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.

        Other instances of repetition of words in 2 Pet are a means of developing certain topics. Watson has discussed the development of many of these topics, including: righteousness; knowledge; power; piety; glory; promises; escaping corruption; desire; eagerness; the reminder topic; being established; the metaphor of the day; eschatological destruction; the way; and keeping³⁹.

        2 Pet also develops topics not discussed by Watson. The parousi/a topic is introduced in 1,16 and developed in 3,4 and 12. The topic of holiness (a#gioj) is introduced in 1,18 and developed in several passages⁴⁰. The related topics of prophecy (profhtei/a) and scripture (grafh/) are introduced in 1,20. The former is developed in 1,21; 2,16 and 3,2, the latter in 3,16.

        The development of some of these topics constitutes inclusio, i.e., the repetition at the end of a section, of a word or phrase used at its beginning. Thus the topic of knowledge is mentioned in 1,2 and 3,18, and the topic of glory is mentioned in 1,3 and 3,18. In addition, grace (xa/rij) is mentioned in 1,2 and 3,18; and peace (ei)rh/nh) is mentioned in 1,2 and 3,14. All of these serve to end the letter by returning to items