Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Peter transitions to explaining his purpose in writing. "Wherefore" (dio, διό) connects to the previous verses—because abundant entrance comes through godliness (v. 11), Peter commits to constant reminder. "I will not be negligent" (ouk amelēsō, οὐκ ἀμελήσω) means "I will not fail" or "I will be diligent"—matching the diligence he calls readers to exercise (vv. 5, 10).
"Put you always in remembrance" (aei hymas hypomimnēskein, ἀεὶ ὑμᾶς ὑπομιμνῄσκειν) reveals apostolic ministry's core function: reminding believers of foundational truths, not endlessly pursuing novelty. "Though ye know them" (kaiper eidotas) acknowledges they possess this knowledge, and "be established" (estērigmenous, ἐστηριγμένους, perfect participle) indicates settled conviction in "the present truth" (tē parousē alētheia, τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ).
"Present truth" doesn't mean truth that changes over time but truth presently with them—the gospel and apostolic teaching they've received. Peter emphasizes repetition's necessity even for those who know and are established in truth. Why? Because human nature tends toward forgetfulness (v. 9), false teaching constantly threatens (chapter 2), and spiritual vigilance requires continual reinforcement. Faithful ministry involves patient, repeated proclamation of unchanging truth, resisting pressure to innovate or entertain.
Historical Context
In the ancient world, teachers served as memory aids, repeatedly rehearsing foundational knowledge to embed it deeply. Judaism emphasized memorization and recitation of Torah and tradition. Greco-Roman rhetoric valued memory and eloquent restatement of established wisdom. Peter stands in this tradition while Christianizing it—his «present truth» is apostolic testimony to Christ, which must be constantly reaffirmed against innovation and forgetfulness.
The emphasis on remembrance counters the false teachers' claim to new, superior knowledge. Peter insists the truth has already been delivered; the task isn't discovering novel insights but faithfully maintaining apostolic teaching. This became foundational for the early church's understanding of orthodoxy—faithfulness to the apostolic deposit (2 Tim 1:13-14; Jude 3) rather than speculative innovation. Against Gnostic claims to secret, progressive revelation, the church affirmed the sufficiency and finality of apostolic witness.
Questions for Reflection
How do you balance pursuing depth in familiar biblical truth versus breadth in covering new material?
What foundational truths do you most need repeated reinforcement to remember and apply?
How can churches resist cultural pressure for novelty while remaining faithful to repetitive proclamation of unchanging truth?
Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Peter transitions to explaining his purpose in writing. "Wherefore" (dio, διό) connects to the previous verses—because abundant entrance comes through godliness (v. 11), Peter commits to constant reminder. "I will not be negligent" (ouk amelēsō, οὐκ ἀμελήσω) means "I will not fail" or "I will be diligent"—matching the diligence he calls readers to exercise (vv. 5, 10).
"Put you always in remembrance" (aei hymas hypomimnēskein, ἀεὶ ὑμᾶς ὑπομιμνῄσκειν) reveals apostolic ministry's core function: reminding believers of foundational truths, not endlessly pursuing novelty. "Though ye know them" (kaiper eidotas) acknowledges they possess this knowledge, and "be established" (estērigmenous, ἐστηριγμένους, perfect participle) indicates settled conviction in "the present truth" (tē parousē alētheia, τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ).
"Present truth" doesn't mean truth that changes over time but truth presently with them—the gospel and apostolic teaching they've received. Peter emphasizes repetition's necessity even for those who know and are established in truth. Why? Because human nature tends toward forgetfulness (v. 9), false teaching constantly threatens (chapter 2), and spiritual vigilance requires continual reinforcement. Faithful ministry involves patient, repeated proclamation of unchanging truth, resisting pressure to innovate or entertain.