Research suggests P92, a third-century papyrus, offers valuable insights into the text of Ephesians and 2 Thessalonians, aligning with the Alexandrian text-type.
It seems likely that P92, dated 250-300 C.E., was found in Egypt and shows strong affinity with early manuscripts like P46, Sinaiticus, and Vaticanus.
The evidence leans toward P92 being significant for understanding early Christian textual transmission, with minor variations that do not significantly alter meaning.
Overview
P92 is an important early manuscript of the New Testament, providing a window into how the texts of Ephesians and 2 Thessalonicans were preserved in the third century. Its alignment with the Alexandrian text-type, prioritized by scholars like Edward D. Andrews and Philip W. Comfort, underscores its reliability for textual criticism.
Date and Provenance
Discovered in 1969 near Narmuthis, Egypt, P92 dates to around 250-300 C.E., making it one of the earliest witnesses to these Pauline epistles. This early date is crucial for understanding the text’s historical transmission.
Physical and Textual Characteristics
P92 consists of one folio with 27 lines per page, showing handwriting typical of its era. Its text aligns closely with key Alexandrian manuscripts, reinforcing its importance for reconstructing the original New Testament text.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of P92 and Its Implications
P92, designated as 𝔓92 in the Gregory-Aland numbering and part of the collection P. Narmuthis 69.39a + 69.229a, is a significant early New Testament papyrus manuscript containing portions of the Epistles to the Ephesians and 2 Thessalonians. Housed in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, Egypt, it offers critical insights into the textual history of these Pauline writings during the third century. This analysis, reflecting the conservative evangelical approach of scholars like Edward D. Andrews and Philip W. Comfort, prioritizes the Alexandrian text-type, particularly relying on papyri and codices such as Vaticanus and Sinaiticus, while cautiously considering other text-types only when textual evidence demands it with a heavy burden of proof.
Historical Context and Discovery
P92 was discovered in the winter of 1969 near a race course in Narmuthis (ancient Medinet Madi) near the Fayum, Egypt, a region known for yielding significant biblical manuscripts. Its date, established through paleographical analysis, is placed in the middle to late third century, approximately 250-300 C.E. This dating aligns with other early papyri, such as P46, and positions P92 as a vital witness to the text’s form during the early Christian period, shortly after the autographs were likely lost or destroyed.
Physical Description
The manuscript consists of one folio, comprising two leaves, originally measuring approximately 14.5 cm by 21.5 cm, with each page containing 27 lines of text. The handwriting is characteristic of the late third or early fourth century, showing similarities with other manuscripts from this era, including P. Bodmer IX, P. Cairo Isid. 2, and P. Rylands III 489. The editor, Claudio Gallazzi, notes that the two leaves were part of a single-quire codex of Paul’s epistles, possibly located near the middle, with Ephesians and 2 Thessalonians separated only by Philippians and Colossians. This structure suggests that by the third century, these epistles were circulated together, supporting the early formation of the Pauline corpus.
Textual Character and Alignment
P92 exhibits a strong affinity with P46, as well as with the codices Sinaiticus (א) and Vaticanus (B), key representatives of the Alexandrian text-type. This text-type is prioritized by scholars like Comfort and Andrews for its perceived closeness to the original autographs, characterized by shorter readings and fewer expansions. The alignment with these manuscripts reinforces P92’s reliability for textual criticism, as it corroborates readings found in other early witnesses. For instance, its textual character is noted to be representative of the Alexandrian tradition, which is often used as the foundation for modern critical editions of the New Testament, such as the Nestle-Aland and United Bible Societies texts.
Detailed Examination of Content
P92 contains specific portions of the New Testament: Ephesians 1:11–13, 19–21; and 2 Thessalonians 1:4–5, 11–12. To substantiate the discussion, we can examine these texts in their translated form, using a modern, non-archaic translation like the New Living Translation (NLT), while noting any variations observed in P92.
Ephesians 1:19–21 (UASV): “And what the surpassing greatness of his power is toward us believers. It is according to the working of the strength of his might which he brought about in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
2 Thessalonians 1:4–5, 11–12 (UASV): “Therefore, we ourselves boast about you in the congregations of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. To this end also we pray for you always, that our God may count you worthy of his calling and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
From the transcribed text provided, P92 shows some variations, such as in Ephesians 1:19, where it seems to have differences in grammatical endings and possibly abbreviations, which are common in papyrus manuscripts. For example, the standard Greek text for Ephesians 1:19–21 includes specific forms like τῆς δυνάμεως, but P92’s transcription suggests potential variations like τεσ δυναμεω, which might indicate a scribal abbreviation or error. These variations, however, do not significantly alter the meaning, aligning with the conservative evangelical view that the Alexandrian text-type, supported by P92, maintains the integrity of the original text.
