[B-Greek] 2 Peter 1:16

Iver Larsen iver_larsen at sil.org
Wed Apr 23 13:44:47 EDT 2008


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nicholas Lamme" <nlamme at midamerica.edu>
To: "B-Greek" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: 23. april 2008 18:32
Subject: [B-Greek] 2 Peter 1:16


The BAGD gives cases in which PAROUSIA can refer to Jesus' advent in the incarnation.  Granted, all 
the examples given are later works with no NT citations, except for 2 Peter 1:16, which the BAGD 
says "can hardly be classed here."  My question is why is the first advent ruled out here as a 
possible reference?  Thanks.

Nick Lamme
Pole Tavern, NJ
---

This word can also mean "presence" or "making an appearance". I think it is unlikely that it would 
refer to the incarnation, since that is referred to as his birth. The PAROUSIA is more likely an 
arrival or appearance of a full grown person. Because the next verses talk about when Peter and the 
two others saw Jesus in his powerful and magnificent presence on the mountain of transfiguration, I 
think it is more likely that this is the intended sense in this verse. Peter must have told about 
this experience many times, and whereas other "gods" have been said to appear in a somewhat similar 
manner, those are just "myths" or "clever stories" (SESOFISMENOIS MUQOIS). The fact that they have 
seen Jesus in such a powerful appearance makes it easier to believe that he will return in the same 
power, so it is possible that it also foreshadows the second appearance in power.

BAGD notes the following:
"The use of p. as a t.t. has developed in two directions. On the one hand the word served as a cult 
expr. for the coming of a hidden divinity, who makes his presence felt by a revelation of his power, 
or whose presence is celebrated in the cult (Diod. S. 3, 65, 1 hH TOU QEOU P. of Dionysus upon 
earth; 4, 3, 3; Ael. Aristid. 48, 30; 31 K.=24 p. 473 D.; Porphyr., Philos. Ex Orac. Haur. II p. 148 
Wolff; Iambl., Myst. 2, 8; 3, 11; 5, 21; Jos., Ant. 3, 80; 203; 9, 55; report of a healing fr. 
Epidaurus: Dit., Syll.3 1169, 34)."

Iver Larsen




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