2 Peter Exegetical Notes Revised Edition

 

2 Peter Exegetical Notes Revised Edition

 

I. Introductory Information

•        The primary targeted readership are those familiar with the Greek New Testament and are able, at the least, to use the available language tools such as lexicons, concordances, grammars, etc. This is not to leave the English-only readers out of luck, however, since the explanations and translations are in English.

•        The pattern of the word analyses is as follows: Greek word, Part of Speech with Parsing (abbreviated), Syntactical identification, translation in italics. Often further information and interpretations will follow.

•        Example with added textual criticism symbol: ⸀Συμεὼν Noun M[asculine] N[ominative] S[ingular], Indeclinable, Subject N of implied “write”, Simon. Used of the semitic שׁמעון [shimon] and equal to the Greek name Σίμων [Simon]. Συμεὼν is used of Peter only here and in Acts 15:14. The text variant (Simon for Sumeon) perhaps arose as a corrective to the more commonly used name for Peter and considered a secondary change.  •             “Faithful living in difficult times—that is the lesson Peter would have believers learn through this dynamic letter.” (Gangel, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, loc. cit.) That we now live in “difficult times” cannot be denied. This series of blogspots will provide serious Bible students with a new way of examining 2 Peter without presenting it as another commentary of which there are many. What seems often to be lacking in many, however, is a comprehensive examination of the text that lays bare every significant and, some might even say, insignificant data. But is there really any insignificant data? I dare to say “No!” and my textual presentation will hopefully demonstrate that fact.” 

•        A number of introductory issues need to be briefly outlined before beginning the detailed study. Many good commentaries thoroughly wade through them coming to conclusions but there is really no consensus on many issues. In the following outline I merely point to the key issues and draw my own conclusions but without laying out all the proofs for them or the objections from alternative interpretations.

A.    Peter’s Authorship

 

            The beginning of this book (1:1) names the writer as Symeon Peter. “Symeon” for Peter is also found in Acts 15:14. It is highly unlikely that a pseudepigraphist (false author) would have departed from the salutation found in 1 Peter 1:1.

 

            The writer mentions a communication from the Lord as to his death (1:14) and claims to have been an eyewitness of Jesus’ Mount of Transfiguration experience (1:16-17). Peter, James, and John are the only viable candidates. James was killed by Herod Agrippa I about 44 A.D. (Acts 12:1-2). John could qualify, but no one has suggested him as the writer of the book, obviously based on language differences from known Johannine writings. Peter is the only viable qualifier as the author of 2 Peter.

 

            The writer mentions a previous epistle (3:1) which could fit 1 Peter, and the authorship of 1 Peter is not disputed. Also, similarities between the two books in vocabulary can be noted. The writer claims to know the Apostle Paul (3:15) and holds him in high regard. Peter would fit this picture well.

 

B.    Peter’s Personal Characteristics 

 

Peter was a temperamental individual. He was both bold and cowardly. He was thoughtful and sometimes thoughtless. He was liable to inconsistencies and rashness. He was a leader of men who could be very persuasive. Peter’s world view was solidly based on his belief that Christ was the Son of God, the promised Old Testament Messiah. He was a fiery evangelist proclaiming fulfillment of prophecy about the Messiah and urging people to repent. His belief in the afterlife made him vocal concerning Christian living in the present. The vision of Christ guided his life.

 

C.    Peter’s Social Circumstances 

 

Peter was a Jew by birth, and “unlearned” (Acts 4:13). To be “unlearned” meant that he was a layman in contrast to an expert or specialist in religious matters. Peter’s education consisted of the training that a Jewish boy would normally receive at home—an elementary education at the synagogue school. His letters reflect one who can read various kinds of literature. He probably had an average education for his day.

 

            Peter was a fisherman, physically adept and able to endure hardships. His language could be somewhat rough (Matthew 26:74), not an inconsistency with his occupation and associates.

 

            Peter was married, lived in Capernaum and may have been a disciple of John the Baptist initially. He figures prominently in Acts 1-10. In his travels he occasionally took his wife with him. Tradition holds that he was martyred in Rome about 67 A.D. when he would have been about 75 years old.

 

D.    Peter’s Environment at the Time of Writing

 

 If the theory that 2 Peter 3:1 refers to 1 Peter, the place of the writing can be assumed to be the place of the writings of both epistles. The most generally accepted view of 1 Peter is Rome, which would suggest this location for 2 Peter as well. This would also coordinate with tradition and the suggestion in 2 Peter 1:14 that Peter was living his final days as he wrote.

 

            Peter wrote 2 Peter from prison. The dungeon, called the Tullianum, was reserved for those about to be executed. It was about 12 feet underground, walled on each side, and arched overhead with stone work. Lighting was bad and the comfort level low. Such a place would not be ideal for letter writing. This could account for some of the literary differences between 1 and 2 Peter.

 

            Incarceration would have placed a heavy burden on anyone in Peter’s situation. Peter, however, does not express “gloom and doom” about his uncertain earthly future. The description of his death is positive (1:14). Peter’s primary concern in his letter is not for himself but for his readers.

 

E.    Peter’s Readers

 

            Location. This question is closely associated with the relationship between 1 and 2 Peter.

Assuming that 2 Peter 3:1 speaks of 1 Peter, the readers are the same as those mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1. The only identifier in 2 Peter is the salutation, “to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours.” (ESV) Also, the readers were apparently acquainted with some of Paul’s letters (see 2 Peter 3:15-16).

 

            The Christians in the provinces mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1 were most likely Gentiles with a Jewish minority. Nothing in 2 Peter would argue against this assessment.

 

            In light of the high degree of doubt as to the exact readership, Guthrie’s comment is apt, “In the absence of sufficient data there is no option but to leave the location of the readers as an open question, but in this case it makes no vital difference to the interpretation of the Epistle.” (Guthrie, New Testament Introduction, 849)

 

            Environment at the Time of Writing. When the readers became Christians is unknown. Peter indicates that he had previous contact with them verbally (1:16), and he suggests that Paul had written some letters to them or at least for their benefit. Not any particular letter of Paul seems to be indicated by the words.

 

            The struggles of the people to whom Peter writes in 2 Peter are more internal than external. False teachers were spreading false doctrines and Peter tries to limit their influence.

 

F.  2 Peter Historical Data

 

            Place of Origin. Either Rome or left unstated.

 

            Time of Writing. Probably just prior to Peter’s death circa 67 A.D. This date will become clearer in the exegetical discussion.

 

            Occasion. News about false doctrine being disseminated among Christian churches moved Peter to write this letter. The immediate occasion was probably Mark’s presence with him who could take the letter to the readers.

 

            Atmosphere. Peter writes in a calm manner until 1:16 where he begins to get emotionally caught up. He changes his general topic at 2:1 and gets even more agitated, to the point of anger. In 3:1ff he calms down and returns to the calmness of chapter 1.

 

            Purpose. To encourage believers to “live for Christ” every day so that they will not become gatherers of false doctrines, spread errors, and reap divine judgment.

 

            Theme. Accurate knowledge of the Bible contributes to spiritual growth and protects believers from false teachers and teachings.

 

G.  2 Peter and Jude

 

           The Nature of the Problem. A brief comparison of 2 Peter and Jude reveals significant similarities in contents and wording. The question naturally arises as to whether or not there was any dependency of one writer upon another.

 

           Actually, the problem must be stated a bit differently. Are the false teachers of Jude the same as those talked about in 2 Peter? If the answer is yes, a mutual interpretation of these books may be justifiable. If the answer is no, the books must not be mutually interpreted but individually examined without allowing the interpretation of one book to predetermine the interpretation of the other. Historically, 2 Peter and Jude have been interpreted synoptically, therefore, they speak of the same group of false teachers, and end up with the same practical applications.

 

           2 Peter may have gotten the “short end” of the deal. I will conclude that the false teachers in 2 Peter are not the same as those in Jude. Therefore, the applications of each book are likewise unique.

 

            The Suggested Solutions:

                   

The Priority of Jude. The book of Jude was written first, and Peter used it to compose his own book. The arguments for this view are:

 

•        The shorter book would more likely be enlarged.

•        Jude’s spontaneity appears more original.

•        Jude is harsher in tone.

•        Changes in parallel wording can be answered better. 

•        Peter would modify Jude’s Apocrypha use. 

The Priority of 2 Peter. The arguments for this interpretation are:

 

•        Jude 17-18 refers to 2 Peter.

•        2 Peter 2:1 uses the future tense; Jude the past.

•        Peter would not have borrowed from “little known” Jude.

 

A Common Source. Both Peter and Jude had access to a common source describing false teachers and each independently borrowed from that source to develop their own letters. The support for this view consists of the following:

 

•        The other theories are not conclusive. 

•        Statistical analysis of the two books does not favor direct dependencies. Exegetical evidence in the following study favors this theory. In this regard Guthrie writes (Ibid., 926-27):

 

“It is often overlooked that although the parallels between these Epistles stretch to a wide range of subject-matter, yet verbal agreements are not impressive. If statistics are any guide, the following data may supply some indication. Out of the parallel passages comprising 2 Peter i.2, 12, ii. 1-4, 6, 10-12, 15-18, iii.2, 3 and Jude 2, 413, 17, 18, the former contain 297 words and the latter 256 words, but they share only 78 in common. This means that if 2 Peter is the borrower he has changed 70% of Jude’s language and added more of his own. Whereas if Jude borrowed from 2 Peter, the percentage of alteration is slightly higher, combined with a reduction in quantity. Clearly there can be no question of direct copying or of editorial adaptation.” 

             

 

Accurate knowledge of the Bible contributes to spiritual growth and protects believers from false teachers and teachings. 

Chapter 1 

I.   Prologue, 1:1-2 1 

⸀Συμεὼν 

Noun MNS Indeclinable, Subject N of implied “writes”, Simeon. Used of the semitic שׁמעון and equal to the Greek name Σίμων. Συμεὼν is used of Peter only here and in Acts 15:14. The variant perhaps arose as a corrective to the more commonly used name for Peter.

 

Πέτρος 

Noun MNS, N of Apposition, Peter.

 

δοῦλος

Noun MNS, N of Apposition, bondslave.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

  

ἀπόστολος

Noun MNS, N of Apposition, apostle. The focus may be mainly on the title as one of the twelve.

  

̓Ιησοῦ  

Noun MGS, G of Reference, of Jesus. A subjective genitive would work for “apostle” but perhaps not for “slave.”

 

Χριστοῦ

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Christ. Peter never changes the order in his letters.

 

The phrase “Jesus Christ” as a proper name seems more likely in this book than seeing the phrase pointing out that Jesus is the Messiah.

 

τοῖς

Article MDP, Structural Identifier with the following substantival participle, to those who.

  

ἰσότιμον

Adjective FAS, Attributive, equal with ours. The only use in the NT. The translation “the same kind” (NASB) does not appear to focus the τίμη root clearly. The NKJV has “like precious” that does relate both to ἰσο- and -τίμη. The BDAG lexicon includes “value” as an alternative. This adjective preceding its noun carries some emphasis for focus.

 

ἡμῖν

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Association, Antecedent = those with apostolic status, with us. The placement next to ἰσότιμον makes an important point—the faith that the apostles have is no different than the faith of other believers. BDAG, 481,”a faith of the same kind as ours = faith w. the same privilege as ours (i.e. the recipients are not less advantaged than the apostles).”

 

λαχοῦσιν

AAPtc MDP, Substantival Ptc, D of Indirect Object of implied main verb (“writes”), Summary

Aorist, received. The difference between this word (root λαγχάνω) and another verb of receiving (λαμβάνω) lies in the fact that the latter term does not carry the “divine selection by lot” of the first term. Compare this word with Acts 1:17, 24-25; 1 Peter 1:1 where “divine election” is in the contexts.

 

πίστιν  

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, faith. Anarthrous (without a definite article) of Characterization and modified by the preceding adjective ἰσότιμον. The word can focus on the “contents of faith” or the “ability to believe.” The former idea may fit the context best (compare verse 1:5), although both ideas could be meant and justified.

⸂ἐν  

Preposition, D of Sphere, in [the realm of]. See below on the replacement.

 

δικαιοσύνῃ⸃ 

Noun FDS, Object of the Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, the righteousness. The variant replaces ἐν with εἰς and may be doctrinally motivated but the MSS (manuscripts) supporting the change is weak.

 

τοῦ  

Article MGS, Granville Sharp function, ___.

 

⸁Θεοῦ 

Noun MGS, G of Description, characteristic of God. The replacement with “Lord” (κυρίου) by a few MSS is characteristic of 2 Peter and probably motivated the change but the paucity of external support argues against it.

 

ἡμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = All Christians, our.

καὶ   

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative in Granville Sharp structure, and.

  

σωτῆρος  

Noun MGS, G of Description, Savior. Compare Peter’s uses in 1:11; 2:20; 3: 2, 18.

 

̓Ιησοῦ

Noun MGS, G of Apposition, Jesus.

 

Χριστοῦ  

Noun MGS, G of Apposition, Christ.

  

 

 

2

 

Χάρις

Noun FNS, Subject N, grace. The only other use in the letter is at 3:18.

 

ὑμῖν 

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Advantage, Antecedent = Recipients of verse 1, for you. Forward emphasis.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

εἰρήνη  

Noun FNS, Subject N, peace. Verse 3:14 is the only other use in the book. The Hebrew conception of peace as “well being” expressed in the term Shalom (שׁלום) is the probable focus as opposed to the Greek “absence of conflict” peace.

 

πληθυνθείη  

APO 3S, O of Wish, May . . . be multiplied. The singular refers to both subjects with an emphasis, perhaps, on Χάρις. See Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, 401

ἐν

Preposition, D of Means, by means of.

 

ἐπιγνώσει  

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, the full knowledge. The compounded form (ἐπι + γνώσει) implies this “full” as opposed to “incomplete” knowledge. It 2 Peter it appears in 1:2, 3, 8 and 2:20. The simplex form occurs in 1:5, 6 and 3:18.

 

⸋τοῦ  

Article MGS, Particularizing, ___. Concerning this variant and the following ones Metzger concludes in Textual Commentary, 2nd edition, 629, “Amid the variety of readings here, the Committee chose what it regarded as the earliest and the origin of the other readings. The absence of τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ Ἰησοῦ in P Ψ and other witnesses can be accounted for by parablepsis, when the scribe’s eye passed from τοῦ to τοῦ. Other readings incorporate various amplifications reflecting the piety of copyists.”

 

θεοῦ  

Noun MGS, Objective G, about God.

 

°καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. See above on the omission.

 

⸀Ἰησοῦ⸌ 

Noun MGS, Objective G, about Jesus. See above on the variant options.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Particularizing, ___.

 

κυρίου  

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Lord.

 

ἡμῶν. 

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = All Christians, our. 

 

One of the most important aspects of the beginning of this letter is the description of faith. Peter is very insistent in this letter that his readers do not depend on him for their knowledge about Christ, and that they do not look upon him and the other apostles as having some special kind of faith reserved for those of their stature. So, in the beginning he states that the faith possessed by the Christian leaders is the same as that entered into by the readers. That is, that they are of equal in value, quality, and benefits. This faith is mediated to everyone in the sphere of righteousness--do not expect its benefits if you are living in sin. It is also mediated through knowledge—knowledge about God and Christ. Faith's development is, therefore, dependent upon obedience and understanding of Christian truth found in Scripture. Elements of the Christian faith include a certain amount of grace—unmerited favor. It also partakes of the Hebrew concept of peace—the presence of all that is good mediated through knowledge. Chapter 3:18 ends the book with this same thought.

 

            

 

II. Purpose of Spiritual Growth, 1:3-4

3

 

Ὡς

Conjunction, Comparative, as. The understood (ellipsis) main verb in the comparative clause would be “multiplied” (ἐπληθύνθη Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd S). This means that the punctuation in NA27, ESV, et al, should continue the thought of verse 2.

 

“English commentaries and translations have difficulty with vv. 3 and 4, for their introduction is strange. That is, they are introduced with an “as” or “since” (hōs) that either presupposes a following main verb . . . or depends upon the previous verses. From a grammatical point of view the latter makes more sense, although letter salutations usually stand on their own.” (Davids, The letters of 2 Peter and Jude,167). 

 

⸆ πάντα

Adjective NNP, Substantival, Subject N of implied verb (ἐπληθύνθη ), all things. The neuter plural subject uses the singular verb. The insertion of the definite article (τα) in a few MSS may have been influenced by the same article that follows or to indicate the “totality” but this is limited in what follows. The external (MSS) evidence outweighs the insertion.

ἡμῖν

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Advantage, Antecedent = All Christians, for us.

 

τῆς

Article FGS, Particularizing δυνάμεως, ___.

 

θείας

Adjective FGS, Attributive, divine. The only occurrences are 1:3, 4; Acts 17:29.

 

δυνάμεως

Noun FGS, Subject of the G Absolute, power. See below at δεδωρημένης.

The phrase “divine power” was a cultural phrase and used in Mithraism until the 3rd century AD. 

 

αὐτοῦ

Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Possession, Antecedent = Trinity: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, with this term specifically related to the latter (cp. verse 1:21), his. When divine characteristics are involved the trinity is involved. The distinctions are not in “essence” but in “roles.”

 

τὰ

Article NAP, Pronominal Relative, Antecedent = πάντα, A of Direct Object of δεδωρημένης, which things.  

 

πρὸς

Preposition, Reference, with reference to.

 

ζωὴν

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, life [in all its aspects]. ”Qualitative”—stresses quality, nature, or essence; focuses on class traits.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

εὐσέβειαν

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, godliness [in all its aspects].

 

δεδωρημένης

PfMPtc FGS, Extensive Pf, Indirect M, Adverbial Temporal Ptc in G Absolute

Construction, when . . . gave [and we have]. The only NT occurrences are 2 Peter 1:3, 4 and Mark 15:45.

 

διὰ

Preposition, Means, by means of.

 

τῆς

Article FGS, Previous Reference to 1:2, the.

 

ἐπιγνώσεως

Noun FGS, See Preposition, full knowledge of. See ἐπιγνώσει at verse 2.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Structural Identifier of the following Ptc, about the.

 

καλέσαντος

AAPtc MGS, Summary A, Substantival Ptc, Objective G, one who called. God the Father is usually indicated as the agent of the calling. The only use in 2 Peter but see 1 Peter 1:15; 2:9, 21; 3:9; 5:10.

 

ἡμᾶς

Personal Pronoun MAP, A of Direct Object, Antecedent = All Christians, us

⸂ἰδίᾳ

Adjective FDS, Possessive, D of Means, his own. Modifies both nouns. See below on the variant texts.

δόξῃ

Noun FDS, D of Means, by . . . glory.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, and.

 

ἀρετῇ⸃,

Noun FDS, D of Means, by . . . excellence. Concerning the variant, the text stands “on the strength of the following considerations: (a) it is attested by a broad spectrum of witnesses, including all ancient versions; (b) the presence of several other instances of διά in the context makes it more likely that διά would have been written by mistake for ἰδίᾳ than vice versa; and (c) ἴδιος is a favorite word with the author of 2 Peter, occurring six other times in three chapters.” (Metzger, Textual Commentary, 4th edition, 629).

 

4

 

διʼ

Preposition, G of Means, by means of.

 

ὧν    

Relative Pronoun FGP, See Preposition, Antecedent = ἰδίᾳ δόξῃ καὶ ἀρετῇ (verse 3), which.

 

τὰ     

Article, NNP, Particularizing, the.

 

⸉τίμια

Adjective NNP, Attributive, precious. See below on the variant text reading.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

μέγιστα     

Adjective NNP, Superlative, Attributive, very great. The only use of this word in the superlative for in the NT

ἡμῖν

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Advantage, Antecedent = All Christians, for us. Forward emphasis.

 

ἐπαγγέλματα⸊

Noun NNP, Subject N, promises. See 3:13 for the only other NT use.