Scribal Skills and Manuscript Quality
The quality and precision of P92 depend on the scribe’s skill, which can be categorized into common hand, documentary hand, reformed documentary hand, and professional bookhand. P92’s handwriting, similar to other third-century manuscripts, suggests a level of care indicative of a reformed documentary hand, aware of copying a literary work rather than a mere document. This is evident in the uniformity and effort seen in the 27 lines per page, though some non-uniform lettering and potential abbreviations indicate the scribe’s limitations compared to professional bookhands like those seen in P4+64+67.
Significance for Textual Criticism
P92’s significance lies in several key areas:
Early Witness: As a third-century manuscript, it is among the earliest direct witnesses to the text of Ephesians and 2 Thessalonians, offering insights into the text’s form in the early Christian era. This is crucial for establishing the historical reliability of the New Testament account.
Alexandrian Text-Type: Its affinity with P46, Sinaiticus, and Vaticanus reinforces the reliability of the Alexandrian text-type, which is foundational for modern critical editions. This alignment is particularly important given the conservative evangelical emphasis on these texts as authoritative.
Textual Variants: Studying P92’s unique readings, such as potential differences in grammatical forms, helps understand the development of the text and the scribal practices of the time. For instance, the variation in Ephesians 1:20, where χ̅ρ̣̅[ω̅ might be an abbreviation for χρiστω, provides insight into early scribal conventions.
Codex Structure: The manuscript’s part in a single-quire codex suggests that by the third century, Paul’s epistles were collected and circulated together, supporting the early formation of the Pauline canon. This has implications for understanding the historical development of the New Testament canon, dated around this period.
Comparative Analysis with Other Manuscripts
To further elucidate P92’s role, a comparison with other manuscripts is instructive. The following table outlines key manuscripts and their textual affiliations:
Manuscript
Date
Text-Type
Contents
Location
P46
125-150 C.E.
Alexandrian
Pauline Epistles
Chester Beatty, Michigan
Sinaiticus
4th Century
Alexandrian
Entire NT, OT
British Library, London
Vaticanus
4th Century
Alexandrian
Most of NT, OT
Vatican Library, Rome
P92
250-300 C.E.
Alexandrian
Eph 1:11–13, 19–21; 2 Thess 1:4–5, 11–12
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
This table highlights P92’s alignment with the Alexandrian tradition, reinforcing its importance as a witness to the text’s early form. Its date and contents make it a bridge between earlier papyri like P46 and later codices like Sinaiticus and Vaticanus.
Implications for Biblical Chronology and Doctrine
Given its early date, P92 supports the literal Bible chronology, affirming the transmission of the Pauline epistles within a few centuries of their composition, likely in the mid-first century C.E. For instance, Ephesians, traditionally dated to around 60-61 C.E. during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, and 2 Thessalonians, dated around 51 C.E. during his second missionary journey, are preserved in forms that align with later Alexandrian witnesses. This continuity underscores the doctrinal stability of key teachings, such as the power of Christ’s resurrection in Ephesians 1:20 and the perseverance of believers in 2 Thessalonians 1:4, as seen in P92’s text.
Conclusion
P92 is a crucial manuscript for New Testament textual criticism, providing direct evidence of the text’s transmission and stability during the third century. Its alignment with the Alexandrian text-type, its early date, and its physical and textual characteristics make it an invaluable resource for scholars seeking to reconstruct the original text of the New Testament. By reinforcing the reliability of the Alexandrian tradition, P92 contributes to our understanding of the historical and doctrinal integrity of the biblical account, ensuring that the teachings of Ephesians and 2 Thessalonians, as preserved in this manuscript, remain authoritative for conservative evangelical scholarship.
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).
Online Guided Bible Study Courses
SCROLL THROUGH THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW
BIBLE TRANSLATION AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM
BIBLICAL STUDIES / BIBLE BACKGROUND / HISTORY OF THE BIBLE/ INTERPRETATION
