II Peter 1:15 · Bible study
2 Peter 1:15 Commentary: Diligent Effort for Lasting Remembrance
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Peter ensures the apostolic witness continues after his death through diligent written record. A study of legacy, scripture's sufficiency, and pastoral love.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Peter diligently writes to ensure Christians remember apostolic truth after his death.
- Key words: σπουδάζω (be diligent), ἔξοδος (departure), μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι (make remembrance).
- Main debate: Whether the written record refers to 2 Peter only, both epistles, or the Gospel of Mark.
- Theological theme: The sufficiency and permanence of apostolic Scripture for the church.
- Best use: Teaching on the purpose of Scripture, pastoral legacy, and assurance in times of transition.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
KJV King James Version 1769
Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and I will be diligent that also at every time ye have, after my outgoing, power to make to yourselves the remembrance of these things.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
but I will use diligence, that after my departure ye should have also, at any time, [in your power] to call to mind these things.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And I will endeavour that you frequently have after my decease whereby you may keep a memory of these things.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
También yo procuraré con diligencia, que después de mi fallecimiento, vosotros podáis siempre tener memoria de estas cosas.
Mas também procurarei que depois de minha partida vós sejais capazes de ter lembrança destas coisas.
Mais j’ aurai soin qu’ après mon départ vous puissiez toujours vous souvenir de ces choses.
Ich will aber Fleiß tun, daß ihr allezeit nach meinem Abschied solches im Gedächtnis halten könnt.
Doch ik zal ook naarstigheid doen bij alle gelegenheid, dat gij na mijn uitgang van deze dingen gedachtenis moogt hebben.
Ma mi studierò di far sì che dopo la mia dipartenza abbiate sempre modo di ricordarvi di queste cose.
A starać się będę o to ze wszelakiej miary, abyście wy i po zejściu mojem te rzeczy sobie przypominali.
Буду же стараться, чтобы вы и после моего отшествия всегда приводили это на память.
並且，我要盡心竭力，使 你們 在我 去世 以後 時常 記念 這些事。
And I will take every care so that you may have a clear memory of these things after my death.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Peter 1:15
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse shows Peter's deliberate plan to secure the church's memory of apostolic truth after his death. Barnes Notes states that Peter intends to “leave such a permanent record of my views on these subjects that you may not forget them.” Gill's Exposition interprets the verse as Peter's intention “to leave these exhortations and admonitions in writing, which they might read, and be of use to them when he was dead and gone.” The Greek verb spoudasō (σπουδάσω, future active indicative) carries the force of earnest diligence, far more than casual effort. Cambridge Bible notes that “endeavour” in modern English is slightly too weak, the Greek implying diligent and earnest effort. The word exodos (ἔξοδος) for “decease” is the same term used in Luke 9:31 for Christ's departure, linking Peter's coming death to the Transfiguration. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown sees this as an “undesigned coincidence” confirming Petrine authorship. The consensus reads the verse as Peter's pastoral provision: the written epistle becomes a permanent voice for the church after the apostle is gone.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Peter intends to provide a written record of apostolic teaching to ensure his readers remember the truth after his death.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Peter's purpose in writing | He writes to ensure the church remembers apostolic truth after his death. | Whether he refers specifically to 2 Peter, both his epistles, or also the Gospel of Mark which he supervised (Cambridge Bible suggests this tradition). |
| The meaning of exodos (departure) | It refers to Peter's death. | Whether it carries a specific echo of the Transfiguration and the idea of death as a journey (Barnes, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) or is simply a euphemism for death. |
| The ongoing authority of apostolic teaching | The written record is authoritative for the church. | Whether this implies a continuing teaching office in the church (Roman Catholic interpreters, per Cambridge) or that the scripture itself is fully sufficient (Protestant tradition). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Peter writes as an aging apostle facing imminent martyrdom. In verse 14 he says, “knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me”, likely a reference to John 21:18-19, where Jesus foretold Peter's death. The word “tent” (tabernacle) reflects Jewish and early Christian language for the body as a temporary dwelling (2 Corinthians 5:1-4). The choice of exodos for “departure” is striking. Barnes calls it “a journey out of this world,” noting that Peter “did not expect to cease to be, but he expected to go on his travels to a distant abode.” The same Greek word appears in Luke 9:31 to describe Christ's death as an “exodus” which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem, a conversation Peter himself overheard on the Mount of Transfiguration.
The letter is addressed to Christians in Asia Minor (2 Peter 3:1) who already know the truth and are “established in the present truth” (v.12), but they face the threat of false teachers (2 Peter 2). Peter's urgency reflects the biblical pattern of leaders providing for continuity after their death: Moses wrote a song to witness against Israel (Deuteronomy 31:19), and David prepared for Solomon's reign (1 Chronicles 29). The phrase “make remembrance” (μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι) is rare in the New Testament, occurring only here. Vincent's Word Studies notes it means more than passive recall, “to have them in (earnest) remembrance, as momentous and precious truths.” Peter is leaving not merely information, but a foundation for faith and life.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The reading is stable across manuscripts. The Greek construction σπουδάσω δὲ καὶ (spoudasō de kai, “Yes, I will make every effort”) is well attested.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has been cited to affirm the written Scriptures as the means by which apostolic teaching is preserved. Early Christian writers saw Peter's “endeavour” as fulfilled in the preservation of his epistles. During the Reformation, the verse was used to argue for the sufficiency of Scripture over against traditions that claimed to supplement it. Roman Catholic interpreters have connected it to the ongoing teaching authority of the church, as the Cambridge Bible notes regarding Cornelius a Lapide. The verse has also been a comfort to believers losing spiritual leaders, reminding them that the Word remains. It echoes in hymns about the lasting power of God's truth and in pastoral charges about the importance of leaving a written legacy of faith.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Diligent Effort (spoudasō), Peter's active, earnest labour to serve beyond his own lifetime. He knows his time is short, so he pours everything into this written word.