“The order of words varies greatly: (From Metzger, Textual Commentary , 630)

(a)
τίμια καὶ μέγιστα ἐπαγγέλματα ἡμῖν
P72.
(b)
τίμια καὶ μέγιστα ἡμῖν ἐπ.
B 1 206 255 429 489 614 1611 1898 2143.
(c)
τίμια ἡμῖν καὶ μέγιστα ἐπ.
א K L 0142 many minuscules.
(d)
μέγιστα καὶ τίμια ἡμῖν ἐπ.
C P (ὑμῖν A; ὑμῶν Ψ) 5 33 69 81 88 104 218 307 326 441 623 1175 1739 2298 vg syrph,  copsa.
(e)
μέγιστα ἡμῖν καὶ τίμια ἐπ.
several minuscules and Textus Receptus.

 

“The reading that best explains the origin of the others [a cardinal text-critical criterion] appears to be (b [the text reading]). A desire to relate the pronoun more closely either to the verb or to τίμια resulted in reading (a) on the one hand, and readings (c) and (d) on the other. The sequence of μέγιστα and τίμια in (d) and (e) may have originated in an accidental or deliberate omission of τίμαι καί and its later insertion from the margin. The readings ὑμῖν of A and ὑμῶν of Ψ have been conformed to the following γένησθε.”

 

δεδώρηται,

PfPI 3S, Extensive Pf, have been given [and we have].  

 

ἵνα

Hypotactic Conjunction, Purpose, in order that.

 

διὰ

Preposition, G of Means, by means of. Forward emphasis and focus.

 

τούτων

Demonstrative Pronoun NGP, See Preposition, Antecedent = ἐπαγγέλματα, these.  

 

γένησθε

ADS 2P, Summary A, S of Purpose, you may become. Note the change to the 2nd person plural.

 

θείας

Adjective FGS, Attributive, of divine. Forward emphasis.

 

κοινωνοὶ

Adjective MNP, Substantival, Predicate N, sharers.

 

φύσεως

Noun FGS, Objective G, nature.  

 

ἀποφυγόντες

AAPtc MNP, Culminative A, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, after having escaped from. Takes a Genitive Direct Object. The only other NT uses are at 2 Peter 1:18 and 20.

 

⸂τῆς

Article FGS, Particularizing the following φθορᾶς, the. See below on the variant.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Place, , in. Forward focus.

 

τῷ

Article MDS, Particularizing, the.

 

κόσμῳ

Noun MDS, See Preposition, world [system].  

ἐν

Preposition, Sphere, in the sphere of. Forward focus.

 

ἐπιθυμίᾳ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, lust. The word is neutral and dependent on the context to determine the moral aspect.

 

φθορᾶς⸃.

Noun FGS, G Object of ἀποφυγόντες (BDAG, 125), depravity. On the textual variations, good MSS support the text reading. But since the verb ἀποφεύγειν can take either the accusative or genitive cases as direct objects, and since Peter used the verb in 2:20 with an accusative direct object, several MSS change the text to coordinate the two uses. A text-critical “golden rule” that since the more difficult reading gains credibility over the easier, all other things being equal, choose the harder reading. In this case keep the text as is, and there is little if any significant change in meaning if the text is changed.

 

 

 

 

In verse 3 the verbal idea of verse 2 (πληθυνθείη ) was reinserted to make a complete sentence. Also, the phrase “His divine power” is taken as a reference to the Holy Spirit. Verse 2 refers to God the Father and Jesus Christ; verse 3, to the Holy Spirit. 

 

The “things necessary for life and godliness” comes through the knowledge of God, and imbedded within this knowledge are promises. Putting it all together, I come to the conclusion that the “knowledge of God” in Peter’s day included his walking and talking with Jesus as well as the Old Testament and the existing New Testament writings. For us, however, the Scriptures limit the extent of this knowledge (except for general revelation in nature). I identify this “knowledge” in 2 Peter as a technical term for the Word of God.

 

The purpose for the Word of God is that “you” might partake of God’s nature. “You” refers to the original hearers/readers, who, according to verse 1, have been elected by God to salvation.

By extension, “you” refers also to “us.”  This is Peter’s way of speaking about our

Christlikeness. Achieving it, however, depends upon our understanding of the Word of God and our obedience to its mandates.

             

 

III. Process of Spiritual Growth, 1:5-11

 

5

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adjunctive, also. See below on δὲ. 

 

⸂αὐτὸ     

Intensive Pronoun NAS, itself. See below on the text variation.

 

τοῦτο  

Demonstrative Pronoun NAS, A of Reference, Antecedent = Verse 4 Purpose Clause, regarding this.

 

δὲ⸃

Paratactic Conjunction, Transitional, now. See BDAG, 213. The word order variation moves the conjunction forward to its “normal” post-positive position. The harder reading in the text has better MSS support and accepted as original.

 

σπουδὴν

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, diligence. Forward word order for the participle phrase.

 

πᾶσαν

Adjective FAS, Attributive, all.

 

παρεισενέγκαντες

AAPtc MNP, Summary A, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, after bringing to bear.  

 

ἐπιχορηγήσατε

AAImv 2P, Imv of Command, supply. Understood in the following list of attributes. See the diagram below.

The following spiritual graces are repeated with an added element imbedded that creates an adjectival phrase. For instance, add to your faith virtue means “virtuous faith.”  Seven such combinations occur. Bullinger, Figures of Speech, labels this under the figure “polysyndeton” (227, spiritual graces “placed together”) and “climax” (259). The latter shows an ascending list of spiritual graces climaxing not with love (ἀγάπη) but with brotherly kindness

(φιλαδελφία) imbedded with ἀγάπη. My clarification of the four different Greek words for “love” was the topic of an earlier article.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

τῇ

Article, FDS, Previous Reference (1:1), ___. 

 

πίστει

Noun FDS, See Preposition, faith. See at verse 1.

 

ὑμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, Possessive G, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, your.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Previous Reference (verse 3) and Abstract, ___.

 

ἀρετήν,

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, virtue.  

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, on the other hand. This ubiquitous conjunction (δὲ not καί) has significant bearing on this section of 2 Peter.

 

“In classical Greek, δέ, calling attention to the second of two things, may mean (1) in the next place, and (2) on the other hand. The first of these uses is the original one and is copulative. The second is adversative.” (Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament, 1184).

 

The particle δέ nearly always implies some sort of contrast, but is sometimes also used with

“progressive” or “explanatory” force, meaning “and moreover,” “and at that”(Zerwick, Biblical Greek, 157). In verses 5-7 the logic progresses from virtue to love.  The explanatory aspect clearly involves a contrast and separation between the different combinations of spiritual graces. By way of application, the progressive force climaxes at ἀγάπη love, but because of the conjunction δέ (not καί, implied in the translations by “and”) we must add the contrasting element making the real climax or spiritual goal “brotherly affection with ἀγάπη as the modifying element.”

τῇ

Article, FDS, Previous Reference and Abstract , that.

 

ἀρετῇ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, virtue.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

γνῶσιν,

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, knowledge. It occurs also in verse 6 and 3:18. See at verse 2 for the compounded form and meaning.

 

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, on the other hand.

 

τῇ

Article, FDS, Previous Reference and Abstract, that.

 

γνώσει

Noun FDS, See Preposition, knowledge.

 

τὴν

Article, FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

ἐγκράτειαν,

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, self-control

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, on the other hand.

 

τῇ

Article, FDS, Previous Reference and Abstract, that.

 

ἐγκρατείᾳ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, self-control.

 

τὴν

Article, FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

ὑπομονήν,

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, perseverance. 

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, on the other hand.

 

τῇ

Article, FDS, Previous Reference and Abstract, that.

 

ὑπομονῇ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, perseverance.

 

τὴν

Article, FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

εὐσέβειαν,

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, godliness.

 

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, on the other hand.

 

τῇ

Article, FDS, Previous Reference and Abstract, that.

 

εὐσεβείᾳ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, godliness.

 

τὴν

Article, FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

φιλαδελφίαν,

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, brotherly affection

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, on the other hand.

 

τῇ

Article, FDS, Previous Reference and Abstract, that. φιλαδελφίᾳ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, brotherly affection.

 

τὴν

Article, FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

ἀγάπην.

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, love.

 

 

According to verses 3-4, everything we need to be partakers of the divine nature has already been provided for us. It is now up to us to know the Scriptures and choose to embody Christlike characteristics. The list of seven character traits reflects the communicable attributes of God as opposed to His non-communicable ones such as omniscience, omnipotence, etc. 

 

8

 

ταῦτα

Demonstrative Pronoun NNP, Subject N of the following participle, Antecedent = the spiritual graces in verses 5-7, these things.

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, Causal, for.

ὑμῖν

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Possession, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, in you. Forward emphasis.

 

⸀ὑπάρχονταPAPtc NNP, Durative P, Periphrastic Adverbial 3rd Class Conditional Ptc (Protasis),  if .  . . [are] existing.  

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

πλεονάζοντα

PAPtc NNP, Durative P, Periphrastic Adverbial 3rd Class Conditional Ptc, growing.

 

οὐκ

Negative Adverb, not.

 

ἀργοὺς

Adjective MAP, Substantival, Attributive, useless. Forward emphasis.

 

οὐδὲ

Negative Conjunction, Disjunctive, nor.

 

ἀκάρπους

Adjective MAP, Substantival, Attributive, unfruitful. Forward emphasis.

 

καθίστησιν

PAI 3S, Durative P, Idiomatic S with Neuter Subject ταῦτα, make [you, ὑμᾶς] to be. The verb uses a double accusative (BDAG, 492).

εἰς

Preposition, Reference, with respect to.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Previous Reference (verse 3), the.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Previous Reference (verse 2), ___. These genitives sandwiched between τὴν and ἐπίγνωσιν carry strong emphasis.

 

κυρίου

Noun MGS, Objective G, about . . . Lord.

 

ἡμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = All Christians, our.

Ἰησοῦ

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Jesus.

 

Χριστοῦ     

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Christ.

 

ἐπίγνωσιν·

Noun FAS, See Preposition above, full knowledge.  

 

9

 

ᾧ     

Relative Pronoun MDS, D of Reference, Antecedent = Indefinite, with respect to whom.

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, because.

 

μὴ

Negative Adverb, perhaps not. This adverb being used with the present indicative (usually with οὐ) suggest some reservation. The negative μη is subjective negation; οὐ, objective.

 

“There is a certain aloofness about μή here that one can feel as in Plato who, with his sensitiveness to subtle shades of meaning, had in μή an instrument singularly adapted for purposes of reserve, irony, politeness or suggestion. This use of μή with the relative and indicative is clearly a remnant of the literary construction. This literary use of μή with the relative was often employed to characterize or describe in a subjective way the relative.” (Robertson, Ibid., 1169)

 

“In these cautious assertions and negations, although no desire of the speaker to avert an object of fear is implied, there is always a tacit allusion to such a desire on the part of some person who is addressed or referred to, or else an ironical pretense of such a desire of the speaker himself.” (Goodwin, Greek Moods and Tenses, 92)

 

πάρεστιν

PI 3S, Durative P, is . . . present. Idiomatic S.

 

ταῦτα,

Demonstrative Pronoun NNP, Subject N, Antecedent = ταῦτα (verse 8), these things.

 

τυφλός

Adjective MNS, Substantival, Predicate N, Anarthous of characterization, blind. Forward emphasis.

 

ἐστιν

PI 3S, Progressive P, he is.  

μυωπάζων,

PAPtc MNS, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, being nearsighted.

 

λήθην

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, forgetfulness. Forward emphasis.

 

λαβὼν

AAPtc MNS, Culminative A, Adverbial Ptc of Means, by having chosen. BDAG, 584, has both this option and a periphrasis (“work around”) for a passive. It would seem that intentional choice lies in the background thus the adopted translation.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Pronominal Personal, his.

 

καθαρισμοῦ

Noun MGS, Objective G, of . . . cleansing.

 

τῶν

Article MGP, Particularizing, ___.

 

πάλαι

Adverb of Time, former. Has the force of an adjective (Robertson, Ibid., 547.

 

αὐτοῦ

Personal Pronoun MGS, Subjective G, Antecedent = ᾧ above, his. Forward emphasis.

 

⸀ἁμαρτιῶν.

Noun FGP, G of Separation, Anarthous of Indefiniteness, sins. The variant αμαρτηματων is a near synonym with the text reading. It has good MSS support and occurs three times in the NT. The text reading also has good and widespread MSS support, and it is used twice in 2 Peter and six times in 1 Peter. The text-critical criterion of a writer’s style would maintain the text reading.

  

10

 

διὸ

Paratactic Conjunction, Inferential, wherefore.

 

μᾶλλον,

Adverb of Degree, even more. Construed with the following imperative.

 

ἀδελφοί,

Noun MVP, V of Direct Address, Brothers [and Sisters]. The M gender is inclusive referring to both male and female.

 

σπουδάσατε ⸆  

AAImv 2P, Ingressive A, Imv of Command, begin . . . diligent. Takes a following infinitive

(BDAG, 939).  Note the return to σπουδὴν in verse 5. 

 

The series of three textual emendations occurs in this verse and are interconnected. Metzger, Ibid., 631, explains: “After σπουδάσατε several witnesses, including א A Ψ 81 630 and the Latin, Syriac, and Coptic versions, replace the complementary infinitive construction (which occurs regularly in the New Testament after σπουδάζειν) with the ἵνα construction; by a lapsus calami [slip of the pen], however, at the close of the clause א A and a few other witnesses absentmindedly retain the infinitive instead of the subjunctive ποιῆσθε (which, by itacism [similar sounds], was pronounced like ποιεῖσθαι and ποιεῖσθε). At the same time these witnesses introduce an edifying explanation, διὰ τῶν καλῶν (ὑμῶν) ἔργων. In view of the several variations among these expansions, the Committee regarded the shorter reading of 𝔓72 B C K P 614 1739 al as original.” 

 

βεβαίαν

Adjective FAS, A of Direct Object of the following infinitive, sure. Forward for emphasis and focus.

 

ὑμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Possession, Antecedent = ὑμῖν of verse 8, your.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Particularizing, Collective S, ___. See Robertson, Ibid., 787.

 

⸀κλῆσιν

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, calling. See the above note at σπουδάσατε on the variant.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

ἐκλογὴν

Noun FAS, A of Direct Object, election.

 

“Call and election is yet another example of Peter’s use of a pair of words of very similar meaning. If a distinction is to be made between them, we can say that election is a prior decision to select someone from a group . . . ,while call is the actual process of inviting the elected ones to share in the privileges and responsibilities of their election.” (Arichea, & Hatton, A handbook on the letter from Jude and the second letter from Peter, 83)

 

⸁ποιεῖσθαι·

PMInf, Progressive P, Indirect M, Substantival Object Inf of σπουδάσατε above, to be making for yourselves. See the above note at σπουδάσατε on the variant.

 

ταῦτα

Demonstrative Pronoun NAP, A of Direct Object, Antecedent = ταῦτα at verse 9, these things. Forward emphasis.

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, Causal, because.

 

ποιοῦντες

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Ptc of Condition (Protasis, 3rd Class), by doing.

 

οὐ

Negative Conjunction, ___. See below. Begins the apodosis of the condition.

 

μὴ

Negative Conjunction, by no means. The combination of negative particles with the aorist subjunctive verb represents “emphatic negation.”

 

πταίσητέ

AAS 2P, Summary A, S of Emphatic Negation, shall . . . stumble. The contextual answer to the implied question, “stumble at what?,” is found in βεβαίαν ποιεῖσθαι.

 

°ποτε.

Adverb of Time, ever. A few MSS omit the word, perhaps for theological reasons or as redundant given the preceding strong apodosis.

 

11

 

οὕτως

Adverb of Manner, in such a manner. The adverb looks back contextually to the preceding conditional clause.

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, Inferential, for

 

πλουσίως

Adverb of Manner, richly. Forward emphasis.

 

ἐπιχορηγηθήσεται

FPI 3S, Predictive F, shall be . . . supplied. The same word as in verse 5.

 

ὑμῖν

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Advantage, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, for you.

ἡ

Article, Particularizing, the.

εἴσοδος ⸆

Noun FNS, Subject N, entrance. The addition of the article ἡ in a few MSS perhaps came about by inadvertent scribal error repeating the preceding article. 

εἰς

Preposition, Measure, into.

 

τὴν

Article, FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

αἰώνιον

Adjective FAS, Attributive, eternal.

 

βασιλείαν

Noun FAS, See Preposition, kingdom.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Granville Sharp use, ___.

 

κυρίου

Noun MGS, Possessive G, of . . . Lord.

 

ἡμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = All Christians, our

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Granville Sharp use, and.

 

σωτῆρος

Noun MGS, G of Description, Savior.

 

Ἰησοῦ

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Jesus.

 

Χριστοῦ.

Noun MGS, in Apposition, Christ.

 

 

 

The primary issue in verse 8 is the use one makes of the Word of God. One can use as it was intended, to become Christlike, or neglect it and become spiritually useless and fruitless. Verse 9 amplifies the negative. The person using the Bible wrongly is nearsightedly blind in regards to his or her spiritual condition. 

 

The issue in verses 10 and 11 is not eternal security. It is ones personal assurance of eternal salvation. That is, diligent and proper use of Scripture and exhibiting Christlikeness will confirm one of his or her saved condition and will never fall away from assurance. Also, the opposite of a rich entrance into God’s kingdom is not no entrance but a poor entrance. Should an individual not persevere in Christlike living, he or she will enter heaven but the eternal sojourn will be as

one poverty-stricken as opposed to rich. Eternal rewards lies at the base of this verse. 

1 Corinthians 3:14-15 parallels this idea.   

  

IV. Provisions for Spiritual Growth, 1:12-21

 

12

 

⸂Διὸ

Paratactic Conjunction, Inferential, wherefore. See below.

 

μελλήσω⸃

FAI 1S, Progressive F, I intend. The change to διο ουκ αμελησω in the later MSS does not require a change of the text which has the earlier and best MSS support. The δι ̓ ου μελλησω in P72, ψ, et al bears the marks of a scribal unintentional error.

 

ἀεὶ

Adverb of Time, always.

 

ὑμᾶς

Personal Pronoun MAP, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, you. Forward emphasis.

 

ὑπομιμνῄσκειν

PAInf, Progressive P, Substantival, Object Complement, be reminding.

 

περὶ

Preposition, Reference, concerning.

 

τούτων

Demonstrative Pronoun NGP, See Preposition, Antecedent = Verses 3-11, these things.

 

καίπερ

Hypotactic Conjunction, Adverbial of Concession, although.

 

εἰδότας

PAPtc MAP, Resultative Pf, Periphrastic Adverbial Ptc of Concession, Predicate A of Result, [you] know. The previous ὑμᾶς is understood. 

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

ἐστηριγμένους

PfPPtc MAP, Resultative Pf, Periphrastic Adverbial Ptc of Concession, Predicate A of Result, [are] established.

 

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in. If the translation “strengthened” (ἐστηριγμένους) is used the D of Means would be meant.

 

τῇ

Article, FDS, Particularizing, the.

 

παρούσῃ

PAPtc FDS, Progressive P, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, present. The “with you” or “that you have” in the translations stems from the παρ[α] prefixed to -ουσῃ. See at verse 9.

 

ἀληθείᾳ.

Noun FDS, See Preposition, truth. The first use in the book and “the content of Christianity as the ultimate truth” (BDAG, 42). 

 

13

 

δίκαιον

Adjective NAS, Substantival, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, a just thing. Forward focus.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

ἡγοῦμαι,

PDI 1S, Progressive P, I am thinking. The verb is understood as taking the double accusative resulting in the sentence: “I am thinking that stirring you up to be a just thing.” 

 

ἐφʼ

Preposition, Measure, ___. This phrase is forward for temporal focus, thus displacing the following infinitive object. 

