1
Ταύτην ἤδη, ἀγαπητοί, δευτέραν ὑμῖν γράφω ἐπιστολήν, ἐν αἷς διεγείρω ὑμῶν ἐν ὑπομνήσει τὴν εἰλικρινῆ διάνοιαν,
This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you, in both of which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,
Peter names his pastoral method: not new revelation but reminder. The plural 'in which' (ἐν αἷς) embraces both letters; the goal is to rouse a 'sincere mind' to recollection before the polemic against the scoffers begins.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ΤαύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative modifying ἐπιστολήνοὗτος: 'this'; fronted for emphasis — 'this, already a second letter.'
ἤδηnow / alreadytemporal adverbἤδη: 'now, already'; marks the present writing as the second instalment.
ἀγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the affectionate address recurs through the chapter (vv.1, 8, 14, 17).
δευτέρανsecondAccusativeattributive adjectiveδεύτερος: 'second'; implies a prior letter — most naturally 1 Peter, possibly a lost note.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
γράφωI writePres Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ progressive present (epistolary)γράφω: 'write'; the epistolary present, 'I am writing.'
ἐπιστολήνletterAccusativedirect objectἐπιστολή: 'letter, epistle'; the same noun used of Paul's letters at v.16.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)ὅς: the feminine plural 'in which' includes both letters together — the present and its predecessor.
διεγείρωI stir upPres Act Indic 1 Sg · διεγείρωverb of relative clause→ conative/progressive presentδιεγείρω: 'rouse, wake up, stir'; to shake a sleeping memory awake — Peter's stated aim (cf. 1:13).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive (w/ διάνοιαν)
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)
ὑπομνήσειreminderDativedat. of meansὑπόμνησις: 'reminding, recollection'; the same term at 1:13 — Peter teaches by recalling the known.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
εἰλικρινῆsincereAccusativeattributive adjectiveεἰλικρινής: 'pure, sincere, unmixed' (perh. 'judged by sunlight'); a mind untainted, ready to receive the reminder.
διάνοιανmindAccusativedirect object of διεγείρωδιάνοια: 'understanding, mind, disposition'; the faculty of reflection Peter seeks to awaken.
2
μνησθῆναι τῶν προειρημένων ῥημάτων ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων προφητῶν καὶ τῆς τῶν ἀποστόλων ὑμῶν ἐντολῆς τοῦ κυρίου καὶ σωτῆρος·
that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior given through your apostles;
The infinitive spells out what the reminder is for: to recall the prophetic word and the apostolic command. Peter brackets the whole canon of authority — OT prophets and NT apostles — around the dominical 'commandment.'
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
μνησθῆναιto rememberAor Pass Inf · μιμνῄσκομαιinfinitive of purpose/result→ constative aoristμιμνῄσκομαι: 'remember, recall'; the deponent passive — the goal of διεγείρω in v.1.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
προειρημένωνspoken beforehandPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Neut · προλέγωattributive participle→ intensive perfect (abiding deposit)προλέγω/προερέω: 'say beforehand'; the perfect marks the prophetic word as a standing, abiding utterance.
ῥημάτωνwordsGenitivegenitive object of μνησθῆναιῥῆμα: 'word, saying, utterance'; the spoken oracles of the prophets.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἁγίωνholyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; the prophets as God's consecrated spokesmen (cf. 1:21).
προφητῶνprophetsGenitivegenitive of agent (after ὑπό)προφήτης: 'prophet'; the OT seers whose foretelling of the End the scoffers deny.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀποστόλωνapostlesGenitivesubjective genitive (whose command is transmitted)ἀπόστολος: 'apostle, sent one'; the command is the Lord's, conveyed through 'your apostles.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationshipὑμῶν: 'your'; the apostles who served these readers — joining them to the apostolic mission.
ἐντολῆςcommandmentGenitivegenitive object of μνησθῆναι (coordinate w/ ῥημάτων)ἐντολή: 'commandment, charge'; the singular sum of Christian moral demand (cf. 2:21).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of source/possession (whose command)κύριος: 'Lord'; the commandment originates with him, not the apostles.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σωτῆροςSaviorGenitiveapposition to κυρίουσωτήρ: 'Savior'; the paired 'Lord and Savior' title frames the chapter (cf. v.18).
3
τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες, ὅτι ἐλεύσονται ἐπ’ ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐν ἐμπαιγμονῇ ἐμπαῖκται κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας αὐτῶν πορευόμενοι
knowing this first, that in the last days scoffers will come with scoffing, following their own lusts
The participle 'knowing this first' (echoing 1:20) heads the chapter's burden: the eschatological certainty of mockers. Their advent in the 'last days' is itself a fulfillment of prophecy — the scoffing confirms, not refutes, the apostolic word.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object of γινώσκοντες (forward-pointing)οὗτος: 'this'; cataphoric, anticipating the ὅτι clause.
πρῶτονfirstAccusativeadverbial accusative (priority)πρῶτος: 'first'; 'first of all' — the matter of foremost importance (as 1:20).
γινώσκοντεςknowingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γινώσκωadverbial ptc. (attendant circumstance / imperatival)→ progressive presentγινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; loosely attached to the implied 'you' of vv.1–2 — 'as you know this first.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of γινώσκοντες)
ἐλεύσονταιwill comeFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb of ὅτι clause→ predictive futureἔρχομαι: 'come'; the foretold arrival of the scoffers, itself a prophetic sign.
