Core Glossary
Core Glossary — 2 Peter (English → Greek)
This glossary lists every load-bearing term identified in 07_semantic_analysis.md, organized by status: (A) terms already established in the baseline Romans/Galatians translation_memory.json and reused here exactly, and (B) new terms introduced by 2 Peter’s specific vocabulary, proposed for addition to the translation memory and term registry. Risk tiers follow the baseline’s Critical/High/Medium/Low framework. Citations reference chapter:verse in 2 Peter.
A. Reused Baseline Terms (render exactly as recorded in translation_memory.json)
| English term | Greek rendering | Transliteration | Risk (baseline) | 2 Peter citations | Reuse note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord | Κύριος | Kýrios | Critical | 1:2, 1:8, 1:11, 1:14, 1:16, 2:1 (cf. κυριότης), 2:9, 2:11, 2:20, 3:2, 3:8, 3:9, 3:10, 3:15, 3:18 | Compounds with new risk in “ημέρα Κυρίου” (3:10) — see glossary B |
| Son of God | Υιός του Θεού | Yiós tou Theoú | Critical | 1:17 | Transfiguration confirmation of eternal Sonship |
| Grace | χάρη | chári | Critical | 1:2, 3:18 | Frames the whole letter (opening and closing) |
| Faith | πίστη | písti | High | 1:1, 1:5 | ”Faith of equal standing” (ἰσότιμος πίστις) |
| Righteousness | δικαιοσύνη | dikaiosýni | Critical | 1:1, 2:5, 2:21, 3:13 | Antonym ἀδικία (2:13,15) taught in contrast |
| Salvation | σωτηρία | sotiría | Critical | 3:15 | Paired with new title Σωτήρας (Savior) — see glossary B |
| Holy | άγιος | ágios | Critical | 1:18 (ὄρος ἅγιον), 2:21, 3:2, 3:11 | 1:18 risks specific confusion with Mount Athos (“Άγιον Όρος”) |
| Holy Spirit | Άγιο Πνεύμα | Ágio Pnévma | Critical | 1:21 | Core passage; direct agent of inspiration |
| God | Θεός | Theós | Critical | throughout | Unambiguous |
| Father | Πατέρας | Patéras | Critical | 1:17 | God the Father’s voice at Transfiguration |
| Jesus | Ιησούς | Iisoús | Critical | throughout (paired with Χριστός) | Standard NT form |
| Glory | δόξα | dóxa | Medium | 1:3, 1:17 (×2, incl. μεγαλοπρεπής δόξα), 3:18 | Watch secular “fame” drift per baseline |
| Prophet / Prophecy | προφήτης / προφητεία | profítis / profiteía | Low | 1:19, 1:20, 1:21, 2:16, 3:2 | Core passage’s central doctrinal term |
| Calling | κλήση | klísi | Critical | 1:10 | Combined with εκλογή in same verse — double risk |
| Election | εκλογή | eklogí | High | 1:10 | See combined risk note under Calling |
| Providence | πρόνοια | prónoia | Medium | 3:8-9 (implicit — “one day as a thousand years”) | Underlies God’s sovereign timing |
| Freedom | ελευθερία | eleftheria | Critical | 2:19 | Ironic use by false teachers — see analysis |
| Curse | κατάρα | katára | Medium | 2:14 | ”Children of the curse” |
| Revelation | αποκάλυψη | apokálypsi | Medium | (conceptually underlies 1:16-18’s disclosure of glory) | No direct lexical occurrence; concept only |
| Kingdom of God | βασιλεία του Θεού | vasileía tou Theoú | Medium | 1:11 (αἰώνιος βασιλεία) | “Eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior” |
| Sin | αμαρτία | amartía | Medium | 1:9, 2:14 | General moral-transgression sense retained |
| Sanctification (concept) | αγιασμός | agiasmós | High | (implicit in ἀσέλγεια/purity contrasts, ch. 2-3) | No direct lexical occurrence |
| New Creation (related phrase) | καινή δημιουργία (καινή κτίση) | kainē dēmiourgía (kainē ktísis) | High | cf. 3:13 “καινοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ γῆν καινήν” | Distinct phrase, same κτίζω-drift risk applies |
| Elemental Principles (distinct sense) | τα στοιχειώδη του κόσμου | ta stoicheiódi tou kósmou | Critical | cf. 3:10, 3:12 (στοιχεῖα, different referent) | 2 Peter’s sense is physical elements, NOT Galatians’ spiritual powers — flag distinction |
B. New Terms Introduced by 2 Peter (proposed additions to translation memory / term registry)
| English term | Proposed Greek rendering | Transliteration | Proposed risk | Doctrine | Citations | Rationale / Alternatives rejected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coming / Parousia | παρουσία | parousía | Critical | Certainty of Christ’s Return | 1:16, 3:4, 3:12 | Modern Greek has bleached παρουσία into ordinary “attendance/presence.” Must be anchored to the technical eschatological sense every occurrence. No viable substitute exists (it is the NT’s own word); mandatory gloss required, not word substitution. |
| Eyewitness | αυτόπτες μάρτυρες (gloss: επόπτες) | aftóptes mártyres (epóptes) | High | Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture | 1:16 | Rejected primary rendering “επόπτες” alone — Modern Greek meaning is now “inspectors/supervisors” (bureaucratic). Recommend “αυτόπτες μάρτυρες” as primary teaching rendering with “επόπτες” retained only in a footnote to the literal Greek text. |
| Majesty | μεγαλειότητα | megaleiótita | Medium | Certainty of Christ’s Return | 1:16 | Stable; register note only (royal/ceremonial resonance in a republic). |
| Divine Nature | θεία φύση | theía fýsi | Critical | Divine Nature and Escaping Corruption | 1:4 | THE proof text for Orthodox θέωσις (theosis). Must preserve Peter’s own purpose clause (escaping corruption via worldly-desire) without either flattening into pure moralism or being swallowed by the full ontological theosis framework unqualified. Mandatory theologian review. |
| Corruption | φθορά | fthorá | High | Divine Nature and Escaping Corruption | 1:4, 2:12, 2:19 | Modern Greek defaults to physical wear-and-tear/material decay. Requires a moral-corruption anchoring gloss at each occurrence. |
| Virtue / Excellence | αρετή | aretí | Medium | Growing in Christian Virtue | 1:3, 1:5 | Stable but carries classical-philosophical (Aristotelian/Stoic) freight; note that Christian ἀρετή is grace-enabled, not self-achieved through philosophical discipline. |
| Full/True Knowledge | επίγνωση | epígnosi | High | Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture; Growing in Christian Virtue | 1:2, 1:3, 1:8, 2:20 | Modern colloquial sense is thin cognitive “awareness.” Must be distinguished explicitly from γνώση (below) as relational, saving knowledge of Christ. |
| Knowledge (virtue-list) | γνώση | gnósi | Medium | Growing in Christian Virtue | 1:5, 1:6, 3:18 | Distinguish from επίγνωση above; ordinary but must not collapse the two senses together. |
| Self-Control | εγκράτεια | enkráteia | Low | Growing in Christian Virtue | 1:6 | Stable, living term. |
| Steadfastness / Perseverance | υπομονή | ypomoní | Low-Medium | Growing in Christian Virtue | 1:6 | Ensure active-perseverance sense, not passive resignation. |
| Godliness | ευσέβεια | evsévia | Medium | Growing in Christian Virtue | 1:3, 1:6, 1:7, 3:11 | Guard against narrowing to external ritual observance alone. |
