What does 2 Peter 1:12-15 mean?

¹² Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. ¹³ Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; ¹⁴ Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. ¹⁵ Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. (2 Peter 1:12-15 KJV)

Peter’s Approaching Death

The importance and advantage of progress and perseverance in grace and holiness made the apostle very diligent in his work as a minister of Christ, so that he might encourage and help believers to be diligent in their Christian duties. If ministers are negligent in their work, it’s unlikely the people will be diligent in theirs. So Peter resolves not to be negligent in any part of his ministry but to be consistently and thoroughly diligent, especially in the role of reminding the people. This is the work of faithful ministers, even apostles—they are the Lord’s remembrancers (Isaiah 62:6), reminding God of his promises and the people of God’s commands, doctrines, and duties.

Though some might think it unnecessary because his readers already knew these truths and were established in them, Peter still insists on reminding them.

1. We need to be reminded of what we already know so that we don’t forget it and so that we can apply it better in practice.
2. We must be firmly established in the truth so we are not swayed by false teachings, especially in the truths most essential for our time. The foundational doctrines of the gospel—that Jesus is the Christ, that he came to save sinners, that those who believe in him will be saved, and that believers must be careful to maintain good works—are truths the apostles emphasized in their time. These are trustworthy sayings, worthy of acceptance in every generation (Titus 3:8). Ministers must consistently affirm these truths, and believers must be well instructed and grounded in them. Even the most mature Christians still need reminders of such essential truths, which cannot be too clearly understood or too deeply believed.

While in this world, no believer is beyond the need for God’s appointed means of grace. If people need teaching and encouragement while they live, it is right that ministers, as long as they live, should teach and exhort them, reminding them of truths they have already learned, to stir them up to be diligent and zealous in obedience to the gospel.

The apostle explains what motivates his earnestness (2 Peter 1:14)—his awareness that he must soon put off this earthly body.

1. The body is the soul’s tabernacle—a temporary, fragile dwelling.
2. This body must be put off. We won’t remain in this earthly house forever. Just as we take off our clothes at night, we will put off our bodies at death, and they will rest in the grave until the resurrection morning.
3. The nearness of death drives the apostle to greater diligence. The Lord Jesus had shown him that his time was short, so he worked all the more zealously. Since he would soon be gone from those he ministered to, and he wanted them to remember the teachings he gave them after his departure, he wrote down his exhortation.

The apostle did not place much trust in oral tradition. It wasn’t as reliable for achieving the goal he had in mind. He wanted them always to remember these things and to speak of them as well. Those who fear the Lord talk about him and his loving-kindness. That’s how the knowledge of God is spread—and this was the apostle’s concern. Those who have the written word of God are in a better position to do this.