1 Peter 1:18–19
We were ransomed with something more precious than silver or gold
Study it word by word18knowing that you were redeemed not with perishable things, silver or gold, from your futile conduct inherited from your fathers,
19but with the precious blood of the Messiah, as of a lamb without defect and unstained,
In its context
16because it is written, You shall be holy, because I am holy.
17And if you call on as Father the one who judges without partiality according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your pilgrimage,
…
20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the times for the sake of you,
21who through him believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Its words in the original
- εἰδότεςeidotes· know
Know, understand; also see.
- φθαρτοῖςphthartois· perishable
Perishable, corruptible: what decays and dies.
- ἀργυρίῳargyriōi· silver, money
Silver; money, silver coins.
- χρυσίῳchrysiōi· gold
Gold; something made of gold, a gold coin.
- ἐλυτρώθητεelytrōthēte· redeem
Redeem, set free by paying a ransom.
- ματαίαςmataias· worthless, futile
Vain, futile, worthless.
- ἀναστροφῆςanastrophēs· conduct, way of life
Conduct, the way one lives day by day.
- πατροπαραδότουpatroparadotou· inherited from ancestors
Inherited from one's ancestors, handed down by tradition.
- τιμίῳtimiōi· precious, honored
Precious, valuable, costly; honored, respected.
- αἵματιhaimati· blood
Blood; also life poured out.
- ἀμνοῦamnou· lamb
Lamb.
- ἀμώμουamōmou· blameless, without blemish
Without blemish, without defect, like an animal fit to be offered to God; blameless.
- ἀσπίλουaspilou· spotless
Spotless, without blemish.
- ΧριστοῦChristou· Messiah
Messiah: literally "anointed", the king or envoy God consecrates with oil. It is a title, not a surname; in Hebrew, mashiach.