| Brotherly Affection | φιλαδελφία | filadelfía | Low | Growing in Christian Virtue | 1:7 | Transparent, stable compound. |
| Tent / Body (metaphor) | σκήνωμα | skínoma | Medium | (supporting; mortality/Transfiguration) | 1:13, 1:14 | Liturgical asset (Transfiguration/Dormition hymns); needs metaphor-clarifying gloss for readers unfamiliar with that liturgical register. |
| Departure (death) | έξοδος | éxodos | Medium | (supporting) | 1:15 | Positive resonance with the Exodus event if surfaced; needs a note distinguishing personal death from the corporate Exodus narrative. |
| Myths | μύθοι | mýthoi | Medium | Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture | 1:16 | Unique Greek asset/risk: readers are cultural heirs of Greek mythology itself; ensure “fabricated/deceptive” sense (not “traditional legend”) is clear. |
| Majestic Glory (title) | μεγαλοπρεπής δόξα | megaloprepís dóxa | Low-Medium | Certainty of Christ’s Return | 1:17 | Elevated reverent circumlocution for God the Father; register note only. |
| More Sure Prophetic Word | βεβαιότερος προφητικός λόγος | vevaióteros profitikós lógos | Medium | Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture | 1:19 | βέβαιος’s commercial/legal “guaranteed” resonance is an asset here. |
| Dark/Squalid Place | αυχμηρός τόπος (commonly: σκοτεινός τόπος) | avchmirós tópos | High | Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture | 1:19 | Original word (dry/squalid/dingy) is near-extinct; standard modern rendering (“dark place”) flattens the nuance — note required. |
| Morning Star | φωσφόρος | fosfóros | Critical | Certainty of Christ’s Return | 1:19 | Unique Greek collision with “Εωσφόρος,” the standard Greek name for Lucifer/Satan (Isaiah 14:12 LXX). Mandatory note: 2 Peter’s use is entirely positive, of Christ/dawning understanding. |
| Interpretation (of prophecy) | ερμηνεία / εξήγηση (gloss for ἐπίλυσις) | erminía / exígisi (epílysi) | Critical | Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture | 1:20 | Rejected literal “επίλυση” as primary rendering — Modern Greek means “problem-solving,” producing near-nonsense if rendered mechanically. |
| Carried Along (inspiration) | φερόμενοι (από το Πνεύμα) | ferómenoi | Low | Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture | 1:21 | Strong asset: nautical “driven by wind” image survives transparently (cf. Acts 27). |
| False Teacher | ψευδοδιδάσκαλος | psevdodidáskalos | Medium | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:1 | Transparent compound; keep doctrinal (not merely pedagogical) sense. |
| Heresy | αίρεση | aíresi | Medium | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:1 | Rare case of favorable modern narrowing (now specifically “religious heresy/cult”). |
| Master / Sovereign Owner | Δεσπότης | Despótis | Critical | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:1 | Unique double collision: modern “despot/tyrant” AND colloquial “[Orthodox] bishop.” Mandatory note anchoring to slave-purchase/ownership imagery. |
| Bought / Purchased | αγόρασε (αγοράζω) | agórase (agorázo) | Medium | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:1 | Distinct from baseline’s ἐξαγοράζω/“redeem” entry (Critical); note the family relationship. |
| Sensuality | ασέλγεια | asélgeia | Medium | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:2, 2:7, 2:18 | Keep strong, shameless-indulgence sense; do not soften to generic “immorality.” |
| Tartarus | Τάρταρος | Tártaros | Critical | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:4 | Unique mythological collision: Greek readers know this from national classical-mythology curriculum (Hesiod’s Titanomachy). Mandatory theologian note: not an endorsement of Greek cosmology. |
| Flood | κατακλυσμός | kataklysmós | Low | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:5 | Disambiguated by context (Noah). |
| Reduced to Ashes | τέφρωσε (τεφρώνω) | téfrose | Low | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:6 | Vivid, stable (Sodom and Gomorrah). |
| Example | υπόδειγμα | ypódeigma | Low | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:6 | Stable. |
| Punish / Under Punishment | κολαζόμενος (κολάζω) | kolazómenos | Low-Medium | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:9 | Note active, ongoing confinement under divine judgment, not casual scolding sense. |
| Dominion / Authority | κυριότητα | kyriótita | Medium | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:10 | Shares root with Κύριος; keep distinct from the title “Lord” itself. |
| Irrational Animals | άλογα ζώα | áloga zóa | Low | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:12 | Vivid, stable image. |
| Wages of Unrighteousness | μισθός αδικίας | misthós adikías | Low | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:13, 2:15 | ἀδικία as direct antonym of δικαιοσύνη — teach in contrast. |
| Waterless Springs / Gloom | πηγές άνυδρες / ζόφος | pigés ánydres / zófos | Medium | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:17 | ζόφος is rare/literary; brief gloss aids comprehension. |
| Savior (title) | Σωτήρας | Sotíras | Low-Medium | (cross-doctrinal; supports Salvation) | 1:1, 1:11, 2:20, 3:2, 3:18 | Stable, constant liturgical title; recommend formal registry addition distinct from σωτηρία. |
| Turn Back / Return | επιστρέφω | epistréfo | Low | False Teachers and Their Judgment | 2:21, 2:22 | Stable; reinforced by vivid proverbs (dog/vomit, sow/mire). |
| Scoffer | εμπαίκτης | empaíktis | Low-Medium | The Certainty of Christ’s Return | 3:3 | Ensure deliberate, ideological mockery sense, not casual teasing. |
| Patience / Longsuffering | μακροθυμία | makrothymía | Medium | Patience of God’s Timing | 3:9, 3:15 | Risk of unfamiliarity (rare/formal term), not corruption; gloss on first use. |
| Repentance | μετάνοια | metánoia | High | Patience of God’s Timing | 3:9 | Modern colloquial sense is thin (“changed my mind”); anchor to full, Spirit-wrought turning from sin. Recommend formal registry addition. |
| Day of the Lord | ημέρα Κυρίου | iméra Kyríou | Critical | The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment | 3:10 | Unique Greek collision: “Κυριακή” (Sunday) derives from this exact phrase. Mandatory note distinguishing the final Day of judgment from ordinary Sunday observance. |
| Elements (physical, distinct sense) | στοιχεία | stoicheía | Medium | The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment | 3:10, 3:12 | Three competing senses in Modern Greek (personal data / chemical elements / Galatians’ spiritual powers) — this passage means physical/chemical elements; disambiguate explicitly from the Galatians sense. |