ἐπ’inpreposition + genitive (time)
ἐσχάτωνlastGenitiveattributive adjectiveἔσχατος: 'last, final'; 'the last days,' the closing age inaugurated by Christ.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἡμερῶνdaysGenitivegenitive (whole) w/ ἐσχάτωνἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the last of the days,' a Semitic-flavored idiom for the eschaton.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner)
ἐμπαιγμονῇscoffingDativedat. of manner (cognate w/ ἐμπαῖκται)ἐμπαιγμονή: 'mockery, derision' (NT hapax); the cognate dative ('scoffers with scoffing') intensifies in Semitic idiom.
ἐμπαῖκταιscoffersNominativesubject of ἐλεύσονταιἐμπαίκτης: 'mocker, scoffer'; the false teachers of ch. 2, here defined by their derision of the parousia.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/standard)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἰδίαςtheir ownAccusativeattributive adjective (emphatic)ἴδιος: 'one's own'; stresses self-will — they walk by appetite, not by God's word.
ἐπιθυμίαςlustsAccusativeobject of κατάἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, lust'; the moral root of the scoffing — denial of judgment licenses appetite.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive
πορευόμενοιfollowing / walkingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πορεύομαιadverbial participle (manner)→ progressive presentπορεύομαι: 'go, walk, conduct oneself'; 'walking after their lusts' — a Hebraic idiom for a way of life.
4
καὶ λέγοντες· Ποῦ ἐστιν ἡ ἐπαγγελία τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ; ἀφ’ ἧς γὰρ οἱ πατέρες ἐκοιμήθησαν, πάντα οὕτως διαμένει ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς κτίσεως.
and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation."
The taunt itself: the delay of the parousia is taken as its refutation. Their argument is uniformitarian — nothing has changed since creation, so nothing will. Peter will dismantle the premise (vv.5–7) before the conclusion.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (joins ptc.)
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωadverbial participle (manner) coordinate w/ πορευόμενοι→ progressive presentλέγω: 'say'; introduces the scoffers' direct speech.
Ποῦwhereinterrogative adverbποῦ: 'where?'; the mocking 'Where is...?' echoes the OT taunt against God's delay (Mal 2:17; Jer 17:15).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐπαγγελίαpromiseNominativesubjectἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the promised parousia, whose apparent failure the scoffers press (cf. v.9).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
παρουσίαςcomingGenitiveobjective genitive (the promise concerning the coming)παρουσία: 'arrival, presence, coming'; the technical term for Christ's eschatological advent.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
ἀφ’frompreposition + genitive (temporal point)
ἧςwhich (time)Genitiverelative pronoun (object of ἀπό; 'since')ὅς: 'from which (day)' — 'ever since,' with ἡμέρας understood.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (grounds the taunt)
οἱtheNominativearticle
πατέρεςfathersNominativesubject of ἐκοιμήθησανπατήρ: 'father'; likely the first Christian generation (or the patriarchs) — their death without the End is the scoffers' proof.
ἐκοιμήθησανfell asleepAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κοιμάομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aoristκοιμάομαι: 'sleep, fall asleep'; the gentle Christian euphemism for death — ironic in the scoffers' mouth.
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject of διαμένειπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the cosmos, claimed to be unchanging.
οὕτωςthus / just soadverb of mannerοὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; 'all things continue just so' — the uniformitarian claim.
διαμένειcontinuePres Act Indic 3 Sg · διαμένωmain verb (neut. pl. subject, sg. verb)→ stative/customary presentδιαμένω: 'remain, continue, persist'; the perfective prefix stresses unbroken constancy.
ἀπ’frompreposition + genitive (temporal origin)
ἀρχῆςbeginningGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀρχή: 'beginning, origin'; 'from the beginning of creation' — the scoffers' appeal to changeless order, which v.5 overturns.
κτίσεωςof creationGenitivegenitive (defining ἀρχῆς)κτίσις: 'creation, that which is created'; the very word that exposes their forgetting (vv.5–6).
5
λανθάνει γὰρ αὐτοὺς τοῦτο θέλοντας, ὅτι οὐρανοὶ ἦσαν ἔκπαλαι καὶ γῆ ἐξ ὕδατος καὶ δι’ ὕδατος συνεστῶσα τῷ τοῦ θεοῦ λόγῳ,
For this escapes them, willfully, that the heavens existed long ago and an earth, formed out of water and through water by the word of God,
Peter's rebuttal turns on the scoffers' selective amnesia: 'this escapes them willingly.' The same created order they cite as proof of permanence was itself spoken into being by God's word — the word that can also unmake it (v.7).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
λανθάνειescapes noticePres Act Indic 3 Sg · λανθάνωmain verb (impersonal w/ acc.)→ stative presentλανθάνω: 'be hidden, escape notice'; 'it escapes them' — they overlook it, here deliberately.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of λανθάνει
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of θέλοντας (cataphoric to ὅτι)οὗτος: 'this'; anticipates the ὅτι clause — what they choose not to see.
θέλονταςwilling itPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · θέλωadverbial ptc. (manner) modifying αὐτούς→ progressive presentθέλω: 'will, wish'; 'willingly' — their ignorance is culpable, a chosen forgetting (cf. Rom 1:18).
ὅτιthatconjunction (subject content of λανθάνει)
οὐρανοὶheavensNominativesubject of ἦσανοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the plural reflects Hebrew šāmayim — the created firmament.
ἦσανexistedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb of ὅτι clause→ imperfect (past state)εἰμί: 'be, exist'; 'were/existed,' looking back to the primeval order.
ἔκπαλαιlong agotemporal adverbἔκπαλαι: 'from of old, long ago'; underscores the antiquity of the creating word.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γῆan earthNominativesubject (coordinate w/ οὐρανοί)γῆ: 'earth, land'; the dry land that emerged from the waters (Gen 1:9).
