1
Συμεὼν Πέτρος δοῦλος καὶ ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῖς ἰσότιμον ἡμῖν λαχοῦσιν πίστιν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Letter openingasyndetonThe epistolary superscription: the sender, doubly named (the Semitic Συμεών and the Greek Πέτρος) and self-styled both slave and apostle, writes to readers whose faith is of equal honor with the apostles' — grounded not in their merit but in the righteousness of Christ, named with a single article as 'our God and Savior' (the Granville Sharp construction).
ΣυμεὼνSimeonNominativesubject (nominative of superscription)Συμεών: the Semitic form of Simon (cf. Acts 15:14); the archaic spelling marks an authentic, Palestinian self-naming.
ΠέτροςPeterNominativeapposition to ΣυμεώνΠέτρος: 'Rock,' the name given by Jesus (Mt 16:18); the Greek cognomen paired with the Semitic given name.
δοῦλοςslaveNominativeapposition (predicate descriptor)δοῦλος: 'bondservant, slave'; total belonging to a master — Peter's first self-title, beneath the office.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπόστολοςapostleNominativeapposition (coordinate descriptor)ἀπόστολος: 'one sent,' commissioned envoy; the authority undergirding the letter's claims about the Transfiguration (vv.16–18).
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivegenitive of possession (whose slave/envoy)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition to ἸησοῦΧριστός: 'Anointed,' Messiah; here functionally a name-title for Jesus.
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἰσότιμονequally preciousAccusativeattributive adjective (modifies πίστιν)ἰσότιμος: 'of equal honor/value' (ἴσος + τιμή); a Hellenistic civic term — the readers' faith ranks with the apostles' own.
ἡμῖνwith usDativedat. of association/comparison (with ἰσότιμον)
λαχοῦσινwho have obtainedAor Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · λαγχάνωsubstantival participle (addressee)→ constative aoristλαγχάνω: 'obtain by lot, receive'; the faith is allotted, a gift received rather than achieved.
πίστινa faithAccusativedirect object of λαχοῦσινπίστις: 'faith'; here the saving trust shared in common — possibly with overtones of the faith once delivered.
ἐνthroughpreposition + dative (means/ground)
δικαιοσύνῃthe righteousnessDativeobject of ἐν (ground of the gift)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, justice'; God's impartial fairness that grants the same faith to all — apostle and convert alike.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (single article governing two nouns)
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (whose righteousness)θεός: God; the single article binds θεοῦ and σωτῆρος under one referent — the Granville Sharp construction applied to Christ.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (within the Sharp construction)
σωτῆροςSaviorGenitivegenitive coordinate with θεοῦ (one article)σωτήρ: 'Savior, deliverer'; with θεοῦ under one article it predicates deity of Jesus — 'our God and Savior Jesus Christ.'
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition (the referent of θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
2
χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη ἐν ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
GreetingasyndetonThe grace-and-peace blessing, with the optative πληθυνθείη ('be multiplied,' as in 1 Pet 1:2); uniquely, the channel of the gift is named as ἐπίγνωσις — 'knowledge' — the keyword that will dominate the chapter (vv.3, 8) against the false teachers' pretensions.
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (nom. in greeting formula)χάρις: 'grace'; God's unmerited favor, the first member of the standard pair.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (coordinate)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm, wholeness and well-being, paired with grace.
πληθυνθείηbe multipliedAor Pass Opt 3 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (optative of wish)→ constative aorist (volitive optative)πληθύνω: 'multiply, increase'; the passive optative wishes a divine increase — grace and peace not merely present but abounding.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/means)
ἐπιγνώσειthe knowledgeDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of the increase)ἐπίγνωσις: 'full/recognitional knowledge' (intensive of γνῶσις); the letter's keyword — true knowing of God, over against the heretics' false gnosis.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobjective genitive (whom is known)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitiveobjective genitive (coordinate)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveapposition to Ἰησοῦ (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX rendering of YHWH, confessed of Jesus alongside θεός in the greeting.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
3
Ὡς πάντα ἡμῖν τῆς θείας δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ τὰ πρὸς ζωὴν καὶ εὐσέβειαν δεδωρημένης διὰ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ καλέσαντος ἡμᾶς ἰδίᾳ δόξῃ καὶ ἀρετῇ,
Inasmuch as his divine power has granted to us all things pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence,
Ground (basis of the exhortation)ὩςA long genitive-absolute period (vv.3–4) grounding the whole exhortation that follows: before any command, the gift — God's divine power has already supplied everything for life and godliness; the imperatives of vv.5–7 rest on this prior endowment.
Ὡςinasmuch asconjunction (causal/explanatory)ὡς: here causal-explanatory, 'seeing that, inasmuch as'; introducing the ground of the exhortation.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of δεδωρημένηςπᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive scope — nothing needful is lacking for the godly life.
ἡμῖνto usDativedat. of recipient
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (subject of gen. absolute)
θείαςdivineGenitiveattributive adjectiveθεῖος: 'divine'; a Hellenistic religious term (also v.4) — the power that grants is itself of God's own nature.
δυνάμεωςpowerGenitivesubject of gen. absolute (with δεδωρημένης)δύναμις: 'power, might'; the effective divine energy that supplies all for godliness.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes the prep. phrase, appos. to πάντα)
πρὸςpertaining topreposition + accusative (reference)
ζωὴνlifeAccusativeobject of πρός (reference)ζωή: 'life'; here the new, God-given life, not mere existence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐσέβειανgodlinessAccusativeobject of πρός (coordinate)εὐσέβεια: 'piety, godliness'; reverence expressed in a devout life — a keyword of 2 Peter and the Pastorals.