| New Heavens and New Earth | καινοί ουρανοί και γη καινή | kainoí ouranoí kai gi kainí | High | The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment | 3:13 | Cross-reference with baseline’s “new_creation” (καινή κτίση, Galatians 6:15); keep καινός’s “new-in-kind” sense consistent across both curricula. |
| Spotless and Blameless | άσπιλοι και αμώμητοι | áspiloi kai amómitoi | Low | The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment | 3:14 | Stable, paired purity terms. |
| Unstable / Steadfastness | αστήρικτος / στηριγμός | astíriktos / stirigmós | Low | (supporting) | 2:14, 3:16, 3:17 | Stable term family. |
| Error / Deception | πλάνη | pláni | Low-Medium | (supporting) | 3:17 | Stable; “wandering” root sense useful pedagogically. |
Risk Summary for 2 Peter Glossary
| Risk Tier | Count (new terms, Part B) | Notable entries |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | 7 | παρουσία, θεία φύση, φωσφόρος, ερμηνεία (ἐπίλυσις), Δεσπότης, Τάρταρος, ημέρα Κυρίου |
| High | 6 | αυτόπτες μάρτυρες (ἐπόπτης), φθορά, επίγνωση, αυχμηρός τόπος, μετάνοια, καινοί ουρανοί και γη καινή |
| Medium | 17 | μεγαλειότητα, αρετή, γνώση, ευσέβεια, σκήνωμα, έξοδος, μύθοι, μεγαλοπρεπής δόξα, βεβαιότερος προφητικός λόγος, ψευδοδιδάσκαλος, αίρεση, αγόρασε, ασέλγεια, κυριότητα, πηγές άνυδρες/ζόφος, μακροθυμία, στοιχεία |
| Low / Low-Medium | 15 | εγκράτεια, υπομονή, φιλαδελφία, φερόμενοι, κατακλυσμός, τέφρωσε, υπόδειγμα, κολαζόμενος, άλογα ζώα, μισθός αδικίας, Σωτήρας, επιστρέφω, εμπαίκτης, άσπιλοι και αμώμητοι, αστήρικτος/πλάνη |
All Critical and High-risk new terms in Part B require human theologian review before any Phase 2 translation segment containing them is approved, per the escalation rules in 12_ai_translation_requirements.md. This glossary should be merged into an updated translation_memory.json and bible_term_registry.json prior to Phase 2 processing of 2 Peter segments.
Critical Risk Terms
Lord
Approved rendering: Κύριος
Transliteration: Kýrios
Doctrine: Lordship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: Κύριος με την καθημερινή έννοια της ευγενικής προσφώνησης ‘κύριε’ (Mr./Sir)
Original: κύριος
Category: Christology
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. In 2 Peter occurs in the fixed formula ‘ο Κύριος ημών και Σωτήρας Ιησούς Χριστός’ (1:11, 2:20, 3:18) — preserve as a single confessional unit, not two loosely related honorifics. Also underlies ‘ημέρα Κυρίου’ (3:10) — see that entry for the added Κυριακή/Sunday collision unique to that phrase, and ‘κυριότης’ (2:10) which shares the root but must be kept lexically distinct as an abstract ‘dominion/authority’ noun, not a second occurrence of the title itself.
Son Of God
Approved rendering: Υιός του Θεού
Transliteration: Yiós tou Theoú
Doctrine: Sonship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: Υιός του Θεού με τη γενική έννοια που αποδίδεται σε κάθε πιστό
Original: υἱὸς θεοῦ / Υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός
Category: Christology
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 1:17 is the Father’s own direct, audible, historically anchored confirmation of this unique eternal Sonship (‘Ο Υιός μου ο αγαπητός μου’), identical doctrinal weight to Romans 1:4/8:29; treat with the same rigor here. Not adoptive or honorary sonship.
Grace
Approved rendering: χάρη
Transliteration: chári
Doctrine: Grace
Rejected alternatives: χάρη με την καθημερινή έννοια της γοητείας ή ομορφιάς, χάρη ως νομική/προεδρική χάρη (απονομή χάριτος)
Original: χάρις
Category: Salvation
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. Frames both the letter’s opening (1:2) and closing (3:18, ‘grow in grace’) — ‘grow in grace’ must read as ongoing relational deepening, not a static, already-exhausted pardon.
Righteousness
Approved rendering: δικαιοσύνη
Transliteration: dikaiosýni
Doctrine: Salvation
Rejected alternatives: δικαιοσύνη αποκλειστικά με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της νομικής ή κοινωνικής δικαιοσύνης
Original: δικαιοσύνη
Category: Salvation
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. Occurs of Christ’s own righteousness (1:1) and of the moral character of the coming new creation (3:13, ‘in which righteousness dwells’); its direct antonym ἀδικία (2:13, 2:15) should be taught explicitly in contrast, reinforcing rather than diluting δικαιοσύνη’s own forensic/relational weight.
Salvation
Approved rendering: σωτηρία
Transliteration: sotiría
Doctrine: Salvation
Original: σωτηρία
Category: Salvation
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 3:15 states God’s patience itself is to be ‘regarded as salvation’ — guard against the theosis-only reading eclipsing this specific point that the delay of judgment is itself gracious, salvation-oriented patience, not merely an ongoing deification process viewed in isolation.
Holy
Approved rendering: άγιος
Transliteration: ágios
Doctrine: Sanctification
Rejected alternatives: Άγιο Όρος αποκλειστικά ως αναφορά στο γνωστό μοναστικό τοπωνύμιο
Original: ἅγιος
Category: Sanctification
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. The specific phrase ‘ὄρος ἅγιον’ (1:18, the Transfiguration site, traditionally Tabor or Hermon) risks direct confusion with ‘Άγιον Όρος’ (Mount Athos), the single most famous phrase built on these exact two words in Modern Greek religious geography. Mandatory contextual note identifying the mountain as the Transfiguration site, distinct from Athos, required at 1:18.
Holy Spirit
Approved rendering: Άγιο Πνεύμα
Transliteration: Ágio Pnévma
Doctrine: Sanctification
Original: πνεῦμα ἅγιον
Category: God
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. Core passage’s central claim: the Spirit personally ‘carries along’ (φερόμενοι) human prophets, who remain genuine speakers (1:21). This anchors the entire doctrine of scriptural inspiration for this curriculum.
God
Approved rendering: Θεός
Transliteration: Theós
Doctrine: Deity of Christ
Original: θεός
Category: God
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. Underlies the compounds θεία δύναμις (1:3) and θεία φύσις (1:4, see divine_nature entry). 1:1’s ‘τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ’ is a well-known single-referent Greek construction affirming Christ’s deity grammatically; must not be flattened into two separate figures.
Father
Approved rendering: Πατέρας
Transliteration: Patéras
Doctrine: Sonship of Christ
Original: πατήρ
Category: God
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 1:17’s ‘Θεοῦ Πατρός’ is a direct, historically anchored theophanic moment (the Transfiguration voice), not a title used in passing.
