2 Peter 1:12
Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have.
Therefore
This word serves as a bridge, connecting the preceding verses with the current statement. In the Greek, "dio" indicates a conclusion or a reasoned result. Peter is drawing a logical conclusion from the truths he has just expounded upon, emphasizing the importance of what follows. It reminds us that our faith is not isolated but built upon a foundation of divine truth and previous teachings.

I will always remind you
The Greek verb "hupomimnesko" means to remind or bring to remembrance. Peter's use of "always" underscores his commitment to continually reinforce the truths of the Gospel. This reflects the pastoral heart of Peter, who understands the human tendency to forget and the necessity of constant reinforcement of spiritual truths. It is a call to the Church to be diligent in teaching and reminding believers of the core tenets of their faith.

of these things
"This" refers to the teachings and truths Peter has been discussing, particularly the qualities that confirm one's calling and election (2 Peter 1:5-11). The phrase emphasizes the importance of these spiritual truths and virtues, which are foundational to Christian living. It is a reminder that the Christian life is not static but requires ongoing growth and adherence to the teachings of Christ.

even though you know them
Peter acknowledges that his audience is already familiar with these teachings. The Greek word "oida" implies a deep, intuitive knowledge. This recognition of their existing knowledge serves to affirm the believers' understanding while also highlighting the necessity of continual reinforcement. It suggests that knowledge alone is not sufficient; it must be coupled with constant remembrance and application.

and are established
The term "established" comes from the Greek "sterizo," meaning to make firm or stable. This indicates that the believers have a solid foundation in their faith. Peter's use of this term reassures the readers of their secure position in Christ, while also encouraging them to remain steadfast. It is a call to perseverance and stability in the face of challenges and false teachings.

in the truth
"Truth" here is "aletheia" in Greek, signifying not just factual correctness but divine reality as revealed in Christ. This truth is the Gospel, the ultimate reality that governs the life of a believer. Peter emphasizes that their faith is not based on myths or human wisdom but on the revealed truth of God, which is unchanging and eternal.

you now have
This phrase indicates the present possession of truth by the believers. The Greek "pareimi" suggests a current and active presence. It is a reminder that the truth of the Gospel is not a distant or past reality but a present and active force in the lives of believers. This present possession of truth calls for a response of faithfulness and continued growth in the knowledge of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and remind believers of the truths they have been taught.

2. Recipients of the Epistle
The letter is addressed to believers who have received faith through the righteousness of God and Savior Jesus Christ. They are established in the truth but need reminders to stay vigilant.

3. The Truth
Refers to the gospel message and the teachings of Jesus Christ that the believers have accepted and are living by.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Reminders
Even mature believers need constant reminders of the foundational truths of their faith. This helps prevent complacency and spiritual drift.

Established in Truth
Being established in the truth is not a one-time event but a continuous process. Believers must actively engage with the Word to remain grounded.

The Role of Spiritual Leaders
Leaders in the church have a responsibility to continually remind and teach their congregations, ensuring that the truth remains central in their lives.

The Value of Repetition
Repetition is a key tool in learning and spiritual growth. Regularly revisiting core doctrines strengthens faith and understanding.

Vigilance Against False Teachings
Constant reminders help believers discern and resist false teachings that may arise, keeping their faith pure and untainted.
Bible Study Questions
1. Why do you think Peter emphasizes the need to remind believers of truths they already know? How does this apply to your personal spiritual journey?

2. How can you ensure that you are "established in the truth" in your daily life? What practices can help reinforce this?

3. In what ways can church leaders today follow Peter's example in reminding their congregations of foundational truths?

4. How does the concept of repetition in learning apply to your study of the Bible? What strategies can you implement to make this effective?

5. Reflect on a time when a reminder of a biblical truth helped you in a challenging situation. How can you use this experience to encourage others in their faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Peter 1:13-15
Peter emphasizes the importance of reminders, knowing his time is short. This highlights the urgency and importance of reinforcing foundational truths.

Philippians 3:1
Paul also speaks about the importance of reminding believers of the same truths, indicating a common apostolic practice.