δεδωρημένηςhaving grantedPerf Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · δωρέομαιparticiple of gen. absolute→ intensive perfect (settled gift)δωρέομαι: 'grant, bestow as a gift'; the perfect marks a completed donation with abiding result — the gift stands given.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐπιγνώσεωςknowledgeGenitiveobject of διά (means of the gift)ἐπίγνωσις: 'full knowledge'; the gift is mediated through knowing Christ — the chapter's organizing theme (vv.2, 8).
τοῦof the oneGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καλέσαντοςwho calledAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · καλέωsubstantival participle (object of ἐπιγνώσεως)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call'; the effectual divine summons — the Caller is the object of the saving knowledge.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of καλέσαντος
ἰδίᾳhis ownDativeattributive adjective (dat. of means)ἴδιος: 'one's own'; emphasizing that the calling springs from God's own glory and virtue, not human attainment.
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of means (instrument of the call)δόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the radiant divine majesty that summons.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀρετῇexcellenceDativedat. of means (coordinate)ἀρετή: 'excellence, moral virtue, praiseworthy power'; of God here (his glorious goodness), and the human virtue commanded in v.5.
4
δι' ὧν τὰ τίμια καὶ μέγιστα ἡμῖν ἐπαγγέλματα δεδώρηται, ἵνα διὰ τούτων γένησθε θείας κοινωνοὶ φύσεως, ἀποφυγόντες τῆς ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ φθορᾶς.
through which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through these you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through desire.
Relative expansion (means/result)δι' ὧνThe relative δι' ὧν ('through which,' i.e. the glory and excellence) extends the gift: the promises grant the staggering goal of sharing the divine nature — not deification of essence but moral and incorruptible communion with God — set over against the perishing world driven by desire.
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (means)
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (antecedent δόξῃ καὶ ἀρετῇ)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
τίμιαpreciousAccusativeattributive adjectiveτίμιος: 'precious, costly, of great value'; the promises rank with the most prized possessions.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μέγισταvery greatAccusativeattributive adjective (superlative, elative)μέγιστος: superlative of μέγας, here elative — 'exceedingly great'; the promises are of the highest magnitude.
ἡμῖνto usDativedat. of recipient
ἐπαγγέλματαpromisesNominativesubject of δεδώρηταιἐπάγγελμα: 'promise, what is promised'; the divine pledges that secure the believer's hope (cf. 3:13).
δεδώρηταιhe has grantedPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · δωρέομαιmain verb→ intensive perfect (abiding gift)δωρέομαι: 'grant, bestow'; the perfect again marks an accomplished, standing bestowal (cf. v.3).
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: 'in order that'; introducing the purpose of the promises.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τούτωνtheseGenitiveobject of διά (demonstrative, = the promises)οὗτος: 'these'; the promises as the means of partaking the divine nature.
γένησθεyou might becomeAor Mid Subj 2 Pl · γίνομαιverb of ἵνα clause→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the goal — entering a new condition of communion with God.
θείαςdivineGenitiveattributive adjective (with φύσεως)θεῖος: 'divine'; qualifying the 'nature' shared — moral and incorruptible likeness, not ontological merger.
κοινωνοὶpartakersNominativepredicate nominative (with γένησθε)κοινωνός: 'partner, sharer'; one who participates in common — the climactic descriptor of the believer's destiny.
φύσεωςnatureGenitiveobjective/partitive genitive (of which one partakes)φύσις: 'nature'; 'partakers of the divine nature' — the famous crux; communion in God's character and immortality.
ἀποφυγόντεςhaving escapedAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀποφεύγωadverbial participle (attendant circumstance/cause)→ constative aoristἀποφεύγω: 'flee away from, escape'; the negative counterpart of partaking — a decisive break with worldly corruption.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with φθορᾶς)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
κόσμῳworldDativeobject of ἐν (place)κόσμος: 'world'; the fallen human order, the realm of decay one escapes.
ἐνthroughpreposition + dative (means/cause)
ἐπιθυμίᾳdesireDativeobject of ἐν (cause of the corruption)ἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, lust'; the engine of the world's corruption — sinful appetite drives the decay.
φθορᾶςcorruptionGenitivegenitive object of ἀποφυγόντεςφθορά: 'corruption, decay, destruction'; moral and physical ruin — the antithesis of the divine, incorruptible nature.
5
καὶ αὐτὸ τοῦτο δὲ σπουδὴν πᾶσαν παρεισενέγκαντες ἐπιχορηγήσατε ἐν τῇ πίστει ὑμῶν τὴν ἀρετήν, ἐν δὲ τῇ ἀρετῇ τὴν γνῶσιν,
Now for this very reason also, bringing to bear all diligence, supply in your faith virtue, and in virtue knowledge,
Inference / exhortation (the chain begins)δὲThe gift (vv.3–4) now grounds the command: 'for this very reason' supply the chain of virtues. ἐπιχορηγέω ('supply lavishly') opens a sorites — each grace furnishing the next — beginning from the foundation of faith and building toward love (v.7).
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction (ascensive)
αὐτὸveryAccusativeintensive adjective (with τοῦτο)αὐτός: 'self, very'; 'this very thing' — pointing back to the gift just described as the ground of effort.
τοῦτοthis reasonAccusativeaccusative of reference/causeοὗτος: 'this'; 'for this very reason' — the gift obligates the response.
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
σπουδὴνdiligenceAccusativedirect object of παρεισενέγκαντεςσπουδή: 'haste, eagerness, diligence'; earnest effort — the active counterpart to the received gift (cf. v.10).
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective
παρεισενέγκαντεςbringing to bearAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · παρεισφέρωadverbial participle (means/attendant circumstance)→ constative aoristπαρεισφέρω: 'bring in besides, contribute alongside'; a vivid term — 'making every effort to bring in.'
ἐπιχορηγήσατεsupplyAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐπιχορηγέωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (urgent command)ἐπιχορηγέω: 'supply abundantly, furnish' (orig. of bankrolling a chorus); lavish provision — each virtue generously added.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
πίστειfaithDativedat. of sphere (foundation of the chain)πίστις: 'faith'; the root from which the whole sequence grows.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀρετήνvirtueAccusativedirect object (first link)ἀρετή: 'moral excellence, virtue'; the same word used of God in v.3 — believers reflect the goodness that called them.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
δὲandconnective (chain link)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀρετῇvirtueDativedat. of sphere
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γνῶσινknowledgeAccusativedirect object (next link)γνῶσις: 'knowledge, insight'; practical discernment of God's will — true knowing, the heretics' counterfeit exposed.
6
ἐν δὲ τῇ γνώσει τὴν ἐγκράτειαν, ἐν δὲ τῇ ἐγκρατείᾳ τὴν ὑπομονήν, ἐν δὲ τῇ ὑπομονῇ τὴν εὐσέβειαν,
and in knowledge self-control, and in self-control endurance, and in endurance godliness,
Continuation of the virtue-chainδὲThe sorites continues: knowledge yields self-control, self-control endurance, endurance godliness — a progression from the inner mastery of appetite (against the libertines of ch. 2) outward to reverent devotion.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
δὲandconnective (chain link)
τῇtheDativearticle
γνώσειknowledgeDativedat. of sphere
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐγκράτειανself-controlAccusativedirect object (next link)ἐγκράτεια: 'self-mastery, continence'; control over the appetites — pointed against the indulgence of the false teachers (2:13–14).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
δὲandconnective (chain link)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐγκρατείᾳself-controlDativedat. of sphere
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὑπομονήνenduranceAccusativedirect object (next link)ὑπομονή: 'steadfast endurance, perseverance'; remaining under pressure — the patient constancy that self-control sustains.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
δὲandconnective (chain link)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὑπομονῇenduranceDativedat. of sphere
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
εὐσέβειανgodlinessAccusativedirect object (next link)εὐσέβεια: 'piety, godliness'; devout reverence toward God lived out (cf. v.3) — the goal toward which endurance presses.
7
ἐν δὲ τῇ εὐσεβείᾳ τὴν φιλαδελφίαν, ἐν δὲ τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ τὴν ἀγάπην.
and in godliness brotherly affection, and in brotherly affection love.
Climax of the virtue-chainδὲThe chain crests in love: godliness flowers into brotherly affection, and that into ἀγάπη — the comprehensive, self-giving love that crowns the sequence as its goal, the Christian summum bonum.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
δὲandconnective (chain link)
τῇtheDativearticle
εὐσεβείᾳgodlinessDativedat. of sphere
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
φιλαδελφίανbrotherly affectionAccusativedirect object (next link)φιλαδελφία: 'love of the brethren'; warm familial affection within the community of faith (cf. 1 Pet 1:22).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
δὲandconnective (chain link)
τῇtheDativearticle
φιλαδελφίᾳbrotherly affectionDativedat. of sphere
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object (climactic link)ἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving love for all, the capstone virtue — wider than φιλαδελφία, the goal of the whole chain.
8
ταῦτα γὰρ ὑμῖν ὑπάρχοντα καὶ πλεονάζοντα οὐκ ἀργοὺς οὐδὲ ἀκάρπους καθίστησιν εἰς τὴν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπίγνωσιν·
For if these things are yours and abound, they make you neither idle nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ground (the value of the chain)γὰργάρ grounds the exhortation: these virtues, present and increasing, produce an active, fruitful knowledge of Christ — knowledge here is not mere data but a life that bears fruit, the opposite of the heretics' barren claims.
ταῦταthese thingsNominativesubject (= the virtues)οὗτος: 'these'; the whole chain of vv.5–7 gathered up.
γὰρforcausal/explanatory conjunction
ὑμῖνyoursDativedat. of possession (with ὑπάρχοντα)
ὑπάρχονταbeing presentPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · ὑπάρχωadverbial participle (conditional)→ stative presentὑπάρχω: 'be present, belong, exist'; here 'if these are yours' — possession as a real condition.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πλεονάζονταaboundingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · πλεονάζωadverbial participle (conditional)→ progressive presentπλεονάζω: 'increase, abound, grow'; not static possession but ongoing growth — the virtues must multiply.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀργοὺςidleAccusativeobject complement (predicate adj.)ἀργός: 'idle, inactive, useless' (ἀ- + ἔργον); without effect — the virtues prevent a barren faith.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
ἀκάρπουςunfruitfulAccusativeobject complement (predicate adj.)ἄκαρπος: 'fruitless, barren' (ἀ- + καρπός); the knowledge of Christ should bear fruit, not lie sterile.
καθίστησινthey makePres Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (neut. pl. subject, sg. verb)→ gnomic presentκαθίστημι: 'set, constitute, render'; here 'make/render someone (to be) something' with double accusative.
εἰςin regard topreposition + accusative (reference)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τοῦofGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveobjective genitive (whom is known)κύριος: 'Lord'; the object of the fruitful knowledge.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
ἐπίγνωσινknowledgeAccusativeobject of εἰς (sphere of fruitfulness)ἐπίγνωσις: 'full knowledge'; the relational, transforming knowing of Christ — fruitful, not idle.
9
ᾧ γὰρ μὴ πάρεστιν ταῦτα, τυφλός ἐστιν μυωπάζων, λήθην λαβὼν τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ τῶν πάλαι αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτιῶν.
For whoever lacks these things is blind, shortsighted, having forgotten the cleansing of his former sins.
Ground (the negative converse)γὰρThe dark obverse of v.8: the one without these virtues is spiritually blind — μυωπάζων, peering only at near things — having forgotten his baptismal cleansing; the absence of the virtues exposes a faith that has lost sight of its own founding grace.
ᾧin whomDativerelative pronoun (dat. of possession)
γὰρforcausal conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle
πάρεστινis presentPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πάρειμιverb of relative clause→ stative presentπάρειμι: 'be present, be at hand'; 'to whom these are not present' = whoever lacks them.
