2 Peter 1:12-15

The Reliability of the Gospel and of the Prophecy. 2 Pet. 1, 12-21.

The apostles as witnesses of Christ’s majesty: V.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. V.13. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance, v.14. knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. V.15. Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

That Peter had not forgotten the commission of the Lord given to him on the shores of the Sea of Galilee is shown in the solicitude which he here displays for the spiritual welfare of his readers: Therefore I shall be careful that you be reminded concerning these things, although you do know them and are established in the truth which is present with you.

That was the conception which Peter had of his pastoral office, as it should be the idea of every true pastor, to make it his care, his business, ever and again to remind the believers of all these facts concerning their justification and sanctification. It is true, indeed, the Christians have learned these facts, they know them, but it remains true at the same time that they cannot learn them too well and that the eagerness of the true Christian to hear the fundamental truths over and over again will not diminish. They were established in the truth of the Gospel, they were firmly grounded in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity as they concerned their spiritual life, but they needed the strengthening influence of the apostolic admonition from day to day.

Note: We need a better realization of these facts in our day, when so many professing Christians are showing the symptoms of spiritual satiety, which almost invariably is the forerunner of spiritual decay.

The apostle now repeats his statement and gives a reason for the urgency of his appeal: But I consider it proper, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by such reminding, knowing that swift is the folding up of my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed to me. While Peter had life and breath, while the Lord continued to add to the days of his life, he considered it the right and proper thing for him to do to keep right on with his reminding and admonishing, to keep the minds of his readers awake to the wonderful glories of the Gospel and to the obligations which accompanied these privileges. He compares his body to a tent, or tabernacle, giving but a weak and temporary shelter to his soul. He knew that it would not be long before the Lord would cause him to fold up his tent; his body, which had so long housed his soul, would be claimed by death. This the Lord had revealed to him, the reference probably being to the incident on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, John 21, 18. 19.

Here is an instance of true faithfulness, since Peter did not wait idly for the death which, he knew, was soon to come, was imminent, as he expresses it, but continued his work with unabated vigor and diligence, the care of the souls being his chief concern to the last.

But he is looking forward also beyond the immediate future: But I shall use diligence that you also after my departure may always be able to call these things to mind.

Not only for the present, and while his own life lasts, is Peter solicitous for the spiritual welfare of his readers, but he also wants to make it his business to have them keep the truth after his death. That is one of his reasons for writing this letter, to have it serve as a permanent reminder of the doctrine which he taught them. Whenever they were in need of definite, authentic information as to the truth, they had but to consult this letter, have their memory refreshed, and thereafter could be all the surer in their Christian life.