2 Peter 1:12-15 reveals that Peter knows the time of his death is soon approaching, Peter reminds his readers of the importance of following these eight steps and maturing. Even though his readers have these qualities and work to cultivate them, Peter wants to encourage them to keep progressing toward maturity. Long after his death, his readers will be able to remember their motivation to maturity.
In 2 Peter 1:12-15, Peter shifts from speaking about why his readers ought to be motivated to grow in Christian maturity and now speaks about his own motivation in writing this letter, which is for it to be a lasting reminder of the importance of striving to mature in Christ.
Drawing a conclusion about the importance of following the eight steps to Christian maturity set forth in 2 Peter 1:5-7 (these things), Peter begins this section Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you (v. 12).
What Peter has in mind using the expression these things are the eight steps to Christian maturity (2 Peter 1:5-7). Peter will always be ready to remind his readers of them because they are so important to experiencing a deeper, richer, fuller knowledge of God (v. 8), discovering His purpose for their lives (v, 10), and making their lives count for eternity (v. 11).
Peter understands that it is important for his readers to hear these things again, even though they already know them. Here, them refers to the eight steps to maturity and the rewards they bring. The Greek word translated know in the phrase already know them is “oida” meaning simply to understand and mentally comprehend. The content of what his readers already know are the eight qualities the lead to spiritual maturity and the resultant rewards.
Peter’s readers not only mentally grasp these eight qualities, but they have also been established, meaning to cause to be inwardly firm, in the truth, referring to the content of the eight qualities necessary for maturity, which is present in them, implying the eight qualities are already available for his readers to walk in.
Because developing these eight qualities that lead to maturity is so important, Peter tells his readers, I consider it right (v. 13), meaning an obligation in view of what God says is upright, as long as I am in the earthly dwelling, referring to his physical body on earth (2 Corinthians 5:1, 4), to stir you up, the picture here is waking up or arousing someone who is asleep (Mark 4:38,2 Peter 3:1). by way of reminder, indicating the act of recalling to someone’s mind. The readers already know these things, but they are slumbering rather than working. They are slacking rather than pressing on.
This is why they need to be stirred up by way of reminder. It is easy to forget what you do not see. And most of what Peter is speaking of relates to the spiritual realm. This is why constant reminders are necessary. Peter has a sense of urgency in giving this reminder because he knows his departure is imminent: knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ as made clear to me (v 14).
Peter understands he does not have much time left on earth, as he explains knowing (v. 14), meaning mentally grasping the fact, that the laying aside, a word implying removal, of my earthly dwelling, an expression meaning his earthly body (2 Corinthians 5:1, 4), is imminent, it will take place soon.
The reason Peter understands that he does not have much time left on earth is because our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed it to me. The word revealed has the idea of giving information about something. In this context it refers to Peter’s death. In John 21:18-19, Jesus made clear to Peter that he would die the death of a martyr, which could be what Peter is referring to. The nearness of Peter’s death makes it all the more urgent that he exhort those whom he is discipling, so he adds And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind (v. 15).
The urgency and importance of his readers developing the eight qualities that lead to Christian maturity is why Peter says, And I will also be diligent (v. 15), a word meaning to make every effort, which Peter uses three times in his letters (1 Peter 1:10,2 Peter 1:15, 3:14), that any time after my departure, meaning after his death, you will be able to call these things to mind, meaning Peter’s readers will be able to remember what he told them about developing the eight qualities. These qualities lead to Christian maturity so that believers might gain the great rewards Jesus has promised. Peter’s audience also has a written copy of this letter they could go back and read to be reminded. This in turn created a major blessing for us, in that we can also be discipled by Peter and follow his example. His words and the leading of the Holy Spirit can also stir us up, that we might also greatly benefit and make full use of our time here on earth.
2 Peter 1:12-15
12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,
14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.
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2 Peter 1:12-15 meaning
In 2 Peter 1:12-15, Peter shifts from speaking about why his readers ought to be motivated to grow in Christian maturity and now speaks about his own motivation in writing this letter, which is for it to be a lasting reminder of the importance of striving to mature in Christ.
Drawing a conclusion about the importance of following the eight steps to Christian maturity set forth in 2 Peter 1:5-7 (these things), Peter begins this section Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you (v. 12).
What Peter has in mind using the expression these things are the eight steps to Christian maturity (2 Peter 1:5-7). Peter will always be ready to remind his readers of them because they are so important to experiencing a deeper, richer, fuller knowledge of God (v. 8), discovering His purpose for their lives (v, 10), and making their lives count for eternity (v. 11).
Peter understands that it is important for his readers to hear these things again, even though they already know them. Here, them refers to the eight steps to maturity and the rewards they bring. The Greek word translated know in the phrase already know them is “oida” meaning simply to understand and mentally comprehend. The content of what his readers already know are the eight qualities the lead to spiritual maturity and the resultant rewards.
Peter’s readers not only mentally grasp these eight qualities, but they have also been established, meaning to cause to be inwardly firm, in the truth, referring to the content of the eight qualities necessary for maturity, which is present in them, implying the eight qualities are already available for his readers to walk in.
Because developing these eight qualities that lead to maturity is so important, Peter tells his readers, I consider it right (v. 13), meaning an obligation in view of what God says is upright, as long as I am in the earthly dwelling, referring to his physical body on earth (2 Corinthians 5:1, 4), to stir you up, the picture here is waking up or arousing someone who is asleep (Mark 4:38, 2 Peter 3:1). by way of reminder, indicating the act of recalling to someone’s mind. The readers already know these things, but they are slumbering rather than working. They are slacking rather than pressing on.
This is why they need to be stirred up by way of reminder. It is easy to forget what you do not see. And most of what Peter is speaking of relates to the spiritual realm. This is why constant reminders are necessary. Peter has a sense of urgency in giving this reminder because he knows his departure is imminent: knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ as made clear to me (v 14).
Peter understands he does not have much time left on earth, as he explains knowing (v. 14), meaning mentally grasping the fact, that the laying aside, a word implying removal, of my earthly dwelling, an expression meaning his earthly body (2 Corinthians 5:1, 4), is imminent, it will take place soon.
The reason Peter understands that he does not have much time left on earth is because our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed it to me. The word revealed has the idea of giving information about something. In this context it refers to Peter’s death. In John 21:18-19, Jesus made clear to Peter that he would die the death of a martyr, which could be what Peter is referring to. The nearness of Peter’s death makes it all the more urgent that he exhort those whom he is discipling, so he adds And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind (v. 15).
The urgency and importance of his readers developing the eight qualities that lead to Christian maturity is why Peter says, And I will also be diligent (v. 15), a word meaning to make every effort, which Peter uses three times in his letters (1 Peter 1:10, 2 Peter 1:15, 3:14), that any time after my departure, meaning after his death, you will be able to call these things to mind, meaning Peter’s readers will be able to remember what he told them about developing the eight qualities. These qualities lead to Christian maturity so that believers might gain the great rewards Jesus has promised. Peter’s audience also has a written copy of this letter they could go back and read to be reminded. This in turn created a major blessing for us, in that we can also be discipled by Peter and follow his example. His words and the leading of the Holy Spirit can also stir us up, that we might also greatly benefit and make full use of our time here on earth.