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source)
ὕδατοςwaterGenitiveobject of ἐξ (material source)ὕδωρ: 'water'; the primeval deep from which the earth was drawn — and the agent of its later judgment (v.6).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δι’throughpreposition + genitive (means/medium)
ὕδατοςwaterGenitiveobject of διάὕδωρ: 'water'; the earth holds together amid/by the waters — the construal of διά (local 'amid' or instrumental 'by') is debated.
συνεστῶσαhaving been formed / holding togetherPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · συνίστημιattributive participle modifying γῆ→ intensive perfect (resultant state)συνίστημι: 'put together, hold together, consist'; the perfect describes the earth's standing constitution out of water.
τῷby theDativearticle
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive (whose word)θεός: 'God'; the divine word (Gen 1, 'and God said') is the agent of creation — the crux of Peter's reply.
λόγῳwordDativedat. of means (with συνεστῶσα and ἦσαν)λόγος: 'word'; the creative fiat — by the same word the present order is reserved for fire (v.7).
6
δι’ ὧν ὁ τότε κόσμος ὕδατι κατακλυσθεὶς ἀπώλετο·
through which the world that then existed was deluged with water and destroyed.
The flood is the decisive counter-example: the cosmos did not simply 'continue.' The same water that constituted the earth (v.5) became the instrument of its destruction — proof that God's word can and has interrupted the order the scoffers call permanent.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
δι’throughpreposition + genitive (means)
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of διά; plural antecedent)ὅς: the plural antecedent is debated — 'water and the word' (v.5), or the two 'waters'; the means of the flood.
ὁtheNominativearticle
τότεthenadverb (attributive, w/ article)τότε: 'then, at that time'; 'the world that then was' — the antediluvian order, distinct from the present (v.7).
κόσμοςworldNominativesubjectκόσμος: 'world, ordered universe'; the inhabited creation, destroyed in Noah's flood.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedat. of means/instrumentὕδωρ: 'water'; the flood-waters — the agent of the first cosmic judgment, prefiguring the fire to come.
κατακλυσθεὶςhaving been delugedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κατακλύζωadverbial participle (means/circumstance)→ constative aoristκατακλύζω: 'flood, inundate, overwhelm'; the cognate of κατακλυσμός ('cataclysm, deluge').
ἀπώλετοwas destroyedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb→ constative aoristἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, perish'; the mid./pass. 'perished' — the destiny again awaiting the ungodly (v.7, ἀπωλείας).
7
οἱ δὲ νῦν οὐρανοὶ καὶ ἡ γῆ τῷ αὐτῷ λόγῳ τεθησαυρισμένοι εἰσὶν πυρὶ τηρούμενοι εἰς ἡμέραν κρίσεως καὶ ἀπωλείας τῶν ἀσεβῶν ἀνθρώπων.
But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
The δέ pivots from the past flood to the present cosmos: 'the same word' that created and once flooded now reserves the heavens and earth for fire. Water then, fire now — the coming judgment is as certain as the past one, awaiting only its appointed day.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
οἱtheNominativearticle
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
νῦνpresent / nowadverb (attributive)νῦν: 'now'; 'the now heavens' — the present order, set against 'the world that then was' (v.6).
οὐρανοὶheavensNominativesubjectοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the present sky/cosmos, reserved for fire.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
γῆearthNominativesubject (coordinate)γῆ: 'earth'; the present earth, paired with the heavens for judgment.
τῷby theDativearticle
αὐτῷsameDativeattributive adj. (identity)αὐτός: 'same'; 'the same word' that created (v.5) now reserves — the rhetorical hinge.
λόγῳwordDativedat. of meansλόγος: 'word'; God's same creative/decreeing word now sustains the cosmos for judgment.
τεθησαυρισμένοιhaving been stored upPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · θησαυρίζωparticiple in periphrastic perfect (w/ εἰσίν)→ intensive perfect (settled state)θησαυρίζω: 'store up, treasure, reserve'; the perfect marks a settled reservation — like treasure laid by for the End.
εἰσὶνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic w/ τεθησαυρισμένοι)→ stative present
πυρὶfor fireDativedat. of purpose/destinationπῦρ: 'fire'; the agent of the coming judgment, answering the water of v.6 — the eschatological conflagration.
τηρούμενοιbeing keptPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · τηρέωadverbial participle (attendant circumstance)→ progressive presentτηρέω: 'keep, guard, reserve'; the cosmos is held under guard for the day — as the wicked are (cf. 2:4, 9, 17).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/purpose)
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeobject of εἰςἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the day of judgment,' the appointed terminus of the present order (cf. vv.10, 12).
κρίσεωςof judgmentGenitivegenitive (defining the day)κρίσις: 'judgment, verdict'; the divine assize that ends the age.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπωλείαςdestructionGenitivegenitive (coordinate w/ κρίσεως)ἀπώλεια: 'destruction, ruin, perdition'; the fate of the ungodly — the noun of ἀπώλετο (v.6).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀσεβῶνungodlyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἀσεβής: 'ungodly, impious'; the irreverent — the object of the judgment (cf. 2:5–6).
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivegenitive (whose destruction)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; 'ungodly people,' those who will perish in the fire.
8
Ἓν δὲ τοῦτο μὴ λανθανέτω ὑμᾶς, ἀγαπητοί, ὅτι μία ἡμέρα παρὰ κυρίῳ ὡς χίλια ἔτη καὶ χίλια ἔτη ὡς ἡμέρα μία.
