Papyrus 32 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), designated by P32, is an early copy of the New Testament in Greek. It is a papyrus manuscript of the Epistle to Titus, it contains only Titus 1:11-15; 2:3-8. On the basis of paleography, the manuscript has been assigned a date around A.D. 200 by Kurt Aland.[1] However, H. I. Bell, T. C. Skeat, and F. G. Kenyon have dated P32 to 150-200 C.E. and Philip Comfort says it should be dated to the early second century (100-125 C.E.) but could even be late first century.
Description of P32
Written in round and rather large letters. A slight tendency towards a division of words can be observed. The nomina sacra (sacred names) are abbreviated.[2]
The Greek text of this codex is a representative of the Alexandrian text-type. Aland described it as “at least normal text.” he placed it in Category I.[3] This manuscript shows an agreement with Codex Sinaiticus and with F G.
It is currently housed with the Rylands Papyri at the John Rylands University Library (Gr. P. 5) in Manchester.[4]
Contents: P32 contains Titus 1:11–15; 2:3–8. These verses provide a glimpse into the apostle Paul’s instructions to Titus, his disciple, regarding the organization and leadership of the Christian community in Crete.
Date: I would argue for a date of around 100-150 CE for P32. This dating is based on paleographical analysis, which involves comparing the handwriting and other physical features of P32 with other known manuscripts of the same period. Comfort argues that the clear, legible handwriting and the use of certain letter forms in P32 are characteristic of manuscripts from the early second century and that these features point to a date of around 100-150 CE. Scholars such as H. I. Bell, T. C. Skeat, and F. G. Kenyon have redated P32 to the second century, specifically to the second half, based on its handwriting and physical features. The decorated rounded hand of P32 is characteristic of manuscripts from this era, and this, along with other factors, supports a second-century dating for the fragment. However, P32 is considered to have a remarkable likeness to several other early New Testament papyri (Philip W. Comfort), such as P. London 130, P. Oxy. 237, P. Oxy. 4443, P104, and P. Bodleian G. bib. g. 5, in terms of its handwriting and physical features. These similarities support the redating of P32 to the first half of the second century, and they highlight the significance of P32 as a valuable witness to the early textual tradition of the New Testament. The close similarities between P32 and other early papyri also demonstrate the continuity and consistency of the early New Testament textual tradition.
Provenance: The origin of P32 is unknown, but it is believed to have been discovered in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, where many early New Testament manuscripts have been found.
Housing Location: P32 is housed at the John Rylands Library in Manchester, England.
Bibliography: P32 has been the subject of numerous studies and articles in the field of New Testament textual criticism and papyrology. Some of the most notable works include A. S. Hunt, Catalogue of the Greek Papyri in the John Rylands Library I, Literatury Texts (Manchester 1911), pp. 10-11, “The Chester Beatty Biblical Papyri” by F. G. Kenyon, “The Text of the New Testament in Contemporary Research” edited by B. M. Metzger and M. D. Coogan, and “The Oxford Handbook of Papyrology” edited by Roger Bagnall.
Physical Features: P32 is a small fragment of papyrus, measuring approximately 4.5 cm by 7 cm. It is written in round and rather large letters, with a slight tendency towards division of words. The nomina sacra, or sacred names, are abbreviated, which was a common practice in early New Testament manuscripts.
Textual Character: The Greek text of P32 is considered to be a representative of the Alexandrian text-type, which is characterized by a relatively smooth and polished Greek text that reflects the influence of the Septuagint and other Greek-speaking Jewish communities. The Alexandrian text-type is considered to be one of the earliest and most important text-types of the New Testament, and it is widely used in modern critical editions of the New Testament. The text is generally considered to be a very good witness to the original text of the New Testament, although there are some differences between it and other early witnesses, such as Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus.
Bruce M. Metzger, a well-known New Testament and textual scholar, discussed the textual character of P32 in his book “Text of the New Testament,” p. 250. In his analysis, Metzger emphasized that P32 is a valuable witness to the early textual tradition of the New Testament and provides important insights into the development of the text. He also said P32 shows agreement with Codex Sinaiticus (א [Aleph] or 01) and with F G.
