JMNT(i)
1 Repeatedly bring folks under recollection, constantly causing them to think again and remember to be habitually placing themselves in subjection to (or: to be supportively aligned with; be continually arranged under by)
governments (or: rulers; sovereignties; originating headships)
– to (or: by)
those having the right of authority – [
and]
to continuously comply in persuaded obedience, yielding to these authorities; to constantly be ready ones: facing and progressing toward every good work (or: virtuous action);
2 to be in the habit of speaking injuriously of (blaspheming; slandering; defaming)
no one; to be folks who are non-contentious (not disposed to fighting or quarreling),
gentle, lenient, considerate and suitably reasonable, constantly displaying all kindness and gentle tenderness while behaving agreeably toward everyone (all mankind; all humanity).
3 You see, we also were, ourselves, at one time people habitually being foolish, senseless and without understanding (without perception or proper use of our minds)
– noncompliant and disobedient ones, folks being constantly caused to wander and being led astray (or, as a middle: repeatedly deceiving ourselves; habitually going astray),
continuously being and performing as slaves to various (a diversity of many kinds of)
full-rushing passions and pleasures (enjoyments; gratifications),
habitually carrying ugly worthlessness (bad quality or malice)
and envy (or: jealousy)
throughout (= leading a bad life):
detestable ones (abhorrent folks)
continuously hating one another.
4 Yet, when the beneficial usefulness in meeting needs and the affectionate friendship for mankind (the fondness for, the liking of, and the love – as shown in kissing – for humanity)
of God (or: coming from, and which is, God),
our Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer; Healer; Restorer),
was fully set in clear Light (was made to completely appear; was fully manifested)
–
5 not from out of works [
which arise from]
within religious performance which we ourselves do [= deeds associated with the temple cultus of the old covenant] (or: not forth from actions in union with an act of righteousness which we, ourselves, did; not in a relationship based upon our own performance; not deeds in a system of justice, equity and fairness which we, ourselves, constructed),
but to the contrary, down from and corresponding to His mercy, He delivered us (or: He saves, rescues and restores us to the wholeness and health of our original condition)
through a bath of and from a birth-back-up-again (or: [the] bathing of a regeneration; note: can = a ritual immersion pool of rebirth)
and a making back-up-new (of a different kind and quality)
again from a set-apart Breath-effect (or: of a renewal and renovation whose source is [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart spirit's creating or birthing [us] back-up-new-again; a renewal which is a holy spirit)
–
6 which (or: from which source)
He pours forth (or: poured from out of)
upon us richly through Jesus Christ, our Deliverer (Savior; Healer; Rescuer; Restorer; Safe-keeper),
7 to the end that, being rightwised, and set in right relationship in the Way of fairness and equity which has been pointed out (also: = being placed in covenant membership)
– by and in the grace and favor of That One – we can (could; would; may)
come to be (or: be birthed; be made to exist being)
heirs (possessors and enjoyers of the allotment),
corresponding to, in line with, and down from [
the]
expectation (or: an expectant hope)
that comes from eonian life (or: of life whose character, origin, source and realm is the Age [of the Messiah]; or: a life of unspecified duration which leads on into the ages; [the] life of and for the ages).
8 The Idea (The Logos; The Word; The Message; The Thought) [
is]
full of faith (or: faithful; trustworthy),
and I am continuing in intending (determining; designing; or: wishing; wanting)
to progressively set you on thoroughly good footing (to make you continue thoroughly stabilized and confidently insistent)
about (or: concerning)
these things – to the end that those having put trust in God (or: the ones having believed God and now having faith in God)
can habitually give careful thought and concern to constantly put themselves in the forefront (or: to continually promote, maintain and stand themselves for the interests)
of beautiful deeds (ideal works; fine actions).
These things continue being beautiful (fine; ideal),
as well as augmenting a furtherance for humanity (profitable to mankind; beneficial in people).
9 Yet habitually set yourself at the periphery (or: step around)
so as to avoid unintelligent (stupid; foolish)
questionings (or: seekings; investigations)
and genealogies (studies into births or descents),
also strife [other MSS: quarrels]
and fights (contentions; conflicts; battles)
about Laws (or: customs; or: = things related to the Torah),
for they are contrary to progress (without benefit; unprofitable; regressive)
and ineffectual (futile; vain).
10 After one, and then a second, putting-into-the-mind (= impartation; admonition)
of a person who chooses or promotes a sect or party (or: of a factious person),
progressively decline yourself (or: repeatedly excuse yourself),
11 having seen and thus knowing that such a one has been and remains a person turned from out of the midst (or: twisted inside-out; perverted)
and continues missing the target (constantly fails to properly aim toward the goal; habitually errs; repeatedly makes a mistake),
being continually a person having made a decision corresponding to himself (or: one separating himself down and out of line; or: self-condemned and sifted to his own level).
12 Whenever I shall proceed sending Artemas or Tychicus toward you, urgently endeavor to come toward me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 With urgent endeavor and diligence, at once send on ahead Zenas, the expert in the Law (or: the lawyer),
and Apollos, so that nothing may be lacking for them.
14 Now let our people (our own folks)
be progressively learning how to habitually put themselves in the forefront (to continually promote, maintain and stand themselves for the interests)
of beautiful actions (fine deeds; ideal works) [
directed]
into the indispensable needs (or: wants of compressed necessity),
so that they may not exist being unfruitful ones.
15 All those with me continue embracing and greeting you. Greet and embrace our friends in [
the]
faith (or: those who have love and affection for us in trusting allegiance and loyalty).
Grace and favor [
are]
with all you folks! It is so (Amen). [written circa A.D. 57 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]