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.

readily into iambics"²⁷ and cites the paroimi/a from the verse in altered form.

        However, contrary to Bigg’s suggestion, the unaltered text of 2 Pet is not particularly characterized by iambic rhythm, especially not at the ends of its sentences. Of course, iambic feet are found in 2 Pet, and by my estimate an iambic foot ends a sentence four times²⁸. However, other rhythms are much more common at the ends of sentences.

        The most common foot at the end of the sentences in 2 Pet is the spondee; it is found at the end of eighteen sentences²⁹. This foot is praised by Dionysius of Halicarnassus. Quintilian says that the spondee is best preceded by a cretic (Institutio Oratoria 9.4.97), as it is at the ends of seven of these sentences³⁰. However, Quintilian says that two spondees should not end a sentence (Institutio Oratoria 9.4.97,101). This is the case nine times in 2 Pet³¹; twice this is because the sentence ends with 'Ihsou= Xristou= (1,11; 3,18a).

        The second most common foot at the end of 2 Pet’s sentences is the cretic. It is found eleven times³². This is in accord with the recommendation of Cicero. This foot is also praised by Dionysius of Halicarnassus. Quintilian says that the cretic makes an excellent ending, but disapproves preceding it with a trochee (Institutio Oratoria 9.4.107). This happens four times in 2 Pet³³.

        The third most common foot at the end of 2 Pet’s sentences is the trochee, found seven times³⁴. This also accords with the recommendation of Cicero, but Dionysius of Halicarnassus says this foot is ignoble. Quintilian approves having two trochees end a sentence (Institutio Oratoria 9.4.103). This happens three times in 2 Pet (i.e., 1,16.17; 2,15).

        2 Pet’s sentences also end with paean (1,10b; 2,16a and b) and dactyl (3,6). As noted above, Cicero commends both; Dionysus of Halicarnassus commends the dactyl. Quintilian approves ending with a dactyl (Institutio Oratoria 9.4.104), but not a paean (ibid., 110-11). Cicero thinks the first kind of paean should be used at the beginning of