P32 and (א) are nearly identical, going back to the same archetype. (Schofield, “Papyrus Fragments,” 238-41) P32 is written in round and rather large letters, and there is a slight tendency towards the division of words. This is typical of early New Testament papyri and reflects the characteristic style of handwriting from this period. The nomina sacra, or sacred names, are abbreviated, which was a common practice in early New Testament manuscripts.
In terms of its textual character, the Greek text of P32 is considered to be a representative of the Alexandrian text type, which is characterized by a relatively smooth and polished Greek text that reflects the influence of the Septuagint and other Greek-speaking Jewish communities. Kurt Aland described it as “at least normal text,” and he placed it in Category I. The Alexandrian text-type is considered to be one of the earliest and most important text-types of the New Testament, and it is widely used in modern critical editions of the New Testament.
Metzger also noted that the text of P32 generally agrees with other early witnesses to the New Testament, such as Codex Vaticanus, but there are some differences between them. For example, P32 lacks some of the stylistic features that are found in these later manuscripts, and it has a somewhat different text-type. However, Metzger emphasized that these differences do not significantly affect the overall meaning of the text and that P32 is still considered to be a good witness to the original text of the New Testament.
In conclusion, Papyrus 32 (P32) or R. Rylands 5 is a well-known fragment of the New Testament that provides valuable insights into the early textual tradition of the New Testament. It is housed in the John Rylands Library in Manchester, England, and it is available for study by scholars and researchers. The physical features and textual character of P32 make it an important resource for the study of the New Testament and the early history of Christianity.
Greek Text
The papyrus is written on both sides. The characters that are in bold style are the ones that can be seen in P32. It shows an agreement with Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Augiensis, and Codex Boernerianus.
Philip Comfort
Textual character: Metzger says P32 shows agreement with א and with F and G. Since F and G[5] (nearly identical manuscripts) go back to the same archetype, it is quite possible that P32 could be linked to the same source.[6]
This manuscript was originally dated to the third century because it was regarded as comparable to the handwriting of P. Oxy. 656 (Genesis), also dated early third century. But the editor of P. Oxy. 656 (Hunt) said it had more affinities with second-century manuscripts than with third-century manuscripts. So why not date P. Oxy. 656 to the second century? In fact, scholars such as H. I. Bell, T. C. Skeat, and F. G. Kenyon have since redated P. Oxy. 656 to the second century[7] and, in suit, dated P32 to the second century (probably the second half).[8] P32 (as with P. Oxy. 656, P90, and P104) exhibits the decorated rounded hand of this era.[9] See extensive discussion in Philip Wesley Comfort and David P. Barrett, THE TEXT OF THE EARLIEST NEW TESTAMENT MANUSCRIPTS: Papyri 75-139 and Uncials, Vol. 2 (English and Greek Edition) (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2019)
zein oitines olous oikous anatre- pousin didaskontes a mē dei aischrou kerdous charin eipen tis ex autōn idios autōn prophētēs krētes aei pseustai kaka thēria gasteres argai ē marturia autē estin alēthēs di ēn aitian elenche autous apotomōs ina ugiainōsin en tē pistei mē prosechontes ioudaikois muthois kai entolais anthrōpōn apostrepho- menōn tēn alētheian panta ka- thara tois katharois tois de memiam-
menois kai apistois ouden katharon
…
to muzzle, because whole families they are upsetting, teaching what they must not, for ugly gain’s sake. Said one of themselves, even one of their own prophets, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” The testimony of this is true. Because of this reason, reprove them severely, so that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish myths, and commandments of men, who turn away from the truth. All things are pure unto the pure: but unto them who are
both defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure.