Jesus
Approved rendering: Ιησούς
Transliteration: Iisoús
Doctrine: Lordship of Christ
Original: Ἰησοῦς
Category: Christology
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. Standard NT and liturgical form, consistently paired with Χριστός and the titles Κύριος/Σωτήρας throughout 2 Peter.
Calling
Approved rendering: κλήση
Transliteration: klísi
Doctrine: Divine Calling and Election
Rejected alternatives: κλήση με την καθημερινή έννοια μιας τηλεφωνικής κλήσης ή δικαστικής κλήσης/κλήσης τροχαίας
Original: κλῆσις
Category: Salvation
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. In 2 Peter 1:10 occurs paired with εκλογή in the SAME clause (‘βεβαίαν ὑμῶν τὴν κλῆσιν καὶ ἐκλογὴν ποιεῖσθαι’), doubling the baseline’s two most severe secular-bleaching risks in a single exhortation. An unreactivated rendering would produce an almost bathetic misreading (‘confirm your phone call and your vote’). Mandatory theologian review and reactivation note required specifically at this verse, in addition to the baseline’s general escalation rule.
Freedom
Approved rendering: ελευθερία
Transliteration: eleftheria
Doctrine: False Freedom and Slavery to Corruption
Rejected alternatives: ελευθερία αποκλειστικά με την εθνικοπολιτική έννοια της εθνικής ανεξαρτησίας, ελευθερία ως ασυδοσία/άνομη ζωή
Original: ἐλευθερία
Category: Salvation
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 2:19’s ironic use — false teachers ‘promise freedom’ while being themselves ‘slaves of corruption’ (φθορά) — weaponizes the single most nationally and emotionally loaded word in Modern Greek (national motto ‘Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος,’ national anthem). Mandatory theologian note flagging the irony, so the verse is not misheard as Scripture expressing suspicion of freedom itself.
Elemental Principles
Approved rendering: τα στοιχειώδη του κόσμου
Transliteration: ta stoicheiódi tou kósmou
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Rejected alternatives: στοιχεία με τη σύγχρονη έννοια των προσωπικών στοιχείων/δεδομένων ταυτότητας
Original: στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου (Galatians sense; contrast with 2 Peter’s στοιχεῖα)
Category: Sin
Inherited from Galatians package baseline (Critical), rendering unchanged. Retained here specifically to mark its deliberate distinction from 2 Peter’s own use of στοιχεῖα for the literal physical elements of the cosmos (3:10, 3:12) — see the new physical_elements entry below. Translators must not import this Galatians gloss into 2 Peter 3, or vice versa.
Parousia
Approved rendering: παρουσία
Transliteration: parousía
Doctrine: The Certainty of Christ’s Return
Rejected alternatives: παρουσία με τη σύγχρονη καθημερινή έννοια της απλής παρουσίας/συμμετοχής σε εκδήλωση (‘δήλωσε παρουσία’)
Original: παρουσία
Category: Eschatology
NEW term, this book’s central doctrinal title-word. Modern Greek παρουσία has been thoroughly secularized into ordinary ‘attendance/presence.’ No viable substitute exists — it is the NT’s own technical term — so it must be retained with a mandatory eschatological-anchoring gloss at EVERY occurrence (1:16; 3:4; 3:12), rendered identically each time. The established Modern Greek liturgical compound ‘Δεύτερη Παρουσία’ (Second Coming) is a genuine asset and may be invoked in explanatory prose to trigger the correct association.
Morning Star
Approved rendering: φωσφόρος
Transliteration: fosfóros
Doctrine: The Certainty of Christ’s Return
Rejected alternatives: Εωσφόρος (αποφευκτέο λόγω της πάγιας ταύτισής του με τον Σατανά)
Original: φωσφόρος
Category: Eschatology
NEW term (2 Peter 1:19, φωσφόρος). Unique Greek collision: Orthodox tradition uses the closely related, etymologically parallel word Εωσφόρος (Isaiah 14:12 LXX) as the standard proper name for Lucifer/Satan. Retain φωσφόρος (no substitute preserves the astronomical/scriptural image) but attach a mandatory disambiguating note: 2 Peter’s use is entirely positive, of Christ/the dawning of understanding, with zero relation to the Isaiah 14 figure.
Interpretation
Approved rendering: ερμηνεία / εξήγηση (γλώσσα για το επίλυση)
Transliteration: erminía / exígisi (epílysi)
Doctrine: Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture
Rejected alternatives: επίλυση ως κύρια απόδοση (σύγχρονη σημασία: επίλυση προβλήματος)
Original: ἐπίλυσις
Category: Scripture
NEW term (2 Peter 1:20, ἐπίλυσις). Modern Greek επίλυση has narrowed almost totally to ‘solving/resolution’ (επίλυση προβλήματος). A mechanical rendering (‘no prophecy is of its own επίλυση’) reads as near-nonsense. Use a paraphrastic gloss (‘δεν προέρχεται από δική του ερμηνεία/εξήγηση’) as the primary rendering; retain επίλυση only as a footnoted literal form.
Divine Nature
Approved rendering: θεία φύση
Transliteration: theía fýsi
Doctrine: Divine Nature and Escaping Corruption
Rejected alternatives: θεία φύση αποκλειστικά ως πλήρες οντολογικό πλαίσιο θέωσης, χωρίς τη ρήτρα σκοπού του Πέτρου, θεία φύση αποκλειστικά ως ηθικιστική μεταφορά, χωρίς κανένα απόηχο της θεώσεως
Original: θεία φύσις
Category: Divine Nature
NEW term (2 Peter 1:4, θείας φύσεως) — THE single most theologically consequential term in this book for a Greek Orthodox destination audience. This is THE proof text throughout Greek patristic theology (Athanasius, the Cappadocians, Maximus the Confessor, Gregory Palamas) for θέωσις, directly accessible to a Modern Greek reader in the same language, without translation. Do not suppress or paraphrase the phrase — it is the verse’s own correct words — but preserve Peter’s own restrained purpose clause (participation in the divine nature is FOR THE SAKE OF escaping the corruption of worldly desire, i.e. practical moral transformation feeding directly into the virtue list of 1:5-7), without either flattening the verse into bare moralism or letting it be silently absorbed into the full ontological theosis system unqualified. Mandatory theologian review, every occurrence.
Despotes Master
Approved rendering: Δεσπότης
Transliteration: Despótis
Doctrine: Deity and Sonship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: Δεσπότης αποδιδόμενος αποκλειστικά ως ‘τύραννος’ ή ως προσφώνηση Ορθόδοξου Επισκόπου
Original: Δεσπότης
Category: Christology
NEW term (2 Peter 2:1, Δεσπότην). Unique double collision for Greek: modern δεσπότης dominantly means (1) political tyrant/despot, and (2), distinctively, the ordinary colloquial title for an Orthodox bishop (‘ο δεσπότης’). Neither captures Peter’s meaning: an owner’s rightful, purchasing authority over those he redeemed. Retain the word (it is Peter’s own emphatic choice, distinct from Κύριος) but pair it explicitly with ἀγοράσαντα (‘who bought them’) and a mandatory note at every occurrence.
