FOOTNOTES:

^a The scholarly consensus is that this letter was not written by Paul but rather by a student or successor. The vocabulary and writing style is significantly different from Paul’s letters.

^b Traditionally, ‘apostle.’ The word means ‘someone who is sent to carry out a purpose’ and while it became used in a particular way in the church, it was not an inherently religious word in the Greek language.

^c Traditionally, ‘will’

^d Typically, translators add the word ‘my’

^e Traditionally, ‘grace’

^f Traditionally, ‘mercy’

^g Traditionally, ‘serve’; however, this word, latreuo, refers specifically to priestly service or serving as a representative of a deity or government official.

^h Or ‘my ancestors.’ The words literally mean ‘those born before me.’

ⁱ The word ‘clean’ here refers to ritual purity, being anointed, prepared, or consecrated for a sacred purpose.

^j Traditionally, ‘conscience.’ However, this word is not about an inner moral compass, but rather, about attentiveness to what is important.

^k Traditionally, ‘faith.’ The Greek word pistis carries a reciprocal relationship between the concepts of trust and following through on a commitment based on that trust. The full meaning is difficult to capture in one English word. Sometimes, the concept of ‘trust’ seems to be the most prominent part, other times ‘commitment’ and other times ‘faithfulness’ or ‘allegiance.’ ‘Faithfulness’ is the closest word to carrying the full meaning, but it should be understood that these other meanings are all in the background, informing what kind of faithfulness is in view.

^l Traditionally, ‘Spirit.’ The Greek word pneuma could be used to refer to ‘wind,’ ‘breath,’ or an animating energy within people, thought to be perceptible in the breath. Hebrew and Latin also use the same word for all these concepts.

^m This word was used in Roman society of a serious offence, chargeable in court as similar to treason. Perhaps ‘desertion’ or ‘dereliction’ in response to fearfulness would be related meanings.

ⁿ Or ‘news of victory’ or literally, ‘good news’ or traditionally, ‘gospel.’ The historical context of this phrase was the message being announced to a city by a herald who ran ahead of a returning king or general after a battle, telling the residents that their champion had been victorious in battle, inviting them to greet the returning hero outside the city and escort them inside in triumph.

^o The words ‘that calling’ has been added for clarity.

^p Literally, ‘had light shined on it’

^q Litreally, ‘with light shining on it’

^r Or ‘understand’ or ‘have seen’ or ‘have perceived’ or ‘have realized’ or ‘have learned’

^s Or ‘what’

^t Or ‘it’

^u Traditionally, ‘good thing entrusted’

^v Traditionally, ‘mercy.’ This Greek word is used to translate the Hebrew word hesed in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint. It does not convey the idea of withholding wrath, as ‘mercy’ is often used to mean. It means something along the lines of ‘loyal love,’ ‘covenant faithfulness,’ ‘lovingkindness,’ or ‘committed love/kindness.’ It carries a commitment to pursue good for others based in care.