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.

complex sentence with the protasis introduced by e)pei/, and the apodosis by to/te. A relative clause is dependent on the main clause of the protasis, and a participial phrase modifies the subject of the relative clause. A compound purpose clause, introduced by o#pwj, is dependent on the apodosis. This purpose clause consists of two clauses introduced by mh_ mo/non, a)lla_ kai/. A brief relative clause is dependent on the first of these. This period consists of five clauses, of which the last is the longest. According to Waldis, this sentence exhibits the following figures in addition to the tropes and transplacements listed above: litotes, isocolon, homoioteleuton and alliteration⁹⁰.

        Another elaborate sentence is sentence 19. The main clause of the sentence is the imperative clause that the priest should afford common enjoyment of the festival for the gatherings of the crowds. This clause is preceded by three participial phrases, each modifying the implied subject of the imperative. The main clause is then followed by two more participial phrases also modifying the subject of the imperative. A brief clause is dependent on the first of these phrases. A purpose clause, introduced by o#pwj, is dependent on the second. The purpose clause includes a participial phrase modifying the subject of the clause, and a second participle introducing a dependent adverbial clause. This period consists of four clauses; in its abundant use of participial phrases, it is similar to 2 Pet 2,12-14. According to Waldis, this sentence of the inscription exhibits hendyades, homoioteleuton, alliteration and antithesis, in addition to the tropes and transplacement listed above.

        A third elaborate sentence is sentence 22. This is a compound sentence consisting of three independent clauses, all with imperative verbs. The first clause states that no one should enslave the sacred slaves of the sanctuary or their descendents, or interfere with them in other ways. Two relative clauses are dependent on this clause, the first modifying the sacred slaves, the second their descendents. The second independent clause, introduced by a)ll ), states that the priests should take care of the sacred slaves, and the third, introduced by de/, states that various people should aid them. A relative clause depends on this third independent clause; it modifies the subject of the independent clause. This period consists of six clauses, and there is an antithetical relationship between the first independent clause on one hand and the