Vincent Word Studies - 1 Peter 5:9 - 5:9

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Vincent Word Studies - 1 Peter 5:9 - 5:9


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Resist (ἀντίστητε)

The Rev., very judiciously, substitutes withstand; resist having been already used in 1Pe 5:5 for ἀντιτάσσεται. Withstand is, moreover, the more accurate rendering; as the verb means rather to be firm against onset than to strive against it. With in withstand is the Saxon wid, against, which appears in the German wider.

Steadfast (στερεοὶ)

Compare 2Ti 2:19; and the kindred verb στερεόω, to strengthen (Act 3:7, Act 3:16; Act 16:5). Paul, in Col 2:5, uses a cognate noun, στερέωμα, evidently as a military metaphor: “Beholding your order (τάξιν, compare ἀντιτάσσεται, 1Pe 5:5) and your solid front or close phalanx” (στερέωμα). It might be difficult to find, on the whole, a better rendering than steadfast, yet it falls a little short of the meaning. Steadfast is Anglo-Saxon, stede, a place, and faest, fast; and hence means firm in its place; but στερεοὶ conveys also the sense of compactness, compact solidity, and is appropriate, since a number of individuals are addressed and exhorted to withstand the onset of Satan as one compacted body. Στερεός implies solidity in the very mass and body of the thing itself; steadfastness, mere holding of place. A rock is στερεός, firm, solid; but a flexible weed with its tough roots resisting all efforts to pull it up, may be steadfast. The exhortation is appropriate from Peter, the Rock.

The same afflictions (τὰ αὐτὰ τῶν παθημάτων)

Rev., better, sufferings. A very peculiar construction, occurring nowhere else in the New Testament. Lit., the same things of sufferings, emphasizing the idea of identity.

Are accomplished (ἐπιτελεῖσθαι)

More correctly, are being accomplished. The present infinitive denotes something in process of accomplishment.

Brethren (ἀδελφότητι)

Lit., brotherhood. Only here and 1Pe 2:17.