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Key Points

Research suggests P78, a Greek New Testament papyrus from the late third or early fourth century, contains parts of Jude (verses 4–5, 7–8) and is likely from Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, now housed in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
It seems likely that P78 has a “free text” with unique and rare readings, differing from earlier witness P72, and is considered part of the Alexandrian text-type, though with deviations.
The evidence leans toward P78 being valuable for textual criticism, but its readings, such as omissions in Jude 5 and 7, are viewed cautiously by conservative evangelicals who prioritize early Alexandrian texts like P72.

Overview

P78, also known as P. Oxy. 2684, is an early manuscript of the New Testament, specifically containing portions of the Epistle of Jude. Dated to around 250-300 CE, it provides insight into how the text was transmitted in the early Christian period. Its small size and unique format suggest it may have been used as an amulet, and its readings offer both challenges and opportunities for understanding the biblical text.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Physical and Historical Context

Discovered in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, P78 is a miniature codex, measuring 2.9 cm by 5.3 cm, and is currently housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England. Its oblong format and fragmentary nature highlight its historical use, possibly for personal or devotional purposes rather than public reading.

Textual Analysis

P78 includes Jude 4–5 and 7–8, but its text shows variations, such as omitting key clauses in Jude 5 about the Lord saving the people from Egypt and in Jude 7 omitting “fire” from the description of eternal punishment. These differences are noted as unique and rare compared to P72, an earlier manuscript, and suggest a “free text” character, meaning it deviates from the standard Alexandrian text-type preferred by conservative scholars.

Significance for Conservative Evangelicals

For those prioritizing the Alexandrian text, like Edward D. Andrews and Philip W. Comfort, P78’s readings are approached with caution. While it is an early witness, its deviations, such as the omissions, are not seen as aligning with the most reliable early texts, making it a secondary source unless textual evidence demands otherwise, with a heavy burden of proof.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of P78 and Its Textual Implications

Introduction and Background

P78, designated as P. Oxy. 2684 in the Gregory-Aland numbering, is a significant early Greek New Testament papyrus manuscript, containing portions of the Epistle of Jude, specifically verses 4–5 and 7–8. Dated to the second half the third century, approximately 250-300 CE, it provides a window into the textual transmission of the New Testament during a critical period of early Christianity. The manuscript was discovered in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, a key site for papyrus finds, and is currently housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, under the reference P. Oxy. 2684. This analysis, reflecting the conservative evangelical perspective of scholars like Edward D. Andrews and Philip W. Comfort, prioritizes the Alexandrian text-type, particularly early papyri and codices like Vaticanus and Sinaiticus, and evaluates P78’s contribution to textual criticism with a focus on its alignment with these foundational authorities.

Physical Characteristics and Provenance

P78 is described as an unusual oblong format, measuring 2.9 cm by 5.3 cm, and is classified as a miniature codex, likely used as an amulet due to its small size and format. This physical feature suggests it was intended for personal or devotional use rather than liturgical reading, aligning with the practice of carrying scriptural texts for protection or spiritual significance. Its provenance, Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, is well-known for yielding numerous early Christian manuscripts, reinforcing its historical context. The current location, the Ashmolean Museum, ensures its preservation and accessibility for scholarly study. The bibliography includes P. Parsons, Oxy. Pap., 34:4–6, no. 2684, and Grenfell and Hunt, Oxy. Pap., 34:4, providing primary sources for its documentation.

Textual Content and Transcription

The textual content of P78 includes the following transcriptions, as provided:

Jude 4: 4γιαν καὶ τoν μoνoν δεσπoτην και κ̅ν̅ ημωv ι̅η̅ν̅ χ̅ρ̅ν̅ ἀρνoυμ̣ε̣ν̣ọι̣
Jude 5: ϋπoμνησ̣α̣ι̣ δε ϋμας βoυλoμe αδελφọι̣ (with verses 5b–7a missing due to the loss of four leaves or one folio)
Jude 7: 7α̣ι̣ω̣ν̣ι̣ου δικην επεχoυσαι
Jude 8: 8ομoιωσ μεντoι κ̣α̣ι̣ oυτoι ενϋπνειαζoμe νoι σαρκ α μεν μι αινoυσ ιν κυρ ε ιoτ η τ α δε αθετ oυ σ ιν δoξα ν δε [βλα

Comparing these with the standard text, such as from modern translations like the Updated American Standard Version (UASV), we see:

Jude 4 (UASV): “Certain men have crept in among you who were long ago appointed for this judgment, ungodly men who change the grace of our God into an excuse for licentiousness and who prove false to our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Jude 5 (UASV): “Now I want to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.”
Jude 7 (UASV): “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross sexual immorality and having gone after other flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.”
Jude 8 (UASV): “Despite this, in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and speaking abusively of glorious ones.”