 

ὅσον

Relative Pronoun NAS, See Preposition, Antecedent = Temporal, as long as.

εἰμὶ

PI 1S, Progressive P, I continue to be.

 

ἐν

Preposition, D of Manner, in.

 

τούτῳ

Demonstrative Pronoun NDS, Deictic, this.

 

τῷ

Article, NDS, Particularizing, ___.

 

σκηνώματι,

Noun NDS, See Preposition, tent. His body is meant.

 

διεγείρειν

PAInf, Progressive P, Substantival Accusative Object Complement Inf, to be stirring . . . up. See the diagram below.

 

ὑμᾶς

Personal Pronoun MAP, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, you.

ἐν ⸆

Preposition, Manner, by way of. The insertion of the article before ὑπομνήσει by a few MSS perhaps particularizes the noun by looking ahead to the καθὼς clause of verse 14. The majority of MSS leaves the noun anarthrous and it may be the harder reading (a textual-critical criterion).

 

ὑπομνήσει,

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, Abstract, remembering. The active sense.

 

14

 

εἰδὼς

PAPtc MNS, Resultative Pf, Adverbial Causal, since [I] know.

 

ὅτι

Hypotactic Conjunction, Object Clause, that.

 

ταχινή

Adjective FNS, Substantival Predicate, imminent. Forward emphasis.

 

ἐστιν

PI 3S, Timeless P, is.

ἡ

Article FNS, Particularizing, the.

 

ἀπόθεσις

Noun FNS, Subject N, laying aside. Referring to Peter’s imminent death.

 

τοῦ

Article NGS, Previous Reference, ___.

 

⸀σκηνώματός

Noun NGS, Objective G, tent. The alteration to σωματος makes the previous reference more concrete and is clearly secondary.

 

μου

Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = Peter, my.

 

⸋καθὼς

Adverb of Manner, just as. See below on the omission.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adjunctive, also.

 

ὁ

Article MNS, Previous Reference, ___.

 

κύριος

Noun MNS, Subject N, Lord.

 

ἡμῶν⸌

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = All Christians, our. Only MSS א and 049 omit the phrase probably inadvertently.

 

Ἰησοῦς

Noun MNS, N in Apposition, Jesus.

 

Χριστὸς

Noun MNS, N in Apposition, Christ.

 

ἐδήλωσέν

AAI 3S, Summary A, revealed.

 

μοι,

Personal Pronoun MDS, D Indirect Object, Antecedent = Peter, to me.

 

15

Various views exist for the interpretation of this verse. The lengthy note in NET Bible will be a good overview of some options for consideration (NET Bible, Biblical Studies Press, 2005, loc. cit.).   

⸀σπουδάσω

FAI 1S, Progressive F, I will continue to make every effort. The complementary infinitive ποιεῖσθαι follows. The change to the present tense is probably based on an error of hearing the double consonant ζ (= δσ) for σ.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

 

°καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adjunctive, also. A few MSS omit this; the text stands.

 

ἑκάστοτε

Adverb of Time, always.  

 

ἔχειν

PAInf, Progressive P, Verbal Inf of Result, so that . . . continue to have.  

 

ὑμᾶς  

Personal Pronoun MAP, A of Reference (as subject), Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, you.

 

μετὰ

Preposition,  A of Temporal Measure, after. 

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Particularizing, ___.

 

ἐμὴν

Possessive Pronoun FAS, Antecedent = Peter, my.

 

ἔξοδον

Noun FAS, See Preposition, departure. Another reference to Peter’s death.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

τούτων

Demonstrative Pronoun NGP, Objective G, Antecedent = Verses 3-11, of these things. Forward focus

 

⸁μνήμην

Noun FAS, A Direct Object of ἔχειν above, recollection. Consider Liddell & Scott, Greek-English Lexicon, 1139, historical “record.” See also BDAG, 655. The change to μνειον by a few MSS could have been an error of hearing since the two words are similar in sound. The text term only occurs here in the NT making it the hardest and accepted reading. It is also very similar in sound and spelling to μνημεῖον meaning “a memorial” and “a tomb.” 

 

ποιεῖσθαι.

PMInf, Progressive P, Indirect M, Substantival Object Inf Complement of σπουδάσω above, to be personally producing. Though the complementary infinitive is separated from its verb this is not as strange as it might seem since the same occurred in verse 13 with ἡγοῦμαι . . . διεγείρειν. See also at verse 10 with same basic syntax.

 

 

Peter knows that he is about to die. He is reflecting in these verses about the need for his hearers/readers to have as much knowledge about Jesus Christ and the Christian life as possible so that they can exhibit Christlikeness in their lives and avoid false teachers and teachings. Such knowledge must come through the Scriptures more than through him personally since his earthly life is coming to an end. He will continue to make every effort to leave his memoirs available to all until the Lord calls him to his heavenly reward. 

 

Though controversial, I see in this section the production of the Gospel of Mark as Peter’s “memoirs” continually available to his readers/hearers. This would make Mark the last synoptic Gospel not the first as most contemporary scholars see it. 

 

16

 

Οὐ

Negative Adverb, not. Correlative with ἀλλʼ below. Negates ἐξακολουθήσαντες.

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, for.

 

σεσοφισμένοις

PfPPtc MDP, Extensive Pf, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, reasoned out.

 

μύθοις

Noun MDP, D Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, myths. The Dative Object does double duty with the two participles in this context. This is Peter’s only use but Paul uses it in 1 Timothy 1:4; 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14.  Liddell & Scott, Greek-English Lexicon, 1151, notes the idea of “fiction” as opposite to “historic” truth as a usage. This could have bearing in light of the following historical emphasis.

 

ἐξακολουθήσαντες

AAPtc MNP, Summary A, Adverbial of Manner Ptc, by having followed after. Takes a Dative object. Forward negative focus to set up the following positive emphasis. The translations struggle with the participle making it an independent clause and by inserting a temporal adverb (“when”) to modify the main verb making the independent clause a dependent clause thereby reversing the central focus.

 

ἐγνωρίσαμεν

AAI 1P, Culminative A, we made known.

 

ὑμῖν

Personal Pronoun MDP, D Indirect Object, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, to you.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Granville Sharp Usage, the.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Previous Reference, ___.

 

κυρίου

Noun MGS, Objective G, Lord.  

 

ἡμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = All Christians, our.

 

Ἰησοῦ

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Jesus.

 

Χριστοῦ

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Christ.

 

δύναμιν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, power. See note below.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Granville Sharp Usage, and.

 

παρουσίαν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, coming.  See note below.

 

A possible hendiadys wherein two nouns are used for one idea and one of the nouns is adjectival.

See Bullinger, 670, on this verse: “When we made known unto you the power and coming: i.e., either the coming power, or the powerful coming, or both.” The only use of these two nouns together in the NT.

 

ἀλλʼ

Hypotactic Conjunction, Adversative, Correlative with Οὐ above, but.  

 

ἐπόπται

Noun MNP, Predicate N, Anarthrous of Characterization, eyewitnesses. See BDAG, 387-88 on the cultural aspect. Forward emphasis.

 

γενηθέντες

AP/D Ptc MNP, Ingressive A, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, after having become.  

 

τῆς

Article FGS, Abstract, of the.

 

ἐκείνου

Demonstrative Pronoun MGS, G of Description, Antecedent = τοῦ κυρίου, characterized by that one. Forward emphasis.

 

μεγαλειότητος.

Noun FGS, Objective G, majesty.

 

17  

This verse represents an anacolouthon (“not following”) by breaking the pattern of thought since no main verb exists. The translations vary and struggle with it.

 

λαβὼν

AAPtc MNS, Culminative A, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, when [he] had received. Christ is the subject. A main verb needs to be supplied, perhaps a term like [ἐδοξάσθη], Aorist Passive, “was glorified.” See the diagram.

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, for. In explanation of the preceding eyewitness account.

 

παρὰ  

Preposition, G of Source, from. The phrase is forward for emphasis.

 

⸆ θεοῦ  

Noun MGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, God. The insertion of the article by a few MSS is perhaps a scribal addition for style reasons, but Peter also uses it in 1:21. In 1 Peter he omits the article before God frequently.

 

πατρὸς

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Father.

 

τιμὴν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object of λαβὼν, honor.  

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

δόξαν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object of λαβὼν, glory.

 

φωνῆς

Noun FGS, Subject of the G Absolute Construction, Anarthrous of Characterization, a voice.

 

ἐνεχθείσης

APPtc FGS, Culminative A, Adverbial Temporal, G Absolute Construction, when . . . came. Peter’s uses in this book are: 1:17, 18, 21 and 2:11. See also 1 Peter 1:13.

 

αὐτῷ

Personal Pronoun MDS, D Indirect Object, Antecedent = Subject of λαβὼν, to him.

 

τοιᾶσδε

Demonstrative Pronoun FGS, F -ᾶσ- 1st declension genitive agreeing with φωνῆς, deictic function, Antecedent = φωνῆς, such a one. The phrase may refer to what follows in verse 18.

 

ὑπὸ

Preposition, Agency, by.

 

τῆς

Article FGS, Particularizing and Abstract, the.

 

μεγαλοπρεποῦς

Adjective FGS, Attributive, majestic. A NT hapax legomenon.  

 

δόξης·

Noun FGS, See Preposition, glory. A reference to the Father

Peter uses dignified languages in referring to the Trinity: verse 1:3 as a reference to the Holy Spirit; verse 1:16 reflecting on Jesus; verse 1:17 speaking about the Father. 

 

⸂Ὁ

Article MNS, Particularizing, ___. The beginning of the direct quotation. See below on the variant text.

υἱός     

Noun MNS, Predicate N, Son. Placing the predicate ahead of the subject gives emphasis.

 

μου

Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Relationship, Antecedent = the Father, my.

 

ὁ

Article MNS, Particularizing, ___

 

ἀγαπητός

Adjective MNS, Attributive, beloved. Placing the adjective after the noun gives emphasis (See Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, 308).

 

μου     

Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Relationship, Antecedent = the Father, my.

 

οὗτός

Demonstrative Pronoun MNS, Subject N, Antecedent = ὁ υἱός, this one.

 

ἐστιν⸃

PI 3S, Timeless P, is. The variant text is explained by Metzger, Textual Commentary, loc. cit., ”The original text appears to have been preserved only in P72  B . . . , all the other witnesses having conformed the reading to the traditional text in Matthew, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός (Mt 3:17; 17:5).” Although the textual evidence is slim, the best text is that which explains the origin of the other readings (“gold standard” textual criterion), and in this case the other readings correspond to the Matthew 3:17 and 17:5 accounts. Therefore, the different and hardest reading is the text. 

εἰς

Preposition, Reference, regarding.

 

ὃν

Relative Pronoun MAS, See Preposition, Antecedent = ὁ υἱός, whom.

ἐγὼ

Personal Pronoun MNS, Intensive, Antecedent = the Father, I.

 

εὐδόκησα,

AAI 1S, Timeless A, I take delight.

 

 

 

The idea by Peter that he was attempting to leave his readers a “memorial” of his knowledge of Christ prompted him to discuss his qualifications for such an enterprise, especially in regards to the future coming of Christ. Eschatology becomes the one area of theology in chapters 2 and 3 where the false teachers are trying to lead Christians astray. Apparently also these false teachers had some connection with the mystery religions, for Peter uses the term “eyewitnesses” which was a technical term in those cults. He  suggests that his knowledge of Jesus’ coming again is not a result of his following after the mystery religions to gain this understanding. Rather he has gained his information directly from his experience on the mountain and by hearing God’s words about Christ.  

 

 

18

The anacolouthon ends here. 

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

ταύτην

Demonstrative Pronoun FAS, Deictic, this. Typically stands in the predicate position. Forward emphasis.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Previous Reference, ___.

 

φωνὴν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, voice.

 

ἡμεῖς

Personal Pronoun MNP, Intensive, Antecedent = Peter, James, John, we.

 

ἠκούσαμεν

AAI 1P, Culminative A, we heard.

⸀ἐξ

Preposition, Source, from. Forward focused phrase.

 

οὐρανοῦ

Noun MGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, heaven.

 

ἐνεχθεῖσαν

APPtc FAS, Culminative A, Adverbial Temporal, when . . . came.

 

σὺν

Preposition, D of Association, with. The phrase is forward for emphasis.

 

αὐτῷ

Personal Pronoun MDS, See Preposition, Antecedent = ὃν (verse 17), him.

 

ὄντες

PPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Temporal, while . . . were. The time ties to ἐνεχθεῖσαν.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Place, on.

 

τῷ

Article NDS, Particularizing, the.  

 

ἁγίῳ     

Adjective NDS, Attributive, holy.

 

 

ὄρει.

Noun NDS, See Preposition, mountain.

 

19

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Mild Adversative, and yet. Connects well with verse 1.

 

ἔχομεν

PAI 1P, Progressive P, Subject = Peter, James, John, we are having. See BDAG, 420 for the predicate A that follows.

 

βεβαιότερον

Adjective MAS, Comparative, 2nd Predicate, more certain. Forward emphasis. The exegetical question: “More certain that what?” In the context it would most likely refer to the Mount of Transfiguration experience, a truly prophetic scene.

 

τὸν

Article, MAS, Particularizing, the.

 

προφητικὸν

Adjective MAS, Attributive, prophetic.

 

λόγον,     

Noun MAS, A Direct Object, message.

 

ᾧ

Relative Pronoun MDS, D Reference of the following participle, Antecedent = τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον, with respect to which message.

 

καλῶς

Adverb of Degree, well.

 

ποιεῖτε

PAI 2P, Progressive P, you continue to do well.

 

προσέχοντες

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, paying attention. The verb takes the dative ᾧ.

 

ὡς

Hypotactic Conjunction, Serving as an Adverb of Manner, just as. See BDAG, 1104.

 

λύχνῳ

Noun MDS, D Object with understood [προσείχετε], Progressive Imperfect, ”as you would pay attention to”], a lamp.

 

φαίνοντι

PAPtc MDS, Progressive P, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, shining.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Place, in.

 

αὐχμηρῷ

Adjective MDS, Attributive, dismal.

 

τόπῳ,

Noun MDS, See Preposition, place.

 

ἕως

Preposition, Adverbial of Time with οὗ, until. See BDAG, 423, for use with the subjunctive.

 

οὗ

Relative Pronoun MGS, See Preposition, Antecedent = Indefinite, which time.

 

⸆ἡμέρα

Noun FNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, the day. The insertion of an article by a few MSS is a scribal addition identifying the particular day in the following context but the harder and better MSS support is for the anarthrous text.

 

διαυγάσῃ

AAS 3S, Summary A, S in Temporal Clause, should dawn. See at ἕως.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

⸀φωσφόρος

Adjective MNS, Substantival, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, the morning star. See

Spicq, Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, 492-93 for a discussion. The change to εωσφ- in a few later (13th century) MSS cannot be accepted but probably arose inadvertently as a common alternative spelling with no difference in meaning.

 

ἀνατείλῃ

AAS 3S, Summary A, S in Temporal Clause, should arise. See at ἕως.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Place, in.

ταῖς

Article FDP, Particularizing, ___.

 

καρδίαις

Noun FDP, See Preposition, hearts.  

 

ὑμῶν,

Personal Pronoun MGP, Possessive G, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, your.

 

20

This verse is a continuation of verse 19 and flowing from ᾧ . . . ὑμῶν, the main verb being ποιεῖτε. On the various interpretations in summary form in this verse see the extensive note in the NET Bible, loc. cit. See also Gangel in the Bible Knowledge Commentary, 869.

 

τοῦτο

Demonstrative Pronoun NAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Points to the ὅτι clause below, this. Forward emphasis.

 

πρῶτον

Adjective NAS, Adverbial of Degree, first.

 

γινώσκοντες

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Causal Ptc, knowing. The translations differ taking the participle as imperatival (NASB, NIV) or conditional (NET) or leaving it open to interpretation (ESV, NKJV). 

 

ὅτι

Hypotactic Conjunction, Object, that. Appositional to τοῦτο above.

 

πᾶσα

Adjective FNS, Attributive, no.  Spence-Jones, 2 Peter, loc. cit., “‘all … not’ (πᾶσα … οὐ) being a common Hebraism for none, οὑδεμία.” And Robertson, Greek Grammar, 753, “The denial about πᾶς is complete as with οὐ—πᾶς.”

 

⸂προφητεία

Noun FNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, prophecy. See below on the variant. Forward focus.

 

γραφῆς⸃

Noun FGS, G of Source, from Scripture. “Instead of πᾶσα προφητεία γραφῆς the copyists of several minuscules (206 378 429 522 614 1108 1758 2138), recollecting the statement about scripture in 2 Tm 3:16, wrote πᾶσα γραφὴ προφητείας. The scribe of P72 introduced a different conflation, πᾶσα προφητεία καὶ γραφή” (Metzger, Textual Commentary, 631). 

 

 

ἰδίας

Possessive Pronoun FGS, Attributive, Antecedent = Indefinite, one’s own.  

 

ἐπιλύσεως

Noun FGS, G of Source, from . . . interpretation. See also ἐπιλύω (BDAG, 375). 

 

οὐ

Negative Adverb, not. See under πᾶσα above.

 

γίνεται·

PDI 3S, Aoristic P, comes into being. The NASB and NKJV take the verb as a simple copula “is.” 

 

21

 

οὐ

Negative Adverb, not. The phrase is forward for emphasis. Coordinates with ποτέ below as well as correlative with the following ἀλλὰ. 

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative in Explanation, for.

 

θελήματι

Noun NDS, D of Means, Anarthrous of Characterization, by the will.

 

ἀνθρώπου

Noun MGS, Subjective G, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, from a man.

 

ἠνέχθη

API 3S, Ingressive A, was brought. The translations differ on how to translate the term: NASB, made, ESV, produced, NET, borne, NKJV, came, NIV, had its origin. 

 

⸆ ⸉προφητεία

Noun FNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, prophecy. The addition of the definite article (ἡ) is secondary and supported only by a few MSS. See below on the word order.

 

ποτέ⸊,

Adverb of Time, ever. Coordinates with οὐ above. Some MSS reverse the order presumably to connect the adverb with the main verb. The harder reading is in the text and the contiguous connection between οὐ . . . ποτὲ and ἀλλὰ, the main theme in the verse, is strengthened.

 

ἀλλὰ

Hypotactic Conjunction, Adversative and Correlative with οὐ, but.

 

ὑπὸ

Preposition, Agency, by. The phrase is forward for focus and emphasis.

πνεύματος

Noun NGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, the . . . Spirit.

 

ἁγίου     

Adjective NGS, Attributive, Holy.

 

φερόμενοι    

PPPtc MNP, Iterative P, Temporal Ptc, while . . . being carried along.

 

ἐλάλησαν

AAI 3P, Culminative A, spoke.  

 

⸂ἀπὸ

Preposition, Source, from. See below on the variant.

 

θεοῦ⸃

Noun MGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, God. The clearly secondary rearrangements of the text was motivated most likely by a theological felt-need to attach holiness (αγιοι with or without the definite article) to the men (ἄνθρωποι). 

 

ἄνθρωποι.

Noun MNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, men.

 

 

 

 

The anacolouthon at verse 17 may have been connected to heightened emotions as Peter reflects on his mountain top experience with Christ by omitting a main verb (ellipsis, one indicator of emotional heightening). Clearly, verses 17 and 18 relate to the Mount of Transfiguration experience of Peter, an event that left an indelible mark on his life and ministry. But his passion throughout the book is different. He does not allow that experience to become the foundation for his faith, and he does not want Christians to depend on other people or experiences to be their faith foundation either. The Holy Spirit inspired Word of God, which is “more certain,” must be the bedrock upon which faith and the Christian life is established.

             

Accurate knowledge of the Bible contributes to spiritual growth and protects believers from false teachers and teachings.