ταῦταthese thingsNominativesubject of πάρεστιν (= the virtues)
τυφλόςblindNominativepredicate adjectiveτυφλός: 'blind'; figurative — without spiritual sight, unable to see his own condition.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
μυωπάζωνbeing shortsightedPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μυωπάζωadverbial/appositional participle→ stative presentμυωπάζω: 'be shortsighted, peer/squint' (from μύωψ); he sees only what is near, blind to eternal things — a vivid hapax.
λήθηνforgetfulnessAccusativedirect object of λαβών (idiom: 'take forgetfulness' = forget)λήθη: 'forgetfulness, oblivion'; with λαμβάνω a periphrasis for 'forget.'
λαβὼνhaving takenAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωcausal/appositional participle→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; 'having taken forgetfulness of' — the cause of his blindness.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
καθαρισμοῦcleansingGenitiveobjective genitive (what is forgotten)καθαρισμός: 'cleansing, purification'; the cleansing from sin received at conversion/baptism, now forgotten.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
πάλαιformeradverb (attributive, of time)πάλαι: 'long ago, formerly'; the sins of the past, before conversion.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἁμαρτιῶνsinsGenitivegenitive (of which cleansed)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the old sins from which he was purified — the grace he has lost from view.
10
διὸ μᾶλλον, ἀδελφοί, σπουδάσατε βεβαίαν ὑμῶν τὴν κλῆσιν καὶ ἐκλογὴν ποιεῖσθαι· ταῦτα γὰρ ποιοῦντες οὐ μὴ πταίσητέ ποτε.
Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure; for if you do these things you will never stumble.
Inference (the exhortation renewed)διὸδιό draws the practical conclusion: confirm your calling and election by these very virtues. Election is God's, yet made 'sure' to the believer by a fruitful life; the double negative οὐ μή with the aorist subjunctive gives an emphatic promise — 'you will surely never stumble.'
διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'therefore, for which reason'; drawing the conclusion from vv.8–9.
μᾶλλονall the moreadverb (comparative, intensive)μᾶλλον: 'more, rather'; intensifying the urgency of the effort.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the warm direct address marking a turn to earnest appeal.
σπουδάσατεbe eagerAor Act Impv 2 Pl · σπουδάζωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (urgent command)σπουδάζω: 'be diligent, make every effort'; cognate of σπουδή (v.5) — the active resolve to confirm one's standing.
βεβαίανsureAccusativepredicate adjective (object complement)βέβαιος: 'firm, secure, confirmed'; a legal term — to ratify or make valid one's calling and election.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κλῆσινcallingAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖσθαικλῆσις: 'calling, summons'; the divine call to salvation (cf. καλέσαντος, v.3).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκλογὴνelectionAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ἐκλογή: 'choice, election'; God's choosing — yet made experientially certain by a fruitful life.
ποιεῖσθαιto makePres Mid Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (with σπουδάσατε)→ present (ongoing effort)ποιέω (mid.): 'make (for oneself)'; the middle stresses the personal stake in confirming one's own standing.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object of ποιοῦντες
γὰρforcausal conjunction
ποιοῦντεςdoingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ποιέωadverbial participle (conditional)→ progressive presentποιέω: 'do, practice'; 'if you do these things' — the condition of never stumbling.
οὐnevernegative particle (with μή, emphatic)
μὴby no meansnegative particle (οὐ μή emphatic denial)οὐ μή: the strongest negation in Greek, with the aorist subjunctive — 'will surely never.'
πταίσητέyou will stumbleAor Act Subj 2 Pl · πταίωsubjunctive of emphatic negation→ constative aorist (emphatic future denial)πταίω: 'stumble, trip, fall'; figurative for moral failure or apostasy — guaranteed not to befall the fruitful.
ποτεeveradverb (indefinite time)ποτε: 'ever, at any time'; reinforcing the absolute negation — 'never at any time.'
11
οὕτως γὰρ πλουσίως ἐπιχορηγηθήσεται ὑμῖν ἡ εἴσοδος εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον βασιλείαν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
For in this way there will be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ground (the reward)γὰρThe positive promise crowning the section: the same verb ἐπιχορηγέω that opened the chain (v.5, 'supply') now returns in the passive — those who lavishly supply the virtues will themselves be lavishly supplied a triumphal entrance into the eternal kingdom of Christ, again named 'our Lord and Savior.'
οὕτωςin this wayadverb (manner)οὕτως: 'thus, in this manner'; pointing back to the fruitful practice of v.10.
γὰρforcausal conjunction
πλουσίωςrichlyadverb (manner)πλουσίως: 'richly, abundantly'; the lavishness of the reward matches the lavish supply of virtue.
ἐπιχορηγηθήσεταιwill be suppliedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιχορηγέωmain verb→ predictive futureἐπιχορηγέω: 'supply abundantly'; the passive of v.5's verb — the supplier of virtue is in turn richly supplied entrance.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
ἡtheNominativearticle
εἴσοδοςentranceNominativesubjectεἴσοδος: 'entrance, entry, way in'; the welcomed admission into the kingdom — perhaps with the image of a festal triumphal entry.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
αἰώνιονeternalAccusativeattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal, everlasting'; the kingdom is enduring, unlike the perishing world (v.4).
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of entrance)βασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; here the consummated, eternal reign of Christ.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (single article governing two nouns)
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possession (whose kingdom)κύριος: 'Lord'; with σωτῆρος under one article — again the Sharp construction, 'our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (within the construction)
σωτῆροςSaviorGenitivegenitive coordinate with κυρίου (one article)σωτήρ: 'Savior'; paired with κυρίου under one article (cf. v.1).
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
12
Διὸ μελλήσω ἀεὶ ὑμᾶς ὑπομιμνῄσκειν περὶ τούτων, καίπερ εἰδότας καὶ ἐστηριγμένους ἐν τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ.