But do not let this one thing escape you, beloved, that one day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
Echoing v.5's 'escapes them,' Peter turns to the beloved: do not let this escape you. Psalm 90:4 reframes the delay: divine time is not human time. The apparent slowness is no measure of God's faithfulness.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἛνoneAccusativeattributive numeral (w/ τοῦτο)εἷς: 'one'; 'this one thing' — singled out as decisive.
δὲbutcontrastive/developmental conjunction
τοῦτοthisAccusativesubject of λανθανέτω (cataphoric)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing forward to the ὅτι clause.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
λανθανέτωlet it escapePres Act Impv 3 Sg · λανθάνωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ present (general prohibition)λανθάνω: 'escape notice'; the deliberate counterpart to v.5 — what they forget, the beloved must not.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative object of λανθανέτω
ἀγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the warm address recurs, marking a new movement.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
μίαoneNominativeattributive numeralεἷς: 'one'; 'one day' — the Psalm-90 contrast of scale.
ἡμέραdayNominativesubjectἡμέρα: 'day'; the smallest unit set against the largest, to relativize human impatience.
παρὰwithpreposition + dative (in the estimation of)παρά: + dat., 'beside, with, in the judgment of' — 'as God reckons it.'
κυρίῳthe LordDativeobject of παράκύριος: 'Lord'; God, whose timeless vantage frames the delay (Ps 90:4).
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'as, like'; the term of comparison.
χίλιαa thousandNominativeattributive numeralχίλιοι: 'thousand'; the long span, equated with a single day.
ἔτηyearsNominativepredicate nominative (w/ implied ἐστιν)ἔτος: 'year'; the unit measuring human history, dwarfed by God's eternity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χίλιαa thousandNominativeattributive numeral
ἔτηyearsNominativesubject (chiastic reversal)ἔτος: 'year'; the reversed clause completes the symmetry — neither scale binds God.
ὡςlikecomparative particle
ἡμέραdayNominativepredicate nominativeἡμέρα: 'day'; the chiasmus (day–years // years–day) seals the point.
μίαoneNominativeattributive numeralεἷς: 'one.'
9
οὐ βραδύνει κύριος τῆς ἐπαγγελίας, ὥς τινες βραδύτητα ἡγοῦνται, ἀλλὰ μακροθυμεῖ εἰς ὑμᾶς, μὴ βουλόμενός τινας ἀπολέσθαι ἀλλὰ πάντας εἰς μετάνοιαν χωρῆσαι.
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The heart of the chapter's answer: the 'delay' is divine forbearance, not failure. God's patience has a saving purpose — space for repentance. The 'where is the promise?' of v.4 is met by the redefinition of the wait as mercy.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
οὐnotnegative particle
βραδύνειis slow / delaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · βραδύνωmain verb→ stative presentβραδύνω: 'be slow, delay, tarry'; directly rebuts the scoffers' charge of a failed promise.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord'; here God, whose promise stands sure.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐπαγγελίαςpromiseGenitivegenitive of reference (slow concerning the promise)ἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the parousia-promise of v.4 — not slow but patient.
ὥςascomparative particleὡς: 'as'; introduces the mistaken human reckoning.
τινεςsomeNominativesubject of ἡγοῦνταιτις: 'some, certain ones'; the scoffers, who misread patience as tardiness.
βραδύτηταslownessAccusativedirect object of ἡγοῦνταιβραδύτης: 'slowness, tardiness'; the cognate noun — what 'some' wrongly impute to God.
ἡγοῦνταιcount / considerPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἡγέομαιverb of comparative clause→ customary presentἡγέομαι: 'consider, regard, count'; same verb as v.15 ('count the patience salvation') — the contrast is pointed.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
μακροθυμεῖis patientPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μακροθυμέωmain verb (contrast)→ stative/progressive presentμακροθυμέω: 'be long-suffering, patient' (lit. 'long-tempered'); the divine forbearance that withholds judgment for mercy's sake.
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/benefit)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς (beneficiary)ὑμᾶς: 'you'; the patience is directed pastorally toward the readers (a few witnesses read ἡμᾶς, 'us').
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
βουλόμενόςwillingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · βούλομαιadverbial participle (cause/manner)→ progressive presentβούλομαι: 'will, wish, intend'; God's saving disposition — not desiring any to perish.
τιναςanyAccusativeaccusative subject of ἀπολέσθαιτις: 'any, some'; the indefinite object of God's reluctance.
ἀπολέσθαιto perishAor Mid Inf · ἀπόλλυμιcomplementary infinitive (after βουλόμενος)→ constative aoristἀπόλλυμι: 'perish, be destroyed'; the fate of v.6–7, which God's patience holds at bay.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
πάνταςallAccusativeaccusative subject of χωρῆσαιπᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope of God's saving will, set against the perishing of 'any.'
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
μετάνοιανrepentanceAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the coming)μετάνοια: 'repentance, change of mind'; the purpose of the delay — room to turn (cf. Rom 2:4).
χωρῆσαιto come / make roomAor Act Inf · χωρέωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristχωρέω: 'go forward, proceed, make room for'; here 'come to' or 'move toward' repentance.
10
Ἥξει δὲ ἡμέρα κυρίου ὡς κλέπτης, ἐν ᾗ οἱ οὐρανοὶ ῥοιζηδὸν παρελεύσονται, στοιχεῖα δὲ καυσούμενα λυθήσεται, καὶ γῆ καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήσεται.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will be dissolved as they burn, and the earth and the works in it will be found out.