Jude 1:5
Jude reminds believers of truths they already know, underscoring the necessity of repetition in spiritual growth.
An Old Man's AimU.R. Thomas 2 Peter 1:12-14
A Good Man's Endeavor to Compensate for the Limitations of a Mortal LifeD. Davies.2 Peter 1:12-15
A Noble Endeavor and DesireThos. Adams.2 Peter 1:12-15
Constant RemembranceHomilist2 Peter 1:12-15
Inference 12 Peter 1:12-15
Inference 22 Peter 1:12-15
Inference 32 Peter 1:12-15
Inference 42 Peter 1:12-15
Inference 52 Peter 1:12-15
Inference 62 Peter 1:12-15
Man's Earthly Mode of BeingJohn Flavel.2 Peter 1:12-15
Ministers as RemembrancersT. Griffith, M. A.2 Peter 1:12-15
Pastor and PeopleThos. Adams.2 Peter 1:12-15
Present TruthA. J. Gordon, D. D.2 Peter 1:12-15
Putting Off the Bodily Tabernacle2 Peter 1:12-15
The Christian's Usefulness in and After DeathH. Melvill, B. D.2 Peter 1:12-15
The Saint's Earnest Endeavour to Enforce Spiritual TruthC. New 2 Peter 1:12-15
The Shortness of Human LifeThos. Adams.2 Peter 1:12-15
The Shortness of Our LifeR. Warren, D. D.2 Peter 1:12-15
The Writer's Diligence and His Feeders' ObedienceThos. Adams.2 Peter 1:12-15
Putting in MindU.R. Thomas 2 Peter 1:12-21
People
Peter, Simeon, Simon
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus
Topics
Already, Although, Always, Awake, Based, Believers, Careful, Careless, Established, Faith, Firmly, Intend, Memory, Mind, Negligent, Persist, Possess, Present, Ready, Reason, Remembrance, Remind, Reminding, Stedfast, Though, Truth, Wherefore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Peter 1:12

     5115   Peter, preacher and teacher
     5953   stability
     8107   assurance, and life of faith

2 Peter 1:12-16

     8467   reminders

Library
Like Precious Faith
'... Them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.'--2 Peter i. 1. Peter seems to have had a liking for that word 'precious.' It is not a very descriptive one; it does not give much light as to the quality of the things to which it is applied; but it is a suggestion of one-idea value. It is interesting to notice the objects to which, in his two letters--for I take this to be his letter--he applies it. He speaks of the trial of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Man Summoned by God's Glory and Energy
'... His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.'--2 Peter i. 3. 'I knew thee,' said the idle servant in our Lord's parable, 'that thou wert an austere man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou hadst not strewed. I was afraid, and went and hid my talent in the earth.' Our Lord would teach us all with that pregnant word the great truth that if once a man gets it into
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Partakers of the Divine Nature
'He hath given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.'--2 Peter i. 4. 'Partakers of the Divine nature.' These are bold words, and may be so understood as to excite the wildest and most presumptuous dreams. But bold as they are, and startling as they may sound to some of us, they are only putting into other language the teaching of which the whole New Testament is full,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

The Power of Diligence
'Giving all diligence, add to your faith ...'--2 Peter i. 5. It seems to me very like Peter that there should be so much in this letter about the very commonplace and familiar excellence of diligence. He over and over again exhorts to it as the one means to the attainment of all Christian graces, and of all the blessedness of the Christian life. We do not expect fine-spun counsels from a teacher whose natural bent is, like his, but plain, sturdy, common sense, directed to the highest matter, and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Going Out and Going In
'An entrance ... my decease.'--2 Peter i. 11, 15. I do not like, and do not often indulge in, the practice of taking fragments of Scripture for a text, but I venture to isolate these two words, because they correspond to one another, and when thus isolated and connected, bring out very prominently two aspects of one thing. In the original the correspondence is even closer, for the words, literally rendered, are 'a going in' and 'a going out.' The same event is looked at from two sides. On the one
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Faith and Life
Now, it will be clear to all, that in the four verses before us, our apostle has most excellently set forth the necessity of these two things--twice over he insists upon the faith, and twice over upon holiness of life. We will take the first occasion first. I. Observe, in the first place, what he says concerning the character and the origin of faith, and then concerning the character and origin of spiritual life. "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

Particular Election
When Mr. Whitfield was once applied to to use his influence at a general election, he returned answer to his lordship who requested him, that he knew very little about general elections, but that if his lordship took his advice he would make his own particular "calling and election sure;" which was a very proper remark. I would not, however, say to any persons here present, despise the privilege which you have as citizens. Far be it from me to do it. When we become Christians we do not leave off
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope
In 2 Timothy, 3:16, Paul declares: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;" but there are some people who tell us when we take up prophecy that it is all very well to be believed, but that there is no use in one trying to understand it; these future events are things that the church does not agree about, and it is better to let them alone, and deal only with those prophecies which have already been
Dwight L. Moody—That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope

The Faithful Promiser
THE FAITHFUL PROMISER. By the Author of "THE WORDS OF JESUS," "THE MORNING AND NIGHT WATCHES," ETC. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises."--2 Pet. i. 4. NEW YORK: STANFORD & DELISSER, No. 508, BROADWAY. 1858.
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