Tartarus
Approved rendering: Τάρταρος
Transliteration: Tártaros
Doctrine: Judgment of Angels and Ancient Examples of Judgment
Rejected alternatives: Τάρταρος χωρίς επεξηγηματική σημείωση περί μη επικύρωσης της ελληνικής μυθολογίας
Original: ταρταρώσας
Category: Judgment
NEW term (2 Peter 2:4, ταρταρώσας, a NT hapax legomenon). Unique to Greek among all destination languages in this pipeline: Τάρταρος is not a foreign transliteration needing explanation but a term every Greek reader knows from the national classical-mythology curriculum (Hesiod’s Titanomachy). Mandatory theologian note: Peter uses a known cultural term rhetorically (cf. Paul at Acts 17:28) to describe real angelic imprisonment under God’s sovereign judgment, not affirming Greek cosmology or the Titan narrative.
Day Of The Lord
Approved rendering: ημέρα Κυρίου
Transliteration: iméra Kyríou
Doctrine: The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment
Rejected alternatives: ημέρα Κυρίου χωρίς διαχωριστική σημείωση από την Κυριακή (καθημερινή έννοια)
Original: ἡμέρα Κυρίου
Category: Eschatology
NEW term (2 Peter 3:10, ἡμέρα Κυρίου; cf. ‘day of God,’ 3:12). Uniquely Greek collision unavailable to any other destination language in this pipeline: Κυριακή (Sunday) derives directly and transparently from this exact phrase. Mandatory theologian review and an explicit distinguishing note (‘this is not a description of Sunday observance, but the singular, final Day of Christ’s return and judgment’) required at every occurrence.
High Risk Terms
Faith
Approved rendering: πίστη
Transliteration: písti
Doctrine: Faith
Rejected alternatives: πίστη με τη γενική έννοια της αφοσίωσης σε οποιαδήποτε ιδέα ή πρόσωπο
Original: πίστις
Category: Faith
Inherited from Romans package baseline (High), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 1:1’s ‘ἰσότιμος πίστις’ (‘faith of equal standing/value’) requires a supplementary note: Gentile believers’ faith stands on entirely equal footing with the apostles’ own, received by divine apportionment, not earned.
Glory
Approved rendering: δόξα
Transliteration: dóxa
Doctrine: Deity of Christ
Rejected alternatives: δόξα με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της φήμης ή επιτυχίας (π.χ. αθλητική δόξα)
Original: δόξα
Category: God
Inherited from Romans package baseline (there recorded Medium); risk elevated to High for this curriculum consistent with the 2 Peter-specific bible_term_registry.json, because δόξα here denotes the visible splendor of God’s own theophanic presence at the Transfiguration (1:17, twice, including the periphrasis μεγαλοπρεπής δόξα) rather than a general attribute — a higher-stakes context than most Romans occurrences. Must be kept distinct from worldly fame/acclaim.
Election
Approved rendering: εκλογή
Transliteration: eklogí
Doctrine: Divine Calling and Election
Rejected alternatives: εκλογή με τη σύγχρονη κυρίαρχη πολιτική έννοια (πολιτικές εκλογές, ψηφοφορία)
Original: ἐκλογή
Category: Salvation
Inherited from Romans package baseline (High), rendering unchanged. See combined-risk note under ‘calling’ — paired with κλήση at 2 Peter 1:10; mandatory theologian review of this occurrence specifically.
Sanctification
Approved rendering: αγιασμός
Transliteration: agiasmós
Doctrine: Growing in Christian Virtue
Inherited from Romans package baseline (High), rendering unchanged. No direct lexical occurrence in 2 Peter, but the concept underlies the ἀσέλγεια/purity contrasts of chapters 2-3 and the holy-conduct standard of 3:11.
New Creation
Approved rendering: καινή δημιουργία (καινή κτίση)
Transliteration: kainē dēmiourgía (kainē ktísis)
Doctrine: New Heavens and New Earth
Rejected alternatives: καινή κτίση με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της οικοδομικής κατασκευής
Inherited from Romans/Galatians package baseline (High), rendering unchanged. Distinct phrase from, but conceptually paired with, 2 Peter 3:13’s own ‘καινοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ γῆν καινήν’ (see new_heavens_new_earth entry below) — cross-reference the two for curriculum-wide consistency of καινός’s ‘new-in-kind’ sense.
Eyewitness
Approved rendering: αυτόπτες μάρτυρες (επόπτες)
Transliteration: aftóptes mártyres (epóptes)
Doctrine: Eyewitness Testimony of Christ’s Glory
Rejected alternatives: επόπτες ως αποκλειστική απόδοση (χωρίς επεξηγηματική σημείωση)
Original: ἐπόπτης
Category: Scripture
NEW term (2 Peter 1:16, ἐπόπται). Modern Greek επόπτης overwhelmingly means a professional supervisor/inspector (επόπτης υγείας, ‘health inspector’). Render primarily with αυτόπτες μάρτυρες; retain επόπτες only as a footnoted literal gloss tracing the word’s testimonial, not administrative, force.
Dark Place
Approved rendering: αυχμηρός τόπος (κοινώς: σκοτεινός τόπος)
Transliteration: avchmirós tópos
Doctrine: Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture
Rejected alternatives: σκοτεινός τόπος ως πλήρης απόδοση χωρίς σημείωση για την απόχρωση αχλής/ερημιάς
Original: αὐχμηρὸς τόπος
Category: Scripture
NEW term (2 Peter 1:19, αὐχμηρὸς τόπος). Original nuance (dry, dingy, squalid/neglected, not merely dark) is essentially extinct in ordinary spoken Modern Greek. Retain ‘σκοτεινό/αυχμηρό μέρος’ with a translator’s note on the fuller nuance of neglect and dinginess, since no single modern word recovers it.
Corruption
Approved rendering: φθορά
Transliteration: fthorá
Doctrine: Divine Nature and Escaping Corruption
Rejected alternatives: φθορά αποκλειστικά με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της φυσικής φθοράς υλικών/γήρανσης
Original: φθορά
Category: Sin
NEW term (2 Peter 1:4, 2:12, 2:19, φθορά). Modern Greek φθορά defaults to ordinary physical wear-and-tear or material deterioration (φθορά υλικού). Unglossed, ‘escaping corruption’ risks sounding like escaping physical decay/aging rather than moral ruin. Anchor to moral/spiritual corruption with a brief clarifying phrase at each occurrence.