Against the scoffers' 'where?,' the day's certainty and suddenness: 'like a thief' (the dominical image, 1 Thess 5:2). The cosmic dissolution is described in three clauses; the climactic εὑρεθήσεται ('will be found/laid bare') is the chapter's hardest reading — likely a forensic 'will be found out / exposed' before God, against the Byzantine 'will be burned up.'
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
Ἥξειwill comeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωmain verb (fronted)→ predictive futureἥκω: 'come, arrive, be present'; the emphatic front position asserts the day's certain arrival.
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
ἡμέραdayNominativesubjectἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the day of the Lord,' the OT day of YHWH (Joel, Amos) now centered on Christ's coming.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivepossessive genitive (whose day)κύριος: 'Lord'; anarthrous 'day of the Lord,' the great eschatological reckoning.
ὡςlikecomparative particle
κλέπτηςa thiefNominativepredicate (comparison)κλέπτης: 'thief'; the dominical simile of unannounced suddenness (Mt 24:43; 1 Thess 5:2; Rev 16:15).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (temporal; antecedent ἡμέρα)ὅς: 'in which (day)' — introducing the events of that day.
οἱtheNominativearticle
οὐρανοὶheavensNominativesubject of παρελεύσονταιοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the firmament, which 'passes away' (cf. Mt 24:35; Rev 21:1).
ῥοιζηδὸνwith a roaradverb of mannerῥοιζηδόν: 'with a rushing/whizzing noise' (NT hapax); the roar of the dissolving heavens (onomatopoeic ῥοῖζος).
παρελεύσονταιwill pass awayFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · παρέρχομαιverb of relative clause→ predictive futureπαρέρχομαι: 'pass by, pass away, come to an end'; the heavens' dissolution (Mt 24:35).
στοιχεῖαelementsNominativesubject of λυθήσεταιστοιχεῖον: 'element'; the basic constituents — physical elements (fire/air/etc.) or the heavenly bodies; debated.
δὲandcontinuative/developmental conjunction
καυσούμεναburning / scorchedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · καυσόωadverbial participle (manner/means)→ progressive presentκαυσόω: 'burn up, be consumed with heat'; the elements dissolve amid intense fire (cf. v.12).
λυθήσεταιwill be dissolvedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · λύωmain verb (neut. pl. subject, sg. verb)→ predictive futureλύω: 'loose, dissolve, break up'; the unmaking of the elements — the keyword of vv.11–12 (λυομένων, λυθήσονται).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γῆearthNominativesubject of εὑρεθήσεταιγῆ: 'earth'; the present earth, brought under the same scrutiny as its works.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
αὐτῇitDativeobject of ἐν (referring to γῆ)
ἔργαworksNominativesubject (coordinate w/ γῆ)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; the works of human civilization (and conduct) exposed at the judgment.
εὑρεθήσεταιwill be found out / laid bareFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ predictive futureεὑρίσκω: 'find, discover'; the harder critical reading (against Byz. κατακαήσεται, 'burned up') — likely forensic: earth and works 'will be found/laid bare' before God's judgment.
11
Τούτων οὕτως πάντων λυομένων ποταποὺς δεῖ ὑπάρχειν ὑμᾶς ἐν ἁγίαις ἀναστροφαῖς καὶ εὐσεβείαις,
Since all these things are thus being dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
The hortatory turn: cosmic dissolution is not speculation but moral summons. The genitive absolute ('all these being dissolved') grounds the rhetorical question — eschatology shapes ethics, demanding holiness and godliness now.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Τούτωνthese thingsGenitivegenitive absolute (subject)οὗτος: 'these'; the heavens, elements, earth of v.10.
οὕτωςthusadverb of mannerοὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; 'in this manner being dissolved' — pointing back to v.10.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adj. (w/ τούτων)πᾶς: 'all'; the totality, comprehensively undone.
λυομένωνbeing dissolvedPres Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Neut · λύωparticiple of genitive absolute (causal/temporal)→ progressive present (futuristic/proleptic)λύω: 'dissolve, loose'; the present pictures the certain dissolution as already in train (cf. v.10).
ποταποὺςwhat sortAccusativepredicate accusative (w/ ὑπάρχειν)ποταπός: 'of what sort/kind'; the rhetorical 'what manner of persons' — answered by holiness and godliness.
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal main verb (w/ infinitive)→ stative presentδεῖ: 'it is necessary, one ought'; the impersonal of moral obligation.
ὑπάρχεινto bePres Act Inf · ὑπάρχωcomplementary infinitive (after δεῖ)→ progressive presentὑπάρχω: 'be, exist, be at one's disposal'; a fuller 'to be' than εἰμί — to be by settled character.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of ὑπάρχειν
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἁγίαιςholyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; the quality of life demanded in view of the End.
ἀναστροφαῖςconductDativedat. of sphereἀναστροφή: 'conduct, manner of life, behavior'; the plural ('holy behaviors') sums up the whole pattern of life (cf. 1 Pet 1:15).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐσεβείαιςgodlinessDativedat. of sphere (coordinate)εὐσέβεια: 'godliness, piety, reverence'; a keyword of the letter (1:3, 6–7), here in the plural — acts of devotion.
12
προσδοκῶντας καὶ σπεύδοντας τὴν παρουσίαν τῆς τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμέρας, δι’ ἣν οὐρανοὶ πυρούμενοι λυθήσονται καὶ στοιχεῖα καυσούμενα τήκεται;
as you await and hasten the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens, being set on fire, will be dissolved, and the elements melt as they burn?