Chapter 2

 

V. Problems of Spiritual Growth, 2:1-22

1

These verses contrast to the previous focus on prophets and the prophecies bringing the discussion to the 1st century church and the presenting some future dangers from false teachers and teachings.

 

Ἐγένοντο

ADI 3MP, Summary A, were.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Transitional, now.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adverbial Ascensive, indeed.

 

ψευδοπροφῆται

Noun MNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness,  false prophets. 

⸂ἐν

Preposition, D of Association, among. See below on the variant text.

 

τῷ

Article MDS, Particularizing, the.

 

λαῷ⸃,

Noun MDS, See Preposition, people. This would refer to the Israelites of old. The additional demonstrative εκεινῳ is a secondary reading to avoid the interpretation that “the people” mentioned were Peter’s hearers/readers.

 

ὡς

Hypotactic Conjunction, Comparative, as. The phrase is forward to contrast between the old and new situations.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adjunctive, also.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Association, among.

 

ὑμῖν

Personal Pronoun MDP, See Preposition, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, you.  

“False prophets often rose out of Israel (cf. Jer. 5:31; 23:9–18), not from surrounding peoples. Similarly false teachers appear from the midst of the church” (Gangel, BKC, loc. cit.). We reference Paul’s statement in Acts 20:29-30 as a parallel.

 

ἔσονται

FI 3P, Progressive F, will continue to be. This does not preclude the presence of false teachers in the existing church. The book clearly reveals their presence and the dangers they pose.

 

ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι,

Noun MNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, false teachers. The only NT use. The change from false “prophets” to false “teachers” is explained in the following relative clause and the rest of the book where unbiblical teachings are the problem.

 

On the identification of these false teachers: “The facts are that all the data that can be collected from 2 Peter (and Jude) are insufficient to identify the movement with any known secondcentury [Gnostic] system. Rather do they suggest a general mental and moral atmosphere which would have been conducive for the development of systematic Gnosticism.” (Guthrie, New Testament Introduction, 828). See also Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, 724; Carson, Moo, Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament, 442-43; Harrison, Introduction to the New Testament, 397-98.

 

οἵτινες

Relative Pronoun MNP, Subject N, Antecedent = ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι, who are the kind of people who. The pronoun focuses on characteristics (BDAG, 729-30).  

 

παρεισάξουσιν

FAI 3P, Progressive F, will be bringing in.  

 

BDAG, 774, “In none of these passages does the word connote malicious or secretive procedures; for such connotation, which is not necessarily implied in 2 Pt 2:1.”  

 

Louw & Nida, Greek-English Lexicon, 162, “to cause something to happen by introducing factors from outside—’to bring in, to cause from outside.’”  

 

The “secret” idea most likely came into the translations because of Jude 4 where παρεισδύω is used, “to join surreptitiously with evil intent- ‘to slip into a group unnoticed, to join unnoticed.’” Such a “translation/interpretation by conflation” presupposes a particular relationship between 2 Peter and Jude that may or may not be accurate and certainly should not be an interpretive key to unlocking the meaning of either 2 Peter or Jude. See the Introduction on relationship between 2 Peter and Jude .

 

αἱρέσεις

Noun FAP, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, opinions. Many translations prefer to read “heresies” but the consistently negative connotation in English may mask Peter’s intent. Not all differences of opinion are heresies.

 

ἀπωλείας

Noun FGS, G of Description, Anarthrous of Characterization, characterized by ruin. Too often interpreters find “eternal ruin, perdition, hell” here, but the word is lexically neutral depending on the context for accurate denotation. “Ruin” can be temporal or eternal, both for things and people.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Ascensive, even. Functioning adverbially (BDAG, 495).

 

τὸν

Article MAS, Particularizing, the.

 

ἀγοράσαντα

AAPtc MAS, Culminative A, Adjectival Attributive, who bought. Forward emphasis. This is the only use where the Accusative of the person follows. Peter’s only use of the word.

 

αὐτοὺς

Personal Pronoun MAP, A Direct Object, Antecedent = οἵτινες, them.

 

δεσπότην

Noun MAS, A Direct Object, Master.

 

ἀρνούμενοι.

PMPtc MNP, Progressive P, Indirect M, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, denying. The full stop in the NA²⁷ text is editorially suspect (see the diagram). 

 

ἐπάγοντες

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Supplemental Ptc, and bringing upon.

 

⸀ἑαυτοῖς

Reflexive Pronoun MDP, D of Disadvantage, Antecedent = οἵτινες, upon themselves. Has a negative (disadvantage) connotation. The variant reading αυτοις by a few MSS may have arisen as a scribal error of hearing, but the difference is negligible since both pronouns have reflexive senses (BDAG, 154 and 268).

  

ταχινὴν

Adjective FAS, Attributive, imminent. Same word as in 1:14.

 

ἀπώλειαν,

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, ruin. 

 

Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, 329, writes, “Peter would not speak of the false teachers as bought by the death of the Lord if they were pagan outsiders. The expression indicates that the false teachers were part of the church Peter addressed, that they professed faith in Jesus Christ. At one time they were loyal servants of Jesus Christ, but now they denied the Lord who spilled his blood for them.”  

Gangel reviews the verse (Ibid., loc. cit.):  How can these false teachers, who were said to be among the people, and whom the Lord had bought (agorasanta, “redeem”), end up in everlasting destruction? Several suggestions have been offered: (1) They were saved but lost their salvation. But this contradicts many other Scriptures (e.g., John 3:16; 5:24; 10:28–29). (2) “Bought” means the Lord created them, not that He saved them. But this stretches the meaning

of agorazō (“redeem”). (3) The false prophets merely said they were “bought” by Christ. This, however, seems to read into the verse. (4) They were “redeemed” in the sense that Christ paid the redemptive price for their salvation, but they did not apply it to themselves and so were not saved. 

 

A fifth option focuses on the possibility that these false teachers believe the facts about Jesus but have not submitted to His rule in their lives, their internal disposition/attitude has not changed. Simply believing does not automatically result in eternal salvation. Each of these conclusions can be questioned in part on the logical principle of Occam’s Razor, also called the “law of parsimony” (The logical principle that the best interpretation is the one that requires the interpreter to include the fewest possible hypotheses to arrive at a reasonable conclusion.) The principle of perspicuity also applies—Peter sought to be understood. 

 

2

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

πολλοὶ

Adjective MNP, Substantival, Subject N, Antecedent = Christians, many. “Αὐτων [Autōn] (their) refers to ψευδοδιδασκαλοι [pseudodidaskaloi] (false teachers) while πολλοι [polloi] to their deluded followers” (Robertson, Word Pictures, loc. cit.). See 2:14 as a parallel.

 

ἐξακολουθήσουσιν

FAI 3P, Predictive F, shall follow after.

 

αὐτῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, Possessive G, Antecedent = οἵτινες, their. Forward focus.

ταῖς

Article FDP, Particularizing, ___.

 

ἀσελγείαις

Noun FDP, D Direct Object (BDAG, 344), licentious ways. The P is idiomatic with abstract substantives putting stress on separate acts (Robertson, Grammar, 408). Peter also uses the singular in 2:7.

 

διʼ

Preposition, Cause, because of.

 

οὓς

Relative Pronoun MAP, See Preposition, Antecedent = αὐτῶν and πολλοὶ, whom.

ἡ

Article FNS, Particularizing, the.

 

⸀ὁδὸς

Noun FNS, Subject N, way. See also at 2:15 and 21. The variant δοξα may have been a scribal error of hearing and has weak MSS support.

τῆς

Article FGS, Previous Reference (1:12), of the.

ἀληθείας

Noun FGS, G of Description, truth. See Genesis 24:48 (LXX) for the anarthrous phrase. In Romans 2:24, as a reference to the Jews from Isaiah 52:5 (LXX), Paul highlights the name of God, but here Peter centers the phrase on “the truth of God” in light of the false teachers’ doctrinal focus. In 2:21 he rewords the phrase to “the way of righteousness,” a moral focus.

 

βλασφημηθήσεται,

FPI 3S, Predictive F, shall be slandered. The licentious behavior and false teachings exhibited by both the false teachers and their disciples will cause this slander of Christ and the Christian way. See Isaiah 52:5 and Romans 2:24.

 

3

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, and.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Manner, with. The phrase is forward for emphasis.

 

πλεονεξίᾳ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, greediness. 

 

πλαστοῖς

Adjective MDP, Attributive, fabricated. A NT hapax legomenon. The word is derived from πλάσσω referring to something that can be molded or shaped. See 3:16 for a similar word

(στρεβλόω, to distort or twist). 

 

λόγοις

Noun MDP, D of Means, by means of . . . words.

 

ὑμᾶς

Personal Pronoun MAP, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, you. Forward emphasis.

 

ἐμπορεύσονται,

FMI 3P, Predictive F, Indirect M, they will personally exploit. 

 

οἷς

Relative Pronoun MDP, D of Disadvantage, Antecedent = οὓς, against whom. The following two clauses are asyndetic and grammatically parallel in true Hebrew poetic fashion! See the diagram.

 

τὸ

Article NNS, Particularizing, the.

 

κρίμα

Noun NNS, Subject N, sentence of judgment. Not κρίσις, the act of judging.

 

ἔκπαλαι

Adverb of Time, from olden times. Also used in 3:5. A probable reference to the OT and God’s sentences of judgment on sin. “The sentence of judgment is for them, for their condemnation; in the foreknowledge of God it has been pronounced long ago, and ever since it has been drawing near” (Spence-Jones, 2 Peter, 44).

 

οὐκ

Negative Adverb, not.

 

ἀργεῖ

PAI 3S, Durative P, is . . . idle.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

ἡ

Article FNS, Previous Reference (2:1), ___.

 

ἀπώλεια

Noun FNS, Subject N, ruin. 

 

αὐτῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Reference, Antecedent = οἷς, with respect to them.

 

οὐ

Negative Adverb, not.

 

⸀νυστάζει.

PAI 3S, Durative P, is . . . sleeping. The variant (weaker MSS support) most likely arose from hearing -ξ- instead of -ζ- where both compound consonants end with a sibilant (σ).

Peter’s passion for his hearers/readers is that they know and live “the way of truth.” Accurate knowledge of Christ imbedded in Scripture will protect them from being exploited by the false teachers and teachings existing in their midst and awaiting divine judgment. Those who follow them can expect the same.

 

4

Εἰ 

Hypotactic  conjunction, 1st Class Condition, if. This introduces the protasis (“if”) that is dependent on the apodosis (“then”) that begins at verse 9. 

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, for. “The ‘for’ (gar) links v. 4 with v. 3b and introduces the first of three examples that illustrate God’s judgment in the past and guarantee it for the future. Hence, the judgment functions typologically” (Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, 335).  

 ὁ 

Article MNS, Previous Reference, ___.

 

θεὸς

Noun MNS, Subject N, God. Forward focus.

ἀγγέλων

Noun MGP, G Direct Object of ἐφείσατο, Anarthrous of Characterization, angels. Forward focus as are all the direct objects in the illustrations.

ἁμαρτησάντων 

AAPtc MGP, Summary A, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, who sinned.

οὐκ 

Negative Adverb , not. Correlative with ἀλλὰ.

ἐφείσατο 

AMI 3S, Summary A, Indirect M, did . . . spare.

 

ἀλλὰ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative and correlative with οὐκ, but rather. BDAG, 44, “after a negative or after μέν on the contrary, but, yet, rather.”

 

⸀σειραῖς

Noun FDP, D of Means, Anarthrous of Characterization, by means of (metaphorical) chains. Forward focus. Metzger, Textual Commentary, loc. cit., evaluates the textual problem employing the “golden criteria” of textual criticism: (1) the oldest and (2) most widespread readings as well as support from many versions, patristic MSS and minuscules.

ζόφου 

Noun MGS, G of Description, Anarthrous of Characterization, characterized by darkness.

 

ταρταρώσας

AAPtc MNP, Summary A, Adverbial Supplemental Ptc, having committed to Taratarus. The only use in the New Testament and somewhat akin to Gehenna in Judaism. “Tartarus, thought of by the Greeks as a subterranean place lower than Hades where divine punishment was meted out, and so regarded in Israelite apocalyptic as well” (BDAG, 991).

παρέδωκεν 

AAI 3S, Summary A, he handed over.

 εἰς

Preposition, Purpose, for. The phrase is forward for emphasis and connected to the following participle.

κρίσιν 

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, judgment. Forward emphasis.

 

⸁τηρουμένους,

PPPtc MAP, Progressive P, Adjectival Substantive, A Direct Object, those being held. The replacement by κολαζομενους τηρειν parallels verse 9 and appears to supply data for  ταρταρώσας above. It is regarded as secondary.

 

5

καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. 

ἀρχαίου 

Adjective MGS, Attributive, [the] ancient.

κόσμου 

Noun MGS, G Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, world. Forward for focus.

οὐκ 

Negative Adverb, not. Correlative with ἀλλὰ below.

ἐφείσατο 

AMI 3S, Summary A, Indirect M, did . . . spare.

ἀλλὰ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative and correlative with οὐκ, but rather.

 

ὄγδοον

Adjective MAS, Attributive, eighth. Because of this term the translations add “along with seven others” in order to make sense of the passage. 

 

Νῶε 

Noun MAS, A Direct Object, Noah. Proper names are definite without an article.

 

δικαιοσύνης 

Noun FGS, Objective G, of righteousness. Forward emphasis.

 

κήρυκα 

Noun MAS, A in Apposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, a preacher. 

 

ἐφύλαξεν 

AAI 3S, Summary A, he preserved.

 

κατακλυσμὸν 

Noun MAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a flood.

 

⸀κόσμῳ

Noun MDS, D of Place, Anarthrous of Characterization, upon [the] world. The variant -μου is weakly supported and perhaps was a scribal error of hearing (ω and ου interchange). See Robertson, Greek Grammar, 202-03.

ἀσεβῶν

Adjective MGP, Substantival G of Description, Anarthrous of Characterization, of ungodly people.

 

ἐπάξας,

AAPtc MNS, Summary A, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, when he brought. Used only by Peter here, in 2:1 and Acts 5:28.

 

6

 

καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

πόλεις 

Noun FAP, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, the cities of. Forward focus.

 

Σοδόμων 

Noun NGP, G of Place, Sodom.

 

καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

Γομόρρας 

Noun FGP, G of Place, Anarthrous of Characterization, Gomorrah.

 

τεφρώσας 

AAPtc MNS, Summary A, Adverbial Supplemental Ptc, having covered with ashes.

 

⸂[καταστροφῇ] 

Noun FDS, D of Manner, with destruction. See below on the variant reading.

 

κατέκρινεν⸃ 

AAI 3S, Summary A, he condemned.

 

Metzger, Textual Commentary, loc. cit., summarizes the textual issue, “It is difficult to decide whether καταστροφῇ . . . was added by scribes, or whether it was original and accidentally fell out of the text of [some important MSS]. Since the shorter reading might well have arisen by transcriptional oversight (note the sequence ΚΑΤαστροφῇ ΚΑΤἐκρινεν), and since, if the word had been added by copyists, one would expect to find it (or a synonym) at various places in various witnesses, the Committee thought it best to include καταστροφῇ in the text, but to enclose it within square brackets in order to reflect the weight of several important witnesses that lack the word . . . .”

 

ὑπόδειγμα

Noun NAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, an example. Forward emphasis.

μελλόντων

PAPtc NGP, Tendential P, Adjectival Substantival Ptc, Objective G, of what is going to happen. See the next word notes.

 

⸀ἀσεβέ[σ]ιν

Adjective MDP, Substantival, D of Disadvantage, Anarthrous of Characterization, to the ungodly. The difference is between a noun or an infinitive. Again Metzger summarizes the issues (loc. cit.), “External evidence is rather evenly divided between ἀσεβέσιν [noun] . . . and ἀσεβεῖν [infinitive] . . . .  From the point of view of transcriptional probability, after μελλόντων copyists would be more likely to change the noun to the infinitive than the reverse [μελλόντων uses an infinitive complement]. From the point of view of intrinsic probability, the noun gives better sense (‘an example to ungodly persons of things in store for them’) than the verb (‘an example to those about to do wrong’). In order to represent the balance of probabilities, it was decided to enclose the sigma within square brackets.” The NASB reads the infinitive, the ESV the noun, the NET the noun, NKJV the infinitive, the NIV the noun. 

 

τεθεικώς,

PfAPtc MNS, Extensive Pf, Adverbial Supplemental Ptc, having set . . . forth. Placed last to “sandwich” the judgments on the cities and inhabitants thus giving emphasis.

 

7

καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and yet. See BDAG, 495.

 

δίκαιον 

Adjective MAS, Attributive, righteous.

 

Λὼτ 

Noun MAS, A Direct Object, Lot.

 

καταπονούμενον 

PPPtc MAS, Iterative P, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, being constantly distressed.

 

ὑπὸ 

Preposition, Means, by.

 

τῆς 

Article FGS, Particularizing, the. Used with ἀναστροφῆς in an “envelope” pattern.

 

τῶν 

Article MGP, Particularizing, of the.

 

ἀθέσμων

Adjective MGP, Substantival, Subjective G of ἀναστροφῆς, lawless people. 

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in the sphere of.

 

ἀσελγείᾳ 

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, licentiousness.

 

ἀναστροφῆς 

Noun FGS, Objective G, behavior.

 

ἐρρύσατο· 

AMI 3S, Summary A, Indirect M, he rescued. Similar pattern to τεφρώσας . . . τεθεικώς above.

 

8

The English translations interpret this verse as a parentheses. It serves as an explanation for Lot’s “righteousness” since an interpreter could not acquire this thought (verse 7) from the Genesis account. See Walls & Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, 126), “Note that ‘righteous’ appears three times in these verses to describe Lot’s character. This may seem surprising to our ears.” 

 

βλέμματι 

Noun FDS, D of Sphere, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, in seeing. Forward emphasis.

 

γὰρ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative in Explanation of verse 7, for. 

 

καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

ἀκοῇ 

Noun FDS, D of Sphere, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, in hearing.

 

°ὁ

Article MNS, Particularizing and Previous Reference (verse 7), that. The omission by MSS B and sa (Sahidic a Coptic dialect) is an inadvertent scribal error perhaps of hearing.

 

δίκαιος

Adjective MNS, Substantival, Subject N (of ἐβασάνιζεν below, “envelope” expression), righteous man. 

 

ἐγκατοικῶν 

PAPtc MNS, Progressive P, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, while continually dwelling.

ἐν

Preposition, Association, among.

αὐτοῖς 

Relative Pronoun MDP, See Preposition, Antecedent = ἀθέσμων, them.

 

ἡμέραν 

Noun FAS, A of Measure, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, day.

ἐξ

Preposition, Separation, by.

 

ἡμέρας 

Noun FGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, day.

 

ψυχὴν 

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, soul. Forward emphasis.

 

δικαίαν

Adjective FAS, Attributive, righteous. 

 

ἀνόμοις

Adjective NDP, Attributive, lawless. 

 

ἔργοις 

Noun NDP, D of Means, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, by  . . . deeds.

 

ἐβασάνιζεν· 

IAI 3S, Iterative I, would repeatedly torment. 

 

9

The long-delayed apodosis (“then” clause) of the 1st class conditional sentence (protosis, Εἰ . . .

verse 4) now appears. No conjunctive is required.

 

οἶδεν 

PfAI 3S, Timeless Pf, knows.

 

κύριος 

Noun MNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, the Lord.

 

εὐσεβεῖς

Adjective MAP, Substantival, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, the godly. Forward emphasis.

ἐκ 

Preposition, Separation, from. 

⸀πειρασμοῦ

Noun MGS, See Preposition, temptation. The change to the plural ending (-σμων) may have been a conscious scribal alteration tied to the multitude of sins in the protasis. The MSS evidence is not as strong as the text reading.

