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.

second and third independent clauses on the other. According to Waldis, this sentence exhibits anaphora, polysyndeton, homoioteleuton, alliteration (twice) and antithesis, in addition to the tropes listed above.

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        We have seen that the vocabulary and syntax of 2 Pet display the kinds of ornamentation recommended by Cicero, Quintilian and others. We have also seen that the quantity and quality of this stylistic ornamentation indicate that 2 Pet is written in the grand style. Finally we have seen that the similarity between 2 Pet and the Nemrud Dagh inscription, taken as representative of the grand Asian style, indicates that 2 Pet is written in that style.

        This understanding of the style of 2 Pet can help us to see what the author intended to achieve and estimate his degree of success in doing so. We can also see that many negative assessments of the style of 2 Pet are not evaluations of it according to the canons of style recognized by its author and readers. Instead, they are implicitly expressions of preference for a different style, like the criticism of Asian style in its own time. Recognition of this may open the way to greater appreciation of this style on its own terms. Reicke compares Asian style to European art and literature of the baroque period, a parallel that may allow us to be more appreciative of this style⁹¹.

        Writing in the grand style implies that the author of 2 Pet sees himself as expressing powerful and impressive thoughts. The author summarizes these thoughts in 2 Pet 1,3-11: since Jesus’ divine power has given us everything needed for life and piety, including the hope of participating in divine nature (vv. 3-4), it is necessary to confirm this call and election (v. 10) by striving to grow in virtue (vv. 5-9) so as to enter the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (v. 11). We may readily agree that these are indeed powerful and impressive thoughts.

        Writing in the grand style also implies that the author is attempting primarily to appeal to the emotions of his audience, not to inform or please them⁹². The author’s principal aim is to arouse his readers to