Titus 2:3-8 (verso)
ΔIABO-
ΛOYΣ MHΔE OINΩ ΠOΛΛΩ ΔEΔOYΛΩ– MENAΣ KAΛOΔIΔΣKAΛOYΣ INA ΣΩΦPONIZΩΣIN TAΣ NEAΣ ΦIΛAN– ΔPOYΣ EINAI ΦIΛOTEKNOYΣ ΣΩΦPO– NAΣ AΓNAΣ OIKOYPΓOYΣ AΓAΘAΣ YΠOTAΣΣOMENAΣ TOYΣ IΔIOIΣ AN– ΔPAΣIN INA MH O ΛOΓOΣ TOY ΘY BΛA– ΣΦHMHTAI TOYΣ NEΩTEPOYΣ ΩΣAYTΩΣ ΠAPAKAΛEI ΣΩΦPON– EIN ΠEPI ΠANTA ΣEAYTON ΠAPE– XOMENOΣ TYΠON KAΛΩN EPΓΩN EN TH ΔIΔAΣKAΛIA AΦΘONIAN ΣE– MNOTHTA ΛOΓON YΓIH AKATAΓNΩ– ΣTON INA O EΞ ENANTIAΣ ENTPA–
ΠH
diabo-
lous mēde oinō pollō dedoulō– menas kalodidaskalous ina sōphronizōsin tas neas philan– drous einai philoteknous sōphro– nas agnas oikourgous agathas upotassomenas tois idiois an– drasin ina mē o logos tou thu bla– sphēmētai tous neōterous ōsautōs parakalei sōphron– ein peri panta seauton pare– chomenos tupon kalōn ergōn en tē didaskalia aphthonian se– mnotēta logon ugiē akatagnō– ston ina o ex enantias entra–
pē
…
false accusers, not to wine much enslaved, teachers of the good. So that they may teach to be sensible the young women, loving their husbands, loving their children. Sober minded, pure, busy in the home, kind, subject to their own husbands. So that not the word of God may be blasphemed. The young men, likewise, urge to be sober minded. Concerning all things, yourself shew an example of good works: in the teaching show integrity, gravity, soundness of speech beyond reproach;
so that he who opposes you may be ashamed,
References
Bruce M. Metzger, Bart. D. Ehrman (2005). The text of the New Testament: its transmission, corruption, and restoration. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bruce Manning Metzger, United Bible Societies, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, Second Edition a Companion Volume to the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament (4th Rev. Ed.) (London; New York: United Bible Societies, 1994)
Edward D. Andrews, FROM SPOKEN WORDS TO SACRED TEXTS: Introduction-Intermediate New Testament Textual Studies (Cambridge, OH: Christian Publishing House, 2020)
Edward D. Andrews, THE P52 PROJECT: Is P52 Really the Earliest Greek New Testament Manuscript? (Cambridge, OH: Christian Publishing House, 2020)
Kurt Aland and Barbara Aland, The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism, trans. Erroll F. Rhodes, 2nd rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995)
Philip Wesley Comfort and David P. Barrett, THE TEXT OF THE EARLIEST NEW TESTAMENT MANUSCRIPTS, 2 Volume Set (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2019).
Philip Wesley Comfort, A COMMENTARY ON THE MANUSCRIPTS AND TEXT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2015).
Philip W. Comfort, New Testament Text and Translation Commentary: Commentary on the Variant Readings of the Ancient New Testament Manuscripts and How They Relate to the Major English Translations (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008)
Philip Comfort, Encountering the Manuscripts: An Introduction to New Testament Paleography & Textual Criticism (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2005)
Roger S. Bagnall, THE OXFORD HANDBOOK OF PAPYROLOGY: Oxford: (Oxford University Press, 2009)
SCROLL THROUGH DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW
BIBLE TRANSLATION AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM
BIBLICAL STUDIES / INTERPRETATION
EARLY CHRISTIANITY
CHRISTIAN APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM
TECHNOLOGY
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
PRAYER
TEENS-YOUTH-ADOLESCENCE-JUVENILE
CHRISTIAN LIVING
CHRISTIAN COMMENTARIES
CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS
CHURCH ISSUES, GROWTH, AND HISTORY
Apocalyptic-Eschatology [End Times]
CHRISTIAN FICTION
[1] Aland, Kurt; Aland, Barbara (1995). The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism. Erroll F. Rhodes (trans.). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 98.
[2] A. S. Hunt, Catalogue of the Greek Papyri in the John Rylands Library I, Literatury Texts (Manchester 1911), p. 10.
[3] Aland, Kurt; Aland, Barbara (1995). The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism. Erroll F. Rhodes (trans.). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 98.
[4] Aland, Kurt; Aland, Barbara (1995). The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism. Erroll F. Rhodes (trans.). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 98.
“Liste Handschriften”. Münster: Institute for New Testament Textual Research. Retrieved Sunday, July 26, 2020
