Terrance Callan, «The Style of the Second Letter of Peter», Vol. 84 (2003) 202-224

Readers of the Second Letter of Peter have often commented on its style, usually in negative terms. This essay examines the style of 2 Pet more thoroughly than has been done heretofore, using Cicero’s discussion of style, and that of other ancient writers, as a framework. This examination shows that 2 Pet largely conforms to ancient canons of style and should be seen as an example of the grand Asian style. Recognition of this may help readers avoid unthinking assessment of 2 Pet’s style by standards not accepted by its author, and develop greater appreciation of its style in terms of its author’s own aims and standards.

a sentence (cf. also Quintilian Institutio Oratoria 9.4.111); however, it is used at the end of 2 Pet 1,10b. Quintilian cautions that he does not recommend too great attention to rhythm (Institutio Oratoria 9.4.112-16; cf. Cicero, De oratore 3.193).

        b) Figures of speech and thought

        We earlier noted that 2 Pet frequently repeats words. Often words are repeated in close proximity, producing the figures of speech called paronomasia and transplacement, which are included among the figures mentioned by Cicero (De oratore 3.206) and Quintilian (Institutio Oratoria 9.3.41-44, 66-74) as means of ornamentation³⁵. Watson has identified many instances of transplacement³⁶ and paronomasia³⁷. To Watson’s list we can add several additional transplacements³⁸.