Therefore I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth that is present with you.
Inference (transition to Peter's resolve)Διὸδιό turns from exhortation to Peter's pastoral resolve: he will keep reminding them — not because they are ignorant (they 'know' and are 'established') but because the reminder itself sustains; the section's keyword is ὑπομιμνῄσκω / μνήμη (vv.12–15).
Διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'therefore'; linking the resolve to the importance of 'these things' (vv.5–11).
μελλήσωI will be readyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · μέλλωmain verb (with complementary inf.)→ predictive future (durative intent)μέλλω: 'be about to, intend, be ready'; here 'I will always be intent on (reminding)' — settled future purpose.
ἀεὶalwaysadverb (time)ἀεί: 'always, continually'; the constancy of Peter's reminding.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ὑπομιμνῄσκειν
ὑπομιμνῄσκεινto remindPres Act Inf · ὑπομιμνῄσκωcomplementary infinitive (with μελλήσω)→ present (ongoing action)ὑπομιμνῄσκω: 'remind, call to remembrance'; the section's keyword (cf. ὑπόμνησις, v.13; μνήμη, v.15).
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
τούτωνthese thingsGenitiveobject of περί (the matters of vv.3–11)
καίπερeven thoughconcessive particle (with ptc.)καίπερ: 'although, even though'; conceding their knowledge while justifying the reminder.
εἰδόταςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · οἶδαconcessive participle (agreeing with ὑμᾶς)→ perfect with present force (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know'; the perfect-with-present-sense — they already possess the knowledge.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐστηριγμένουςhaving been establishedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · στηρίζωconcessive participle (coordinate)→ intensive perfect (settled, firm state)στηρίζω: 'establish, make firm, strengthen'; the perfect marks a settled stability — cf. Jesus' charge to Peter, 'strengthen your brothers' (Lk 22:32).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
παρούσῃpresentPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · πάρειμιattributive participle (modifies ἀληθείᾳ)→ stative presentπάρειμι: 'be present, be at hand'; 'the present truth' = the truth now possessed and at work among them.
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of establishment)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the apostolic gospel in which they stand firm, over against the coming error (ch. 2).
13
δίκαιον δὲ ἡγοῦμαι, ἐφ' ὅσον εἰμὶ ἐν τούτῳ τῷ σκηνώματι, διεγείρειν ὑμᾶς ἐν ὑπομνήσει,
And I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by way of reminder,
Continuation (the duty of reminding)δὲPeter judges it his duty to rouse them while he remains 'in this tent' (σκήνωμα) — the body as a temporary dwelling, a metaphor preparing for the talk of his 'departure' (v.14); the reminder is an awakening (διεγείρω), not new instruction.
δίκαιονrightAccusativepredicate adjective (object of ἡγοῦμαι)δίκαιος: 'right, just, fitting'; Peter regards the reminding as a moral obligation.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ἡγοῦμαιI considerPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἡγέομαιmain verb→ stative presentἡγέομαι: 'lead, consider, regard'; here 'I deem it right.'
ἐφ'forpreposition + accusative (extent)
ὅσονas long asAccusativerelative adj. (accusative of extent of time)ὅσος: 'as much/long as'; 'for as long a time as' — the duration of his earthly life.
εἰμὶI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίverb of temporal clause→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative (modifies σκηνώματι)
τῷtheDativearticle
σκηνώματιtentDativeobject of ἐν (place)σκήνωμα: 'tent, dwelling, tabernacle'; the body as a temporary, movable dwelling — a Hellenistic and biblical image for mortality.
διεγείρεινto stir upPres Act Inf · διεγείρωinfinitive (subject/object of ἡγοῦμαι)→ present (ongoing action)διεγείρω: 'rouse, wake up, stir'; the reminder awakens the dormant memory — vivid pastoral imagery.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of διεγείρειν
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)
ὑπομνήσειreminderDativedat. of meansὑπόμνησις: 'reminding, remembrance'; the act of recalling to mind (cf. v.12).
14
εἰδὼς ὅτι ταχινή ἐστιν ἡ ἀπόθεσις τοῦ σκηνώματός μου, καθὼς καὶ ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐδήλωσέν μοι.
knowing that the laying aside of my tent is imminent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ also made clear to me.
Cause (the motive of urgency)asyndetonThe reason behind the resolve: Peter knows his death is near. The 'laying aside of the tent' continues the σκήνωμα metaphor; the clause καθὼς...ἐδήλωσέν μοι likely recalls Jesus' prophecy of Peter's death (Jn 21:18–19).
εἰδὼςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · οἶδαcausal participle→ perfect with present forceοἶδα: 'know'; Peter's settled awareness of his approaching end grounds the urgency.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of εἰδώς)
ταχινήimminentNominativepredicate adjectiveταχινός: 'swift, soon, imminent'; either 'sudden' or (better) 'soon to come' — his death is near (cf. 2:1).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of ὅτι clause (copula)→ stative present
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀπόθεσιςlaying asideNominativesubject of ἐστινἀπόθεσις: 'putting off, removal' (as of a garment, 1 Pet 3:21); death as the laying down of the body-tent.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
σκηνώματόςtentGenitiveobjective genitive (what is laid aside)σκήνωμα: 'tent, dwelling'; the body, picking up v.13.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; correlating his knowledge with the Lord's revelation.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction (ascensive)
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject of ἐδήλωσενκύριος: 'Lord'; the one who disclosed Peter's coming death.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativeapposition to κύριος
ΧριστὸςChristNominativeapposition
ἐδήλωσένmade clearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δηλόωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristδηλόω: 'make clear, reveal, show'; the Lord's disclosure — probably Jn 21:18–19, possibly a later revelation.
