2 Peter 1:15

1:12-15 We must be established in the belief of the truth, that we may not be shaken by every wind of doctrine; and especially in the truth necessary for us to know in our day, what belongs to our peace, and what is opposed in our time. The body is but a tabernacle, or tent, of the soul. It is a mean and movable dwelling. The nearness of death makes the apostle diligent in the business of life. Nothing can so give composure in the prospect, or in the hour, of death, as to know that we have faithfully and simply followed the Lord Jesus, and sought his glory. Those who fear the Lord, talk of his loving-kindness. This is the way to spread the knowledge of the Lord; and by the written word, they are enabled to do this.

Ye may be able (ἔχειν ὑμᾶς) Lit., that you may have it. A similar use of have, in the sense of to be able, occurs Mark 14:8. The same meaning is also foreshadowed in Matthew 18:25, had not to pay; and John 8:6, have to accuse. Decease (ἔξοδον) Exodus is a literal transcript of the word, and is the term used by Luke in his account of the transfiguration. "They spake of his decease." It occurs only once elsewhere, Hebrews 11:22, in the literal sense, the departing or exodus of the children of Israel. "It is at least remarkable," says Dean Alford, "that, with the recollection of the scene on the mount of transfiguration floating in his mind, the apostle should use so close together the words which were there also associated, tabernacle and decease. The coincidence should not be forgotten in treating of the question of the genuineness of the epistle." Call to remembrance (μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι) The phrase occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. In classical Greek, to make mention of. An analogous expression is found, Romans 1:9, μνείαν ποιοῦμαι, I make mention. See, also, Ephesians 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; Plm 1:4. Some render it thus here, as expressing Peter's desire to make it possible for his readers to report these things to others. Rev., to call these things to remembrance.

2 Peter 1:15 . σπουδάσω . The form is used by Polybius and later writers for the classical σπουδάσομαι . ἑκάστοτε goes with ἔχειν = “on each occasion when you have need”. The word is found apparently in the same sense in P. Gen. 313 f. (ii. A.D.), ἑκάστοτέ σοι κατʼ ἐπιδημίαν παρενοχλῶν (“causing you annoyance on each occasion when you are at home”). τὴν τούτων μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι . What is the reference in τούτων ? It must have the same reference as in 2 Peter 1:12 , viz. to the practice of the Christian graces, and the larger reference must be to some systematic body of instruction. This might easily take the form of reminiscences of the example of Jesus Himself, and the allusion may be to the Petrine reminiscences contained in the Gospel of St. Mark ( cf. μετὰ δὲ τὴν τούτων (Peter and Paul) ἔξοδον Μᾶρκος τὰ ὑπὸ Πέτρου κηρυσσόμενα ἐγγράφως ἡμῖν παραδέδωκεν Iren. iii. 1. 1.). “He has already referred to Christ ( 2 Peter 1:3 ), as having called them ἰδίᾳ δόξῃ καὶ ἀρετῇ ”; surely nothing could be more appropriate, more helpful to a godly life, than that Peter should leave behind the picture of this δόξα καὶ ἀρετή drawn from his own recollection. And the following words, οὐ γὰρ σεσοφισμένος κ . τ . λ . ( 2 Peter 1:16 ) seem to imply a statement of facts” (Mayor, 143., where see whole discussion against Zahn. Introd. II. pp. 199 ff.). ἔξοδον . The same word is used in Luke 9:31 of the death of Christ. It seems to include the thought of subsequent glory ( cf.

Expositor , vi. ii. pp. 73 f. Smith, Days of His Flesh , pp. 274 f.) The meaning “death” is found in B.G.U. 168. (ii.–iii. A.D.). ἐπιγνοῦσα τὴν ( το ) ῦ Εὐδαίμονος ἔξοδον . τὴν τούτων μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι : “refer to”; always in Greek writers, from Herodotus down = “mentionem facere, “make mention of” ( cf. Grimm-Thayer under μνήμη ). The sense here seems much the same. The document “referred to” would be an authentic source of information. Cf. P. Fay, 19 (ii. A.D.) [ ἀκριβ ] εστάτην μνήμην ποιούμενος .

2 Peter 1:15 . Moreover I will endeavour — By writing these things in this epistle, and by every other means in my power, while it pleases God to continue me among you; that ye may be able — Through frequently reading what I here write; after my decease to have these things always in remembrance — “The apostle’s care in this was highly commendable; because the most important truths, if they are not remembered, have no influence on the mind. The gradation in this passage is beautiful. He proposed to put the brethren in remembrance of some revealed truths, with which they were acquainted; he proposed to do this, not once or twice, but always, as long as he lived; nay, he proposed [by leaving this written testimony among them] to put them in remembrance of these things after his death. Wherefore the ministers of the gospel, following Peter’s example, ought to insist most on the things which are of most importance to their people, although they are already well instructed in them, the influence of truth depending not so much upon the knowledge, as upon the frequent recollection of it.” — Macknight.