P78’s transcription shows deviations, particularly in Jude 5, where it omits the clause about the Lord delivering the people from Egypt, and in Jude 7, where it omits “pyros” (fire), altering the phrase to “suffering eternal punishment” instead of “suffering the punishment of eternal fire.”

Textual Character and Variants

The editors note that P78 displays a “free text,” with two unique and three rare readings in the four verses, all disagreeing with P72, an earlier witness dated to the early third century and considered part of the Alexandrian text-type. This characterization is supported by sources which highlight its eccentric text and placement in Kurt Aland’s Category I, indicating high quality despite variations.

Specific variants include:

Jude 4: The transcription “γιαν” is likely a misspelling or abbreviation, possibly for “tēn charin” (the grace), differing from the standard “pervert the grace of our God.”
Jude 5: P78 has “hypomnēsai de hymas boulomai, adelphoi” (And to remind you, I want, brothers), omitting the clause “though you already know all this, that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe,” which is present in P72 and other Alexandrian witnesses.
Jude 7: P78 omits “pyros” (fire), reading “aioniou dikēn epechousai” (suffering eternal punishment), compared to P72’s “pyros aioniou dikēs hupochousai” (suffering the punishment of eternal fire).
Jude 8: Possible spelling errors, such as “μ̣ι α̣ι̣ν̣ọυ̣σ̣ι̣ν” instead of “mianousin” (defile), suggest additional rare readings.

Comparison with Other Manuscripts

P72, as an earlier Alexandrian witness, provides a benchmark for comparison. It contains the full text of Jude, including the clause in Jude 5 about Jésus (or Lord) delivering the people, aligning with the preferred text for conservative evangelicals. Other manuscripts, such as Codex Vaticanus and Sinaiticus, also support the Alexandrian readings, and P78’s deviations are seen as secondary, only considered when textual evidence demands it with a heavy burden of proof, as per the approach of Andrews and Comfort.

Evaluation from a Conservative Evangelical Perspective

From a conservative evangelical standpoint, the Alexandrian text-type is prioritized for its early date and perceived fidelity to the original autographs. P78, while early and part of Category I, has readings that deviate, such as the omissions in Jude 5 and 7, which are not supported by P72 or other key Alexandrian witnesses. These deviations are viewed with caution, and the preference is for readings supported by the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, reflecting the belief in the inerrancy of the original scriptures and their preservation through the centuries.

However, P78’s early date and independent witness status make it valuable for understanding textual diversity. Its readings, while not preferred, can inform discussions on scribal habits and textual transmission, which discusses manuscript variations.

Chronological and Historical Context

Given the date of P78, around 250-300 CE, it fits within the early period of New Testament manuscript production, postdating the composition of Jude, dated to around 65 CE, based on internal evidence and early church tradition. This timeline underscores its relevance as a witness to the text’s early transmission, aligning with the conservative evangelical emphasis on early manuscripts.

Detailed Table of Variants

Verse	P78 Reading	Standard/Alexandrian Reading (e.g., P72)	Classification
4	“γιαν” (likely misspelling for “tēn charin”)	“Pervert the grace of our God into lasciviousness”	Unique spelling
5	“hypomnēsai de hymas boulomai, adelphoi” (omits clause)	“Though you know all, that the Lord delivered from Egypt…”	Unique omission
7	“aioniou dikēn epechousai” (omits “pyros”)	“Suffering the punishment of eternal fire”	Unique omission
8	Possible “μ̣ι α̣ι̣ν̣ọυ̣σ̣ι̣ν” for “mianousin”	“Defile the flesh”	Rare spelling error

This table, derived from the transcriptions and comparisons, highlights the specific textual differences, aiding in the evaluation of P78’s reliability.

Conclusion

P78, despite its small size and fragmentary nature, offers a unique perspective on the textual transmission of Jude in the early Christian period. Its unique and rare readings, while not aligning with the preferred Alexandrian text-type, are crucial for understanding the variability in early manuscripts. For conservative evangelical scholars, P78 serves as a secondary witness, reinforcing the importance of relying on the earliest and most reliable texts like P72, while acknowledging the complexities of textual criticism.

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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).