Photo by Startup Stock Photos on Pexels.com
Thought I share how my beginning steps for sermon prep is like.
This is part of my preparation for a retreat this weekend that I’m speaking for.
I normally translate a passage first on my own, breaking down grammatical insight and writing down questions I have with possible suggestions. I also mark which word would be relevant for word studies. After this is done for the passage I then go over it with a commentary. I color code things in blue that is important for later to put in my sermon outline. What I have questions about or need for further research I highlight in red (In the example below I only did this for verse 3 since I need to sleep instead of formatting this post longer).
I like to do all this first step as tedious as it is so I know the text in Greek for myself before I see what others have to say about it. It seems to bear much fruit for me personally.
Here’s my translation first step so far (only 1 Peter 1:3-7):
3 Εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ὁ κατὰ τὸ πολὺ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἀναγεννήσας ἡμᾶς εἰς ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν δι᾽ ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐκ νεκρῶν,
Blessed is God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the one who according to His great mercy begotten again us unto living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
Comment: A
Εὐλογητὸς
O: Masculine singular adjective meaning “blessed.” It is a predicate nominative and nuanced, appearing before the subject.
<WORD STUDY>à A
ὁ θεὸς
O: Masculine singular noun meaning “God.” Articular to refer to one who is well known. It is a subject nominative.
καὶ
O: Connective conjunction.
πατὴρ
O: Masculine singular noun meaning “God.” It is a subject nominative.
τοῦ κυρίου
O: Masculine singular noun meaning “Lord.” It is a genitive of relationship. Articular to refer to one who is well known.
ἡμῶν
O: First person plural pronoun with this referring to the readers and also Peter including himself. It is a genitive of possession.
Ἰησοῦ
O: This masculine singular noun means “Jesus.” Articular to refer to one who is well known. Note how the full name of “Jesus Christ” is used.
Χριστοῦ
O: Masculine singular noun meaning “Christ” with this being a genitive of possession.
ὁ
O: Masculine singular nominative article functioning as a pronoun to refer to the Father.
κατὰ
O: Preposition indicating standard because the object is an accusative.
τὸ
O: Neuter singular accusative article matching “mercy.”
πολὺ
O: Adjective meaning “great” with this being a neuter singular accusative matching “mercy” which it is modifying.
αὐτοῦ
O: Third person masculine singular pronoun referring to God the Father with this being a genitive of possession.
ἔλεος
O: Neuter singular noun meaning “mercy.” Accusative to match the preposition.
ἀναγεννήσας— Aorist active participle nominative masculine singular of ἀναγεννάω “born again”
O: Subject nominative with the masculine singular subject referring to God the Father with this being an active voice to show what subject is doing. Aorist sees the action as a whole. Participle to show the manner in which God the Father shows mercy.
<WORD STUDY>à A
ἡμᾶς
O: First person plural pronoun with this referring to the readers and also Peter including himself. Accusative of direct object.
εἰς
O: Preposition that is functioning directionally.
ἐλπίδα
O: Feminine singular noun meaning “hope” with this being an accusative to match the preposition.
<WORD STUDY>à A
ζῶσαν
O: Feminine singular accusative to match with the word “hope” with this adjective is modifying, and the adjective itself means “living.”
δι᾽
O: Preposition indicating the means of how we are born again with hope.
ἀναστάσεως
O: Feminine singular noun meaning “resurrection” with this being a genitive to match the preposition.
<WORD STUDY>à A
Ἰησοῦ
O: This masculine singular noun means “Jesus.” Articular to refer to one who is well known. Note how the full name of “Jesus Christ” is used.
Χριστοῦ
O: Masculine singular noun meaning “Christ” with this being a genitive of possession.
ἐκ
O: Preposition indicating separation.
νεκρῶν
O: Masculine noun meaning “dead” with this being plural to indicate more than one is in view.
4 εἰς κληρονομίαν ἄφθαρτον καὶ ἀμίαντον καὶ ἀμάραντον τετηρημένην ἐν οὐρανοῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς
For an inheritance imperishable, undefiled and unfading having been kept in heaven for you
Comment: A
εἰς
O: Preposition indicating purpose.
κληρονομίαν
O: Accusative to match the preposition with this being a feminine singular noun meaning “inheritance.”
<WORD STUDY>à A
ἄφθαρτον
O: Adjective meaning “imperishable” with this being an accusative feminine singular to match the noun “inheritance” which it is modifying.
<WORD STUDY>à A
καὶ
O: Connective conjunction.
ἀμίαντον
O: Adjective meaning “undefiled” with this being an accusative feminine singular to match the noun “inheritance” which it is modifying.
<WORD STUDY>à A
καὶ
O: Connective conjunction.
ἀμάραντον
O: Adjective meaning “unfading” with this being an accusative feminine singular to match the noun “inheritance” which it is modifying.
