these last times (é7 éoydrou tdv ypovev). Lit., as Rev., at the end of the times.
21. Which raised. Compare Rom. iv. 24.
That your faith and hope might be in God. Some ren- der, that your faith should also be hope toward God.
22. Purified (syvixores). The Septuagint translation of the Old-Testament technical term for the purification of the people and priests (Josh. iii. 5; 1 Chron. xv. 12; 1 Sam. xvi. 5). Also, of the separation from wine and strong drink by the Nazarite (Num. vi. 2-6). In this ceremonial sense, John xi. 55; Acts xxi, 24, 26; xxiv. 18. In the moral sense, as here, Jas. iv. 8; 1 John iii. 8. Compare xa9apicas, purifying, Acts xv. 9.
Obeying (émaxog). Rev., obedience. A peculiarly New Testament term unknown in classical Greek. In the Septuagint only 2 Sam. xxii. 36; rendered in A. V. gentleness. Rey., con- descension, in margin.
Unfeigned (avurdxpitov). °A, not, broxpitis, actor. The latter word is from d7roxpiecrIa1, to answer on the stage, and hence to play a part or to act, A hypocrite is, therefore, an actor.
With a pure heart (é« xaSapas xapdias). The best texts re- ject xaSapas, pure. Render, therefore, as Rev., from the heart.
640 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. I.
Fervently (éxrevds). Used by Peter only, and only in this passage. He uses the kindred adjective éxrevijs, without ceas- ing, in Acts xii. 5, where the narrative probably came from him, and also at ch. iv. 8; “fervent charity.’ The words are compounded with the verb teivw, to stretch, and signify ¢- tense strain ; feeling on the rack.
23. Being born again (avayeyerynuévor). Rev., having been begotten again. Compare Jas. 1. 18.
Of (éx) seed—by (6ia) the word. Note the difference in the prepositions; the former denoting the orzgin or sowrce of life, the latter the mediwm through which it imparts itself to the nature.
Word of God (Adyou Geod). The gospel of Christ. Com- pare ver. 25, and Peter’s words, Acts x. 86. Also, Eph. i. 13; Col. 1.5; Jas. i.18. Not the personal Word, as the term is employed by John. Nevertheless, the connection and relation of the personal with the revealed word is distinctly recognized. “In the New Testament we trace a gradual ascent from (a) the concrete message as conveyed to man by personal agency through (0) the Word, the revelation of God to man which the message embodies, forming, as it were, its life and soul, to (c) raz Worn, who, being God, not only reveals but imparts himself to us, and is formed in us thereby” (Scott, on Jas. i. 18, “ Speaker’s Commentary ”).
Seed (czropas). Nowhere else in the New Testament. Pri- marily, the sowing of seed.
24. Of man. Following the reading avIpeov, in the Septu- agint, Isa. xl. 6, which Peter quotes here. But the best texts read aurijs, of zz, or, as Rev., thereof.