1 Peter 1:21

An Exegetical Study of 1 Peter 1:21

This exegetical study of ‘Your faith and hope are in God’ (1 Pet. 1:21) is based on a b-greek discussion from April 18, 2007. The initial inquiry focused on the final clause of 1 Peter 1:21b, specifically the interpretation of the conjunction ὥστε. The original questioner had previously understood this clause to indicate that the recipients’ faith is ultimately directed toward God, interpreting ὥστε in a logical sense. However, upon closer examination of the Greek, an alternative interpretation was considered: that God’s actions—raising Jesus from the dead and giving him glory—serve as the purpose or result for the believers’ faith and hope being directed toward God.

The central exegetical issue explored in this study is the precise semantic force of the conjunction ὥστε in 1 Peter 1:21b, particularly whether it conveys a purely resultative (ecbatic), a purposive (telic), or a combined sense. The ambiguity surrounding ὥστε‘s function impacts the theological understanding of the verse, determining whether the clause emphasizes the ultimate object of faith (God) or the divine cause/purpose behind the believers’ faith and hope in God, stemming from Christ’s resurrection and glorification. A respondent in the discussion highlighted that Koine Greek often blurs the distinction between purpose and result constructions, suggesting that subjective factors may influence the preferred reading.

τοὺς δι’ αὐτοῦ πιστοὺς εἰς θεὸν τὸν ἐγείραντα αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ δόξαν αὐτῷ δόντα, ὥστε τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν καὶ ἐλπίδα εἶναι εἰς θεόν. (Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• No significant textual differences in 1 Pet. 1:21b are observed between the Nestle 1904 text and the SBLGNT (2010). Both editions present identical readings for this portion of the verse.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes:

The critical apparatus of NA28 (Novum Testamentum Graece, 28th ed.) confirms the text of 1 Peter 1:21b to be stable, with no significant variants affecting the phrase under consideration. The reading `τοὺς δι’ αὐτοῦ πιστοὺς εἰς θεὸν τὸν ἐγείραντα αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ δόξαν αὐτῷ δόντα, ὥστε τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν καὶ ἐλπίδα εἶναι εἰς θεόν` is universally attested.

• ὥστε (hōste): This conjunction is the focal point of the exegetical discussion. According to BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature), ὥστε with the infinitive can introduce: (1) an actual result (“so that,” “with the result that”), (2) a logical consequence (“consequently,” “therefore”), or (3) an intended result (“so that,” “in order that”). The blurring of resultative and purposive meanings for ὥστε with the infinitive is a recognized feature of Koine Greek grammar. TDNT (Kittel, G., & Friedrich, G., eds., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) notes its broad usage, encompassing both consequence and purpose depending on context, without rigid distinction in the Hellenistic period.
• πίστις (pistis): “faith,” “trust,” “belief.” BDAG defines it as the state of believing, trust, or confidence. Here, it signifies the inner conviction and reliance on God.
• ἐλπίς (elpis): “hope,” “expectation.” BDAG defines it as the expectation of good. In this context, it refers to the believers’ confident anticipation of future blessings from God.
• εἶναι (einai): The infinitive “to be.” In the ὥστε clause, it signifies the state or condition that results or is purposed.
• εἰς θεόν (eis theon): “into God,” “toward God,” “in God.” The preposition εἰς with the accusative denotes direction or ultimate object. Here, it indicates the ultimate recipient and sphere of the believers’ faith and hope.

Translation Variants

The grammatical structure of the clause, “ὥστε τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν καὶ ἐλπίδα εἶναι εἰς θεόν,” features ὥστε followed by an accusative subject (τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν καὶ ἐλπίδα) and an infinitive (εἶναι). This construction is characteristic for expressing either result or purpose in Koine Greek. The rhetorical force of the clause serves to anchor the believers’ orientation (faith and hope) directly in God, who is revealed through Christ’s resurrection and glorification. The ambiguity inherent in ὥστε allows for a rich interplay between divine action, divine purpose, and the resulting human response. The discussion participants correctly identified that a precise disambiguation might impose modern linguistic categories onto ancient Greek where such clear distinctions were not always maintained. The clause functions as a theological climax, ensuring that the ultimate recipient of the believers’ spiritual orientation is the Father, who acted decisively in Christ.

Three primary interpretations of ὥστε‘s force are possible:

1. Purely Resultative: This reading views the clause as stating a direct consequence of God’s actions. God raised Jesus and gave him glory, and as a result, the believers’ faith and hope are directed toward God. This emphasizes the accomplished outcome of God’s work.
2. Purely Purposive: This interpretation understands the clause to express God’s intention behind His actions. God raised Jesus and gave him glory in order that the believers’ faith and hope might be directed toward God. This highlights the divine design and goal.
3. Logical/Consequential: This perspective suggests that God’s actions establish the inherent truth or principle that the believers’ faith and hope reside in God. This is less about a direct cause-and-effect and more about the established theological framework.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Given the recognized blurring of purposive and resultative senses for ὥστε with the infinitive in Koine Greek, a definitive disambiguation may not be necessary or fully capture the original intent. The verse can simultaneously convey that God’s actions (resurrecting and glorifying Christ) are both the cause and the purpose for the believers’ faith and hope ultimately resting in God. Therefore, translations should strive to reflect this theological depth.

1. “God raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” This translation maintains a general ‘so that’ which can encompass both result and purpose, emphasizing the ultimate destination of faith and hope.
2. “God raised him from the dead and gave him glory, with the result that your faith and hope are established in God.” This option leans towards a more explicit resultative sense, highlighting the outcome of God’s mighty acts.
3. “God raised him from the dead and gave him glory, in order that your faith and hope might be focused on God.” This translation emphasizes the divine intention or purpose behind God’s actions, highlighting God’s will for the believers’ spiritual orientation.