<WORD STUDY>à A
τετηρημένην— Perfect passive participle accusative feminine singular of “guard, keep, watch”
O: Feminine singular accusative subject referring to inheritance. It is passive voice showing what is done to it. Perfect tense here shows what is done in the past but effect remains.
Q: Why is this a participle?
A: A
ἐν
O: Spatial preposition.
οὐρανοῖς
O: Masculine noun meaning “heaven” with this being plural to indicate more than one is in view and dative to match the preposition.
εἰς
O: Preposition indicating advantage.
ὑμᾶς
O: Second person plural pronoun referring to the readers of the epistles. It is an accusative to match the preposition.
5 τοὺς ἐν δυνάμει θεοῦ φρουρουμένους διὰ πίστεως εἰς σωτηρίαν ἑτοίμην ἀποκαλυφθῆναι ἐν καιρῷ ἐσχάτῳ
Who are being guarded by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to reveal in last time
Comment: A
τοὺς
O: Accusative masculine plural article to match the participle.
ἐν
O: This indicate the instrument by which believers are guarded.
δυνάμει
O: Feminine singular noun meaning “power” with this being a dative to match the preposition.
θεοῦ
O: Genitive of source. It is a masculine noun meaning “God.”
φρουρουμένους— Present passive participle accusative masculine plural of φρουρέω “guard”
O: Subjects are the believers that Peter was addressing in light of the matching accusative masculine plural with the pronoun in the end of verse 4. It is a passive voice showing what is being done to the subjects.
διὰ
Q: Why is this a participle?
A: Means.
πίστεως
O: Feminine singular noun meaning “faith.” Genitive to match the preposition.
εἰς
O: Preposition indicating result.
σωτηρίαν
O: Feminine singular noun meaning “salvation” with this being an accusative to match the preposition.
ἑτοίμην
O: Adjective meaning “ready” with the feminine singular accusative matching “salvation.”
ἀποκαλυφθῆναι—Aorist infinitive passive
O: An infinitive to complete the noun “ready” with this being an aorist seeing the action as a whole and passive to show this is something being done to the salvation.
ἐν
O: Temporal function of the preposition, “during.”
καιρῷ
O: Masculine singular noun meaning “time.” It is dative to match the preposition.
ἐσχάτῳ
O: Noun meaning “last” with this being a dative masculine singular to match the word “time.”
6 ἐν ᾧ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε ὀλίγον ἄρτι, εἰ δέον ἐστίν, λυπηθέντας ἐν ποικίλοις πειρασμοῖς,
In which you greatly rejoice a little while now if it is necessary grieving with various trials
ἐν
O: Preposition indicating sphere.
ᾧ
O: Dative to match the preposition.
Q: What is this neuter singular referring to?
A: A
ἀγαλλιᾶσθε— Present indicative middle second person plural of ἀγαλλιάω “exult, rejoice”
O: Second person plural to refer to Christians that Peter was addressing. Indicative mood shows this is a statement of fact. It is a gnomic present stating a general truth. Middle voice to show what is being done to oneself.
<WORD STUDY>à A
ὀλίγον
O: Adjective meaning “a little while” with this being an accusative of direct object and this neuter singular refer to the situation.
ἄρτι,
O: Particle meaning “at present.”
εἰ
O: Conditional conjunction “if.”
δέον—Present active participle nominative masculine plural of δεῖ “necessary”
O: Predicate nominative, nuanced appearing before the verb. Periphrastic participle in light of the presence of the stative verb and this being a present tense participle. Active voice shows this is done by the subjects. Nuanced, appearing before the main verb.
Q: What are the subjects?
A: A
ἐστίν— Present indicative active third person singular of “is”
O: Present tense stative verb to make a periphrastic statement with this active voice showing what subject is doing.
Q: What is the subject?
A: A
λυπηθέντας— Aorist passive participle nominative masculine plural of λυπέω “grieve”
O: Aorist sees the action as a whole. Passive indicate this is an action done to the subjects which the masculine plural refer to believers and this being a subject nominative.
Q: Why is this a participle?
A: A
<WORD STUDY>à A
ἐν
O: Instrumental preposition.
ποικίλοις
O: Adjective meaning “various” with this dative masculine plural matching the noun “trials” which it is modifying.
πειρασμοῖς
O: Masculine noun meaning “trials” with this being plural to indicate more than one is in view. It is also dative to match the preposition.
<WORD STUDY>à A
7 ἵνα τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως πολυτιμότερον χρυσίου τοῦ ἀπολλυμένου, διὰ πυρὸς δὲ δοκιμαζομένου εὑρεθῇ εἰς ἔπαινον καὶ δόξαν καὶ τιμὴν ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
In order that the test of your faith is more precious than gold which perishes, through fire but being tested may be found resulting in praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ
Comment: A
ἵνα
O: Purpose conjunction.
