The Writer's Diligence and His Feeders' Obedience
Thos. Adams. 2 Peter 1:12-15 Why I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them… I. THE WRITER'S DILIGENCE. 1. "Wherefore." Because the foundation of eternal life is to be laid here, and in this life an entrance must be made to that everlasting kingdom, or there will be no fruition hereafter; therefore I will take all possible pains to prepare your souls for it. The state future follows the former, as the upper building follows the foundation. 2. "I will not be negligent." His diligence is well furthered by his sedulity. 3. "To put you in remembrance." We must often be stirred up, line upon line, etc. 4. "Always." This duty of assiduity cannot be performed by any minister of the gospel without a constant abiding among his people. 5. "Of these things" — i.e., such as may save your souls. The minister must labour neither for praise nor for purse, but for conscience; he must fish for souls, not for riches. There are too many that seek the Church goods rather than the Church's good. II. THE PEOPLE'S OBEDIENCE. 1. The apostle takes for granted that they understood these things already, and were constant in the assurance of the truth of them. A happy progress! If your mind be established in understanding, your heart in affecting, your life in obeying, blessed are you; your minister shall praise you, the Church will praise you, the angels praise you, yea, you shall be praised of Christ Himself. 2. This concession makes way for a further imposition. Though you know these things, and be established, yet you must admit a further confirming (Romans 15:14, 15). The cessation of remembrancing may easily lapse us to forgetfulness. (Thos. Adams.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.