 

⸁ῥύεσθαι,

PMInf, Timeless P, Substantival Object Complement of οἶδεν, Indirect M, to be delivering. The change to the aorist in a few MSS perhaps arose in keeping with the preceding past time context. The better MSS evidence points to the text as original as does the focus on the existing situation Peter is facing and to which he now turns.

 

ἀδίκους

Adjective MAP, Substantival, A Direct Object of the following infinitive, Anarthrous of Characterization, the unrighteous. 

 

δὲ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, but.

εἰς

Preposition, Purpose, for. Focuses on two Direct Objects.

 

ἡμέραν 

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a day.

 

κρίσεως 

Noun FGS, G of Description, characterized by judgment.

 

κολαζομένους

PPPtc MAP, Progressive P, Adverbial of Purpose, Antecedent = ἀδίκους, for punishment. Forward emphasis.

 

τηρεῖν, 

PAInf, Timeless P, Substantival Object Complement of οἶδεν, to be keeping.

 

10

 

μάλιστα

Adverb of Degree, Superlative, especially. 

 

δὲ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Ascensive (BDAG, 213), but.

 

τοὺς

Article MAP, Pronominal Relative, Granville Sharp, those who. 

 

ὀπίσω 

Functioning as a Preposition taking the Genitive (BDAG, 716), after. 

 

σαρκὸς 

Noun FGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, the flesh. 

ἐν

Preposition, Sphere, in.

 

⸀ἐπιθυμίᾳ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, lust. The plural -αις in a few MSS seems to focus on the particulars instead of the characteristics and one would expect the article. The best MSS evidence as well as Peter’s style establishes the text.

 

⸂μιασμοῦ

Noun MGS, Objective G, Anarthrous of Characterization, for defilement. See below on the variant.

 

πορευομένους⸃ 

PDPtc MAP, Progressive P, Adjectival Substantive, A Object of implied [τηρεῖν], walking. 

The various readings in a few MSS suggests a felt need to make the text more defined which makes the text the harder reading and the one more likely to be altered.

 

καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative and Granville Sharp Use, and.

 

κυριότητος

Noun MGS, G Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, lordship. The translations prefer “authority” as the sense, but the word extends beyond that. The TDNT, Vol. 3, 1097, focuses on the use in the singular and interprets it as referring to “the divine majesty and therefore God Himself.” Wuest (Word Studies, loc. cit.) comments, “we may conclude that by ‘despise government’ is meant a despising of the Lordship of Christ, which was the central theme of the apostolic teaching and preaching.”

 

καταφρονοῦντας.

PAPtc MAP, Iterative P, Adjectival Substantive, A Object of implied [τηρεῖν], regularly despising.

Many English translations see a break in thought in the middle of verse 10 here. Asyndeton (no conjunction) follows as Peter burst forth with harsh comments about the kinds of people he has been talking about in verses 1-10a and transitions from the historical illustrations to the existing church situation in verse 10b and the rest of the book. The false teachers in 2:1-3 are now in the spotlight.

 

Τολμηταὶ

Noun MNP, Exclamatory N, Anarthrous of Characterization, bold people. See Robertson, Greek Grammar, 461, “The nominative is natural in exclamations, a sort of interjectional nominative.” Likewise, Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, 59-60. The asyndeton reflects the emotional state of Peter at this point.

 

αὐθάδεις,

Adjective MNP, Substantival, Exclamatory N, Anarthrous of Characterization, audacious  people. See above. 

 

⸆δόξας

Noun FAP, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, glories. A reference to angelic beings, good or bad. The insertion has almost no MSS support and undoubtedly was meant to give particularization to the general term, τας θειας δυναμεις η τας εκκλησιαστικας αρχας (the divine powers or the ecclesiastical rulers). The NET Bible comments, “Δόξας (doxas) almost certainly refers to angelic beings rather than mere human authorities, though it is difficult to tell whether good or bad angels are in view. Verse 11 seems to suggest that wicked angels is what the author intends” (loc. cit.). But see at αὐτῶν below.

 

οὐ 

Negative Adverb, not.

 

τρέμουσιν 

PAI 3P, Progressive P, they do . . . tremble. The subjects are the “bold” and “audacious” ones.

 

βλασφημοῦντες, 

PAPtc MNP, Iterative P, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, regularly blaspheming. See above at δόξας.

 

11

 

ὅπου

Hypotactic Conjunction, Used as a Metaphorical Sentence Adverb of place, where. “The conjunction is ὅπου, literally, ‘where’—they speak evil of glories, ‘where,’ i.e. ‘in which case” (Spence-Jones,  2 Peter, loc. cit.).  Also, “the strict local sense occasionally passes into, 1. a sense involving Time or Occasion” (Liddell, & Scott, A Greek-English lexicon, (1242). 

 

ἄγγελοι 

Noun MNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, angels. Good angels here. 

⸂ἰσχύϊ

Noun FDS, D of Measure, in. See below on the variation.

 

καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

δυνάμει⸃

Noun FDS, D of Measure, Anarthrous of Characterization, power. The variant και δυναμεις (Nominative Plural) found in MS P⁷² and the Vulgate is secondary and refers to angels (BDAG, 263). These two characterizations are forward for emphasis.

 

μείζονες

Adjective MNP, Comparative, greater. “The Greek text does not make clear who the angels are being compared with. Are they being compared with the false teachers or with the “glorious ones” in verse 10? Either alternative seems to be acceptable, depending on how them [below] . . .

is interpreted.” (Arichea & Hatton, A handbook on the letter from Jude and the second letter from Peter, 122). See at αὐτῶν below.

 

ὄντες 

PPtc MNP, Timeless P, Concessive Ptc, although being.

 

οὐ 

Negative Adverb, not.

 

φέρουσιν 

PAI 3P, Iterative P, are . . . in the habit of bringing. Subjects are ἄγγελοι.

 

κατʼ 

Preposition, Disadvantage, against.

 

αὐτῶν    

Personal Pronoun MGP, See Preposition, Antecedent = See above at μείζονες, them. The nearest antecedents are “glories” with the false teachers (Τολμηταὶ/αὐθάδεις) a close second. The demonstrative pronoun Οὗτοι that follows in verse 12 may point to the false teachers.

 

⸄παρὰ 

Preposition, Source, from. See below for variant.

 

κυρίου⸅

Noun MGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, the Lord. Metzger, Textual Commentary, loc. cit., discusses the difficult textual problem:

 

“As between παρὰ κυρίῳ and παρὰ κυρίου, . . . , a majority of the Committee preferred the latter as the more difficult reading. In order to avoid attributing βλάσφημον κρίσιν to God, scribes altered κυρίου to κυρίῳ or omitted the prepositional phrase entirely . . . .  The omission may also reflect scribal recollection of the parallel account in Jude 9, which lacks any mention of the presence of the Lord. [The minority view follows]

 

“[In view of the absence of the prepositional phrase from a wide variety of Greek, versional, and patristic witnesses, one suspects that scribes added it either in the form παρὰ κυρίου or παρὰ κυρίῳ. If such a phrase is to be included in the text at all, the least unsatisfactory decision is to adopt the reading of the great uncials (א B C) [παρὰ κυρίῳ], but to enclose the words παρὰ κυρίῳ within square brackets. B.M.M.]

 

βλάσφημον 

Adjective FAS, Attributive, a blasphemous.

 

κρίσιν.

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness,  judgment.

 

Verses 2:4-8 demonstrate the realities of certain judgment for the false teachers depicted in verses 2:1-3 by three Old Testament illustrations. (1) The angels (verse 4), perhaps related to the Genesis 6 controversy, were dealt with severely. (2) The ancient world (verse 5) perished except for Noah. (3) The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (verse 6) depicts God’s judgment on ungodly people except for righteous Lot (verses 7-8). Verses 9-10a affirm what the illustrations teach, that the Lord knows how to deliver the godly from divine wrath and to reserve the ungodly for punishment on the day of judgment. Verses 10b-11, packed with emotion, move directly to the existing situations affecting his hearers/readers.

 

12  
Peter’s emotional state evidences itself in verses 12-14 by his “staccato,” asyndetic (no conjunctions) grouping of adjectival (mostly) participles describing the degenerate behavior of the false teachers all developed off of one main verb. Verses 15-16 constitute a second sentence.

 

οὗτοι  

Demonstrative Pronoun MNP, Subject N, Antecedent = False Teachers, these. Review verses 1011.

 

δὲ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. Contrasting with angels in verse 11.

 

ὡς  

Conjunction, Comparative, Adverbial ,like. See Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon, 680; BDAG,1104. The simile continues through φθορὰν.

 

ἄλογα  

Adjective NNP, Attributive, unreasoning.

 

ζῷα  

Noun NNP, Independent N, animals.

 

⸂γεγεννημένα  

PfPPtc NNP, Resultative Pf, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, born. See below on the variant.

 

φυσικὰ⸃  

Adjective NNP, Attributive, creatures of instinct. The change to -γενη- from -γενν- may have been an error of hearing that was adopted by MS 209 along with changing φυσικα to φυσικως for smoother reading. The text reading has strong MSS support.

εἰς  

Preposition, Purpose, for.

 

ἅλωσιν  Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, catching.

 

καὶ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

φθορὰν,

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, killing. An interpretive comma is added here.

 

ἐν  

Preposition, Sphere, about.

 

οἷς  

Relative Pronoun NDP, See Preposition, Antecedent, things. “Here ἐν οἱς [en hois]=ἐν τουτοις ἁ [en toutois ha] (in those things which), a common Greek idiom” (Robertson, Word Pictures, loc. cit.).

 

ἀγνοοῦσιν  

PAI 3P, Progressive P, [of which things] they are ignorant.

 

βλασφημοῦντες,  

PAPtc MNP, Iterative P, Adjectival Ptc of Manner,  regularly speaking disparagingly. A relative pronoun (ἃ) is added in the diagram to connect to οἷς. See verses 10 and 11 for antecedents. 

ἐν  

Preposition, Means, by means of. The phrase has forward emphasis.

 

τῇ  

Article FDS, Previous Reference (1:4), ___.

 

φθορᾷ  

Noun MDS, See Preposition, corruption. See under φθαρήσονται below.

 

αὐτῶν  

Personal Pronoun MGP, Subjective G, Antecedent = οὗτοι, their.

⸄καὶ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Adjunctive, also. See below on the variant.

 

φθαρήσονται,⸅  

FPI 3P, Predictive F, shall be corrupted. There is a play on words here with φθορᾷ adding emphasis. An interpretive comma is added here. The weaker supported variation καταφθ- may have inadvertently collapsed the conjunction into the verb; but the compound verb καταφθείρω means the same thing and it could have been a conscious change eliminating an “awkward” καὶ.  13

 

⸀ἀδικούμενοι  

PPPtc MNP, Tendential P, Adjectival Ptc of Manner, going to be injured. The change to κομιουμενοι is explained by Metzger, Textual Commentary, loc. cit., “The reading ἀδικούμενοι, which is supported by early and diversified witnesses . . . , involves a very rare construction with μισθόν, and therefore copyists introduced the less objectionable κομιούμενοι [BDAG, see under κομίζω]. . . . The author seems to have tolerated the unusual grammatical construction in the interest of contriving a play on the words ἀδικούμενοι … ἀδικίας.” 

 

μισθὸν  

Noun MAS, A of Reference, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, with a payment.

 

ἀδικίας,  

Noun FGS, G of Source, from unrighteousness. Notice the play on words.

 

ἡδονὴν  

Noun FAS, 2nd Predicate A, [εἴναι] to be pleasure. Forward focus.

 

ἡγούμενοι  

PMPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adjectival Ptc of Manner, considering.

 

τὴν  

Article FAS, Particularizing and Abstract, the. 

ἐν  

Preposition, Time, in. Imbedded between the Direct Object for emphasis.

 

ἡμέρᾳ  

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, daytime.

 

⸁τρυφήν,  

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, reveling. The variant τρυφης in one MS may have been an error of hearing followed by a σ-, and τροφην may have also been an itatistic error confusing -υ-with -ο- (see Robertson, Greek Grammar, 200).

 

σπίλοι  

Noun MNP, Predicate N of implied [ὄντες, Progressive P,] ἐντρυφῶντες, spots. See below. The ellipsis of the [ὄντες], making the N independent, comes close to creating an exclamation.

 

καὶ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

μῶμοι  

Noun MNP, Predicate N of implied [ὄντες] ἐντρυφῶντες, blemishes. The ellipsis of the [ὄντες], making the N independent, comes close to creating an exclamation.

 

ἐντρυφῶντες  

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adjectival Ptc of Manner,  continually reveling.  

 

ταῖς

Article FDP, Particularizing, in.

 

 

 

⸀¹ἀπάταις  

Noun FDP, D of Sphere, deceptions. The change to αγαπαις was likely a scribal accomodation to Jude 12, and the change to αγνοιαις (ignorances) in some late MSS cannot derail the strong MSS supporting the text; also, the text has the reading most likely to be changed and is therefore the probable original.

 

αὐτῶν  

Personal Pronoun MGP, Subjective G, Antecedent = οὗτοι, their.

 

συνευωχούμενοι  

PMPtc MNP, Iterative P, Indirect M, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, when they themselves regularly feast. See the diagram.

 

ὑμῖν,  

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Association, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, with you.

 

14

 

ὀφθαλμοὺς  

Noun MAP, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, eyes. Forward emphasis.

 

ἔχοντες  

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adjectival Ptc of Manner, having eyes.

 

°μεστοὺς  

Adjective MAP, Attributive, filled. The single MS (P⁷², 7^th-8^th century) omitting the term was perhaps an inadvertent oversight tied to the following noun.

 

⸀μοιχαλίδος  

Noun FGS, G of Reference, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, with reference to an adulteress. See the discussion in Metzger, Textual Commentary, loc. cit. The text is the hardest and best supported reading.

 

καὶ 

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

⸁ἀκαταπαύστους  

Adjective MAP, Attributive, restless. The genitive variation has weak MSS support and is probably a scribal oversight again tying to the following noun.

 

ἁμαρτίας,  

Noun FGS, G of Reference, with reference to sin.  

 

δελεάζοντες  

PAPtc MNP, Iterative P, Adjectival Ptc of Manner,  are in the habit of enticing.  

 

ψυχὰς  

Noun FAP, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, souls.  

 

ἀστηρίκτους,  

Adjective MAP, Attributive, unstable.

 

καρδίαν  

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, a heart. Forward emphasis.

 

γεγυμνασμένην  

PfPPtc FAS, Resultative Pf, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, trained. The English has difficulty expressing both the past and present with the Greek perfect.

 

πλεονεξίας  

Noun FGS, G of Reference, Anarthrous of Characterization, with respect to greed. Compare 2:3.

 

ἔχοντες,  

PAPtc MNP, Durative P, Adjectival Ptc of Manner, having. Placed last to focus the preceding Ptc.

 

κατάρας  

Noun FGS, G of Description, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, characterized by a curse. Forward focus. 

 

τέκνα·  

Noun NNP, Predicate N of implied [ὄντες], Anarthrous of Characterization, children. The ellipsis of the [ὄντες], making the N independent, comes close to creating a second exclamation as in verse 13.

 

15  

Causal or explanatory asyndeton. Peter begins a second sentence with a main verb

(ἐπλανήθησαν) instead of continuing immediately with a participle. This may be due to the fact that, instead of describing the characteristics of the false teachers, he turns to their greed motivation highlighted in the previous verse.

 

⸀καταλείποντες  

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, while in the process of leaving. The implication of the present tense is that the process of leaving is not complete. The change to the aorist by some MSS may have been motivated by the interpretation or inadvertently by itacism (ι- for -ει-; see ATR, xxv). The earliest MSS read the present text which also presents the reading most likely to be changed. 

 

εὐθεῖαν  

Adjective FAS, Attributive, right.

 

ὁδὸν  

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, path. The Christian way of life is the idea. Forward focus beginning from καταλείποντες .

 

ἐπλανήθησαν,  

API 3P, Culminative A, they went astray. The subject are οὗτοι, the false teachers.

 

ἐξακολουθήσαντες  

AAPtc MNP, Summary A, Adverbial Causal or Temporal Ptc, because . . . followed after.

 

τῇ  

Article FDS, Particularizing, the.

 

ὁδῷ  

Noun FDS, D Direct Object, path. Compare ὁδὸν above.

 

τοῦ  

Article MGS, Particularizing, ___.

 

Βαλαὰμ  

Noun MGS, G of Description, characterized by Balaam.

 

τοῦ  

Article MGS, Particularizing, Implying ὑιὸς in typical Hebrew fashion, the [son of].

 

⸁Βοσόρ,  oun MGS, G of Relationship, Bosor. The only use in the entire Bible. On the variations of the name see Metzger, Textual Commentary, loc. cit.

°ὃς  

Relative Pronoun MNS, Subject N, Antecedent = Βαλαὰμ, who. The earliest and best MSS include the pronoun which is the hardest reading since it could conceivably refer to Bosor and not Balaam. The omission would solve the issue.

 

μισθὸν  

Noun MAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, the payment. Forward focus. Compare verse 13.

 

ἀδικίας  

Noun FGS, G of Source, from unrighteousness.

 

 

⸀¹ἠγάπησεν  

AAI 3S, Summary A, loved. The variant coordinates with the previous omission and changes the aorist to -σαν. The text reading is original.

 

16

 

ἔλεγξιν  

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a rebuke. Forward emphasis.

 

δὲ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, but.

 

ἔσχεν  

AAI 3S, Summary A, he experienced. See BDAG, 421.

ἰδίας  

Possessive Adjective, FGS, Attributive, his own.

 

παρανομίας·  

Noun FGS, G of Source, from . . . evil doing. Explanatory asyndeton follows in a dramatic fashion since a participle could have been used.

 

ὑποζύγιον  

Noun NNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a . . . donkey.

 

ἄφωνον  

Adjective NNS, Attributive, dumb.

ἐν  

Preposition, Means, by means of. Forward focus.

 

⸂ἀνθρώπου  

Noun MGS, G of Source, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, from a man. Forward emphasis. See below on the variant.

 

φωνῇ⸃  

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a voice. The variants most likely were intentional to mean “in a voice belonging to men.” The better MSS support the text.

 

φθεγξάμενον  

AMPtc NNS, Summary A, Indirect M, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, when . . . spoke.  

 

ἐκώλυσεν  

AAI 3S, Summary A, restrained.

 

τὴν  

Article FAS, Particularizing and Abstract, the.  

 

τοῦ  

Article MGS, Particularizing, of the.

 

προφήτου  

Noun MGS, Possessive G, prophet. Forward emphasis.

 

⸀παραφρονίαν.  

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, insanity.

With emotional and scathing denunciations, Peter writes two sentences warning his hearers/readers about the present presence and dangers of false teachers and teachings. The first sentence (verses 12-15) outlines their sinful behaviors both personally and towards Christians seeking to lead them away from the path of righteousness. The second sentence (verses 16-17) highlights their most basic greed motivation. 

 

 

17  

Copulative asyndeton continuing the focus on the false teachers and those adversely affected by their teachings and lifestyles.

 

Οὗτοί  

Demonstrative Pronoun MNP, Subject N, Antecedent = Οὗτοί (verse 12), These.

 

εἰσιν  

PI 3P, Progressive P, are.

 

πηγαὶ

Noun FNP, Predicate N, Anarthrous of Characterization, wells.

 

ἄνυδροι  

Adjective MNP, Attributive, waterless.

⸂καὶ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. See below on the variant.

 

ὁμίχλαι⸃  

Noun FNP, Predicate N, Anarthrous of Characterization, mists. The change to the singular including ἐλαυνόμεναι is intentional based on what is considered in a few MSS to be the correct form (BDAG, 705).

 

ὑπὸ  

Preposition, Means, by. Forward emphasis.

 

λαίλαπος  

Noun MGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a whirlwind.

 

ἐλαυνόμεναι,  

PPPtc FNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, being driven.