μοιto meDativedat. of indirect object
15
σπουδάσω δὲ καὶ ἑκάστοτε ἔχειν ὑμᾶς μετὰ τὴν ἐμὴν ἔξοδον τὴν τούτων μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι.
And I will also be diligent that at every time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.
Continuation (provision beyond his death)δὲPeter looks past his own death: he will so provide that they can recall 'these things' at any time after his ἔξοδος ('departure,' the same word used of Jesus' death at the Transfiguration, Lk 9:31) — a probable hint at a lasting written record, this very letter or apostolic testimony.
σπουδάσωI will be diligentFut Act Indic 1 Sg · σπουδάζωmain verb (with complementary inf.)→ predictive futureσπουδάζω: 'make every effort, be diligent'; cognate of σπουδή (v.5), σπουδάσατε (v.10) — Peter's own diligence matches his charge.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction (ascensive)
ἑκάστοτεat every timeadverb (time)ἑκάστοτε: 'on each occasion, at any time'; the recollection is to be perpetually available — a rare term.
ἔχεινto be ablePres Act Inf · ἔχωcomplementary infinitive (with σπουδάσω)→ present (ongoing capacity)ἔχω: 'have, be able'; with the inf. ποιεῖσθαι, 'to be able to make recollection.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of ἔχειν
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (time)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐμὴνmyAccusativepossessive adjectiveἐμός: 'my'; the emphatic possessive — his own departure.
ἔξοδονdepartureAccusativeobject of μετά (time)ἔξοδος: 'departure, exodus'; a euphemism for death (cf. Lk 9:31 of Jesus' 'departure' discussed at the Transfiguration — a pointed echo as the next section turns to that event).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τούτωνof these thingsGenitiveobjective genitive (with μνήμην)
μνήμηνremembranceAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖσθαιμνήμη: 'memory, remembrance'; 'to make remembrance of these things' = to recall them.
ποιεῖσθαιto makePres Mid Inf · ποιέωinfinitive (complement of ἔχειν)→ present (ongoing)ποιέω (mid.): 'make (for oneself)'; 'make recollection,' the middle stressing their own continued remembering.
16
οὐ γὰρ σεσοφισμένοις μύθοις ἐξακολουθήσαντες ἐγνωρίσαμεν ὑμῖν τὴν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δύναμιν καὶ παρουσίαν, ἀλλ' ἐπόπται γενηθέντες τῆς ἐκείνου μεγαλειότητος.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Ground (the basis of his testimony)γὰργάρ grounds the whole letter's authority: the apostolic message about Christ's power and parousia rests not on contrived myths (a charge the scoffers will throw back, ch. 3) but on eyewitness experience — Peter saw the μεγαλειότης, the divine majesty, at the Transfiguration.
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforcausal conjunction
σεσοφισμένοιςcleverly devisedPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · σοφίζωattributive participle (modifies μύθοις)→ intensive perfect (resultant state)σοφίζω: 'make wise; (pass.) be cleverly contrived'; the myths are artfully concocted — sophistry, not history.
μύθοιςmythsDativedat. object of ἐξακολουθήσαντεςμῦθος: 'myth, fable, tale'; fictitious stories — the opposite of the apostolic eyewitness (cf. 1 Tim 1:4).
ἐξακολουθήσαντεςfollowingAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐξακολουθέωadverbial participle (manner/means)→ constative aoristἐξακολουθέω: 'follow after, follow as a guide'; the intensive ἐξ- — they did not adopt myths as their authority (cf. 2:2, 15).
ἐγνωρίσαμενwe made knownAor Act Indic 1 Pl · γνωρίζωmain verb→ constative aoristγνωρίζω: 'make known, declare'; the apostolic proclamation of Christ's power and coming.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of indirect object
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τοῦofGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possession (whose power/coming)κύριος: 'Lord'; the one whose power and parousia are proclaimed.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
δύναμινpowerAccusativedirect object of ἐγνωρίσαμενδύναμις: 'power, might'; Christ's mighty power, displayed and to be displayed at his coming.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρουσίανcomingAccusativedirect object (coordinate)παρουσία: 'presence, coming, arrival'; the technical term for Christ's second coming, denied by the scoffers (3:4).
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the strong contrast — not myths, but eyewitness.
ἐπόπταιeyewitnessesNominativepredicate nominative (with γενηθέντες)ἐπόπτης: 'eyewitness, beholder'; in the mysteries, one admitted to the highest vision — here of the transfigured glory.
γενηθέντεςhaving becomeAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γίνομαιadverbial participle (means/circumstance)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; 'having become eyewitnesses' — admitted to behold the majesty.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐκείνουhisGenitivedemonstrative (genitive, = Christ's)ἐκεῖνος: 'that one, he'; the emphatic 'of that one' = of Christ himself.
μεγαλειότητοςmajestyGenitiveobjective genitive (what they beheld)μεγαλειότης: 'majesty, magnificence, grandeur'; the visible divine splendor seen at the Transfiguration.
17
λαβὼν γὰρ παρὰ θεοῦ πατρὸς τιμὴν καὶ δόξαν φωνῆς ἐνεχθείσης αὐτῷ τοιᾶσδε ὑπὸ τῆς μεγαλοπρεποῦς δόξης· Ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός μου οὗτός ἐστιν, εἰς ὃν ἐγὼ εὐδόκησα,
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when such a voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,"
Ground / explanation of the majestyγὰργάρ unfolds the majesty of v.16: at the Transfiguration the Father conferred honor and glory on the Son, the divine voice borne 'by the Majestic Glory' (a reverent circumlocution for God) declaring him the beloved Son — the Father's own attestation underwrites the apostolic witness.
λαβὼνhaving receivedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωadverbial participle (circumstance; anacoluthon — no main verb)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; Christ received the honor — the sentence is grammatically suspended (anacoluthon), the construction never formally completed.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of παρά (source)θεός: God; the giver of the honor and glory.