τὸ δοκίμιον
O: Subject nominative with this neuter singular noun meaning “test, tested to be real” and articular to refer to that which is abstract.
<WORD STUDY>à A
ὑμῶν
O: Second person plural pronoun referring to the readers of the epistles. It is a genitive of possession.
τῆς πίστεως
O: Feminine singular noun meaning “faith.”
Q: Why is this a genitive?
A: Content.
πολυτιμότερον
O: Predicate nominative of an adjective meaning “more precious” with this neuter singular matching “test.”
<WORD STUDY>à A
χρυσίου
O: Neuter singular noun meaning “gold.”
Q: Why is this a genitive?
A: Comparison, following a comparative word.
τοῦ ἀπολλυμένου— Present passive participle genitive neuter singular of ἀπόλλυμι “destroy”
O: Genitive neuter singular matching gold” which is the subject and it is an adjectival participle with this being passive to indicate something done to the subject. It is a gnomic present tense stating a general truth.
<WORD STUDY>à A
διὰ
O: Preposition indicating means.
πυρὸς
O: Neuter singular noun meaning “fire” with this being a genitive to match the preposition.
δὲ
O: Slight contrastive conjunction.
δοκιμαζομένου— Present passive participle genitive neuter singular of δοκιμάζω “tested”
O: Genitive neuter singular matching gold” which is the subject and it is an adjectival participle with this being passive to indicate something done to the subject. It is a gnomic present tense stating a general truth.
<WORD STUDY>à A
εὑρεθῇ—Aorist subjective passive third person singular of “discover”
O: Subjunctive mood to show purpose. Third person singular refers to faith as the subject with this being passive to show this is something done to the subject. Aorist sees the action as a whole.
εἰς
O: Preposition indicating result.
ἔπαινον
O: Accusative to match the preposition with this masculine singular noun meaning “praise.”
<WORD STUDY>à A
καὶ
O: Connective conjunction.
δόξαν
O: Accusative to match the preposition with this feminine singular noun meaning “glory.”
<WORD STUDY>à A
καὶ
O: Connective conjunction.
τιμὴν
O: Accusative to match the preposition with this masculine singular noun meaning “honor.”
<WORD STUDY>à A
ἐν
O: Temporal functioning preposition.
ἀποκαλύψει
O: Dative to match the preposition with this feminine singular noun meaning “revelation.”
Ἰησοῦ
O: This masculine singular noun means “Jesus.” Articular to refer to one who is well known. Note how the full name of “Jesus Christ” is used.
Χριστοῦ
O: Masculine singular noun meaning “Christ” with this being a genitive of possession.
The Domain for Truth 
Encouraged to see your desire to interpret scripture accurately. Most people do not realize, nor can they, unless they are called to preach and teach and therefore feel the burden, as well as the joy, of a deeper, more meaningful exegetical study. Much work…..great enjoyment…. always worth the effort!
This means a lot as I know you know the joy and labor of studying the Word to peach to His people! Blessings to you for your day today!
What you have made clear to me from your method is that it is good to know the source languages of the Bible. Mostly what I do is rely on BibleHub’s interlinear translation should I have questions, but too often I don’t have questions. That suggests I am reading the passage too fast in English.
Brother I’m immensely encouraged to hear about those like you who use the resources of Bible hub and transliteration to study. That is super encouraging and I wished more my members do the same! So I hope those that read this would likewise be encouraged to study the Scripture!! Thanks for this blessing!!!
I’m grateful for solid pastors and theologians such as yourself who have the gift to study and teach God’s Word so deeply! I pray the Lord blesses the upcoming retreat.
Thanks for your prayers! I hope to get a lot done today as it’s almost Friday! Once more thanks for your prayers! I’ll be likely seeing snow this weekend! That will make me think of you all in the East Coast! How’s the weather been at ROC?
Enjoy the retreat and the snow!
RE: ROC weather
It’s been a relatively mild winter so far. I’ve only used the snowblower twice and it wasn’t that deep. The weatherman’s saying we’re way below our average snowfall at this point.
Thank you for this I’ll be studying it!
“Wow”, as in “wow”, we’re not even on the same ball field! And I naively thought that prayerfully comparing a sentence slowly in two or three, word for word translations, with possibly a couple of commentary detours, if deemed prudent, along with an interlinear translation cross reference, again, if deemed prudent, while keeping in mind the context of the entire passage being studied as a whole, along with any applicable Scriptural cross references that came to mind, was a good way to go. However (comma – pause for effect), in hindsight, my approach would be similar to opening a sandwich to see what is in it ,versus your approach, which I would view as doing a elemental molecular investigation on the entire surrounding structure and its contents. I’m definitely not knocking your scholarly approach, it just makes me aware and thankful that there are dedicated individuals like yourself Jim, who do what you do. Blessings and thank you!
