A Good Man's Endeavor to Compensate for the Limitations of a Mortal Life
D. Davies. 2 Peter 1:12-15 Why I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them… It is one of the noblest protests of man against mortality. "I will endeavour that after my decease," etc. Many have been the protests of man against mortality, or his efforts to modify its effect. One toils night and day life through to establish a reputation; another a business; another to bequeath a fortune; another, like Peter, to leave behind an influence which shall ennoble other lives (Genesis 11:4; Job 19:23, 24, etc.). 1. Here observe the desire is not that after Peter's decease people should remember him as much as "the things "he had taught them. To the true minister the message is of infinitely more importance than himself. 2. The ambition of Peter is that he should aid the memories of his brethren in the best direction and for the highest purpose. 3. There is another law which Peter recognises, namely, that by which the utterances of a teacher are not unfrequently best remembered when he is gone — "after my decease." Peter himself had remembered his Lord's words best at such a time (Matthew 26:75; Luke 22:61; see also John 2:22; John 12:16, etc.). Now what are those things which Peter considers of such importance for men to remember? (See vers. 8, 9, 10, 12.)(1) The largeness of the Divine provision — "All things that pertain unto life and godliness."(2) The promise of its bestowal — "Exceeding great and precious promises."(3) The ultimate end of all — "That ye may become," etc. Now we come to the bearing of all this upon human consecration — "Add to your faith virtue," etc. Here is a summary of Divine grace and human duty. These are the things which he wishes them to remember. "These things" are the conditions of "fruitfulness," vision, and steadfastness, and these are the things that make human life great. Now, he would not have them think that this progressiveness in the Divine life was an easy task. Again, observe that he who asks diligence of them pledges himself also in our text, "Yea, I will give diligence," etc. Now, these are the words of an aged man — a man who during life has undergone much discipline, and, consequently, who has been matured and ennobled. How closely such lives are knitted with the lives of others, and how far-reaching their influence! This is one of the great redeeming features of the brevity of human life: that it projects its force into the ages, yea, into eternity. Death can do nothing to such a man except to transfigure him. (D. Davies.) 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.