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The structure of the passage is as follows:
A
2 Pet. 1:16.
What the apostle's witness was not
`Cunningly devised fables'.
B
2 Pet. 1:16,17.
What it was `Honour and glory'.
C
2 Pet. 1:17,18.
How it came `The voice from heaven'.
B
2 Pet. 1:19.
What the Prophetic Word is
`A light, till the day dawn'.
A
2 Pet. 1:20.
What it is not `Not of its own unfolding'.
C
2 Pet. 1:21.
How it came `Moved by the Holy Ghost'.
In this opening argument we have similar features that are restated or
amplified in chapter 3.
Chapter 1
The
Second Coming of Christ.
The
charge made `cunningly devised fables'.
The
testimony of apostle and Prophet.
The
introductory phrase `knowing this first'.
Chapter 3
The Second Coming of Christ.
The scoffers' charge `where is the promise of His
coming?'
The testimony of the Prophets and apostles.
The introductory phrase `knowing this first'.
To piece together the complete structure in all its details would take
us too long, and is not necessary for our present purpose. The following
abridged outline will be all that is required to demonstrate the scope of the
epistle and particularly the correspondence that exists between 2 Peter 1:16
-21 and 2 Peter 3:2,3, and 2 Peter 2:1 -22 with 2 Peter 3:3 -13. If this be
realized, we shall have reached the first step in our inquiry.
We draw special attention to the two words `overthrow' katastrophe and
`overflow' katakluzo, and the correspondence established between the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, with the dissolution of the elements.
The Second Epistle of Peter
A
1:1 -4.
Opening Benediction.
Grace, peace, through the
knowledge of God.
Called to His own glory.
B
1:5 -11.
Give all diligence -- never fall (ptaio).
Give diligence -- make sure.
C
a
1:12 -15.
`Stir up', `remembrance'.