2 Peter 1:15 . Σπουδάσω , I will endeavour ) On this depends ὑμᾶς ἔχειν , that you may have [“be able”]. Thus also the Latins construct the verb studeo .— ἑκάστοτε , at every time ) as often as there shall be occasion.— ἔχειν ) An elegant phrase, ἔχω ποιεῖσθαι . But they were about to have it [in their power], since this very Epistle of Peter was left to them.

These things; the doctrine before delivered concerning faith in Christ, the practice of good works, and their continuance in both. Always; this may be joined either to endeavour, and so relate to the apostle himself; he would always be diligent, and do his part, that they might have these things in remembrance: or rather, (according to our translation), to having in remembrance, Peter being now near his end; and therefore this always may better refer to them that were to live after him, than to himself that was so soon to die. In remembrance; or, to commemorate them, viz. to the benefit and edification of the church; and this includes their having them in remembrance, but implies something more.

15. endeavour—"use my diligence": the same Greek word as in 2Pe 1:10: this is the field in which my diligence has scope. Peter thus fulfils Christ's charge, "Feed My sheep" (Joh 21:16, 17). decease—"departure." The very word ("exodus") used in the Transfiguration, Moses and Elias conversing about Christ's decease (found nowhere else in the New Testament, but Heb 11:22, "the departing of Israel" out of Egypt, to which the saints' deliverance from the present bondage of corruption answers). "Tabernacle" is another term found here as well as there (Lu 9:31, 33): an undesigned coincidence confirming Peter's authorship of this Epistle. that ye may be able—by the help of this written Epistle; and perhaps also of Mark's Gospel, which Peter superintended. always—Greek, "on each occasion": as often as occasion may require. to have … in remembrance—Greek, "to exercise remembrance of." Not merely "to remember," as sometimes we do, things we care not about; but "have them in (earnest) remembrance," as momentous and precious truths.

15 . Moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease …] The word “endeavour” in the modern sense is perhaps slightly too weak, the Greek verb implying diligent and earnest effort. In the Greek word for “decease” ( exodos ), we meet with another suggestive coincidence with the history of the Transfiguration. When the Apostle had seen the forms of Moses and Elijah, they had spoken of the “decease” which Christ should accomplish at Jerusalem ( Luke 9:31 ). It may be noted that this use of the word, as an euphemistic synonym for “death,” is entirely absent from Greek classical writers, and that probably the two passages referred to are the earliest instances of its use in that sense. It occurs, however, a little later in Josephus ( Ant . iv. 8, § 2) and in Wis 3:2 (“Their departure was taken for misery”), probably the work of a contemporary. In the intention thus expressed we may fairly see a confirmation of the tradition which speaks of St Mark’s acting as the “interpreter” or amanuensis of St Peter, in writing his Gospel, recording, at the request of the Apostle’s disciples, what they had heard orally from him. (Euseb. Hist . ii. 15, iii. 39, Iren. iii. 10, § 6.) Another interpretation of the words may be noticed as deserving a place among the curiosities of exegesis.

Roman Catholic commentators, Cornelius a Lapide and others, have connected the words “after my decease” with the verb “I will endeavour,” and have thus construed the Apostle’s words into an argument for his continued watchfulness and superintendence over the development of the Church’s doctrine.

Verse 15. - Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance; rather, but I will also give diligence that ye may be able at every time after my decease to call these things to remembrance. Of the two particles used here the δέ connects this verso with verse 13; the καί implies a further resolve. St. Peter will not only stir up the minds of his readers during his life, but he will give diligence to enable them to call to remembrance, after his death, the truths which he had preached. These words may refer simply to the present Epistle; but it seems more natural to understand them of an intention to commit to writing the facts of the gospel history; if this be so, we have here a confirmation of the ancient tradition that the Second Gospel was written by St. Mark at the dictation of St. Peter. The verb σπουδάσω is that used in verse 10, and should be translated in the same way; they must give diligence to make their calling and election sure. St. Peter, for his part, will give diligence to furnish them with a lasting record of the truths of Christianity. The adverb ἑκάστοτε , at every time, whenever there may be need, occurs only here in the New Testament. (For ἔχειν in the sense of "to be able," compare the Greek of Mark 14:8 .) It is remarkable that we have here, in two consecutive verses, two words which remind us of the history of the Transfiguration, "tabernacle," and "decease" ( ἔξοδος ; see Luke 9:31 ).