CHAPTER FI. 1. Beloved. Occurring four times in this chapter.
Second—I write. An incidental testimony to the author- ship of the second epistle.
Pure minds (eiA:xpww Sudvocav). The latter word is sin- gular, not plural. Hence, as Rev., mind. The word rendered pure is often explained tested by the sunlight ; but this is very doubtful, since efAy, to which this meaning is traced, means the heat, and not the “ght of the sun. Others derive it from the root of the verb eiAécoa, to rol/, and explain it as that which is separated or sifted by rolling, as in a sieve. In favor of this etymology is its association in classical Greek with different words meaning wnamixed. The word occurs only here and Philip. i.10. The kindred noun eiAuxpivera, sincerity, is found 1 Cor. v.8; 2 Cor: i. 12; ii.17. Rev., here, sencere.
Mind (é:a@vorav). Compare 1 Pet. i. 13; and see on Mark xii. 30.
3. Scoffers walking (éu7aixtat mropevopevor). This is the reading followed by A. V. But the later texts have added éurravypovn, in mockery, vccurring only here, though a kindred word for mockings (€umavypov) is found Heb. xi. 36. This
704 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, (Cx. ILI.
addition gives:a play upon the words; and so Rev., “Mockers shall come with mockery, walking,” etc.
4. From the beginning of the creation (am dpyfs xri- oews). Not acommon phrase. It occurs only Mark x. 6; xiii. 19; Apoe. iii. 14.
Fell asleep (éxouunIncav). <A literal and correct translation of the word, which occurs frequently in the New Testament, but only here in Peter. Some have supposed that the peculiarly Christian sense of the word is emphasized zronically by these mockers. It is used, however, in classical Greek to denote death. The difference between the pagan and the Christian usage lies in the fact that, in the latter, it was defined by the hope of the resurrection, and therefore was used dzterally of a sleep, which, though long, was to have an awaking. See on Acts vil. 60.
5. This they willingly are ignorant of (AavIaver adtods tovto Jédovtas). Lit., this escapes them of their own will. Rev., this they wilfully forget.
The heavens were. But the Greek has no article. Ren- der, there were heavens. So, too, not the earth, but an earth, as Rev.
Standing (cvvecteca). Incorrect; for the word is, literally, standing together , i.e., compacted or formed. Compare Col. i. 17, consist. Rev., compacted.
Out of the water. Again noarticle. Render owt of water ; denoting not the position of the earth, but the material or mediating element in the creation; the waters being gathered together in one place, and the dry land appearing. Or, pos- sibly, with reference to the original liquid condition of the earth—without form and void.