Lesson 10

Second Peter

Warning against dangers facing the Church

New paragraph

1:12 Opens with “therefore” which tells us that he’s drawing a conclusion in fact the second one.

The first one was in vs:10

- He demonstrates how important it is to manifest these characteristics when he says that if you do you are on the straight and narrow producing Divine good and you will by no means stumble.

Here’s the second conclusion:

- Because of the importance of your life in f2 being preparation for f3 Peter now has an exhortation.

Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things,

- Peter indicates his resolve and intent to be always ready to remind them of the important truth he’s taught. He is not shy about reviewing the doctrine taught.

- This phrase tells us that Peter understood the importance of repetition of truth. This point is so important that he will bring it up again 3x’s in 1:13; 1:15; 3:1

- This tells us that he has not lost track of the importance of the doctrine of living their life in the light of JSC.

- Principle is that what you do today has impact for eternity.

even though you already know them, and are well established in the truth that you now have.

- This clause is interesting in that Peter says that in spite of the fact that you know these truths and are established in them I’m still going to remind you of them

- Peter says that he’s ready and sees it as an obligation as a communicator of truth to remind of even truth that they know. That there is benefit in review.

1:12 Therefore, I shall always intend to be ready to remind you concerning these things, even though you already know them and have been established in the sphere of existing truth.

Observations:

1. To the very end of Peter’s ministry he says it is his intended purpose to be always prepared to jog their F/O/R, the existing truth with them.

2. This includes reminding them of the importance of the Word and its application so that they will indeed realize the abundant entrance into His eternal kingdom that is with great reward.

3. Repetition of truth is necessary so that we don’t loose track of the objective to carry our salvation to its logical goal and objective and become shortsighted and spiritually blind.

4. In this present paragraph (runs from vs:12-21) Peter will relate the importance of the mystery doctrines of Church age, and how they are related to the doctrines of “last things”.

5. Coming up in 1:19 Peter makes a very strong point that we have the prophetic word made more sure, more reliable than any valid experience we might have and we would do well to pay attention to it.

6. The implication of the context is that those that he’s writing were grounded in the Word.

7. By the time Peter is through they will know also the importance of prophetic truth which ultimately gives them confidence in f2 because they have a confident expectation of their future in Christ.

1:13 Peter continues the thought begun in vs:12

I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling,

to stir you up by way of reminder, pres act infinitive diegei,rw

- it is used to refer to literally waking someone from sleep; example Lk 8:24

- here it is used figuratively as it is also in 3:1 to jog their doctrinal frame of reference;

- His point here is that we need to be reminded over and over so that we don’t fall into the category of the spiritually blind. (becoming myopic with amnesia)

- So what is the reminder, or the basis of remembering? The Word taught!! It is doctrine taught that does the jogging of the mind and then motivating the individual into action, it is never gimmicks that provide proper motivation.

1:13 And I consider it right while I keep on being in this temporary dwelling (body) to continue stirring you up (spiritually) by means of a reminder.

Summary:

1. Once again Peter has reminded us that the word of God is very important for every believer in time.

2. He makes an application here to his own ministry and his objective in that as long as he still has physical life and is able he will do his job of communicating the truth stirring up those who listen.

3. His objective here is to strengthen these believers by stirring up these believers and us to reality of life through the discernment that comes from the doctrine learned.

4. In this way he will be providing what is necessary to keep the flock spiritually awake and alert.

5. His desire is that they be productive as noted in vs:8 assuring them of an abundant entrance into eternity, vs:11.

6. Not only will they be spiritually awake and alert they will be protected from the ever present false teachers who are very proficient at distorting the truth.

1:14 The Reason for Peter’s intenseness related to the reminder

knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent,

- he speaks here of his imminent death as a taking down of his tent, which as we noted earlier speaks to the issue that this body we now have is a temporary dwelling

Knowing that the putting off of my tent (physical body) is imminent

as also (exactly as kaqw.j) our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

- has made clear aorist active indicative of dhlo,w to inform, to reveal, to declare

Observations:

1. Peter reminds us that he was informed by Jesus Christ of his death by martyrdom. John 21:18-19

2. Peter demonstrates his own diligence to fulfilling the will of God for him as he writes this epistle.

3. One of the important aspects that should come out of this study is that the knowledge of prophecy (TTC) leads to assurance and confidence in life for the believer.

1:15 The Lasting impact of his reminder

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

Indeed that he would be diligent in carrying out his responsibilities of teaching the Word so that they are prepared.

- that at any time idea here is every time or on each occasion whenever you have a need that you will have the required truth for God the Holy Spirit to illuminate and bring into your analysis center for drawing the right conclusions

- after my departure word for departure is a very colorful word for death e;xodoj which fits well with use of tent for the body; taking down his tent and moving to another location, from life here to life face to face.

The result he is looking for! you will be able to call these things to mind.

- mnh,mh memory or remembrance; speaks to the importance of building the frame of reference in memory so that we have the spiritual assets to deal with the pressures of life and do so from the right perspective

11:15 Indeed I will also be diligent that on each occasion whenever you have a need after my departure you may have the memory of these things (Bd’s taught).

Observations:

1. Peter’s intention here goes beyond the purpose expressed in vs:12-13.

2. There his diligence was directed towards his earthly ministry while still with them meeting there needs via his teaching.

3. Here in verse 15 he focuses on the provision for them after his death which is provided by the doctrine in their frame of reference having listened and believed what he had taught as well as being reminded as they went over the epistle that he wrote.

4. Peter recognized that the greatest hazard for believers in time is to be minus a frame of reference of truth and therefore be spiritually ignorant living in darkness.

5. Peter recognized that for him to be faithful to the Word and apply it regardless of the tests he faced would prepare him for an abundant entrance into eternity.

6. Peter’s greatness at the point of his martyrdom shines through his writing here!

7. He understood and clearly practiced what he taught, that is the importance of living your life daily in f2 knowing that the decisions you make daily have impact for all eternity.