1 Peter 1:18

Forasmuch as ye know ; literally, knowing, considering . That ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. The order in the original gives mere emphasis: "That not with corruptible things, silver and gold, were ye redeemed." Afford notes here that the diminutives ( ἀργυρίῳ ἤ χρυσίῳ ) stand generally (not always) for the coined or wrought metal. The word ἐλυτρώθητε , "ye were ransomed," seems to point back to the great saying of our Lord, "The Son of man came… to give his life a ransom for many ( λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν )". Doubtless no human language can adequately express the mystery of the atonement. That stupendous fact transcends human reason, and cannot be exactly defined in human words. But the Lord himself describes it as a ransom" a ransom for many," given in their stead. Reverence keeps us from pressing the illustration in all its details. It may be that the correspondence between the atonement and the redemption of a slave from an earthly master is not exact in all points. But the illustration comes from the Lord himself, who is the Truth; it must be true as far as human language permits, as far as human reason can comprehend. It teaches, as plainly as words can express, the doctrine of vicarious satisfaction: he gave his life, not only in behalf of us, but also instead of us—a ransom for our sins. Compare the use of the word ἀγοράζειν ( 1 Corinthians 6:20 ), "Ye are bought with a price;" and ( 2 Peter 2:1 ), "The Lord that bought them;" also ἐξαγοράζειν ( Galatians 3:13 ), "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law." From your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; literally, out of your vain manner of life or conduct . The word here rendered '" vain ' is used of idolatry in Acts 14:15 , and also the corresponding verb in Romans 1:21 . St. Peter seems to be thinking mainly of Gentile Christians; he would scarcely describe the sinful conversation of Israelites as "handed down from your fathers" (Revised Version) without some qualification. Habits are transmitted from fathers to children; habitual custom is made an excuse for many shortcomings, but "unus Pater imitandus" (Bengel).