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.

depends on the first of these three. In v. 13b-14 two nouns in apposition to the subject are modified by five more participial phrases. V. 14 ends with a phrase in apposition to the subject. This period consists of two clauses. In it we find, in addition to tropes, paronomasia and transplacement: another similitude, asyndeton, ellipsis, polyptoton, regressio, homoeopropheron, irony, emphasis (2), and exclamation⁵³.

        3,1-4a is another elaborate sentence. The main clause is 3,1a. A relative clause (3,1b) depends on it, and an infinitive phrase (3,2) depends on the relative clause. In 3,3a a participial phrase, modifying the vocative a)gaphtoi// in 3,1 ⁵⁴, introduces a noun clause (3,3b), whose subject e)mpai=ktai is modified by two participles, the second of which introduces a direct quotation in 3,4a. This period consists of four clauses. In addition to tropes, paronomasia and transplacement, 3,1-4a exhibits aphodos, transitio, ellipsis (2), irony, pleonasm, dialogue and rhetorical question ⁵⁵.

II. The Grand Style

        Especially the ornamentation of 2 Pet probably makes it an example of the full or grand style⁵⁶. Watson draws upon a number of sources to describe the grand style as follows:

The Grand Style is a "smooth and ornate arrangement of impressive words" and is characterized by a "power of thought and majesty of diction." It is forceful, yet stately and opulent. It is the most ornamented style, using the most ornate words available and all figures of speech and thought, particularly hyperbole. Amplification is found throughout⁵⁷.

        This description applies to 2 Pet in every respect except that 2 Pet does not make much use of hyperbole. Watson identifies only two instances, both in 2,14. Nevertheless, the other correspondences between this description and 2 Pet strongly indicate that 2 Pet was written in the grand style.