Bridwell Papyrus I

Manuscript on papyrus. Fragment of 1 leaf. 23.2 x 10.3 cm. Single column of 20 lines.

[New Testament. (Romans 1:1-16)]. Written in continuous Greek capitals on both sides of leaf in brown ink.

Oxyrhynchus, Egypt: 6th century.

This fragment of the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans is one of the earliest witnesses to this text. It was found in an enormous cache of biblical and literary papyri in a thirty-foot deep rubbish pile at Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, 100 miles south of Cairo. The excavation (1897–1907) yielded more than 40,000 papyrus fragments. Deposited by the Egypt Archeological Society (London) in 1922, moved to the A.V. Lane Museum, Southern Methodist University, 1926. Transferred to Bridwell Library, 1951.

King James Version translation:

[1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,[2] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) [3] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; [4] And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: [5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: [6] Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
[7] To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.[8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. [9] For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; [10] Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. [11] For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; [12] That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. [13] Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. [14] I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. [15] So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.