Uncovering the Riches of 1 Peter 1:5 in Greek
As Christians, we often read and study the Bible in our native languages, but have you ever wondered what the original text says? In this article, we'll dive into the Greek translation of 1 Peter 1:5 and uncover the hidden treasures of this powerful verse.
The Verse: 1 Peter 1:5 (Greek)
ὑμᾶς ὁ θεὸς ἐν δυνάμει αὐτοῦ φρούρειν διαφυλάσσειν εἰς σωτηρίαν ἔχοντας ἐν शकλυβριω
Transliteration: humas ho theos en dunamei autou phrourin diaphylassein eis soterian echontas en sklavriō
Translation: Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Breaking Down the Greek
Let's break down the Greek words and phrases in this verse to gain a deeper understanding of the text:
- ὑμᾶς (humas): The second person plural pronoun "you" (plural), emphasizing that this promise is for believers.
- ὁ θεὸς (ho theos): The definite article "the" with the noun "God", highlighting God's sovereignty and power.
- ἐν δυνάμει αὐτοῦ (en dunamei autou): The preposition "in" with the noun "power" and the genitive pronoun "his", implying that God's power is the source of believers' protection.
- φρούρειν (phrourin): The verb "to guard" or "to keep", indicating God's active role in preserving believers.
- διαφυλάσσειν (diaphylassein): The verb "to keep" or "to preserve", conveying the idea of protection and safekeeping.
- εἰς σωτηρίαν (eis soterian): The preposition "unto" with the noun "salvation", pointing to the ultimate goal of believers' preservation.
- ἔχοντας (echontas): The present participle "having" or "possessing", emphasizing that believers already possess salvation.
- ἐν σκληβριω (en sklavriō): The preposition "in" with the noun "last time", referencing the future revelation of salvation.
Unpacking the Theology
This verse is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and care for believers. Here are some key theological insights:
- God's power is the source of protection: Believers are kept by God's power, not their own strength or merit.
- Faith is the means of protection: The verb "to keep" (φρούρειν) is in the passive voice, implying that believers are kept through faith, which is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Salvation is the ultimate goal: The phrase "unto salvation" (εἰς σωτηρίαν) emphasizes that believers are being preserved for a future revelation of salvation.
Conclusion
By examining 1 Peter 1:5 in Greek, we gain a deeper appreciation for the richness of God's word. This verse reminds us that our salvation is secure in God's power, and we can trust in His sovereignty to keep us until the final revelation of salvation.