Full Knowledge
Approved rendering: επίγνωση
Transliteration: epígnosi
Doctrine: Growing in Christian Virtue
Rejected alternatives: επίγνωση με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της απλής νοητικής επίγνωσης/συνειδητοποίησης
Original: ἐπίγνωσις
Category: Faith
NEW term (2 Peter 1:2, 1:3, 1:8, 2:20, ἐπίγνωσις). Modern Greek επίγνωση now commonly means simple cognitive ‘awareness’ (έχω επίγνωση της κατάστασης) — a much thinner sense than Peter’s relational, saving knowledge of Christ. Must be distinguished explicitly from γνώση (below) in the virtue list; its loss/rejection is described as apostasy (2:20-21).
Repentance
Approved rendering: μετάνοια
Transliteration: metánoia
Doctrine: Repentance and God’s Saving Purpose
Rejected alternatives: μετάνοια με την καθημερινή έννοια της απλής αλλαγής γνώμης ή μεταμέλειας (‘μετάνιωσα’)
Original: μετάνοια
Category: Salvation
NEW term (2 Peter 3:9, μετάνοια) — not separately entered in the Romans/Galatians baseline TM despite its NT centrality. Modern Greek μετάνοια/μετανοώ is used colloquially for simple regret or a reversible change of mind/plan, a much thinner, low-stakes sense than the NT’s decisive, Spirit-wrought turning from sin. 3:9 states this is the very goal of God’s patience (‘that none should perish, but that all should reach repentance’); mandatory theologian review with an anchoring note to full repentance, not casual reconsideration.
New Heavens New Earth
Approved rendering: καινοί ουρανοί και γη καινή
Transliteration: kainoí ouranoí kai gi kainí
Doctrine: New Heavens and New Earth
Rejected alternatives: καινή γη αποδιδόμενη με την έννοια της πρόσφατης κατασκευής
Original: καινοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ γῆν καινήν
Category: Eschatology
NEW term (2 Peter 3:13, καινοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ γῆν καινήν). Related to but distinct from the baseline’s new_creation (καινή κτίσις, Galatians 6:15, which risks a ‘new construction’ misreading via κτίζω); this phrase uses καινός directly with οὐρανός/γῆ, somewhat reducing but not eliminating that risk. καινός must be understood as ‘new in kind/quality,’ not merely ‘recently made.’ Cross-reference both phrases for curriculum-wide consistency.
Medium Risk Terms
Providence
Approved rendering: πρόνοια
Transliteration: prónoia
Doctrine: Patience of God’s Timing
Rejected alternatives: πρόνοια με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της κοινωνικής πρόνοιας (social welfare)
Original: implicit — ‘one day as a thousand years’
Category: God
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Medium), rendering unchanged. No direct single lexical occurrence in 2 Peter; the concept underlies 3:8-9’s argument that God’s timing (‘a day as a thousand years’) is purposive, not slow. Modern Greek πρόνοια is also the standard word for state social welfare — a secular sense that should not crowd out the theological one here.
Curse
Approved rendering: κατάρα
Transliteration: katára
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: κατάρας τέκνα
Category: Sin
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Medium), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 2:14: ‘κατάρας τέκνα,’ children of the curse, describing the false teachers.
Revelation
Approved rendering: αποκάλυψη
Transliteration: apokálypsi
Doctrine: Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Medium), rendering unchanged. No direct lexical occurrence in 2 Peter; the concept underlies 1:16-18’s disclosure of Christ’s glory at the Transfiguration. Modern αποκάλυψη is bleached toward journalistic disclosure/exposé; restore the divine-unveiling register if the concept is invoked in teaching material.
Kingdom Of God
Approved rendering: βασιλεία του Θεού
Transliteration: vasileía tou Theoú
Doctrine: Kingdom Mission
Original: αἰώνιος βασιλεία
Category: Kingdom
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Medium), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 1:11: ‘the eternal kingdom (αἰώνιος βασιλεία) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’ — preserve the ‘eternal’ qualifier to distinguish from any this-worldly kingdom notion.
Sin
Approved rendering: αμαρτία
Transliteration: amartía
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Rejected alternatives: αμαρτία με την καθημερινή, εξασθενημένη έννοια του ‘κρίμα’
Original: ἁμαρτία
Category: Sin
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Medium), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 1:9: a believer lacking the virtue qualities ‘has forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.‘
Power Of God
Approved rendering: δύναμη Θεού
Transliteration: dýnami Theoú
Doctrine: The Certainty of Christ’s Return
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Medium), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter uses the same root for both ‘his divine power’ (θεία δύναμις, 1:3, God’s settled past-tense provision for life and godliness) and Christ’s own δύναμις displayed at the Transfiguration and consummated at his return (1:16).
Majesty
Approved rendering: μεγαλειότητα
Transliteration: megaleiótita
Doctrine: Eyewitness Testimony of Christ’s Glory
Original: μεγαλειότης
Category: Christology
NEW term (2 Peter 1:16, μεγαλειότης). Stable Modern Greek word, but survives chiefly as a royal address (‘Η Αυτού Μεγαλειότης’); in a republic without a reigning monarchy since 1974 this may feel ornamental/foreign rather than describing an actual historical, sensory event Peter claims to have witnessed. Register note, not a doctrinal correction.
Majestic Glory
Approved rendering: μεγαλοπρεπής δόξα
Transliteration: megaloprepís dóxa
Doctrine: Eyewitness Testimony of Christ’s Glory
Rejected alternatives: μεγαλοπρεπής δόξα με απλή αισθητική/διακοσμητική έννοια
Original: ἡ μεγαλοπρεπὴς δόξα
Category: Christology
NEW term (2 Peter 1:17, ἡ μεγαλοπρεπὴς δόξα). A reverent circumlocution for God the Father’s own glorious presence, paralleling OT theophany language (Exodus 24:16-17 LXX). Both component words are stable; ensure the phrase reads as an elevated title, not a generic compliment.
More Sure Prophetic Word
Approved rendering: βεβαιότερος προφητικός λόγος
Transliteration: vevaióteros profitikós lógos
Doctrine: Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture
Original: βεβαιότερον τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον
Category: Scripture
NEW term (2 Peter 1:19). βέβαιος’s commercial/legal ‘guaranteed’ resonance in Modern Greek is an asset here, reinforcing certainty rather than undermining it. προφητικός λόγος reuses the stable προφητεία/προφήτης vocabulary.
Virtue
Approved rendering: αρετή
Transliteration: aretí
Doctrine: Growing in Christian Virtue
Original: ἀρετή
Category: Sanctification
NEW term (2 Peter 1:3, 1:5, ἀρετή). Living, dignified Modern Greek word, but carries deep Aristotelian/Stoic philosophical heritage (a live school-curriculum subject) risking a self-achieved, habituation-based ethical framework displacing Peter’s own: virtue supplied through, and growing out of, faith and divine power already given (1:3-5). Attach a note anchoring Christian ἀρετή to its grace-enabled source.
