2 Peter 1:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"Wherefore" means, concerning what? Concerning what was said above, namely virtue, knowledge, and the rest. "Though you know them, and are established in the present truth."

Peter says, "you know," that is, you know from the first epistle. Or else he is moving them to praise. "In the present truth" means in the New Testament, because Paul says, "The old has passed away; behold, all things are new" (2 Cor 5:17) in Christ.

Again he speaks of what was said above, of virtue and of the commandments explained in order. Through them one enters the Kingdom of Heaven with great boldness. See how, at the beginning, he exhorts through fear. Then he exhorts through good things, passing from the tribunal of the Judge to the Kingdom of Heaven.

"For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth."

After showing how important and necessary it is always to make greater progress in Christian virtues, the Apostle says that for this reason he will not cease to remind them of this duty.

They must always join good works to faith and always care for the fulfillment of Christ's commandments, although they already know this duty and strive to fulfill it.

Why does the Apostle act in this way? He answers: <...>

"I will not be negligent," that is, "I will not cease." The Apostle does not cease reminding Christians of what had already been preached to them (1 Pet 1:12). Yet he is assured that they stand firmly in the present truth, that is, in this truth not forgotten by them, but always present with them.

The connection of the discourse is this. So that you may be able and know how to attain this goal, indicated in the preceding verses, I will not cease to remind you of it, especially since my end is near.

In these words (2 Pet. 1:12-14), both the essence and the purpose of the epistle seem to be indicated.

This purpose is not chiefly dogmatic teaching, nor chiefly the refutation of the false teaching of false teachers. It is the confirming and strengthening of the reader in virtuous life and good morals.

The two preceding purposes are more secondary, although they have very great importance in the epistle. The chief means to such confirming and strengthening is the living knowledge of God and Christ (2 Pet. 1:2; 1 Jn. 2:3-4).

Having set forth the ladder of Christian perfection, the holy Apostle Peter persuades us to ascend it (2 Pet. 1:10-20).

"Be even more diligent to make your calling," that is, your Christian calling, "and election," that is, election unto salvation, "sure." This means to justify them in deed and secure them for yourselves.

"For if you do these things, you will never stumble," despite the difficulty and narrowness of the path to salvation. On the contrary, "an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ."

My concern, the Apostle seems further to suggest, and my salvation, is whether you will walk by the ladder of Christian perfection traced out for you.

Like the First Epistle (see 1 Pet. 5:12), this Epistle has as its chief aim the confirmation of Christians in the truth.

The truth, given to Christians in the fullness possible for them, was known to them. Yet not all firmly remembered it or fulfilled it in life.

In addition, certain false teachers were presenting their supposed knowledge as higher knowledge. Having shown where truth can be and where it cannot be, the Apostle now tells Christians that they possess unquestionable truth.

Thus they have no need to seek it outside Christianity, among false teachers.