Blind (rufdds). Illustrating Peter’s emphasis on sight as a medium of instruction. See Introduction.
And cannot see afar off (uvwmdfov). Only here in New Testament. From pia, to close, and dap, the eye. Closing or contracting the eyes like short-sighted people. Henge, to be short-sighted. The participle being short-sighted is added to the adjective blind, defining it; as if he had said, 2s blend, that is, short-sighted spiritually ; seeing only things present and not
682 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu, I.
heavenly things. Compare John ix. 41. Rev. renders, seeing ‘only what is near.
And hath forgotten (AjInv AaBov). Lit., having taken forgetfulness. A unique expression, the noun occurring only here in the New Testament. Compare a similar phrase, 2 Tim. 1.5, drduvnow AaBov, having taken remembrance: A. V., when I call to remembrance: Rev., having been reminded of. Some expositors find in the expression a suggestion of a voluntary acceptance of a darkened condition. This is doubtful, however. Lumby thinks that it marks the advanced years of the writer, since he adds to failure of sight the failure of memory, that fac- ulty on which the aged dwell more than on sight.
That he was purged (Tod cadapicpyod). Rev., more liter- ally, the cleansing. : os &
10. The rather (waArov). The adverb belongs rather with the verb gwe diligence. Render, as Rev., give the more diligence.
Brethren (ade\¢go/). The only instance of this form of ad- dress in Peter, who commonly uses beloved.
Fall (aratonre). Lit., stumble, and so Rey. Compare Jas. ili. 2. .
11. Shall be ministered abundantly (zAovclws érvyopnyn- SInoerat). On the verb see ver. 5. Rev., shall be richly sup- plied. Weare to furnish in our faith: the reward shall be furnished unto us. /techly, indicating the fulness of future blessedness. Professor Salmond observes thatit is the reverse of ‘saved, yet so as by fire ” (1 Cor. iii. 15).
Everlasting kingdom (aisvov Bacidrelav). In the first epis- tle, Peter designated the believer’s future as an inheritance ; here he calls it a kingdom. Eternal, as Rev., is better than everlasting, since the word includes more than duration of time.
Cu. 1.) THE SECOND GENERAL EPISTLE OF PETER. 683
12. | will not be negligent. The A. V. follows the read- ing ov« dpednow, which it renders correctly. The better read- ing, however, is pearrjow, I intend, or, as often in classical Greek, with a sense of certainty—I shall be sure, which Rev. adopts, rendering J shall be ready. The formula occurs in but one other passage, Matt. xxiv. 6, where it is translated by the
simple future, ye shall hear, with an implied sense, as ye surely will hear.
Ye know (cidéras). Lit., knowing. Compare 1 Petriai3.
Established (éornpuypévous). See on 1 Pet. v. 10. Perhaps the exhortation, “ strengthen thy brethren,” may account for his repeated use of this word and its derivatives. Thus, wnstable (dor/pixtor) ; steadfastness (atnpuypod), 2 Petrie 16) LT:
In the present truth (€v 7H wapovon damn%eia). Le. the truth which is present with you through the instruction of your teachers ; not the truth at present under consideration. See on yer. 9; and compare the same phrase in Col. i. 6, rendered, ¢s come unto you.
13. Tabernacle (cxnvopate). A figurative expression for the body, used also by Paul, 2 Cor. v. 1, 4, though he employs the shorter kindred word oxivos. Peter also has the same mixture of metaphors which Paul employs in that passage, viz., building and clothing. See next verse. Peter’s use of taber- nacle is significant in connection with his words at the trans- figuration, “Let us make three tabernacles (Matt. xvii. 4). The word, as well as the entire phrase, carries the idea of brief duration—a frail tent, erected for a night. Compare ver. 14.
To stir you up by putting you in remembrance (6:e- yelpev tpas ev brropyjcer). Lit, to stir you up in reminding. See the same phrase in ch. iii. 1.