 

οἷς  

Relative Pronoun MDP, D of Disadvantage, Antecedent = Οὗτοί, against whom.

 

°ὁ

Article MNS, Previous Reference, the. The omission by a very few MSS was probably an inadvertent mistake.

 

ζόφος  

Noun MNS, Subject N, gloom. See at 2:4.

 

τοῦ  

Article NGS, Particularizing and Abstract, ___.

 

σκότους ⸆  

Noun MGS, 3^rd Declension, G of Description, characterized by darkness. Peter’s only use. The addition of εἰς αἰῶνα or αἰῶνας was drawn in from Jude 13 with good MSS support, but the text has good and early attestation as well as being the reading most likely to be altered by scribes.

 

τετήρηται.  

PfPI 3S, Extensive Pf, has been reserved.

 

18

 

ὑπέρογκα  

Adjective NAP, Substantival, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, haughty things. Forward emphasis.

 

γὰρ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative in Explanation, for.  

 

ματαιότητος  

Noun FGS, G of Description, Anarthrous of Characterization, of emptiness.  

 

φθεγγόμενοι  

PMPtc MNP, Iterative P, Indirect M, Adverbial Ptc of Means, by speaking.

 

δελεάζουσιν  

PAI 3P, Iterative P, they regularly entice. Compare verse 14 for a similar context.

ἐν  

Preposition, Means, by. Forward for focus.

 

⸀ἐπιθυμίαις  

Noun FDP, See Preposition, cravings. The unsupported conjecture is rejected.

 

σαρκὸς  

Noun FGS, Objective G, Anarthrous of Characterization, for the flesh. This probably involves  only the physical body. See 2:10 where σάρξ is neutral and the immoral aspect needed to be indicated (ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ μιασμοῦ). Also, the following ἀσελγείαις appears to follow the pattern of 2:10.

 

⸁ἀσελγείαις  

Noun FDP, D of Means, Anarthrous of Characterization, by licentiousness. Redefining the nature of the ἐπιθυμίαις. Sexual immorality plays an important part in this noun. Itacism could be involved in the change to -ας in some MSS (see Robertson, Greek Grammar, 185).

 

τοὺς  

Article MAP, Structural Identifier, Pronominal Relative, those who.  

 

⸀¹ὀλίγως  

Adverb of Degree, barely. Metzger (Textual Commentary, 635) provides a “review” of key textual critical criteria (following italics mine): “Among the palaeographically similar readings . . . . ὀλίγως . . . appears to be original. As regards external evidence, ὀλίγως is supported by representatives of both the Alexandrian and the Western types of text . . . .  As regards transcriptional probability, since copyists were more likely to substitute the familiar word for the unfamiliar than the reverse, ὄντως is far more likely to be secondary than ὀλίγως. Finally, as regards intrinsic probability, ὄντως seems to involve a self-contradiction after δελεάζουσιν, and ὄντας (read by several minuscules, including 181 489 1241 1881) is utterly inappropriate with ἀποφεύγοντας.”

 

⸀²ἀποφεύγοντας  

PAPtc MAP, Progressive P, Adjectival Substantive Ptc, are escaping. Only used in 2 Peter at 1:4; 2:18, 20. The aorist participle is read by a MS P (Alexandrian) and later Western MSS. The text has the better-attested reading. The change may have also come from the aorist in verse 20 making the text the harder reading and more likely to be altered.

 

τοὺς  

Article MAP, Structural Identifier, Pronominal Relative, those who.

ἐν  

Preposition, D of Sphere, in. Forward focus.

 

πλάνῃ  

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, deception.  

 

ἀναστρεφομένους,  

PPPtc MAP, Progressive P, Adjectival Substantive Ptc, are conducting themselves. See the noun at 2:7; the only uses in 2 Peter.

19

 

ἐλευθερίαν  

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarathrous of Characterization, freedom. Forward emphasis.

 

αὐτοῖς  

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Advantage, Antecedent = τοὺς ἀποφευγόντας, for them.

 

ἐπαγγελλόμενοι,  

PMPtc MNP, Iterative P, Indirect M, Adverbial Ptc of Means, by personally promising.

 

αὐτοὶ  

Reflexive Pronoun MNP, Antecedent = Subject of ἐπαγγελλόμενοι, themselves.  

 

δοῦλοι  

Noun MNP, Predicate N, Anarathrous of Characterization, slaves. Forward emphasis.

 

⸀ὑπάρχοντες  

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, while being. The change to οντες reflects Peter’s style more than this word which make the text reading (well supported) as the more probable original. The senses are parallel.

 

τῆς  

Article FGS, Previous Reference (2:12), Abstract ___. 

 

φθορᾶς·  

Noun FGS, Objective G of δοῦλοι, corruption. See at 1:4 and 2:12.

 

ᾧ  

Relative Pronoun NDS, D of Means, Antecedent = Indefinite, by what.  

 

γάρ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative in Explanation, for.  

 

τις  

Indefinite Relative Pronoun MNS, Subject N, anyone.

 

ἥττηται,  

PfPI 3S, Resultative Pf, is defeated.  

 

τούτῳ ⸆  

Demonstrative Pronoun NDS, D of Means, Antecedent = ᾧ, by this. The insertion of και smooths out the reading; the text has the harder and more acceptable reading.

 

δεδούλωται.  

PfPI 3S, Resultative Pf, is enslaved. Full stop in the argument.

 

20

“Knowing” Jesus as “Lord and Savior,” according to Peter, leads to freedom from the sinfulness of the world. But he knows that it is possible to become involved again in ungodly living. The terms “entangled” and “overcome” suggest how Christians often revert to earlier sins. It is rarely a conscious choice to do what is wrong. More often such Christians assume they can handle the situation, only to find themselves trapped and overpowered. Peter’s primary point is found in the final words in this verse: those who return to lives dominated by sin are actually “worse off” than they were before becoming Christians. . . .  Restating in stronger terms what he has just written, Peter argues that they would be better off if they had never experienced the Christian life than to “turn their backs” on holy living. The general import of the statement is clear—it would be better at the judgment never to have been a Christian, because God will punish more severely those who knew the truth but gave it up. (Black, A., & Black, M. C. , 1 and 2 Peter, 1998)

 

Although these people had escaped the pollutions of the world, they had returned again to its snares. They had been “overcome” (hēttōntai) by its power and “entangled” again by its delights. The gospel they initially confessed they had now repudiated. The Lord and Savior they had embraced they now rejected. The world they had escaped recaptured them afresh. Peter concluded from this that their last state was worse than their former one. The former state, of course, refers to their lives before conversion, when they were still enthralled by the desires of the world. The last state designates their recent rejection of the Christian faith. Why was the last state worse than the first? It was worse because those who had experienced the Christian faith and then rejected it were unlikely to return to it again. They would not grant a fresh hearing to the gospel, concluding that they had already been through “that phase.” Peter employed a number of proverbs in this section, and here he seemed to draw on a proverb uttered by Jesus. Jesus told a parable of an evil spirit evicted from a man that wanders looking for a dwelling place. Finding none it returns to its original habitation, but seven other spirits join it in reclaiming the lost possession (Matt 12:43–45). He concludes, “The last state of that person is worse than the first” (Matt 12:45, NRSV). This aphorism applies nicely to those who had acknowledged Jesus as their Lord and Savior and now rejected him. (Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, 2003, 361-62) 

εἰ  

Hypotactic Conjunction, 1st Class Condition, if. The reality is assumed. 

 

γὰρ  

Paratactic Conjunction in Explanation, for.  

 

ἀποφυγόντες  

AAPtc MNP, Summary A, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, after having escaped. Forward emphasis tied to the following main verb ἥττῶνται. 

 

τὰ

Article, NAP, Particularizing, the. See 2:10. 

 

μιάσματα  

Noun NAP, A Direct Object, defilements. The only use in the NT.

 

τοῦ  

Article MGS, Particularizing, of the. Context connects to 1:4.

 

κόσμου  

Noun MGS, G of Description, world. The satan-inspired world system here.

ἐν  

Preposition, Means, by means of.

 

ἐπιγνώσει  

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, accurate knowledge. All uses in 2 Peter are: 1:2, 3, 8; 2:20. 

 

τοῦ  

Article MGS, Granville Sharp Use, ___.

 

⸂κυρίου  

Noun MGS, Objective G, Anarthrous of Characterization, of . . . Lord. See below on the variants.

 

[ἡμῶν]  

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = All Christians, our. See below on the variants.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Granville Sharp Use, and.

 

σωτῆρος⸃ 

Noun MGS, Objective G, Anarthrous of Characterization, Savior. “On the one hand, the variation in position of ἡμῶν (after κυρίου and/or after σωτῆρος) seems to condemn the word as a scribal addition in both instances. On the other hand, the full form of the expression appears to be a favorite of the author (1:11; 3:18), and scribes could occasionally omit elements from the full form—as is shown here by the absence of καὶ σωτῆρος from [MSS] L 38 309 425 483 629 1881 copbo eth al. On balance [of MSS] it seemed best to include ἡμῶν after κυρίου . . . , but to enclose it within square brackets in order to reflect the weight of the testimony of B K 049 al” (Metzger, Textual Commentary, 635-36).

 

Ἰησοῦ  

Noun MGS, G of Apposition, Jesus.

 

Χριστοῦ,  

Noun MGS, G of Apposition, Christ.

 

τούτοις  

Demonstrative Pronoun NDP, D of Sphere, Antecedent = μιάσματα above, in the sphere of these things. Forward emphasis.

 

δὲ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, but.

 

πάλιν  

Adverb of Time, again.

 

ἐμπλακέντες  

APPtc MNP, Summary A, Culminative A, having become entangled. A return to their old manner of life. See notes above at verse 20.

 

ἡττῶνται,  

PPI 3P, Perfective P, they are defeated. Having accurate knowledge about “. . . our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and an initial submission to God’s word does not automatically secure eternal salvation. By having returned to the worldly defilements of their past life it seems that these people had never become genuine believers involving a change in their disposition from enemies of God to obedient followers of Christ. 

 

γέγονεν  

PfAI 3S, Resultative Pf, have become. NP Subject with S verb. Forward focus.

 

αὐτοῖς  

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Disadvantage, Antecedent = Subject of ἐμπλακέντες, for them. Forward emphasis.

 

τὰ  

Article NNP, Structural Identifier and Particularizing, the.

 

ἔσχατα  

Adjective NNP, Substantival, Subject N, last things.  

 

χείρονα  

Adjective NNP, Predicate N, worse.

 

τῶν  

Article NGP, Structural Identifier and Particularizing, the.

πρώτων.  

Adjective NGP, Substantival, G of Comparison, than . . . first things.

 

21

Restating in stronger terms what he has just written, Peter argues that they would be better off if they had never experienced the Christian life than to “turn their backs” on holy living. The general import of the statement is clear—it would be better at the judgment never to have been a Christian, because God will punish more severely those who knew the truth but gave it up. (Black & Black, Ibid.) 

 

κρεῖττον  

Adjective NNS, Comparative, Substantival Predicate N, better. Forward focus.

 

γὰρ  

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative in Explanation, for.

 

ἦν  

II 3S, Modal, would have been. Infinitival Subject below.

 

αὐτοῖς  

Personal Pronoun MDP, D of Advantage, Antecedent = αὐτοῖς, for them.

 

μὴ

Negative Adverb, not.

 

⸀ἐπεγνωκέναι  

PfAInf, Resultative Pf, Substantival Subject Inf, to have come to know. See Robertson, Greek Grammar, 1058-59 on the substantival use of the infinitive. The aorist variant has little MSS support and could have been an error of hearing noting the similar letters.

 

τὴν  

Article FAS, Particularizing, the.

 

ὁδὸν  

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, path.

 

τῆς  

Article FGS, Previous Reference (2:5), of.

 

δικαιοσύνης  

Noun FGS, G of Description, characterized by righteousness.  

 

ἢ  

Comparative Particle, than.

 

ἐπιγνοῦσιν  

AAPtc MDP, Summary A, Substantival, D of Disadvantage, for those who knew. It is understood as being syntactically parallel with αὐτοῖς above.

 

⸂ὑποστρέψαι  

AAInf, Summary A, Substantival Object Inf, to turn away. See below on the variant.

ἐκ⸃  

Preposition, Separation, from. The various changes appear to clarify the meaning of the text making the text reading the one most likely to be altered. 

 

τῆς  

Article FGS, Particularizing, the. Modifies ἐντολῆς.

 

παραδοθείσης  

APPtc FGS, Culminative A, Adjectival Substantival Attributive, that was delivered.

 

αὐτοῖς  

Personal Pronoun MDP, D Indirect Object, Antecedent = Subject of ἐπιγνοῦσιν, to them.

 

ἁγίας  

Adjective FGS, Attributive, holy.

 

ἐντολῆς.  

Noun FGS, See Preposition, commandment.  

 

22  

This verse has no conjunctive and classified as copulative asyndeton as a concluding segment of this chapter. See Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 138.

 

συμβέβηκεν ⸆  

PfAI 3S, Extensive Pf, happened. The various conjunctions inserted in the MSS (δέ and γάρ) were secondary and intending to smooth out the reading by connecting it with the previous.

 

αὐτοῖς  

Relative Pronoun MDP, D of Disadvantage, Antecedent = αὐτοῖς above, to them. See at 2:1 under ἀπώλειαν and Gangel on the discussion of who the false teachers may have been. 

 

τὸ  

Article NNS, Pronominal Substantive, Subject N, the subject matter of. “The word (το [to] used absolutely, the matter of, as in Matt. 21:21; James 4:14) of the true proverb” (Robertson, Word Pictures, loc. cit.). 

τῆς  

Article FGS, Particularizing, the.

 

ἀληθοῦς  

Adjective FGS, Attributive, true.

 

⸀παροιμίας·  

Noun FGS, G of Reference, proverb. The S is idiomatic. “. . . the Greek text actually uses the singular, suggesting that both proverbs are to be interpreted together as making one point” (Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, 362).  The variant παρανομιας (“lawlessness”) in MS 33 had to be a scribal inadvertent error. The sound pattern may be similar but not the sense. 

 

Κύων  

Noun MNS, Subject N in Elliptical Clause, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a dog. The proverb is from Proverbs 26:11.

 

ἐπιστρέψας  

AAPtc MNS, Summary A, Adverbial of Manner, having returned.

 

ἐπὶ  

Preposition, Measure, unto.

 

τὸ  

Article NAS, Particularizing, ___.

 

ἴδιον  

Possessive Pronoun NAS, Attributive, Antecedent = Κύων, its own.

 

ἐξέραμα,  

Noun NAS, See Preposition, vomit.

 

καί·  

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

Ὗς  

Noun FNS, Subject N in Elliptical Clause, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a pig. This proverb come from the culture.

 

λουσαμένη  

AMPtc FNS, Summary A, Direct M, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, having washed itself. The

[ἐπιστρέψας ] is to be understood.

 

εἰς  

Preposition, Measure, unto.

 

⸁κυλισμὸν  

Noun MAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, wallowing. On the change to -σμα see BDAG, 574, for explanation. The text has good support.

 

βορβόρου.

Noun MGS, Objective G, Anarthrous of Characterization, in mud.

 

 

Another series of pictures enters Peter’s mind. Dry wells, wind-driven mists. Images of worthlessness. Using haughty and deceptive words the false teachers attempt to entice weak believers into joining their sinful and lustful ways. Their particular “doctrine” preached is freedom, something they themselves do not have. Once having escaped the world’s defilements through true and accurate knowledge of Christ and the Christian path, they turned away from the truth never having committed their lives to Christ and the Word of God. Their latter state has become worse than their former situation. Two “ugly” proverbs sum up Peter’s thought. A dog returns to his vomits and a pig returns to its filthy lifestyle.

             

Accurate knowledge of the Bible contributes to spiritual growth and protects believers from false teachers and teachings.

Chapter 3

 

VI. Protections concerning Spiritual Growth, 3:1-18

 

  1

 

Ταύτην

Demonstrative Pronoun FAS, Deictic, Antecedent = ἐπιστολήν, this. The position draws attention to the letter.

 

ἤδη,

Adverb of Time, now.

 

ἀγαπητοί,

Adjective MVP, V Direct Address, beloved. Though there were undoubtedly unsaved persons in the church as seen in chapter 2, the letter does not assume it with this term.

 

δευτέραν

Adjective FAS, Attributive of ἐπιστολήν, second. An ordinal number.

  

°ὑμῖν

Personal Pronoun MDP, D Indirect Object, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, to you. Forward emphasis. The omission by MS Ψ appears to be an oversight by the scribe.

 

γράφω

PAI 1S, Progressive P, I am writing.

 

ἐπιστολήν,

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, (this second) letter.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Place, in.

 

αἷς

Relative Pronoun FDP, See Preposition, Antecedent = ἐπιστολήν, which. The P connects to both letters.

 

διεγείρω

PAI 1S, Tendential P, I am trying to stir . . . up. See at 1:13 for a parallel pattern.

 

⸀ὑμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, Possessive G, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, your. Forward emphasis. The variant may be an inadvertent error in a few MSS.

 

ἐν

Preposition, Manner, by way of. Forward emphasis.

 

ὑπομνήσει

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a reminder.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Particularizing, ___.

 

εἰλικρινῆ

Adjective FAS, Attributive, pure.

 

διάνοιαν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object of  διεγείρω, disposition of mind.

 

2

 

μνησθῆναι

APInf, Summary A, Verbal Inf of Purpose, to remember.

 

τῶν

Article NGP, Particularizing,  the. 

 

προειρημένων

PfPPtc NGP, Extensive Pf, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, spoken previously.

 

ῥημάτων

Noun NGP, G Direct Object, words.

 

ὑπὸ

Preposition, Agency, by.

 

τῶν

Article MGP, Particularizing, the.

 

ἁγίων

Adjective MGP, Attributive, holy.

 

προφητῶν

Noun MGP, See Preposition, prophets. These may be either Old Testament prophets or those of the New Testament era. The only other use of the word in 2 Peter is at 2:16 referring to Balaam. For a brief discussion see Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, loc. cit.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

τῆς

Article FGS, Particularizing, the. 

 

τῶν

Article MGP, Particularizing, the.

 

ἀποστόλων

Noun MGP, Subjective G, from the apostles.

 

⸀ὑμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, your. The change to ημων in numerous MSS is somewhat common given the itacism between η and υ (see Robertson, Greek Grammar, 195). The best MSS evidence supports the text.

 

ἐντολῆς

Noun FGS, G Direct Object, see τῆς above, commandment.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Granville Sharp Use, the.

 

κυρίου

Noun MGS, G of Source, from . . . Lord.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Granville Sharp Use, and.

 

σωτῆρος,

Noun MGS, G in Apposition, Savior.

 

On the phrase τῆς . . . σωτῆρος see Bigg, ICC, 289-90. See also, “‘the apostles of the Lord and Saviour,’ involves a violent disturbance of the order; it seems best to make both genitives depend on ‘commandment:’ ‘your apostles’ commandment of the Lord;’ the first genitive being that of announcement, the second of origin. The commandment was announced by the apostles, but it was the Lord’s commandment” (Spence-Jones, 2 Peter, loc.cit.).

 

3

 

τοῦτο

Demonstrative Pronoun NAS, Deictic of ὅτι. A Direct Object, this. Forward focus.

 

πρῶτον

Adjective NAS, As Adverb of Degree (BDAG, 893), in the first place.  

 

γινώσκοντες

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Imperatival Ptc, Independent N, be knowing. The MNP is tied to an understood [ὑμᾶς] as subject of the infinitive μνησθῆναι. “Nominative absolute here where accusative γινωσκοντας [ginōskontas] would be regular [and serving as the subject]” (Robertson, Word Pictures, loc. cit.).

 

ὅτι

Hypotactic Conjunction, Appositional Object Clause, that. See diagram.

 

ἐλεύσονται

FDI 3P, Predictive F, shall come.

