Are accomplished (évredeic9ar). More correctly, are be-
ing accomplished. The present infinitive denotes something i process of accomplishment.
Cu. V.] THE FIRST GENERAL EPISTLE OF PETER. 671
Brethren (dSeadornri). Lit., brotherhood. Only here and cheat £7.
10. Who hath called us (6 xadécas Huds). But the tense is the aorist, and the true reading is duds, you, instead of us. Ren- der, therefore, as Rev., who called you ; before the foundation of the world. See Rom. viii. 29, 30, and compare wnto hes eternal glory and them he also glorified.
By Christ Jesus (é€v Xpsord “Incod). The best texts omit Jesus. So Rev., which also renders, better, i Christ, denoting the sphere or element in which the calling and its results take place: “ Christ as the life, head, and-very principle of all exist- ence to the Christian ” (Cook).
Awhile (dAéyov). Rev., more literally, a little while. See on ch. i. 6.
Make you perfect, etc. The Tex. Rec. makes this and the three following verbs in the optative mood, expressing a wish. So the A. V. But the best texts make them all indicative future, and thus convert the wish or prayer into an assurance. Thus, then,
Shall himself perfect (avros xataprice:). The A. V. over- looks the adrés, himself, which is very significant as indicating God’s personal interest and energy in the work of confirming his children.
Shall perfect. Rev. reads restore, in margin. The root of this word appears in dpw or dpaploxe, to fit or join together. So dp9pov means a joint. The radical notion of the verb is, therefore, adjustment—the putting of all the parts into right relation and connection. We find it used of mending the nets (Matt. iv. 21), and of restoring an erring brother (Galavicly; of framing the body and the worlds (Heb, x. 5§ xi. 3)%5 of the union of members in the church (1 Cor. i. 10; 2 Cor. xiii. 11). Out of this comes the general sense of perfecting (Matt. xxi. 16; Luke vi. 40; 1 Thess. ili, 10).
672 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. V.
Shall stablish (ornpé£e). The word is akin at the root to oTEpEds, steadfast (ver. 9), and is the very word used by Christ in his exhortation to Peter, “ strengthen thy brethren ” (Luke xxii. 82), Possibly there is a reminiscence of this in Peter’s use of the word here. Compare 1 Thess. iii. 13; 2 Thess. ii. AT; dias. v.85 Apoe. 111.2.
Shall strengthen (cIeveces). Only here in New Testa- ment. Compare Eph. iii. 16.
Shall settle (Seuedudoer). Omitted by some texts, and by Rev. From Jeuérsos, a foundation. The radical notion of the word is, therefore, zo ground securely. It occurs in Matt. vii. 25, of the house founded on a rock; in Heb. i. 10, of laying the foundations of the earth. In Eph. ili. 18, it is joined with rooted. The massing of these expressions, unconnected by con- junctions, indicates strong feeling. Bengel thus sums up the whole: “ Shall perfect, that no defect remain in you: shall stab- lish, that nothing may shake you: shall strengthen, that you may overcome every adverse force. A saying worthy of Peter. He is strengthening his brethren.”
12. Silvanus. Probably the companion of Paul known in the Acts as Stlas (xv. 22, 27, 82, 34, 40, etc.), and called S2d- vanus by Paul in 2 Cor. i. 19; 1 Thess. 1.1; 2 Thess. i. 1.
A faithful brother. Brother has the definite article, the faithful brother, designating him as one well known for his fidelity. Rev. renders owr, with the in margin.
Unto you. Construe, not as A. V., a brother unto you, but I have written unto you. So Rev.
As | suppose (as Aoyifouat). Too feeble, since the verb de- notes a settled persuasion or assurance. See tom. iii. 28, “ we conclude” or reckon, as the result of our reasoning. Compare Rom. viii. 18; Heb. xi. 19. Rev., as Zaccount him.