- Permanent Provision (the epistle), The letter becomes a resource the church can return to “at every time” (hekastote). It is a written testimony that outlives the apostle.
- Pastoral Heart, Peter is thinking not of himself but of the church's stability. His love drives him to secure the truth for future generations.
Five-point outline
- I. A Coming Departure (exodos), Peter faces death not as an end but as a journey.
- II. A Present Effort (spoudasō), He matches his awareness of mortality with deliberate action.
- III. A Perpetual Remembrance (mnēmēn poieisthai), He aims for ongoing, active recall, not mere familiarity.
- IV. A Personal Provision (the epistle), The written word is his lasting gift to the church.
- V. A Pastoral Heart, All of this flows from care for the flock (John 21:15-17).
Illustration hooks
- A grandparent's letters: A grandmother, knowing her time is short, writes letters for each grandchild to be opened after she dies, words of wisdom and affection that continue speaking.
- A founder's manual: The founder of a mission organization produces a detailed handbook so the mission can continue when she is no longer there to lead.
- Lectures for future students: A retiring professor records lectures so students fifty years from now still benefit from his insight.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “What happens to the church when our current leaders are gone?”
- “Is the Bible enough for us today, or do we need something more?”
- “How can I make sure the truths I've learned stay with me for life?”
Leading a Discussion
Peter is near death, yet his greatest concern is not his own comfort, it is that the church will remember. He pours his remaining strength into writing because he knows the truth must survive him. In a world of shifting messages, these words anchor us to something solid. This discussion invites your group to consider how we hold onto the apostolic witness today.
Discussion questions
- Read 2 Peter 1:5-11. What are “these things” that Peter wants his readers to remember? Why are they so important?
- In verse 12, Peter says his readers already know and are established. Why does he still need to write? What does this say about human nature?
- The word “departure” (exodos) is the same one used in Luke 9:31 for Jesus’ death. How does that connection reshape the way you think about death?
- Peter uses the verb spoudasō (I will be diligent). What areas of your life need that same kind of devoted effort?
- How do the written words of the apostles function for the church today? What is the difference between remembering and “making remembrance”?
- What legacy of faith are you leaving for those who will come after you? It may not be a letter, what could it be?
- How does this verse encourage you when you worry about the future of your church or the faith of the next generation?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 31:19 | “Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. |
| Deuteronomy 31:29 | For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.” |
| Joshua 24:24 | The people said to Joshua, “We will serve Yahweh our God, and we will listen to his voice.” |
| Joshua 24:29 | After these things, Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Yahweh, died, being one hundred ten years old. |
| I Chronicles 29:1 | David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for Yahweh God. |
| I Chronicles 29:20 | Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless Yahweh your God!” All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before Yahweh and the king. |
| Psalms 71:18 | Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. |
| Luke 9:31 | who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke draws a parallel between Peter's phrase "after my decease" and Socrates' parting words. He notes that the real Peter was not the physical body but the hidden person within. Just as Socrates distinguished his true self from the corpse his friends would bury, Peter anticipates his real self departing to be with the Lord.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights Peter's choice of the word exodus for death, portraying it not as an end but as a journey to another home. Convinced of the gospel's eternal value, Peter made sure his teachings would survive him in writing, a duty he urges all believers to imitate by leaving their own enduring witness to the truth.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator highlights the Greek word for endeavour as implying earnest effort, and notes that the word for decease (exodos) appears as a euphemism for death, linking to Christ's exodus spoken of at the Transfiguration. He also connects Peter's intention to the tradition of Mark serving as Peter's interpreter.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes stress the apostle's deliberate effort to ensure his teaching would endure beyond his lifetime. He works so that even after his departure, his readers themselves will be able to recall these things, showing his pastoral care for their ongoing remembrance.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill reads Peter's promise to leave written exhortations as a deliberate plan to keep speaking after his death. He connects the word "decease" to the Exodus, picturing this world as a place of bondage like Egypt and heaven as the promised land of rest. Writing ensures that even when Peter is gone, his words stay alive to refresh the readers' memory.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Peter draws a deliberate link between his own coming death and the Transfiguration, using the same rare word "exodus" that described Christ's departure there. He writes so that believers can recall these truths with earnest, serious remembrance each time they need it, fulfilling Christ's charge to feed the flock.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Peter, though his readers already know the truth, insists on being a diligent remembrancer. This shows even established Christians need constant reminders to prevent forgetfulness and to turn knowledge into practice. Ministers serve as remembrancers, reminding both God of his promises and people of his commands.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to the Greek word translated as "decease," which literally means "exodus" and is the same term Luke used at the transfiguration. He notes the remarkable closeness of the words "tabernacle" and "decease" in Peter's letter, a connection Dean Alford sees as supporting the letter's genuineness. The unique phrase translated "call to remembrance" may instead mean "make mention," suggesting Peter wanted his readers to pass these truths to others.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley sees the phrase "that ye may be able" as pointing directly to the value of possessing this letter. For him, the epistle itself is the means by which believers are equipped and strengthened. The ability comes through having Scripture in hand, not through some separate experience.