So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
Summary: Pondering the meaning of scripture can open the doors of our minds to better understanding God’s will for us.
Why is this sentence in Peter’s letter?
In essence, he is saying that the things he is reminding his readers about are things that they already know. More than that, his readers are “firmly established” in these truths.
I will begin by stating that I do not know the answer to my own question. No one does. Well, no one on this side of heaven. So, we are left to ponder why Peter might have included it.
Is pondering a passage like this worthwhile?
I think so. If for no other reason than it provides a good example of the difference between pondering and exegesis. The word, “exegesis,” is a two-dollar word for “interpretation.” If I were to interpret this passage for you, I would speak with assumed authority and declare to you the absolute definitive reason these words are here.
The problem with this approach is that all I can offer in terms of an interpretation is my opinion. In fact, that is all anyone can offer. There are things we cannot know. One of those things is what was going through Peter’s mind while he penned (or dictated) these words. Only God and Peter himself know that.
However, if I ponder what Peter might have been thinking, I can freely offer an opinion. If you and I both offer opinions, we might see new insights about God’s Word that each of us had missed before. The key here is that we are sharing opinions. Nobody is saying that it has to mean this, or it has to mean that. We respect each other’s right to come to your own conclusion.
Is there a problem with this approach?
Yes. At least there can be. Some people worry that if you share an opinion that does not agree with their views, you are automatically headed for hell. Lest you think I might be overstating the case, I can assure you that I am not. I have personal experience in this area. Years ago, believers who should have known better have told me that if I did not agree with them, I would find myself in the eternal fires. This is extremely risky to do. Jesus said:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
There is little to ponder in this statement by Jesus. It is extremely clear. Do I think that those people who passed judgment on me will end up in hell? No, not really. Our Lord’s capacity for forgiveness is unlimited. However, if they continued through life with that attitude, they may have some explaining to do when they meet up with Jesus face to face.
My advice to you in this situation is this: If someone reacts harshly when you share an opinion, smile nicely and slowly back away. This is someone you need to be careful around.
What if my opinion is wrong?
If my opinion is wrong, I want it to be corrected. Being human, I want to be corrected without being embarrassed. This can be a very fine line to walk. Pastor Rich tells the story of a man who joined his Bible study and the man was so big and terrifying to look at, nobody dared correct him. As it turned out, simply by studying the Bible together, God’s Word and Spirit opened the man’s heart and mind to the truth. Slowly, his wrong opinions conformed to God’s will.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
We are renewed, not by imposing human dogma on each other, but by mutual submission to God’s Word in love. As Peter says, we need to add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness (reverence), mutual affection, and love (agapē). If we do this, we cannot go far wrong.
Application: Look at fellow believers, not as minds to be forced into submission, but as fellow travelers to be walked with on our mutual journey to better know God.
Food for Thought: I never did get around to sharing my opinion about today’s passage. Why do you think Peter included these words?
Hmm… so you want my opinion 😉.
Well, looking at the context, the phrase “these things” is also mentioned in verse 10. Tracing it backwards it appears to be a reference to the traits we have been focusing on in verses 5 – 7. If we practice these traits we will not stumble and have a lavish reception in eternity. For that reason Peter reminds them of these traits even though they are believers and who know these things and are established in their faith. In verse 15, Peter is looking to his departure from this earth and sees value in reminding the believers to pursue these things (the traits in verses 5 – 7) after he is gone. He won’t be reminding them in person after he is gone so he is impressing these truths on them now.
If I am correct in my analysis, then it serves as a reminder to pursue the list of traits in verses 5 – 7 so that we remain productive in our faith journey.
To me it is a call to remember to pursue what is most important. We know we need to do this – but a reminder never hurts.
So there you go. Take it with a grain of salt. Of course that adds one more grain of salt to your diet.
Brother Rich,
Do not worry! I am not in-salted. 🙂
I agree with your analysis. Even though we know these things it is good to be reminded.
I appreciate you giving me a pass on my analysis of exegesis. You have always impressed me with your willingness to trust God’s Word and Spirit and your tolerance of my rejection of human constructs that (in my opinion) warp the meaning of Scripture in unnatural ways.
Faith without work is dead,..the list he gave us takes work and so to keep these things alive within takes a bit of work to add to the faith we have been established in the truth with,..
John,
Well said! This is a great companion verse for James 2:14-26.
I need to hear it time and time again. Otherwise, I can feel like I know it all and fall into a rut. Continually re-newing ourselves in the Word strengthen us.
Maybe he should have used this phrase more often…😉
JRM,
You remind me of the hymn, “I Love to Tell The Story.”
The last two verses read:
“I love to tell the story. ’Tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God’s own holy word.
” I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. “
09-28-2021, 2 Peter 1:12, I never did get around to sharing my opinion about today’s passage. Why do you think Peter included these words?
We didn’t have buses when I was in grade school, so everyone walked to school or they were driven to school by an adult. I was a walker and can remember in the winter we would often have rain or snow. Now I knew I should wear my coat, but I remember every morning my mother would remind me, “ It’s cold out there, don’t forget your coat.”
I would simply point to verse 13, where Peter writes, “ I think it right, as long as I am in this earthly tent, to INSPIRE YOU by reminding you, “
INSPIRE, A transitive verb, To breath into, To infuse into the mind, to infuse confidence into his followers.
“ Don”t forget your coat! “
Ah yes, my friend.
Well said!
You don’t mind if the rest of us ride on your “coat tails,” do you?
🙂
Anytime Brother.