22Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth unto unhypocritical brotherly love, love one another fervently from a pure heart, fervently; [1:23] having been born again — not of perishable seed but of imperishable — through the word of the living and abiding God, into the age; [1:24] because 'all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of it like the flower of grass; the grass withered and the flower fell; [1:25] but the declaration of the Lord abides into the age' — but this is the declaration that was proclaimed to you.
1PE 1:22-25
The Enduring Word
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, purification rituals were common, often tied to religious or civic ceremonies, but here, purification is framed as an internal, moral transformation achieved through obedience to the truth. The term , often translated as 'soul,' refers to the whole person, emphasizing a holistic renewal. The call to 'brotherly love' would resonate deeply in a culture where familial loyalty was paramount, yet it extends this bond to the Christian community, transcending biological ties. The adjective ('unfeigned') underscores the sincerity expected in these relationships, contrasting sharply with the performative honor-shame dynamics of the broader society. The metaphor of imperishable seed evokes agricultural imagery familiar to both Jewish and Gentile audiences, symbolizing eternal life through God’s enduring word. The citation from Isaiah 40:6-8, contrasting the fleeting nature of human life with the permanence of God’s word, would remind Jewish readers of God’s covenantal faithfulness while offering Gentile converts a vision of stability in a transient world.
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How other translations render this
1PE 1:22
- KJV
- Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
- BSB
- Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
- Koinōnos
- Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth unto unhypocritical brotherly love, love one another fervently from a pure heart, fervently;
1PE 1:23
- KJV
- Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
- BSB
- For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
- Koinōnos
- having been born again — not of perishable seed but of imperishable — through the word of the living and abiding God, into the age;
1PE 1:24
- KJV
- For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
- BSB
- For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
- Koinōnos
- because 'all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of it like the flower of grass; the grass withered and the flower fell;
1PE 1:25
- KJV
- But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
- BSB
- but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
- Koinōnos
- but the declaration of the Lord abides into the age' — but this is the declaration that was proclaimed to you.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1PE 1:22
- souls:The word translated 'souls' here refers to the very essence of a person's being, encompassing their life, mind, emotions, and will, not just an ethereal part.
- having purified:The word translated 'having purified' implies a ritual cleansing that makes one fit for worship or sacred service, going beyond mere physical cleanliness.
- spirit:The word translated 'spirit' in this context specifically means 'brotherly love' or 'love for fellow believers,' emphasizing affection within the community.
- unto:The word translated 'unto' in this phrase means 'without hypocrisy' or 'genuine,' emphasizing sincerity and authenticity in their love.