The participles define the expected character: not passive resignation but eager expectation and even 'hastening' the day — by holiness and mission. The cosmic fire is restated, now with 'melt' (τήκεται), recalling Isaiah 34:4; Micah 1:4.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
προσδοκῶνταςawaitingPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · προσδοκάωadverbial participle modifying ὑμᾶς (v.11)→ progressive presentπροσδοκάω: 'wait for, expect, look for'; the forward-leaning expectancy of the believer (cf. Mt 24:50).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σπεύδονταςhasteningPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · σπεύδωadverbial participle (coordinate)→ progressive presentσπεύδω: 'hasten, hurry, be zealous for'; either 'hastening (the coming of) the day' (transitive) or 'eagerly awaiting' — the bold notion that holy living speeds the End.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παρουσίανcomingAccusativedirect object of the participlesπαρουσία: 'coming, arrival, presence'; here the advent of God's day (cf. v.4).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive (whose day)θεός: 'God'; 'the day of God' — a rare phrase (cf. Rev 16:14), parallel to 'the day of the Lord' (v.10).
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (defining παρουσίαν)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the eschatological day, whose coming the believer hastens.
δι’on account ofpreposition + accusative (cause/occasion)διά: + acc., 'because of, on account of' — the day on whose account the heavens dissolve.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of διά; antecedent ἡμέρας)ὅς: 'on account of which (day).'
οὐρανοὶheavensNominativesubject of λυθήσονταιοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the firmament, set ablaze and dissolved.
πυρούμενοιbeing set on firePres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πυρόωadverbial participle (manner/means)→ progressive presentπυρόω: 'set on fire, burn, refine'; the heavens kindled for dissolution.
λυθήσονταιwill be dissolvedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · λύωverb of relative clause→ predictive futureλύω: 'dissolve, loose'; the keyword of vv.10–11, here of the heavens.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
στοιχεῖαelementsNominativesubject of τήκεταιστοιχεῖον: 'element'; as in v.10, the constituents of the cosmos.
καυσούμεναburningPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · καυσόωadverbial participle (manner)→ progressive presentκαυσόω: 'burn with heat, be consumed'; repeated from v.10 — the elements in flames.
τήκεταιmeltPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · τήκωmain verb (vivid present; neut. pl. subject)→ futuristic present (vividness)τήκω: 'melt, dissolve'; the present makes the future vivid — the elements melting in fire (Isa 34:4; Mic 1:4).
13
καινοὺς δὲ οὐρανοὺς καὶ γῆν καινὴν κατὰ τὸ ἐπάγγελμα αὐτοῦ προσδοκῶμεν, ἐν οἷς δικαιοσύνη κατοικεῖ.
But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
The δέ turns from dissolution to renewal: the fire is not annihilation but transformation. Isaiah 65:17; 66:22 ground the hope — a new cosmos where righteousness is at home. The 'we await' answers the scoffers' 'where?' with confident expectation.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καινοὺςnewAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new' (in quality/kind, not merely time); the renewed heavens, qualitatively transformed.
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
οὐρανοὺςheavensAccusativedirect object of προσδοκῶμενοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the new firmament of Isa 65:17; 66:22 (cf. Rev 21:1).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object (coordinate)γῆ: 'earth'; the renewed earth, the dwelling of righteousness.
καινὴνnewAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new'; modifying γῆν — the qualitatively new earth.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἐπάγγελμαpromiseAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)ἐπάγγελμα: 'promise, what is promised'; the prophetic pledge (Isa 65–66) — the basis of the hope, against the scoffers' doubt.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
προσδοκῶμενwe awaitPres Act Indic 1 Pl · προσδοκάωmain verb→ progressive presentπροσδοκάω: 'await, expect'; the keyword of v.12, now in the first person — 'we look for' the new creation.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (locative; antecedent the new heavens/earth)ὅς: 'in which' — the new cosmos as the home of righteousness.
δικαιοσύνηrighteousnessNominativesubject of κατοικεῖδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, justice'; personified as the permanent inhabitant of the new world (cf. Isa 32:16).
κατοικεῖdwellsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωverb of relative clause→ stative present (settled habitation)κατοικέω: 'dwell, settle, inhabit'; the perfective prefix marks permanent residence — righteousness 'at home' there.
14
Διό, ἀγαπητοί, ταῦτα προσδοκῶντες σπουδάσατε ἄσπιλοι καὶ ἀμώμητοι αὐτῷ εὑρεθῆναι ἐν εἰρήνῃ,
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be diligent to be found by him spotless and blameless, in peace,
The chapter's first main imperative: σπουδάσατε. The eschatological hope grounds moral diligence. 'To be found' (εὑρεθῆναι) deliberately echoes the εὑρεθήσεται of v.10 — the earth's works will be exposed; let the believer be found spotless. 'Spotless and blameless' inverts the false teachers' σπίλοι (2:13).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
Διόthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'therefore, for which reason'; drawing the practical conclusion from vv.10–13.
ἀγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the address opening the final exhortation.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object of προσδοκῶντεςοὗτος: 'these'; the new heavens and earth of v.13.
προσδοκῶντεςawaitingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσδοκάωadverbial participle (cause/circumstance)→ progressive presentπροσδοκάω: 'await, expect'; the keyword of vv.12–13, now grounding the exhortation.
σπουδάσατεbe diligentAor Act Impv 2 Pl · σπουδάζωmain verb (imperative)→ constative/ingressive aoristσπουδάζω: 'be eager, make every effort, be diligent'; the urgent summons to moral earnestness (cf. 1:10, 15).
ἄσπιλοιspotlessNominativepredicate adj. (w/ εὑρεθῆναι)ἄσπιλος: 'unstained, spotless'; the opposite of the σπίλοι ('blots') of the false teachers (2:13).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀμώμητοιblamelessNominativepredicate adj. (coordinate)ἀμώμητος: 'blameless, without blemish'; cultic 'unblemished' language — fit to stand before God.