ἐπʼ

Preposition, G of Time, at. Forward emphasis.

 

⸀ἐσχάτων

Adjective FGP, Attributive, the last. The -του variant reflects Peter’s style in 1 Peter 1:20 and the anarthrous plural is a grammatical anomaly making the text most likely to be changed. The MSS support for the text is strong.

 

τῶν

Article FGP, Particularizing, of the.

 

ἡμερῶν

Noun FGP, See Preposition, Partitive G, days.

⸂[ἐν]

Preposition, Manner, with. Forward focus. See below on the variant. Forward emphasis.

 

ἐμπαιγμονῇ⸃

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, mocking. The only NT use. The Preposition is eliminated in a number of late MSS and a few early ones. The text has strong MSS support and would perhaps be deemed as redundant making it the reading likely to be changed.

 

ἐμπαῖκται

Noun MNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, mockers. Assonant (similar sounds) with ἐμπαιγμονῇ. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude loc. cit., “the construction is a semitism.”

 

κατὰ

Preposition, Reference, according to. Forward emphasis phrase.

 

τὰς

Article FAP, Previous Reference (2:18), ___.

ἰδίας

Adjective FAP, Possessive, Antecedent = ἐμπαῖκται, one’s own.

 

⸄ἐπιθυμίας

Noun FAP, See Preposition, lusts. See below on the variant.

 

αὐτῶν⸅

Intensive Pronoun MGP, Possessive G, their. Combined with ἰδίας = “their own.” The word order was rearranged in MSS א, A et al and MSS P⁷², Ψ et al omitting αὐτῶν. Both changes reflect scribal adjustments for ease of reading. The text is the reading likely to be altered and is, therefore, the more original.

 

πορευόμενοι

PDPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, walking.

 

4

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

λέγοντες·

PAPtc MNP, Iterative P, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, repeatedly saying.

 

Ποῦ

Adverb of Place, Used as a Substantive, Subject N, where? See Robertson, Greek

Grammar, 547; A New Short Grammar, 247; Porter, Idioms of the Greek New Testament, 127). Direct Question through κτίσεως.

 

ἐστιν

PI 3S, Timeless P, is

ἡ

Article FNS, Particularizing, the.

 

ἐπαγγελία

Noun FNS, Predicate N, promise.

 

τῆς

Article FGS, Previous Reference (1:16), ___.

 

Παρουσίας

Noun FGS, G of Reference, regarding . . . coming.

 

αὐτοῦ;

Personal Pronoun MGS, Subjective G, Antecedent = τοῦ κυρίου καὶ σωτῆρος, his?

 

ἀφʼ

Preposition, Separation, from. Forward emphasis.

 

ἧς

Relative Pronoun FGS, See Preposition, Antecedent = [ἐν ᾗ], which [day]. See the diagram. 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, Cause, for.

 

οἱ

Article MNP, Particularizing, the.

 

πατέρες ⸆

Noun MNP, Subject N, Fathers. The addition of ημων in a few MSS may have arisen to define the referent as present as opposed to past. The majority of the MSS support the text.

 

“By ‘the fathers’ must be meant here the fathers of the Christian Church. St. Peter was writing more than thirty years after the Ascension” (Spence-Jones, 2 Peter, loc. cit.). But consider, “The scoffers wanted to push their argument as far back as possible. So they referred to our fathers . . . ,  that is, Old Testament patriarchs. (Gangel, 2 Peter, loc. cit.). And “The usual meaning of ‘the fathers’ in Jewish literature is the OT worthies, that is, the righteous men of the OT period, and particularly the patriarchs. . . .  And, in fact, that normal Jewish sense does make sense” [negating the view that the Church fathers were meant]. (Davids, The letters of 2 Peter and Jude, loc. cit.)

 

ἐκοιμήθησαν,

API 3P, Summary A, fell asleep. Euphemism for death.

 

Πάντα

Adjective NNP, Substantival Subject N, all things.

 

οὕτως

Adverb of Manner, like this.

 

διαμένει

PAI 3S, Durative P, remain. 3S = Neuter plural subject.

 

ἀπʼ

Preposition, Separation, from.

 

ἀρχῆς

Noun FGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] beginning of.

 

κτίσεως.

Noun FGS, G of Reference, Anarthrous of Characterization, creation.

 

 

 

 

5

The basic meaning of this verse is clear, but the details become murky because the syntax is complicated and unclear” (Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, loc. cit.).

 

Λανθάνει

PAI 3S, Progressive P, escapes. In this quasi-impersonal verb, the subject can be identified as the following ὅτι . . . ἀπώλετο clause and translated by “it” in some versions. Other translations insert “they” as the subject perhaps taking αὐτοὺς as an A of Reference. NET note, “The Greek is difficult at this point. An alternative is ‘Even though they maintain this, it [quasiimpersonal] escapes them that … Literally the idea seems to be: ‘For this escapes these [men] who wish [it to be so].’”

 

γὰρ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative in Explanation, for.

 

αὐτοὺς

Personal Pronoun MAP, A Direct Object of Λανθάνει, Antecedent = ἐμπαῖκται (verse 3), them. 

τοῦτο

Demonstrative Pronoun NAS, A Direct Object of θέλοντας, Antecedent = Verse 4, this. Rearward focus but forward emphasis.

 

θέλοντας

PAPtc MAP, Progressive P, Adverbial Causal Ptc, because of maintaining. BDAG, 448, to have an opinion, maintain contrary to the true state of affairs.”

 

ὅτι

Hypotactic Conjunction, Introducing the subject clause of the quasi-impersonal verb Λανθάνει, that. “The use of a ὅτι or ἵνα clause as subject is common either alone or in apposition with a pronoun” (Robertson, Grammar, 393).

 

οὐρανοὶ

Noun MNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] heavens.

 

ἦσαν

II 3P, Ingressive I, came into existence.

 

ἔκπαλαι

Adverb of Time, long ago.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

⸀γῆ

Noun FNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] earth. The addition of the article by a few MSS is a probable cultural scribal error, but see at γῆ⸃ in verse 7. The variants are probably related.

⸂ἐξ

Preposition, Separation, from. See below on the variant.

 

ὕδατος

Noun NGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, water.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

διʼ

Preposition, G of Means, by. Perhaps in the sense of BDAG, 224, “marker of instrumentality or circumstance whereby someth. is accomplished or effected, by, via, through.” Robertson, Word Pictures, loc. cit, “it is not plain what is meant by δἰ ὑδατος [di’ hudatos], which naturally means ‘by means of water,’ though δια [dia] with the genitive is used for a condition or state (Heb. 12:1).”

 

ὕδατος⸃

Noun NGS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, water. The variant, from water and spirit” probably derived from John 3:5 and is clearly secondary.

 

⸁συνεστῶσα

PfAPtc FNS, Resultative Pf, was put together. The FS connects with γῆ otherwise the MP would have been used. The variants appear to arise for interpretive clarification.

 

τῷ

Article MDS, Particularizing, by the.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Previous Reference, ___.

 

θεοῦ

Noun MGS, Possessive G, of God. Forward emphasis.

 

λόγῳ,

Noun MDS, See Preposition, Word.

 

6

 

⸂διʼ

Preposition, Means, by means of. See below on the variant.

 

ὧν⸃

Relative Pronoun NGP, Antecedent = ἐξ . . . λόγῳ, which things. The variants were made to clarify the reading and are secondary. See Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, 375 for a review of the antecedent issues; Bigg, ICC, 293-94; Davids, The letters of 2 Peter and Jude, 270, “. . . it still makes more sense to argue that he is picking up both water and word in the phrase ‘by these,’ especially since, as we noted above, ‘word’ is the nearest antecedent.”

 

ὁ

Article MNS, Particularizing, the.

 

Τότε

Adverb of Time, then.

 

κόσμος

Noun MNS, Subject N, world.

 

ὕδατι

Noun NDS, D of Manner, Anarthrous of Characterization, with water. Forward emphasis.

 

κατακλυσθεὶς

APPtc MNS, Summary A, Adverb Temporal Ptc, when it had been flooded.

 

ἀπώλετο·

AMI 3S, Summary A, perished.

 

7

 

οἱ

Article MNP, Particularizing, the.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative Contrast, but.

 

νῦν

Adverb of Time serving as an Adjective (BDAG, 681), [the] present.

 

οὐρανοὶ

Noun MNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, heavens.

 

⸂καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. See below on the variant.

ἡ

Article MNS, Particularizing, the.

 

γῆ⸃

Noun FNS, Subject N, earth. The variants appears to be coordinated with γῆ above and indicate some confusion. The support for the text is very strong.

 

τῷ

Article MDS, Previous Reference (verse 5), by the.

 

⸀αὐτῷ

Identical Pronoun MDS, Attributive, same. The change to -του may well have been an itacism issue (Robertson, Grammar, 202) or an interpretation (“his”word) from verse 5.

 

λόγῳ

Noun MDS, D of Means, word.

 

Τεθησαυρισμένοι

PfPPtc MNP, Resultative Pf, Adverbial Resultative Pf, are being reserved. The M is agreement according to sense with nouns of different genders (Blass, Debrunner, Funk, Greek Grammar, para. 135.2; Robertson, Grammar, 412). Connect this passage with verses 10-13.

εἰσὶν ⸆

PI 3P, Progressive Periphrastic P, are. The added ἐν in a few MSS was added to define the case of the following noun.

 

πυρὶ

Noun NDS, D of Impersonal Agency, for fire. Forward emphasis.

 

Τηρούμενοι

PPPtc MNP, Progressive P, Periphrastic Ptc, being kept.

 

εἰς

Preposition, A of Measure, unto.

 

ἡμέραν

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] day.

 

κρίσεως

Noun FGS, G of Description, Anarthrous of Characterization, marked by judgment.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

⸁ἀπωλείας

Noun FGS, G of Description, Anarthrous of Characterization, ruin. The variant (ασεβειας) in MS A may have been influenced by the following ἀσεβῶν and is clearly secondary.

 

°τῶν

Article MGP, Particularizing, of the. Only MS (P⁷²) omits the article and is secondary.

 

ἀσεβῶν

Adjective MGP, Attributive, ungodly. Compare 2:5 and 6 for the other uses. In both other uses it refers to unsaved persons. Note the one use in 1 Peter 4:18 as well where the unsaved is the sense.

ἀνθρώπων.

Noun MGP, Objective G, men. The generic idea including men and women.

 

8

 

⸂Ἓν

Adjective NNS, Substantival, Subject N, one thing. See below on the variant. Forward for focus.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Transitional, but.

 

τοῦτο⸃

Demonstrative Pronoun NNS, Subject N, Deictic, this. See the diagram. The variant (ἐν . . . τοῦτῳ) may well have been an itacism (ῳ for ο). The MSS support the text.

 

 

μὴ

Negative Adverb, not.

 

Λανθανέτω

PAImv 3S, Imv of Permission, let . . . escape notice. Dana & Mantey, “in compliance with an expressed desire or a manifest inclination on the part of the one who is the object of the command, thus involving consent as well as command.”

 

ὑμᾶς,

Personal Pronoun MAP, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, you.

 

ἀγαπητοί,

Adjective MVP, Substantival, V Direct Address, beloved.

 

ὅτι

Hypotactic Conjunction, Appositional to the subject clause of the quasi-

impersonal verb Λανθάνει, that. ”The use of a ὅτι or ἵνα clause as subject is common either alone or in apposition with a pronoun” (Robertson, Grammar, 393). The following phrases are interpreted as chiastic and involving merismus (every day/every year) by some commentators.

 

μία

Adjective FNS, Attributive, one.

 

ἡμέρα

Noun FNS, Subject N of implied verb [ἐστιν], Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, day.

 

⸄παρὰ

Preposition, D of Association, with. See below on the variant.

 

κυρίῳ⸅

Noun MDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] Lord. The various changes suggest scribal struggles to clarify the text. The MSS support the text reading.

 

ὡς

Adverb of Comparison, as. “in ellipses” (BDAG, 1103).

 

χίλια

Adjective NNP, Attributive, a thousand.

 

ἔτη

Noun NNP, Predicate N, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, years. See Psalm 89:4 LXX (Septuagint) and 90:4 English.

 

⸋καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. See below on the variant.

 

χίλια

Adjective NNP, Attributive, a thousand.

 

ἔτη⸌

Noun NNP, Predicate N, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, years. The omission occurred by an eyeskip problem.

 

ὡς

Adverb of Comparison, as.  ellipsis (BDAG, 1103).

 

ἡμέρα

Noun FNS, Subject N as above (ἡμέρα), Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, day.

 

μία.

Adjective FNS, Attributive, one.

 

9

The asyndeton which begins this verse explains the God/time/promise issues raised by the false teachers/mockers.

 

οὐ

Negative Adverb, not.

 

⸀βραδύνει ⸆

PAI 3S, Timeless P, hold back from.  Follows with a genitive. The change to the future βραδυνεῖ may be either an error of hearing or of interpretation. The insertion of the article (ὁ) in later MSS does not fit Peter’s style. The text stands.

 

κύριος

Noun MNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] Lord.

 

τῆς

Article FGS, G of Reference, Previous Reference (3:4), the.

 

ἐπαγγελίας,

Noun FGS, G Direct Object, . . . promise. 

 

⸋ὥς

Adverb of Comparison, as. See below on the variant.

 

τινες

Indefinite Pronoun MNP, Subject N, some [people].

 

Βραδύτητα

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, slowness. Forward emphasis. Only NT use. Compare βραδύνει.

ἡγοῦνται,⸌

PDI 3P, Progressive P, consider. The omission may have been an eye-skip issue due to the preceding ὡς references.

 

ἀλλὰ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, but.

 

μακροθυμεῖ

PAI 3S, Timeless P, is long-suffering.

⸂εἰς

Preposition, Reference, with respect to. See below on the variant.

 

ὑμᾶς⸃,

Personal Pronoun MAP, See Preposition, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, you.  “Although the preposition διά is widely supported . . . , the Committee preferred εἰς, which is supported by P⁷² B C K L P most minuscules copbo arm, and regarded διά as an exegetical correction. Instead of ὑμᾶς the Textus Receptus, following secondary textual authorities (including K 049 Byz Lect), reads ἡμᾶς” (Metzger, Textual Commentary, 636). The text stands.

 

μὴ

Negative Adverb, not.

 

Βουλόμενός

PMPtc MNS, Timeless P, Adverbial Ptc of Cause, wanting. Uses accusative and infinitive following.

 

τινας

Indefinite Pronoun MAP, A Direct Object, any. See Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, loc. cit., “The

‘anyone’ and ‘all’ in the verse may be an expansion of ‘you’ (hymas [ὑμᾶς]) earlier in the verse.”

But consider his overall discussion of this verse entitled Schreiner at

http://theologicalmeditations.blogspot.com/2013/07/thomas-schreiner-on-2-peter-39.html

 

ἀπολέσθαι

AMInf, Culminative A, Indirect M, Complementary Inf, to perish. The readership may include both saved believers as well as believers who have come to know the truth but haven’t changed their internal negative disposition in relationship to God and Christ.

ἀλλὰ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, but.

 

πάντας

Adjective MAP, Substantival, A of Reference, all. Forward emphasis. See above on τινας.

εἰς

Preposition, Measure, unto. Forward emphasis.

μετάνοιαν

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, repentance.

 

χωρῆσαι.

AAInf, Summary A, Complement Inf of the elliptical Βουλόμενός, to come. See the diagram.

 

This third chapter begins with Peter returning to the prophetic theme begun in chapter 1. Speaking of the hearers’/readers’ pure mind he does not believe that they have been deceived yet by the false teachers. The”uniformitarianism” of the false teachers and mockers regarding Christ’s return is countered with illustrations of past worldwide “catastrophism.” The false teachers may wish to forget or ignore Christ’s promise to return but although time may seem to have stopped, God is not bounded by time. If God delays judgment, it’s because He desires all to repent. Ruin is not His wish.

 

10

 

Ἥξει

FAI 3S, Predictive F, shall come. Forward emphasis.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Transitional, now.

 

⸆ ἡμέρα

Noun FNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] day. The addition of the article by good MSS appears to be required since the context may speak of a particular day, but this makes the text harder and the more likely reading. “The day of the Lord describes end-time events that begin after the Rapture and culminate with the commencement of eternity.” (Gangle, 2 peter, Loc cit.) 

 

κυρίου

Noun MGS, G of Description, of the Lord. Much ink has been spilled on the phrase “day of the Lord” or “the day of the Lord.” This theme goes beyond the scope of this work.

 

ὡς

Hypotactic Conjunction, Comparative of Manner, like.

 

κλέπτης,

Noun FNS, Subject N in elliptical clause, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a thief.

⸇ ἐν

Preposition, D of Time, in. The addition of εν νυκτι is a clear secondary insertion from 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and seems to be required in what follows.

 

ᾗ

Relative Pronoun FDS, See Preposition, Antecedent = ἡμέρα, which.

 

°οἱ

Article MNP, Previous Reference (verse 7), the. The omission in some MSS reflexes Peter’s generally anarthrous pattern; compare verses 5 and 7. The best MSS support is the text. οὐρανοὶ

Noun MNP, Subject N, heavens. Forward emphasis.

 

ῥοιζηδὸν

Adverb of Manner, with a roar. “Late and rare adverb (from ροιζεω, ροιζος [roizeō, roizos])— Lycophron, Nicander, here only in N. T., onomatopoetic, whizzing sound of rapid motion through the air like the flight of a bird, thunder, fierce flame.” See Robertson, Word Pictures, loc. cit.

 

παρελεύσονται

FDI 3P, Predictive F, will pass away.

 

στοιχεῖα

Noun NNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] elements. BDAG, 946, “of substances underlying the natural world, the basic elements fr. which everything in the world is made and of which it is composed.” Forward emphasis.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

καυσούμενα

PPPtc NNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, being consumed by heat. Forward emphasis. The time attaches to the following future verb.

 

λυθήσεται

FPI 3S, Predictive F, will be loosed. BDAG, 607, “Of the parts of the universe, as it is broken up and destroyed in the final conflagration.” The S is due to the neuter plural subject.

 

⸋καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. See below on the variant.

 

γῆ

Noun FNS, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] earth. Forward emphasis.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

τὰ

Article NNP, Particularizing, the. Forward emphasis.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Place, in.

 

αὐτῇ

Personal Pronoun FDS, See Preposition, Antecedent = γῆ, it.

 

ἔργα

Noun NNP, Subject N, works.

 

⸆¹ εὑρεθήσεται⸌.

FPI 3S, Predictive F, shall be discovered. The conjecture αργα by one commentator cannot be accepted. With the plural subject and singular verb see Wallace, Greek Grammar, 401-02. The numerous variants in the verse justify the explanation by Metzger, Textual Commentary, 636, “At the close of ver. 10 the extant witnesses present a wide variety of readings, none of which seems to be original. The oldest reading, and the one which best explains the origin of the others that have been preserved, is εὑρεθήσεται, which is attested by א K P 424c 1175 1739txt 1852 syrph,  arm Origen. In view of the difficulty of extracting any acceptable sense from the passage, it is not strange that copyists and translators introduced a variety of modifications.” Metzger, Textual Commentary, 636-37, continuing with more details. See ATR Word Pictures, loc. cit. suggesting that text may be corrupt.

 

11

 

τούτων

Demonstrative Pronoun NGP, Deictic, these. The genitive absolute construction is forward for emphasis.

 

⸂οὕτως

Adverb of Manner, thusly. See below for the variant.

 

πάντων⸃

Adjective NGP, Subject N in Genitive Absolute Construction, since all . . . things. ”Although the reading τούτων οὖν is supported by representatives of both the Alexandrian and the Western types of text [a textual critical criterion], the Committee was inclined to prefer the reading τούτων οὕτως because of the weight of the combination of P⁷² B 614 1739 syrh al, and because οὖν may have been introduced to provide a smoother connection with the previous statements. The readings τούτων δὲ οὕτως (C P al) and τούτων οὖν οὕτως (81 al) are obviously secondary” (Metzger, Textual Commentary, 637).