Knowledge
Approved rendering: γνώση
Transliteration: gnósi
Doctrine: Growing in Christian Virtue
Original: γνῶσις
Category: Sanctification
NEW term (2 Peter 1:5-6, 3:18, γνῶσις). Distinct from ἐπίγνωσις above; ensure the faith→γνῶσις→ἐπίγνωσις progression from 1:2-6 is not collapsed into a single undifferentiated term for ‘knowing.‘
Steadfastness
Approved rendering: υπομονή
Transliteration: ypomoní
Doctrine: Growing in Christian Virtue
Rejected alternatives: υπομονή με την έννοια της παθητικής παραίτησης/ανοχής
Original: ὑπομονή
Category: Sanctification
NEW term (2 Peter 1:6, ὑπομονή). Stable and dignified, but ensure it reads as active, purposeful perseverance rather than passive resignation.
Godliness
Approved rendering: ευσέβεια
Transliteration: evsévia
Doctrine: Growing in Christian Virtue
Rejected alternatives: ευσέβεια αποκλειστικά ως εξωτερική τυπική θρησκευτική τήρηση
Original: εὐσέβεια
Category: Sanctification
NEW term (2 Peter 1:3, 1:6-7, 3:11, εὐσέβεια). Stable devotional term, but risks narrowing to external religious observance alone rather than heart-level reverence expressed practically in daily conduct, especially adjacent to the judgment context of 3:11.
Tent Metaphor
Approved rendering: σκήνωμα
Transliteration: skínoma
Doctrine: Mortality and Departure
Rejected alternatives: σκήνωμα αποκλειστικά ως κυριολεκτική σκηνή/κατασκήνωση
Original: σκήνωμα
Category: Eschatology
NEW term (2 Peter 1:13-14, σκήνωμα). Strong liturgical asset (Transfiguration/Dormition hymnography), but risks being read too literally as an actual tent/campsite outside that association. Attach a brief metaphor-clarifying gloss for readers unfamiliar with that liturgical register.
Departure
Approved rendering: έξοδος
Transliteration: éxodos
Doctrine: Mortality and Departure
Rejected alternatives: έξοδος συγχεόμενη με τη συλλογική αφήγηση της Εξόδου
Original: ἔξοδος
Category: Eschatology
NEW term (2 Peter 1:15, ἔξοδος). A Greek reader will immediately recognize ἔξοδος as the name of the biblical book/event; this resonance is an asset if surfaced (death as purposeful, God-ordained departure) but must be explicitly distinguished from the corporate Exodus narrative — Peter’s ἔξοδος is his own personal death.
Myths
Approved rendering: μύθοι
Transliteration: mýthoi
Doctrine: Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture
Rejected alternatives: μύθοι με τη θετική/παραδοσιακή έννοια μιας αγαπημένης λαϊκής αφήγησης
Original: μῦθος
Category: Scripture
NEW term (2 Peter 1:16, μῦθοι). Unusually alive and rich in Modern Greek because readers are cultural heirs of Greek mythology itself. Ensure the sense reads as ‘fabricated/deceptive story,’ not ‘traditional legend,’ which in Greek culture can carry residual affection rather than suspicion.
False Teacher
Approved rendering: ψευδοδιδάσκαλος
Transliteration: psevdodidáskalos
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: ψευδοδιδάσκαλος
Category: False Teaching
NEW term (2 Peter 2:1, ψευδοδιδάσκαλος). Transparent, stable compound, following the same pattern as the baseline’s ψευδάδελφοι. Keep the doctrinal (destiny-affecting), not merely pedagogical (‘bad teacher’), sense.
Heresy
Approved rendering: αίρεση
Transliteration: aíresi
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: αἵρεσις
Category: False Teaching
NEW term (2 Peter 2:1, αἵρεσις). Rare case of favorable modern narrowing: Modern Greek αίρεση now means specifically ‘(religious) heresy/cult,’ aligning unusually well with Peter’s own sense. Retain the qualifier ‘ἀπωλείας’ (destructive/of-ruin) so eternal consequence is not lost.
Bought Purchased
Approved rendering: αγόρασε (αγοράζω)
Transliteration: agórase (agorázo)
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: ἀγοράζω
Category: Salvation
NEW term (2 Peter 2:1, ἀγοράζω). Plain marketplace verb ‘to buy’; carries none of the baseline’s ἐξαγοράζω ‘bribery/corporate buyout’ trap, but note the family relationship and keep consistent redemption vocabulary (λύτρωση) alongside it where the passage’s argument calls for it.
Sensuality
Approved rendering: ασέλγεια
Transliteration: asélgeia
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Rejected alternatives: ασέλγεια αποδιδόμενη ως γενική/ασαφής ‘ανηθικότητα’
Original: ἀσέλγεια
Category: Sin
NEW term (2 Peter 2:2, 2:7, 2:18, ἀσέλγεια). Stable, strong Modern Greek word; ensure it is not softened to generic ‘immorality,’ since Peter’s term specifically denotes shameless, unrestrained indulgence.
Under Punishment
Approved rendering: κολαζόμενος (κολάζω)
Transliteration: kolazómenos
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Rejected alternatives: κολάζω με τη σύγχρονη υποτονική έννοια του να επιπλήττεις ένα παιδί
Original: κολαζόμενος
Category: Judgment
NEW term (2 Peter 2:9, κολαζόμενος). Survives in Modern Greek in a weaker colloquial register (mild scolding of children). Requires a note clarifying this is active, ongoing confinement under divine judgment, not disciplinary correction.
Dominion Authority
Approved rendering: κυριότητα
Transliteration: kyriótita
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: κυριότης
Category: False Teaching
NEW term (2 Peter 2:10, κυριότης). Shares its root with Κύριος; keep this abstract ‘authority/dominion’ sense (likely angelic or civil authority structures despised by the false teachers) lexically distinct from the title ‘Lord’ itself.
Waterless Springs Gloom
Approved rendering: πηγές άνυδρες / ζόφος
Transliteration: pigés ánydres / zófos
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: πηγαὶ ἄνυδροι / ζόφος
Category: False Teaching
NEW term (2 Peter 2:17, πηγαὶ ἄνυδροι / ζόφος). ζόφος is a rare, literary/poetic word for deep gloom, not in everyday Modern Greek use; a brief gloss (‘βαθύ σκοτάδι’) aids comprehension without loss of register.
Savior Title
Approved rendering: Σωτήρας
Transliteration: Sotíras
Doctrine: Salvation
Rejected alternatives: Σωτήρας αποδιδόμενος ασύνδετα από τον τίτλο Κύριος
Original: Σωτήρ
Category: Salvation
NEW term (2 Peter 1:1, 1:11, 2:20, 3:2, 3:18, Σωτήρ) — not separately entered in the Romans/Galatians baseline TM (which records only σωτηρία). Exceptionally stable, constantly used Modern Greek liturgical title with no secular-drift risk; a genuine asset. Must always appear consistently paired with Κύριος in the fixed formula ‘ο Κύριος ημών και Σωτήρας Ιησούς Χριστός,’ not as a free-standing generic ‘rescuer.‘
Scoffer
Approved rendering: εμπαίκτης
Transliteration: empaíktis
Doctrine: The Certainty of Christ’s Return
Rejected alternatives: εμπαίκτης με την έννοια του απλού πειράγματος/αστεϊσμού
Original: ἐμπαίκτης
Category: Eschatology
NEW term (2 Peter 3:3, ἐμπαίκτης). Stable, transparent term; ensure it is understood as deliberate, ideologically-motivated mockery of the promise of Christ’s return, not casual teasing.