πατρὸςthe FatherGenitiveapposition to θεοῦπατήρ: 'Father'; God in his relation to the Son — the speaker of the heavenly voice.
τιμὴνhonorAccusativedirect object of λαβώντιμή: 'honor, value, esteem'; the dignity conferred by the Father's acclaim.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect object (coordinate)δόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the visible radiance of the transfigured Christ.
φωνῆςa voiceGenitivesubject of gen. absolute (with ἐνεχθείσης)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; the heavenly bath qol from the Father.
ἐνεχθείσηςhaving been borneAor Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · φέρωparticiple of gen. absolute→ constative aoristφέρω: 'bear, carry, bring'; the voice was 'borne' from heaven — the same verb as v.21 (φερόμενοι), linking the Father's voice to prophetic inspiration.
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of indirect object
τοιᾶσδεof this kindGenitiveattributive (modifies φωνῆς)τοιόσδε: 'such as this, of this kind'; introducing the very words that follow.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
μεγαλοπρεποῦςMajesticGenitiveattributive adjective (modifies δόξης)μεγαλοπρεπής: 'magnificent, majestic, befitting greatness'; 'the Majestic Glory' is a reverent periphrasis for God himself.
δόξηςGloryGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agent — circumlocution for God)δόξα: 'Glory'; the Shekinah-splendor standing for God — the agent of the voice, avoiding direct naming.
ὉtheNominativearticle
υἱόςSonNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'Son'; the Father's declaration of Jesus' sonship (cf. Mt 17:5; Ps 2:7).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀγαπητόςbelovedNominativeattributive adjectiveἀγαπητός: 'beloved, dearly loved'; the unique, cherished Son — perhaps with overtones of 'only.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
οὗτόςthisNominativesubject (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this one'; pointing to Jesus — 'this is my Son.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb (copula of the voice's words)→ stative present
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (with εὐδόκησα)
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)ἐγώ: 'I'; the emphatic pronoun stresses the Father as the one well pleased.
εὐδόκησαI am well pleasedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐδοκέωmain verb (of relative clause)→ constative aorist (with present resultant sense)εὐδοκέω: 'be well pleased, take delight'; the Father's settled good pleasure in the Son (cf. Isa 42:1).
18
καὶ ταύτην τὴν φωνὴν ἡμεῖς ἠκούσαμεν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἐνεχθεῖσαν σὺν αὐτῷ ὄντες ἐν τῷ ἁγίῳ ὄρει.
and we ourselves heard this voice borne from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.
Continuation (the eyewitness claim sealed)καὶThe emphatic ἡμεῖς ('we ourselves') clinches the eyewitness claim: Peter and the others heard the very voice and stood with Christ on 'the holy mountain' — sanctified by the theophany, as Sinai was made holy by God's presence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifies φωνήν)οὗτος: 'this'; the very voice just quoted.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
φωνὴνvoiceAccusativedirect object of ἠκούσαμενφωνή: 'voice'; the Father's declaration, heard with their own ears.
ἡμεῖςwe ourselvesNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)ἡμεῖς: 'we'; the emphatic pronoun underscores the firsthand testimony of the apostles.
ἠκούσαμενwe heardAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the auditory witness complementing the visual (ἐπόπται, v.16).
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)οὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the divine origin of the voice.
ἐνεχθεῖσανborneAor Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · φέρωattributive/predicate participle (modifies φωνήν)→ constative aoristφέρω: 'bear, carry'; again the voice 'borne' from heaven (cf. v.17; v.21).
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of σύν (association)
ὄντεςbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · εἰμίadverbial participle (temporal)→ stative present (contemporaneous)εἰμί: 'be'; 'when we were with him' — the temporal setting of the hearing.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἁγίῳholyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the mountain made holy by the theophany — the place of the Transfiguration.
ὄρειmountainDativeobject of ἐν (place)ὄρος: 'mountain'; the mount of Transfiguration, recalling Sinai as a place of divine revelation.
19
καὶ ἔχομεν βεβαιότερον τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον, ᾧ καλῶς ποιεῖτε προσέχοντες ὡς λύχνῳ φαίνοντι ἐν αὐχμηρῷ τόπῳ, ἕως οὗ ἡμέρα διαυγάσῃ καὶ φωσφόρος ἀνατείλῃ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν·
And we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
Continuation (from sight to Scripture)καὶThe argument moves from eyewitness to written prophecy: the Transfiguration has 'made more sure' (or, equally well attested, confirmed) the prophetic word, to which they do well to attend as a lamp in the dark — until the dawn of the Day and the rising of the Morning Star (Christ) in their hearts.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; the apostolic 'we' possess the prophetic word as a sure possession.
βεβαιότερονmore sureAccusativepredicate adjective (comparative)βέβαιος: 'firm, sure'; comparative — either 'made more sure' (by the Transfiguration) or 'something more sure'; cf. βεβαίαν (v.10).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
προφητικὸνpropheticAccusativeattributive adjectiveπροφητικός: 'prophetic'; pertaining to the OT prophets — the Scriptures bearing witness to Christ.
λόγονwordAccusativedirect object of ἔχομενλόγος: 'word, message'; the prophetic word of Scripture, now confirmed by fulfillment.
ᾧto whichDativerelative pronoun (dat. object of προσέχοντες)
καλῶςwelladverb (manner)καλῶς: 'well, rightly'; 'you do well to' — commending the attention.
ποιεῖτεyou doPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentποιέω: 'do'; with καλῶς, the idiom 'you do well (to).'
προσέχοντεςpaying attentionPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσέχωcomplementary participle (with καλῶς ποιεῖτε)→ progressive presentπροσέχω: 'attend to, give heed to, hold to'; sustained attention to the prophetic word.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as, like'; introducing the lamp simile.
λύχνῳa lampDativedat. of comparison (with ὡς)λύχνος: 'lamp'; the prophetic word lights the way through the present darkness.
φαίνοντιshiningPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · φαίνωattributive participle (modifies λύχνῳ)→ progressive presentφαίνω: 'shine, give light, appear'; the lamp's ongoing shining.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
αὐχμηρῷdarkDativeattributive adjectiveαὐχμηρός: 'dry, squalid, murky, dark'; a rare term — a gloomy, unlit place, the present age awaiting the dawn.
τόπῳplaceDativeobject of ἐν (place)τόπος: 'place'; the dark place = this present world before Christ's coming.
ἕωςuntilconjunction (temporal, with οὗ)ἕως οὗ: 'until'; marking the term of the dark interval.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative (with ἕως, 'until')
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject of διαυγάσῃἡμέρα: 'day'; the dawning Day of Christ's coming, ending the night.
διαυγάσῃdawnsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · διαυγάζωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive)→ ingressive aoristδιαυγάζω: 'shine through, dawn'; the light breaking through the darkness at daybreak.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φωσφόροςmorning starNominativesubject of ἀνατείλῃφωσφόρος: 'light-bearer, morning star' (Venus); a messianic image (cf. Num 24:17; Rev 22:16) for Christ's appearing.
ἀνατείλῃrisesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀνατέλλωverb of temporal clause (coordinate)→ ingressive aoristἀνατέλλω: 'rise, spring up' (of heavenly bodies); the dawning of Christ in the heart at the consummation.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
καρδίαιςheartsDativeobject of ἐν (place)καρδία: 'heart'; the inner self where the full light of Christ's day will finally dawn.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
20
τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες ὅτι πᾶσα προφητεία γραφῆς ἰδίας ἐπιλύσεως οὐ γίνεται·
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation;
Ground (the nature of prophecy)asyndetonThe first principle for attending to prophecy: no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of 'one's own ἐπίλυσις.' The crux is whether ἐπίλυσις refers to the prophet's own origination (no prophecy arose from private impulse — so v.21) or the reader's private interpretation; the former best fits the explanatory γάρ of v.21.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object of γινώσκοντες (cataphoric)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing forward to the ὅτι clause.
πρῶτονfirstAccusativeadverbial accusative (priority)πρῶτος: 'first'; 'first of all' — of foremost importance (cf. 3:3).
γινώσκοντεςknowingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γινώσκωadverbial participle (attendant circumstance, w/ v.19)→ progressive presentγινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; the readers must grasp this principle as they attend to prophecy.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of γινώσκοντες)
πᾶσαeveryNominativeattributive adjective (with οὐ = 'no')πᾶς: 'every, all'; with the negative οὐ, 'no prophecy whatever.'
προφητείαprophecyNominativesubject of γίνεταιπροφητεία: 'prophecy'; the prophetic message of Scripture.
γραφῆςof ScriptureGenitivegenitive (source/partitive: written prophecy)γραφή: 'writing, Scripture'; the inspired written prophecy, not free utterance.
ἰδίαςone's ownGenitiveattributive adjective (with ἐπιλύσεως)ἴδιος: 'one's own, private'; the crux-word — 'one's own (interpretation/origination),' set against the Spirit's prompting (v.21).
ἐπιλύσεωςinterpretationGenitivegenitive (source/origin: of which prophecy is/is not a matter)ἐπίλυσις: 'loosing, explanation, interpretation' (also 'release, origination'); a hapax — the famous crux, taken here of the prophecy's origin rather than the reader's interpreting.
οὐnotnegative particle
γίνεταιcomes aboutPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (of ὅτι clause)→ gnomic presentγίνομαι: 'become, come about, arise'; 'is not a matter of / does not arise from' one's own interpretation.
21
οὐ γὰρ θελήματι ἀνθρώπου ἠνέχθη προφητεία ποτέ, ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ πνεύματος ἁγίου φερόμενοι ἐλάλησαν ἀπὸ θεοῦ ἄνθρωποι.
for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Ground (the divine origin of prophecy)γὰργάρ grounds v.20: prophecy never sprang from human will; rather, the prophets, 'carried along' (φερόμενοι — the same verb as the voice 'borne,' vv.17–18) by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God. The chapter closes by anchoring Scripture's authority in the Spirit's inspiration, against the scoffers who twist it (3:16).
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforcausal conjunction
θελήματιby the willDativedat. of means/agencyθέλημα: 'will, desire'; prophecy did not originate in human volition.
ἀνθρώπουof manGenitivegenitive of source (whose will)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, human being'; merely human will is excluded as the source.
ἠνέχθηwas producedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φέρωmain verb→ constative aoristφέρω: 'bear, bring, produce'; 'was brought/borne' — prophecy was not generated by human impulse (cf. the cognate φερόμενοι below).
προφητείαprophecyNominativesubjectπροφητεία: 'prophecy'; the prophetic word, never of human manufacture.
ποτέeveradverb (indefinite time)ποτε: 'ever, at any time'; 'never' with the negation — categorical.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the strong contrast — not human will, but the Spirit.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent)
πνεύματοςthe SpiritGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agent)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit, breath, wind'; the Holy Spirit, the true agent moving the prophets.
ἁγίουHolyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; qualifying the Spirit — the divine, sanctifying source.
φερόμενοιbeing carried alongPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · φέρωadverbial participle (means/manner)→ progressive present (continuous bearing)φέρω: 'bear, carry'; the nautical image of a ship borne by the wind — the prophets impelled by the Spirit; the same verb as vv.17–18, 21a, binding the section.
ἐλάλησανspokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak, utter'; the prophets' own speaking — real human agency, yet Spirit-borne.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source of the message)θεός: God; the ultimate source — 'they spoke from God' (the better-attested reading, against 'holy men of God').
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject of ἐλάλησανἄνθρωπος: 'man, human'; the human prophets — genuine speakers, yet carried by the Spirit, not their own will.