Assurance
Q-xxxvi: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WHICH FLOW FROM SANCTIFICATION? A: Assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. The first benefit flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. 'Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' 2 Pet 1:10. Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of sanctification. The saints of old had it. We know that we know
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is Perfect. Matthew 5:48.
In the 43rd verse, the Savior says, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy; but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward
Charles G. Finney—Lectures to Professing Christians

The Author to the Reader.
CHRISTIAN READER,--After the foregoing address, I need not put thee to much more trouble: only I shall say, that he must needs be a great stranger in our Israel, or sadly smitten with that epidemic plague of indifferency, which hath infected many of this generation, to a benumbing of them, and rendering them insensible and unconcerned in the matters of God, and of their own souls, and sunk deep in the gulf of dreadful inconsideration, who seeth not, or taketh no notice of, nor is troubled at the
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Christian's Book
Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers.
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Mystical Union with Immanuel.
"Christ in you the hope of glory." --Col. i. 27. The union of believers with Christ their Head is not effected by instilling a divine-human life-tincture into the soul. There is no divine-human life. There is a most holy Person, who unites in Himself the divine and the human life; but both natures continue unmixed, unblended, each retaining its own properties. And since there is no divine-human life in Jesus, He can not instil it into us. We do heartily acknowledge that there is a certain conformity
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Its Basis
In our last chapter we contemplated the problem which is presented in the justifying or pronouncing righteous one who is a flagrant violater of the Law of God. Some may have been surprised at the introduction of such a term as "problem": as there are many in the ranks of the ungodly who feel that the world owes them a living, so there are not a few Pharisees in Christendom who suppose it is due them that at death their Creator should take them to Heaven. But different far is it with one who has been
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

The Beatific vision.
Reason, revelation, and the experience of six thousand years unite their voices in proclaiming that perfect happiness cannot be found in this world. It certainly cannot be found in creatures; for they were not clothed with the power to give it. It cannot be found even in the practice of virtue; for God has, in His wisdom, decreed that virtue should merit, but never enjoy perfect happiness in this world. He has solemnly pledged himself to give "eternal life" to all who love and serve him here on earth.
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." There is a great marriage spoken of, Eph. v. that hath a great mystery in it, which the apostle propoundeth as the sample and archetype of all marriages or rather as the substance, of which all conjunctions and relations among the creatures are but the shadows. It is that marriage between Christ and his church, for which, it would appear, this world was builded, to be
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
I come now to speak a little to the other part of sanctification, which concerneth the change of our nature and frame, and is called vivification, or quickening of the new man of grace; which is called the new man, as having all its several members and parts, as well as the old man; and called new, because posterior to the other; and after regeneration is upon the growing hand, this duty of growing in grace, as it is called, 2 Pet. iii. &c. is variously expressed and held forth to us in Scripture;
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Remaining Books of the Old Testament.
1. The divine authority of the Pentateuch having been established, it is not necessary to dwell at length on the historical books which follow. The events which they record are a natural and necessary sequel to the establishment of the theocracy, as given in the five books of Moses. The Pentateuch is occupied mainly with the founding of the theocracy; the following historical books describe the settlement of the Israelitish nation under this theocracy in the promised land, and its practical operation
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Concerning the Sacrament of Baptism
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to the riches of His mercy has at least preserved this one sacrament in His Church uninjured and uncontaminated by the devices of men, and has made it free to all nations and to men of every class. He has not suffered it to be overwhelmed with the foul and impious monstrosities of avarice and superstition; doubtless having this purpose, that He would have little children, incapable of avarice and superstition, to be initiated into
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Faith
What does God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for our sin? Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. I begin with the first, faith in Jesus Christ. Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.' Rom 3: 25. The great privilege in the text is, to have Christ for a propitiation; which is not only to free us from God's wrath, but to
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Approval of the Spirit
TEXT: "Yea, saith the Spirit."--Rev. 14:31. The world has had many notable galleries of art in which we have been enabled to study the beautiful landscape, to consider deeds of heroism which have made the past illustrious, in which we have also read the stories of saintly lives; but surpassing all these is the gallery of art in which we find the text. Humanly speaking John is the artist while he is an exile on the Island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. The words he uses and the figures he presents
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Links
2 Peter 1:12 NIV
2 Peter 1:12 NLT
2 Peter 1:12 ESV
2 Peter 1:12 NASB
2 Peter 1:12 KJV

2 Peter 1:12 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Peter 1:11
Top of Page
Top of Page