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How Does Papyrus 38 (P38) Contribute to Our Understanding of the New Testament Text?

Introduction to Papyrus 38 (P38)

Papyrus 38, also designated as P38 or P. Mich. Inv. 1571, is an early New Testament manuscript dated to approximately 200-250 C.E. This fragment contains portions of the Acts of the Apostles, specifically Acts 18:27-19:6, 12-16. P38 is housed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and was acquired in Cairo in 1924. It is a valuable witness to the early text of the New Testament, particularly due to its Western text-type characteristics.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

The Historical Context and Handwriting Analysis

Comparable Manuscripts

According to Sanders, an early, comparable form of P38 is apparent in several other papyri, including:

P. Oxy. 843 (late second century)
P. Oxy. 1607 (late second or early third century)
P. Oxy. 26 (second century)
P. Oxy. 849 (Acts of Peter)
P. Oxy. 37 (ca. 200)
P. Oxy. 405 (ca. 200)
P. Oxy. 406 (early third century)

These comparisons provide a context for understanding the paleographical features of P38. The handwriting style of P38, characterized by its cursive form, aligns well with these other papyri, offering insights into the scribal practices of the time.

Scriptural Support: Luke 1:3 mentions that Luke “investigated everything carefully from the beginning,” highlighting the importance of careful and thorough documentation in early Christian writings.

Textual Characteristics of P38

Western Text-Type

P38 is identified as a representative of the Western text-type, a category known for its unique readings and sometimes freer approach to the text compared to the Alexandrian and Byzantine text-types. Kurt Aland classified it as a “Free text” and placed it in Category IV, indicating its significance for studying the textual history and variations in the early New Testament manuscripts.

Scriptural Support: Acts 2:42 states, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This underscores the early Christian community’s commitment to preserving and disseminating the teachings of the apostles, reflected in the diverse manuscript traditions.

Relationship to Codex Bezae

P38 is textually related to Codex Bezae (D), a 5th-century manuscript that is one of the primary witnesses to the Western text-type. This relationship is significant because Codex Bezae contains a number of unique readings that provide a different perspective on the New Testament text.

Scriptural Support: Acts 18:27 – “When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.” This passage, found in P38, exemplifies the early church’s practice of supporting and validating the ministry through written communication, akin to how manuscripts like P38 validate textual transmission.

Preservation of Early Readings

Papyrus 38 preserves an early form of the text that is representative of the Western text-type. The Western text-type is characterized by a tendency toward paraphrase and expansion. This text-type often involves the free alteration of words, clauses, and even whole sentences. Such changes can include omissions, insertions, and harmonizations, sometimes incorporating traditional or apocryphal material to enrich the narrative.

The Western text-type is generally longer than other text forms, such as the Alexandrian. However, it also presents shorter readings in some instances, like at the end of Luke, where certain Western witnesses omit passages found in other text types. This variability has led to complex discussions among scholars about the originality and reliability of the Western text.

The Western text of the book of Acts is particularly notable for being nearly ten percent longer than what is commonly regarded as the original text. This expansion includes a variety of alterations that highlight the Western text’s characteristic paraphrastic style.

By studying P38 and its place within the Western text-type, scholars gain valuable insights into the transmission and development of the New Testament text, appreciating the diversity and complexity of its early manuscript traditions.

Variants and Their Significance

The variants found in P38, when compared to other text-types, offer insights into the textual changes and developments that occurred over time. For instance, the Western text-type is known for its paraphrastic tendencies, and examining these differences can shed light on the theological and doctrinal shifts within early Christianity.

Scriptural Support: Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” This underscores the necessity of maintaining the integrity of the scriptural text, a task that manuscripts like P38 help accomplish by preserving early textual forms.

The Acquisition and Current Location of P38

P38 was purchased in Cairo in 1924 and is currently housed at the University of Michigan (Inv. 1571) in Ann Arbor. Its preservation in a major academic institution ensures that it remains accessible for ongoing research and study, contributing to our understanding of the New Testament’s textual history.

Scriptural Support: 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” The diligent study and preservation of manuscripts like P38 enable scholars to handle the word of truth with greater accuracy and faithfulness.

Conclusion of the Examination

Through the careful examination of P38, its relationship to other manuscripts, and its significance within the Western text-type, we gain a deeper understanding of the early transmission of the New Testament text. The distinctive readings and historical context of P38 provide invaluable insights into the textual variations and scribal practices of early Christianity.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).