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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Pe_1:12-15
12Therefore, 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. 13I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.
2Pe_1:12 "Therefore" Based on the gospel truths of 2 Peter 1.
▣ "I will always be ready to remind you" This is a recurrent theme (cf. 2Pe_1:12-13; 2Pe_1:15; 2Pe_3:1-2; Php_3:1; Jud_1:5; Jud_1:17). These truths of the gospel need to be repeated again and again for the information of the new believers and the steadfastness of the mature believers.
2Pe_1:12-15 are often identified as a genre called "testimonies." Usually it is related to a person's last words before death (cf. Joshua 23-24; 1 Samuel 12; 2Ti_4:6-8; 2Pe_1:12-15).
▣ "having been established" This is a perfect passive participle. This may refer to (1) the preaching of the gospel or (2) miraculous manifestations. Notice it is God's power (passive voice) that gives the believer stability (cf. 1Pe_5:10). But believers must guard it (cf. 2Pe_3:17; 1Pe_5:9).
▣ "in the truth" The terms "truth/true/trustworthy" are such important biblical concepts that I would like to share with you two special topics taken from my commentary on John's writings (Vol. 4).
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NASB "which is present with you"
NKJV "in the present truth"
NRSV "that has come to you"
TEV "you have received"
NJB (phrase omitted)
Literally the phrase is "in the present truth." How is the "truth" present? The truth is both (1) the trustworthiness of God's character and word and (2) a description of Jesus and a way of referring to the gospel message (i.e., the Living Word and the Written Word).
The term "present" is the term parousç, used to describe the Second Coming of Christ as His "presence" (cf. 2Pe_1:16; 2Pe_3:4; 2Pe_3:12).
2Pe_1:13 "earthly dwelling" Paul also uses this phrase in 2Co_5:1-10 to refer to his physical body. 2Pe_1:14-15 clearly show that Peter expected to be martyred soon.
2Pe_1:14 "our Lord Jesus Christ" This title would have implied several theological truths to a first century Jewish/Christian readership.
▣ "Lord" The Greek term Lord (kurios) can be used in a general sense or in a developed theological sense. It can mean "mister," "sir" (cf. Joh_4:11), "master," "owner," "husband," or "the full God-man" (cf. Joh_9:36; Joh_9:38). The OT (Hebrew, adon) usage of this term came from the Jews' reluctance to pronounce the covenant name for God, YHWH, from the Hebrew verb "to be" (cf. Exo_3:14). See Special Topic: Names for Deity at Mar_12:36. They were afraid of breaking the commandment, which said, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (cf. Exo_20:7; Deu_5:11). Therefore, they thought if they did not pronounce it, they could not take it in vain. So, they substituted the Hebrew word adon, which had a similar meaning to the Greek word kurios (Lord). The NT authors used this term to describe the full deity of Christ. The phrase "Jesus is Lord" was the public confession of faith and a baptismal formula of the early church (cf. Rom_10:9-13; 1Co_12:3; Php_2:11).
▣ "Jesus" This Hebrew name meant "YHWH saves" or "YHWH brings salvation." It was revealed to his parents by an angel (cf. Mat_1:21). "Jesus" is derived from the Hebrew word for salvation, hosea, suffixed to the covenant name for God, YHWH. It is the same as the Hebrew name Joshua.
▣ "Christ" This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew term messiah, which meant "an anointed one." It implies "one called and equipped by God for a specific task." In the OT three groups of leaders: priests, kings, and prophets were anointed. Jesus fulfills all three of these anointed offices (cf. Heb_1:2-3).
▣ "has made clear to me" This may refer to Peter's death (cf. Joh_13:36) or the manner of Peter's death which is revealed by the Lord to Peter in Joh_21:18-19.
2Pe_1:15 "after my departure" This is the term "exodus" (cf. Luk_9:31) used in the sense of death (i.e., a euphemism) or return to heaven.
▣ "you will be able to call these things to mind" This could refer to the book of 1 Peter, 2 Peter, or the Gospel Mark (cf. Irenaeus). Peter realized that the Spirit would use his writings after his death. He must have had a sense that the Spirit was speaking through him for Christians to read and use after his death!