αὐτῷby himDativedat. of agent / reference (in his sight)αὐτός: 'him'; 'found by/before him' — the Lord at his coming.
εὑρεθῆναιto be foundAor Pass Inf · εὑρίσκωcomplementary infinitive (after σπουδάσατε)→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: 'find'; the passive 'to be found' deliberately answers v.10's εὑρεθήσεται — be found spotless, not exposed.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state)
εἰρήνῃpeaceDativedat. of state/circumstanceεἰρήνη: 'peace'; reconciled standing with God — at peace, not under wrath, at the judgment.
15
καὶ τὴν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν μακροθυμίαν σωτηρίαν ἡγεῖσθε, καθὼς καὶ ὁ ἀγαπητὸς ἡμῶν ἀδελφὸς Παῦλος κατὰ τὴν δοθεῖσαν αὐτῷ σοφίαν ἔγραψεν ὑμῖν,
and count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
A second imperative ('count'), reversing v.9's wrong reckoning ('some count it slowness'): the patience IS salvation. Peter then ranges Paul alongside himself — 'our beloved brother' — as a fellow witness to the same teaching, lending apostolic weight.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τοῦofGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivepossessive genitive (whose patience)κύριος: 'Lord'; the patience of v.9, now to be rightly reckoned.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
μακροθυμίανpatienceAccusativedirect object of ἡγεῖσθεμακροθυμία: 'patience, long-suffering'; the noun of μακροθυμεῖ (v.9) — the delay reinterpreted as saving forbearance.
σωτηρίανsalvationAccusativeobject complement (double accusative)σωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; the patience affords the very opportunity for rescue (cf. v.9).
ἡγεῖσθεcount / considerPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἡγέομαιmain verb (imperative)→ present (general command)ἡγέομαι: 'consider, count, regard'; the same verb the scoffers misuse (v.9) — now rightly directed.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; aligning Peter's exhortation with Paul's teaching.
καὶalsoadjunctive adverb
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀγαπητὸςbelovedNominativeattributive adjectiveἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the warm designation of Paul — no rivalry, but fellowship.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativeapposition to Παῦλοςἀδελφός: 'brother'; Paul as fellow apostle and 'brother' — a notable witness to early apostolic concord.
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject of ἔγραψενΠαῦλος: 'Paul'; the apostle, whose letters Peter treats as authoritative (v.16).
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δοθεῖσανgivenAor Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · δίδωμιattributive participle→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; Paul's wisdom is a divine gift (the passive implies God) — not human cleverness.
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of recipient
σοφίανwisdomAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)σοφία: 'wisdom'; the God-given insight by which Paul wrote — affirming his inspiration.
ἔγραψενwroteAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γράφωverb of comparative clause→ constative aoristγράφω: 'write'; of Paul's letter(s) to these readers.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
16
ὡς καὶ ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐπιστολαῖς λαλῶν ἐν αὐταῖς περὶ τούτων, ἐν αἷς ἐστιν δυσνόητά τινα, ἃ οἱ ἀμαθεῖς καὶ ἀστήρικτοι στρεβλοῦσιν ὡς καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς γραφὰς πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν αὐτῶν ἀπώλειαν.
as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters — in which there are some things hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Peter broadens to 'all his letters,' acknowledges their occasional difficulty, and notes their distortion by the unstable — pointedly classing Paul's writings 'with the rest of the Scriptures' (τὰς λοιπὰς γραφάς), an early witness to a developing NT canon-consciousness. The twisting is self-destructive (cf. 2:1).
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as'; extending from the single letter (v.15) to all of them.
καὶalsoadjunctive adverb
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
πάσαιςallDativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; 'all his letters' — implying a known, circulating collection.
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἐπιστολαῖςlettersDativeobject of ἐνἐπιστολή: 'letter'; Paul's epistles, treated as a recognized body of teaching.
λαλῶνspeakingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λαλέωadverbial participle (modifying Παῦλος of v.15)→ progressive presentλαλέω: 'speak, talk'; of Paul's repeated treatment of 'these things' (the End).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐταῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν (resumptive, the letters)
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
τούτωνthese thingsGenitiveobject of περίοὗτος: 'these'; the eschatological themes of the chapter.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (antecedent ἐπιστολαῖς)ὅς: 'in which (letters).'
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of relative clause→ stative present
δυσνόητάhard to understandNominativesubject (substantival adj.)δυσνόητος: 'hard to understand' (NT hapax); not obscure in itself, but liable to misreading by the untaught.
τιναsome thingsNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)τις: 'some'; 'some things' — not all of Paul, only certain matters.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of στρεβλοῦσιν)ὅς: 'which (things).'
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀμαθεῖςignorantNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἀμαθής: 'unlearned, ignorant' (NT hapax); untaught in the faith — those who distort Scripture.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀστήρικτοιunstableNominativesubject (coordinate)ἀστήρικτος: 'unstable, unsteady' (cf. 2:14); not 'established' (στηριγμός, v.17) — the morally and doctrinally unanchored.
στρεβλοῦσινtwist / distortPres Act Indic 3 Pl · στρεβλόωverb of relative clause→ customary presentστρεβλόω: 'twist, wrench, torture' (NT hapax; lit. the rack); they wrench Scripture to a meaning it will not bear.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as'; extending the distortion to all Scripture.
καὶalsoadjunctive adverb
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
λοιπὰςrest of theAccusativeattributive adjectiveλοιπός: 'remaining, the rest'; 'the rest of the Scriptures' — classing Paul's letters as γραφή alongside the OT, a striking canonical witness.