Patience Longsuffering
Approved rendering: μακροθυμία
Transliteration: makrothymía
Doctrine: Patience of God’s Timing
Original: μακροθυμία
Category: God
NEW term (2 Peter 3:9, 3:15, μακροθυμία). Unlike most terms in this book, not secularized or bleached; rather, a rare, formal/literary/religious word largely absent from everyday speech. Risk is unfamiliarity, not corruption of meaning; a brief definitional gloss on first use is sufficient. Must land with deliberate, purposive force (3:9: ‘not slow… but patient’), not as an obscure literary flourish.
Physical Elements
Approved rendering: στοιχεία
Transliteration: stoicheía
Doctrine: The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment
Rejected alternatives: στοιχεία αποδιδόμενα ως προσωπικά δεδομένα (‘προσωπικά στοιχεία’), στοιχεία συγχεόμενα με τα ‘στοιχειώδη του κόσμου’ της προς Γαλάτας (πνευματικές δυνάμεις)
Original: στοιχεῖα
Category: Eschatology
NEW term (2 Peter 3:10, 3:12, στοιχεῖα) — a distinct sense from the Galatians baseline’s ‘elemental_principles’ (spiritual/religious powers). Modern Greek στοιχεία today primarily means ‘data/personal details,’ the same secular-bleaching risk flagged for Galatians; in scientific register στοιχεία also correctly means physical/chemical elements, the operative sense here (the literal constituents of the cosmos dissolved by fire). Requires explicit signposting distinguishing this from both other senses.
Low Risk Terms
Prophet
Approved rendering: προφήτης
Transliteration: profítis
Doctrine: Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Low), rendering unchanged. Stable and unambiguous; used of the OT prophets (1:19-21) and the ‘holy prophets’ recalled at 3:2.
Prophecy
Approved rendering: προφητεία
Transliteration: profiteía
Doctrine: Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Low), rendering unchanged. Central to the core passage’s climactic claim (1:20-21) that prophecy did not originate in human initiative.
Apostle
Approved rendering: απόστολος
Transliteration: apóstolos
Doctrine: Apostleship
Inherited from Romans package baseline (Low), rendering unchanged. 2 Peter 1:1: ‘Σίμων Πέτρος, δοῦλος καὶ ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.‘
Carried Along
Approved rendering: φερόμενοι
Transliteration: ferómenoi
Doctrine: Reliability and Inspiration of Scripture
Original: φερόμενοι
Category: Scripture
NEW term (2 Peter 1:21, φερόμενοι). Strong asset: the nautical ‘driven by the wind’ image (cf. Acts 27:15,17) survives transparently in Modern Greek (φέρομαι, παρασύρομαι) and is a vivid, non-mechanical illustration of Spirit-directed inspiration; foreground pedagogically rather than treat as a risk.
Self Control
Approved rendering: εγκράτεια
Transliteration: enkráteia
Doctrine: Growing in Christian Virtue
Original: ἐγκράτεια
Category: Sanctification
NEW term (2 Peter 1:6, ἐγκράτεια). Stable, living Modern Greek term with no significant secular-drift or accretion risk; a member of the virtue chain.
Brotherly Affection
Approved rendering: φιλαδελφία
Transliteration: filadelfía
Doctrine: Growing in Christian Virtue
Original: φιλαδελφία
Category: Sanctification
NEW term (2 Peter 1:7, φιλαδελφία). Transparent, stable compound; capstone-adjacent member of the virtue chain, no significant risk.
Flood
Approved rendering: κατακλυσμός
Transliteration: kataklysmós
Doctrine: Judgment of Angels and Ancient Examples of Judgment
Original: κατακλυσμός
Category: Judgment
NEW term (2 Peter 2:5, 3:5-6, κατακλυσμός). Also the ordinary Modern Greek word for a deluge/heavy downpour; disambiguated by the immediate mention of Noah (Νῶε).
Reduced To Ashes
Approved rendering: τέφρωσε (τεφρώνω)
Transliteration: téfrose
Doctrine: Judgment of Angels and Ancient Examples of Judgment
Original: τεφρώσας
Category: Judgment
NEW term (2 Peter 2:6, τεφρώσας). Vivid, stable image of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction; no significant translation risk.
Example
Approved rendering: υπόδειγμα
Transliteration: ypódeigma
Doctrine: Judgment of Angels and Ancient Examples of Judgment
Original: ὑπόδειγμα
Category: Judgment
NEW term (2 Peter 2:6, ὑπόδειγμα). Stable, unambiguous term for a pattern of judgment to come.
Irrational Animals
Approved rendering: άλογα ζώα
Transliteration: áloga zóa
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: ἄλογα ζῷα
Category: Sin
NEW term (2 Peter 2:12, ἄλογα ζῷα). Vivid, stable image reinforcing φθορά (corruption/destruction) as the false teachers’ natural end.
Wages Of Unrighteousness
Approved rendering: μισθός αδικίας
Transliteration: misthós adikías
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: μισθὸς ἀδικίας
Category: Sin
NEW term (2 Peter 2:13, 2:15, μισθὸς ἀδικίας). ἀδικία is the direct antonym of δικαιοσύνη; best taught in contrast to it.
Turn Back Return
Approved rendering: επιστρέφω
Transliteration: epistréfo
Doctrine: False Teachers and Their Judgment
Original: ἐπιστρέφω
Category: Sin
NEW term (2 Peter 2:21-22, ἐπιστρέφω). Stable; reinforced by the vivid, crude closing proverbs (dog to vomit, sow to mire), which should be retained without softening despite their earthiness, in a sober rather than comic register.
Spotless And Blameless
Approved rendering: άσπιλοι και αμώμητοι
Transliteration: áspiloi kai amómitoi
Doctrine: The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment
Original: ἄσπιλος καὶ ἀμώμητος
Category: Sanctification
NEW term (2 Peter 3:14, ἄσπιλος καὶ ἀμώμητος). Stable, paired sacrificial-purity terms; no significant translation risk.
Unstable Steadfastness
Approved rendering: αστήρικτος / στηριγμός
Transliteration: astíriktos / stirigmós
Doctrine: Perseverance Against Deception
Original: ἀστήρικτος / στηριγμός
Category: Sanctification
NEW term (2 Peter 2:14, 3:16-17, ἀστήρικτος / στηριγμός). Stable term family throughout Modern Greek; no significant translation risk.
Error Deception
Approved rendering: πλάνη
Transliteration: pláni
Doctrine: Perseverance Against Deception
Original: πλάνη
Category: Sin
NEW term (2 Peter 3:17, πλάνη). Stable; retain the ‘wandering from a fixed path’ root sense pedagogically rather than reducing it to a generic ‘being wrong’ warning.
Referenced passages