“Wow.” Exactly my reaction, Bruce. I remember after I decided to memorize I Peter (with no knowledge of Greek whatsoever) what I noticed was what LONG sentences Peter used! I see you’re following suit.
🙂 I know, we’re family so I thought I could get away with it! There’s applied “study” and then there is applied “STUDY”. I’m still in the bleachers! Blessings!
Brother Bruce I’m grateful for your studies of God’s Word; they are edifying for me to read such as your John series. If I don’t do the above way, I often feel I’m not comfortable having not look into the Word myself; but it does take a lot of time! If you can pray for my studies, I have one 27 hours before I start driving to the retreat so I have to finish between now and then! There’s also ministry conversations, calls and text along the way…hope I can balance both! Sorry if I sound desperate for prayers!
Nothing to be sorry about Jim, definitely holding you up in my prayers. Blessings brother and may God richly anoint your teachings to His glory!
My goodness….No wonder why we can count on you to give us God’s truth. Thank you.
Thanks for this encouragement
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Isn’t it amazing how God can use a FISHERMAN to convey such profound truths? Bless you for your diligence, Jim.
Its amazing God used Peter; goes to show you its about God and not us per se. This has been a rather turbulent week in ministry that cut into my study, if you can pray for my prep! Thanks sister!
Good morning brother. Thanks for your leadership in showing us how it is done. Very enlightening.
Blessings for all your hard work and extra effort.
Thank you for the significant effort put into this so far. It would be interesting to hear the final sermon.
Thanks for that encouragement! I hope I can finish as much as possible tonight, got 24.5 hours to go before I drive to the retreat tomorrow!
Wow, SLIMJIM! Your “rough translation” is as detailed as Mark Dubis’ Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament!
I like how you explained your methodology–first working through it on your own before consulting a commentary. This is what I try to do–but, of course, I use Accordance software’s parsing to help me with parts of speech, etc.
Thanks for sharing that! How is accordance, do you find it useful?
For me, Accordance is absolutely essential! As very much a non-traditional Greek NT student–no formal schooling, only self-study–I need it to the point that Greek teachers would say I use it as a crutch, no doubt. That’s a criticism I would not disown. I’ve never sat down and learned paradigms, for instance (though through some immersion I know some of it); instead, I studied grammar and syntax so that I have some understanding of how the language works, how sentences go together, to include Colwell’s ‘rule’ (which he himself breaks!) and Granville Sharp’s rule, and other ‘tools’ used such as ‘fronting’, e.g. However, as something peculiar I came across, the dative αὐτῷ in Mark 1:25 is tagged neuter in the NA28, while the GNT (Textus Receptus) tags it masculine (in my opinion, neuter is correct). These sorts of things force me to really grapple with the text!
All that said, yes it’s useful. One can have the software automatically list the lexical form under the word–e.g. under αὐτῷ would be αὐτός–as well as tag, parts of speech, and gloss. This is especially useful in works that are extra-biblical (Philo, pseudepigrapha, etc.), in which words may be foreign to the NT student. One can also copy the Greek text as English transliteration such that the paste would be the transliteration, which can be good for posting things aimed at non-Greek students. And for a project I’m currently working on I have the Greek pseudepigrapha tied with both Evans’ and Charles’ English translations. Thus, I can view the Greek and the English translation side by side (toggling).
This is exactly how they told us to begin preparing a sermon at seminary. Ironically, this is also the text they choose for our first sermon to prepare for the class. J.
Wow they started you guys with 1 Peter? Wow I would have picked 1 John, its easier lol. Thanks for sharing this!
I don’t think they wanted to start us with something easy. J.
This all really good work and I believe that God has chosen you to be His servant to tend to His flock. God Bless.
Gosh, Jim! Your analytical abilities are staggering!
Excellent. Love the character of Greek. Very point on.
Thanks for reading this Maw Maw! At the retreat now, appreciate your comment!!
Remain in prayer.
[…] Last week I posted “My Rough Translation of 1 Peter 1:3-7” that was part of my sermon preparation for a retreat. Some of you shared you would like to […]
I praise God to see this. We are also having this practice. Especially, doing syntactical analysis of the passage. SDG!
Pastor Jim, thanks for sharing some of your sermon prep. I agree with one reader’s comment that people like myself probably need to slow down when reading and studying on our own.
This is super off-topic, but I’ve been reading a lot on Romans 5:12d and was just talking with a pastor about it, and whether the verse is saying “all sinned” in and with Adam (so Doug Moo) or “all” have “sinned” themselves (so Tom Schreiner). I can totally see the arguments for both sides, so I just wondering which side you fall down on?