γραφὰςScripturesAccusativedirect object (of an implied στρεβλοῦσιν)γραφή: 'writing, Scripture'; the sacred writings — here including Paul's letters (cf. 1 Tim 5:18).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (result/goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἰδίανtheir ownAccusativeattributive adjective (emphatic)ἴδιος: 'one's own'; the destruction is self-incurred — they bring it on themselves.
αὐτῶνof themGenitivepossessive genitive
ἀπώλειανdestructionAccusativeobject of πρός (result)ἀπώλεια: 'destruction, ruin'; the recurring fate (vv.7, 9; 2:1) — here self-procured by twisting Scripture.
17
Ὑμεῖς οὖν, ἀγαπητοί, προγινώσκοντες φυλάσσεσθε ἵνα μὴ τῇ τῶν ἀθέσμων πλάνῃ συναπαχθέντες ἐκπέσητε τοῦ ἰδίου στηριγμοῦ,
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard, lest, carried away by the error of the lawless, you fall from your own steadfastness;
The emphatic 'You therefore' sets the readers over against the 'ignorant and unstable' (v.16). Forewarned, they must keep watch. The danger is being 'carried away' into the error of the lawless and so falling from the very stability (στηριγμός) the unstable (ἀστήρικτοι) lack.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ὙμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, fronted)σύ: 'you'; the explicit pronoun sets the readers apart from the distorters of v.16.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; drawing the personal application.
ἀγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the fourth and final use of the address.
προγινώσκοντεςknowing beforehandPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προγινώσκωadverbial participle (cause)→ progressive presentπρογινώσκω: 'know beforehand, foreknow'; because they are forewarned (vv.3, 16), they are without excuse if they fall.
φυλάσσεσθεbe on guardPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φυλάσσωmain verb (imperative)→ present (ongoing command)φυλάσσω: 'guard, watch, keep'; the middle 'guard yourselves' — sustained vigilance against the error.
ἵναlest / thatconjunction (negative purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: here with μή, 'lest' — the danger to be averted.
μὴnotnegative particle
τῇtheDativearticle
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀθέσμωνlawlessGenitivesubstantival adj. (subjective genitive)ἄθεσμος: 'lawless, unprincipled'; the same term for the Sodomites (2:7) — the false teachers' immoral character.
πλάνῃerrorDativedat. of means/instrument (w/ συναπαχθέντες)πλάνη: 'wandering, error, deceit'; the deceptive teaching that leads astray (cf. 2:18).
συναπαχθέντεςcarried away withAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συναπάγωadverbial participle (means/condition)→ constative aoristσυναπάγω: 'lead away with, carry off together'; the same verb of Peter at Antioch (Gal 2:13) — swept along by error.
ἐκπέσητεyou fallAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐκπίπτωverb of ἵνα clause→ constative aoristἐκπίπτω: 'fall out/from, lose'; to fall away from a secure position.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἰδίουyour ownGenitiveattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own'; the steadfastness that is properly theirs — to be guarded, not forfeited.
στηριγμοῦsteadfastnessGenitivegenitive of separation (after ἐκπίπτω)στηριγμός: 'firmness, stability' (NT hapax); the antonym of ἀστήρικτοι (v.16) — the firm footing to be kept.
18
αὐξάνετε δὲ ἐν χάριτι καὶ γνώσει τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ νῦν καὶ εἰς ἡμέραν αἰῶνος. ἀμήν.
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
The final imperative answers the negative warning of v.17: not merely guarding but growing. Knowledge (γνῶσις) — the letter's keynote (1:2–8) — is the safeguard against the scoffers' ignorance. The doxology, addressed to Christ, seals the letter; 'to the day of eternity' is a unique phrase fusing the eschatological 'day' with eternity.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
αὐξάνετεgrowPres Act Impv 2 Pl · αὐξάνωmain verb (imperative)→ present (continual command)αὐξάνω: 'grow, increase'; the present commands ongoing growth — the positive to v.17's guarding.
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/respect)
χάριτιgraceDativedat. of sphereχάρις: 'grace, favor'; the sphere of growth — divine favor, with which the letter opened (1:2).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γνώσειknowledgeDativedat. of sphere (coordinate)γνῶσις: 'knowledge'; the letter's keyword (1:2–8) — true knowledge of Christ guards against the scoffers' error.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveobjective genitive (knowledge of the Lord)κύριος: 'Lord'; the object of the saving knowledge.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σωτῆροςSaviorGenitiveapposition to κυρίουσωτήρ: 'Savior'; the 'Lord and Savior' title closing the letter as it ran throughout (1:1, 11; 2:20; 3:2).
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of possession/advantage (doxology)αὐτός: 'him'; the doxology is addressed to Christ — a high-Christology ascription of glory.
ἡtheNominativearticle
δόξαgloryNominativesubject (verbless doxology, w/ implied εἴη/ἐστίν)δόξα: 'glory, honor'; ascribed to Christ — the fitting close to the letter.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καί)
νῦνnowtemporal adverbνῦν: 'now'; the present age.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (extent of time)
ἡμέρανthe dayAccusativeobject of εἰςἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the day of eternity' — a unique phrase, perhaps the eschatological day that opens unending eternity.
αἰῶνοςof eternityGenitivegenitive (defining ἡμέραν)αἰών: 'age, eternity'; 'day of (the) age' — the everlasting day inaugurated at Christ's coming.
ἀμήνamenliturgical affirmationἀμήν: 'amen, so be it'; the Hebrew word of affirmation sealing the doxology.