 

λυομένων

PPPtc NGP, Tendential P, Adverbial Causal Ptc, are going to be loosed.

 

ποταποὺς

Qualitative interrogative Pronoun MAP, Predicate A of Manner, what sort. BDAG, 856. Forward emphasis. See Arichea, & Hatton, A handbook on the letter from Jude and the second letter from Peter, 157), on three main ways to interpret this pronoun and verse:

 

“The words what sort of persons ought you to be may be interpreted in various ways:

As the beginning of a question that includes verse 12. This is the position represented by RSV.

As a question, with the answer following immediately. This is the reflected in TEV (also NIV, and Phps “what sort of people ought you to be? Surely men of good and holy character …”

 

With an imperative sense (“you ought to,” “it is necessary for you”). Many translations take this position; for example, JB “you should be living holy and saintly lives,” AT “what holy and pious lives you ought to lead,” and NEB “think what sort of people you ought to be, what devout and dedicated lives you should live!”)

The Greek text allows for all three interpretations.

δεῖ

PAI 3S, Indefinite, Progressive P, it is necessary. The reason for the necessity is taken up by the modifying genitive absolute.

 

ὑπάρχειν

PAInf, Progressive P, Inf Complement of δεῖ, to be.

 

⸀[ὑμᾶς]

Personal Pronoun MAP, A of Reference as subject of the infinitive, Antecedent =

Hearers/Readers, you. NET Note, loc. cit, “Most MSS have a pronoun with the infinitive—either ὑμᾶς . . . ἡμᾶς . . . or ἑαυτούς . . . . But the shorter reading (with no pronoun) has the support of P⁷²*,^74vid B pc. Though slim, the evidence for the omission is nevertheless the earliest [A textual critical criterion]. Further, the addition of some pronoun, especially the second person pronoun, seems to be a clarifying variant. It would be difficult to explain the pronoun’s absence in some witnesses if the pronoun were original. That three different pronouns have shown up in the MSS is testimony for the omission. Thus, on external and internal grounds, the omission is preferred. For English style requirements, however, some pronoun must be added. NA²⁷ has ὑμᾶς in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.”

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

 

ἁγίαις

Adjective FDP, Attributive, holy. Modifies both of the following nouns.

 

ἀναστροφαῖς

Noun FDP, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, behavior.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

εὐσεβείαις,

Noun FDP, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, godliness.

 

12

 

προσδοκῶντας

PAPtc MAP, Progressive P, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, while waiting in expectation. Agreeing grammatically with [ὑμᾶς] whether understood or in the text.

 

⸂καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. See below on the variant.

 

σπεύδοντας⸃

PAPtc MAP, Progressive P, Adverbial Temporal Ptc, hastening. Transitive verb followed by an accusative Direct Object. Agreeing grammatically with [ὑμᾶς]. The variant readings

(φευγοντας και σπευδοντας) have few supporting MSS, the omission is read only by a few MSS, both of which appear to be struggling for clarity, making the text the preferred reading. 

 

Robertson, Word Pictures, loc. cit., “Earnestly desiring (σπευδοντας [speudontas]). Present active participle, accusative also, of σπευδω [speudō], old verb, to hasten (like our speed) as in Luke 2:16, but it is sometimes transitive as here either (preferably so) to “hasten on the parousia” by holy living (cf. 1 Pet. 2:12), with which idea compare Matt. 6:10 and Acts 3:19f., or to desire earnestly (Is. 16:5).”

 

Arichea, & Hatton, A handbook on the letter from Jude and the second letter from Peter, 15859), “The main question here is whether Christians can cause the day of the Lord to come more quickly by their actions (in this case, by living godly and holy lives), or whether this is solely in the hands of God, and the only thing that Christians can do is to longingly expect it. The verb allows for either possibility; background literature, however, favors the interpretation hastening. In Rabbinic literature there are references attesting to the belief that repentance does bring in the end. A passage from 2 Clement (12.6) cites a statement from Jesus to the effect that when Christians live godly lives and refrain from sexual impurities, then the kingdom of God will come. Connected with this, of course, is the delay of the Parousia, which is motivated by God’s desire for people to repent; in the light of this, repentance may be said to ultimately affect the eventual return of the Lord. Most translations prefer this second possibility; for example TEV “do your best to make it come soon,” NIV “speed its coming,” NEB “work to hasten it on.” For the first alternative, see JB “long for the Day of God to come.” 

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Previous Reference (verse 4), the.

 

παρουσίαν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, coming.

 

τῆς

Article FGS, Particularizing, of the.

  

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Previous Reference (verse 5),___.

 

⸀θεοῦ

Noun MGS, G of Description, of God. Forward emphasis. The coming relates to Jesus’ coming, so the change to κυριου may stem from verse 10 as a scribal theological clarification. It is a secondary reading, and the text was most likely to be changed and is well supported in the MSS.

 

ἡμέρας,

Noun FGS, Objective G, day. The comma was added for clarity and agrees with the translations.

 

διʼ

Preposition, Accusative of Cause, because of.

 

ἣν

Relative Pronoun FAS, See Preposition, Antecedent = ἡμέρας, which.

 

οὐρανοὶ

Noun MNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] heavens. Forward emphasis.

 

πυρούμενοι

PPPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Ptc of Means, by being burned up.

 

λυθήσονται

FPI 3P, Predictive F, will be loosed. BDAG, 607, “Of the parts of the universe, as it is broken up and destroyed in the final conflagration.”

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

στοιχεῖα

Noun NNP, Subject N, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] elements. Forward emphasis. BDAG, 946, “of substances underlying the natural world, the basic elements fr. which everything in the world is made and of which it is composed.”

 

καυσούμενα

PPPtc NNP, Futuristic P, Adverbial Ptc of Means, by being consumed by fire. The form is ambiguous but the sigma is integral to the stem. It was seen by some to represent a future tense but the present tense has future force. See Brooks & Winbery, Syntax of New Testament Greek, 88.  

 

⸁τήκεται.

PPI 3S, Futuristic P, is going to melt. The various readings were scribal attempts to harmonize this passage with verses 10-11. The text reading is not only the hardest and most likely to be changed but also has the best MSS support. The only NT use of the verb.

 

13

 

καινοὺς

Adjective MAP, Attributive, new. On the synonyms, “Contemplate the new under aspects of time, as that which has recently come into existence, and this is νέος . . . . But contemplate the new, not now under aspects of time, but of quality, the new, as set over against that which has seen service, the outworn, the effete or marred through age, and this is καινός” (Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament, 219–220). Not all commentators agree on the differences.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, but. Strong contrast with the preceding verses.

 

οὐρανοὺς

Noun MAP, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] . . . heavens. Forward emphasis.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

⸉γῆν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, Anarthrous of Characterization, [the] . . . earth. See below on the variant.

 

καινὴν⸊

Adjective FAS, Attributive, new. See above at καινοὺς. The word order variation is transferred from the preceding Adjective/Noun pattern. The quotation is from Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22 and in each case the order is Noun/Adjective. The same holds for the allusion in Revelation 21:1. The text reading is the hardest and most likely to be changed and has good MSS support.

 

⸂κατὰ

Preposition, A of Reference, according to. See below on the variant. Forward emphasis.

 

τὸ

Article NAS, Particularizing, the.

 

ἐπάγγελμα⸃

Noun NAS, See Preposition, promise. The change to the plural τα επαγγελματα (only here in the NT) could easily have resulted from itacism, τὸ for τὰ (See Robertson, Grammar, 184). The text has good MSS support.

 

αὐτοῦ

Personal Pronoun MGS, Subjective G, Antecedent = κύριος (verse 9), his.

 

 

προσδοκῶμεν,

PAI 1P, Progressive P, we are waiting in expectation.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Place, in.

 

οἷς

Relative Pronoun MDP, See Preposition, Antecedent = heavens/earth, which.

 

δικαιοσύνη

Noun FNS, Subject N, righteousness. Forward emphasis.

 

κατοικεῖ.

PAI 3S, Progressive P, dwells.

 

 

 

 

The future fiery dissolving of the present heaven and earth is meant to be an encouragement for righteous living now. When the Lord returns all the deeds of men and women will be laid bare and come under divine scrutiny. Righteousness will be the standard for living in the new heavens and earth.

             

14

 

Διό,

Paratactic Conjunction, Transitional, wherefore. Signaling the applications part of the letter.

 

ἀγαπητοί,

Adjective MVP, V Direct Address, beloved.  See at verse 9.

 

ταῦτα

Demonstrative Pronoun NNP, Deictic to Verses 10-13, these things. Forward emphasis.

 

προσδοκῶντες

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Causal Ptc, since . . . expecting.

 

σπουδάσατε

AAImv 2P, Culminative A, Imv of Command, be diligent. Used at 1:10, 15 at the beginning of the letter and at the end of the letter here.

 

ἄσπιλοι

Adjective MNP, Substantival, Predicate N of εὑρεθῆναι below, Anarthrous of Characterization, spotless.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

⸀ἀμώμητοι

Adjective MNP, Substantival, Predicate N of εὑρεθῆναι below, Anarthrous of

Characterization, blameless. See the diagram. The change to αμωμοι (near synonym) in a few MSS appears to be a scribal error of hearing. 

 

αὐτῷ

Personal Pronoun MDS, D of Reference, Antecedent = θεοῦ (verse 12, which see), in reference to him. Some translations see this as agency (“by him”).

 

εὑρεθῆναι

APInf, Culminative A, Complementary Inf of σπουδάσατε, to be found.

 

ἐν

Preposition, D of Manner, in.

 

εἰρήνῃ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, peace. Hebrew שׁלום concept.

 

15

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Particularizing, the. Forward emphasis. Sandwiching μακροθυμίαν below.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Previous Reference (verse 9), ___.

 

κυρίου

Noun MGS, Possessive G, Lord. Forward emphasis.

 

°ἡμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, our. MSS P pc omit the pronoun. The text reading is original.

 

μακροθυμίαν

Noun FAS, A Direct Object, longsuffering.

 

σωτηρίαν

Noun FAS, 2^nd Predicate A, Anarthrous of Characterization, salvation. See the diagram.

 

ἡγεῖσθε,

PMImv 2P, Progressive P, Imv of Command, regard.

 

καθὼς

Adverb of Manner, as. Sentence adverb.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adjunctive, also.

 

ὁ

Article MNS, Particularizing, ___.

 

ἀγαπητὸς

Adjective MNS, Attributive, beloved. Forward emphasis.

 

ἡμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, our.

 

ἀδελφὸς

Noun MNS, Subject N, brother.

 

Παῦλος

Noun MNS, N in Apposition, Paul.

 

κατὰ

Preposition, A of Relationship, according to. Forward emphasis.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Particularizing and Abstract, the.

 

δοθεῖσαν

APPtc FAS, Summary A, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, that had been given.

 

αὐτῷ

Personal Pronoun MDS, D Indirect Object, Antecedent = Παῦλος, to him.

 

σοφίαν

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, wisdom.

 

ἔγραψεν

AAI 3S, Summary A, wrote.

 

ὑμῖν,

Personal Pronoun MDP, D Indirect Object, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, to you.

 

16

 

ὡς

Hypotactic Conjunction, Comparative, Adverbial of Manner, as. Sentence adverb. See καθὼς above.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adjunctive, also.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Location, in.

 

πάσαις

Adjective FDP, Attributive, all.

 

⸆ ἐπιστολαῖς

Noun FDP, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, letters. The article would be a natural addition in the context but the text reading is the hardest and most likely original.

 

λαλῶν

PAPtc MNS, Descriptive P, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, speaking.

  ἐν

Preposition, D of Place, in.

 

αὐταῖς

Personal Pronoun FDP, See Preposition, Antecedent = ἐπιστολαῖς, them. There is no way to know which or how many of Paul’s letters Peter had in mind.

 

“Peter borrowed the authority of the apostle Paul for his emphasis by reminding us that Paul, in his writings, has made the same point. Peter observed that Paul’s letters contain some things that are difficult to understand, but they still contain the same authority as the other Scriptures. Peter’s point of contact with Paul’s writings is simply this: all through Paul’s letters he, too, challenges Christians to live godly lives in light of the day of the Lord. That much is not difficult to understand. It could not be missed, unless deliberately. That is exactly what the false teachers have done. They have distorted or twisted the teaching of Paul, along with other parts of the Scriptures. Primarily, these teachers refused to submit their lifestyles to the scrutiny of Scripture, but instead twisted the Scriptures in order to condone their sinful lifestyles” (Walls & Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, 1999, 143–144).

 

περὶ

Preposition,  G of Reference, concerning.

 

τούτων,

Demonstrative Pronoun NGP, See Preposition, Deictic, Antecedent = Verses 10ff, these things. In context, the coming of the day of the Lord is the central theme.

ἐν 

Preposition, D of Place, in.

 

⸀αἷς

Relative Pronoun FDP, See Preposition, Antecedent = ἐπιστολαῖς, which. The plural οις is read by a number of MSS and the issue may have been an error of hearing (itacism, See ATR, xxv).

 

ἐστιν

PI 3S, Timeless P, are. S due to the NP subject following.

 

δυσνόητά

Adjective NNP, Attributive, hard to understand. Forward focus. The only NT use.

 

τινα,

Indefinite Pronoun NNP, Subject N, some things.

 

ἃ

Relative Pronoun NAP, A Direct Object of the following στρεβλοῦσιν, Antecedent = τινα, which things.

 

οἱ

Article MNP, Substantival, Pronominal Subject N, the. Forward emphasis.

 

ἀμαθεῖς

Adjective MNP, Attributive, unlearned. “ἀμαθής, ές, (μαθεῖν) ignorant, lacking or incapable of understanding” (Liddell, Scott, Jones, & McKenzie, A Greek-English lexicon, 76).

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

ἀστήρικτοι

Adjective MNP, Attributive, unstable. See 2:14.

 

⸀στρεβλοῦσιν

PAI 3P, Iterative P, twist. BDAG, 948, “to distort a statement so that a false mng. results, twist, distort.” The subjects could conceivably relate to the false teacher and their “converts.” Compare 2:3. The change to the future could be another example of itacism (-ου and -ω) or a reflection of the future tenses in 2:1-3. In either case the text reading has the better MSS support.

 

ὡς

Hypotactic Conjunction, Comparative, Adverbial of Manner, as.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adjunctive, also.

 

τὰς

Article FAP, Particularizing, the. Forward focus.

 

λοιπὰς

Adjective FAP, Attributive, other.

 

γραφὰς

Noun FAP, A Direct Object of the implied [στρεβλοῦσιν], scriptures.

 

πρὸς

Preposition, A of Reference, for.

 

τὴν

Article FAS, Previous Reference (verse 3:7), ___.

ἰδίαν

Adjective FAS, Possessive, Attributive, their own.

 

⸀¹αὐτῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, See Preposition, Antecedent = Subject of στρεβλοῦσιν, Forward emphasis. of them. The change to the reflexive pronoun (ἑαυτων) in one MS can be ignored. ἀπώλειαν.

Noun FAS, See Preposition, ruin. See 2:1, 3; 3:7, 16 for the other uses in this book.

 

17

 

Ὑμεῖς

Personal Pronoun MNP, Intensive, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, yourselves. Forward emphasis.

 

οὖν,

Inferential Conjunction, therefore.

 

ἀγαπητοί,

Adjective MVP, V Direct Address, beloved.

 

προγινώσκοντες

PAPtc MNP, Progressive P, Adverbial Ptc, Protasis of a 1^st Class Condition, since knowing beforehand. Forward emphasis. The object is understood from previous verses.

 

φυλάσσεσθε,

PMImv 2P, Progressive P, Direct M, Imv of Command, be . . . on your guard.

 

ἵνα

Hypotactic Conjunction, Purpose, in order that.

 

μὴ

Negative Adverb, not.

 

τῇ

Article FDS, D of Means, the.

 

τῶν

Article MGP, Previous Reference (verse 2:7), of the.

 

ἀθέσμων

Adjective MGP, Substantival, Descriptive G, Antecedent = False Teachers, lawless ones. Forward focus. See verse 7 for the only other use in the book.

 

πλάνῃ

Noun FDS, See Preposition, by means of . . . deception.

 

συναπαχθέντες

APPtc MNP, Culminative A, Adverbial Ptc of Means, by having been carried away.   

ἐκπέσητε

AAS 2P, Culminative A, S of Purpose, you may . . . fall away from. Takes a Genitive object.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Particularizing and Abstract, ___.

ἰδίου

Adjective MGS, Possessive, Attributive, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, your own.

 

στηριγμοῦ,

Noun MGS, G of Separation, steadfastness.

 

18

 

⸀αὐξάνετε

PAImv 2P, Durative P, Imv of Command, continue to increase. The change to the middle voice has little MSS support although the middle voice would make good sense and be parallel to φυλάσσεσθε.

 

δὲ

Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative, but.

ἐν

Preposition, D of Sphere, in.

 

χάριτι

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, grace.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and.

 

⸁γνώσει

Noun FDS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Characterization, knowledge. The change to πιστει has little MSS support.

 

τοῦ

Article MGS, Previous Reference (verse 15), Granville Sharp Use, ___.

 

κυρίου

Noun MGS, Objective G, of . . . Lord.

 

ἡμῶν

Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Relationship, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers, our.

 

καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, Granville Sharp Use, and.

 

σωτῆρος

Noun MGS, Appositional G, Anarthrous of Characterization, Savior.

 

Ἰησοῦ

Noun MGS, Appositional G, Jesus.

 

Χριστοῦ ⸆.

Noun MGS, Appositional G, Christ. The addition of και θεου πατρος has little MSS support but most likely was a theological change.

 

αὐτῷ

Personal Pronoun MDS, D of Advantage, Antecedent = κυρίου, to him. Forward emphasis.

 

ἡ

Article FNS, Abstract, the.

 

δόξα

Noun FNS, Subject N of implied [εἴη], glory. Ellipsis draws attention to the noun.

 

⸂καὶ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, both. See below on the variant.

 

νῦν

Adverb of Time, now.

 

καὶ⸃

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative, and. The various changes indicate scribal uncertainty as to the text as well as difficulty in the reading. The primary MSS support the text.

 

εἰς

Preposition, A of Measure, unto.

 

⸄ἡμέραν

Noun FAS, See Preposition, Anarthrous of Indefiniteness, a day. See below on the variant.

 

αἰῶνος⸅.

Noun MGS, G of Description, Anarthrous of Characterization, characterized by an age. The various alternatives for this phrase indicate widespread difficulty as to the reading but the best MSS agree with the text.

 

°[ἀμήν.]

Liturgical Interjection, Amen. “On the one hand, the external testimony supporting the presence of ἀμήν at the close of the doxology is almost overwhelming in scope and weight, . . . . On the other hand, if the word were present originally, it is difficult to account for its absence in . . . notable Eastern and Western witnesses . . . .  In order to reflect this conflict between external and internal considerations, the Committee thought it best to include ἀμήν but to enclose it within square brackets, suggesting a considerable measure of doubt as to its right to stand in the text” (Metzger, Textual Commentary, 637-38.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter restates his application in verse 14 emphasizing he believer’s relationship to God. He asserts the principle that God’s longsuffering has a salvation focus which refutes the false teachings the believers may have heard. Somewhere Paul had written to the readers of this letter about the eschatological and other matters mentioned by Peter. Acknowledging that some of what Paul wrote may be difficult to understand, Peter highlights the contemporary facts that Paul’s letters, possibly his own writings, and other Scriptures are being distorted by the false teachers and perhaps their “converts” leading to their ruin. Since accurate knowledge of the Bible contributes to spiritual growth and protects believers from false teachers and teachings, Peter exhorts his hearers/readers to guard themselves from theological errors, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.