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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Papyrus 𝔓³⁰
New Testament Manuscript Papyri Uncials Minuscules Lectionaries Versions (Latin, Syriac, Coptic, etc.) Apostolic Fathers (Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, etc.) Christian Apologists (Justin Martyr, Clement, Tertullian, etc.) Church Fathers (Gregory, Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose, etc.)

Name	P. Oxy. 1598
Text	1 Thess. 4:12-13, 16-17; 5:3, 8-10, 12-18. 25-28 †; 2 Thess. 1-2; 2:1, 9-11
Date	200-250 A.D.
Script	Greek
Found	Egypt
Now at	Ghent University
Cite	B. P. Grenfell & A. S. Hunt, Oxyrynchus Papyri XIII, (London 1919), pp. 12-14
Size	16 x 12 cm
Type	Alexandrian text-type
Category	I

Papyrus 30, also known as 𝔓30, is an ancient manuscript that contains a portion of the New Testament in Greek. Specifically, it is a copy of the Pauline epistles, specifically 1 Thessalonians 4:12-5:18, 25-28, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2, and 2:1.9-11. This manuscript is believed to have been written in the 3rd century (200-250 A.D.) and is considered an important manuscript source for restoring the original text and the study of early Christianity.

Manuscript Description

Papyrus 30 is written in large uncial letters, a script style commonly used in ancient Greek manuscripts. It also features the use of nomina sacra, a shorthand method of writing certain words such as “God” or “Lord” that was commonly used in early Christian texts. The number of pages suggests that it was likely a collection of the Pauline epistles, which includes letters written by the Apostle Paul to various early Christian communities. It is considered to be a carefully executed manuscript, indicating that it was likely produced by a skilled scribe.

Textual Significance

The Greek text of Papyrus 30 is considered to be representative of the Alexandrian text-type, which is a category of New Testament manuscripts that are believed to have originated in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. This text-type is known for its high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Aland placed it in Category I, indicating that it is considered to be one of the most reliable early copies of the New Testament.

According to Comfort, this manuscript shows a greater agreement with Codex Sinaiticus than with Vaticanus in 11 out of 13 variants. This means that it is considered to be more closely related to Codex Sinaiticus than to Vaticanus in terms of the specific wording and phrasing used in the text.

Grenfell, on the other hand, found that it agrees four times with B against א A, once with BA against א, twice with א A against B, once with א against B A. This means that it is considered to be more closely related to B and that it has similarities in wording and phrasing with א, A, and others.

Overall, Papyrus 30 is considered to be an important Greek New Testament manuscript for the study of early Christianity and the establishment of the original readings in the New Testament text. It is currently housed at the Ghent University (Inv. 61) in Ghent, Belgium.