2 Peter 1:13-14
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Peter isn't just writing a feel-good letter; he's keenly aware that his time in this physical life is limited, using his remaining days to intentionally shake people awake. The phrase "stir you up" is a strong image, suggesting a necessary jolt, not just a gentle nudge, to keep them focused on the truth. It highlights the urgency and personal investment he has in their spiritual well-being before he's gone.
I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is writing to believers facing deception and persecution, urging them to stand firm in the truth they've already received. He knows his time is short and wants to remind them of what's essential before he departs. This letter serves as a final call to remember the foundational teachings of Jesus Christ and to grow in godliness, ensuring they won't be led astray by false prophets.
Peter knows his time is short. How does this affect how he communicates God's message?
Peter uses the phrase "as long as I am in this body" which carries a profound weight. It's a recognition of his mortality, an awareness that his earthly days are numbered. This isn't a casual thought; it’s a driving force behind his urgency to share what matters most. His physical existence is temporary, but the truth he conveys is eternal. This perspective encourages us to recognize that our own time is also limited, motivating us to engage with and share God's truth while we still can.
Why would Peter want to 'stir up' his readers? Isn't reminding them enough?
The Greek word Peter uses for 'stir up' suggests a gentle rousing, like waking someone from sleep or prompting a fire to burn brighter. It's not about scolding or lecturing, but about igniting something that might be dormant or fading. Peter’s goal is to reawaken their understanding and commitment to the truth they've already received. This highlights that spiritual growth isn't always about receiving brand-new information, but often about actively engaging with and living out the foundational truths we already know. A reminder, when received with an open heart, can be a powerful catalyst for renewed faith and action.
Understand the original words
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skēnōma · Greek Noun
The body or the physical tent in which the soul dwells. It emphasizes the temporary, fragile, and transient nature of human earthly existence.
Knowing his impending death, Peter's urgency to remind believers of the truth is palpable. He writes not from abstract theological reflection, but from the very edge of his life, making his exhortations deeply personal and vital.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
A massive fire devastates Rome, leading Emperor Nero to scapegoat and persecute Christians.
c. AD 64-67
Peter's Ministry in Rome
Tradition holds that Peter was in Rome during this period, ministering to the scattered and persecuted Christian community.
c. AD 67— this verse
Peter's Imprisonment and Death
Peter is arrested and imprisoned in Rome, likely awaiting execution. He writes his letters from prison.
c. AD 67
Writing of 2 Peter
Peter pens his second letter, aware that his earthly life is drawing to a close, aiming to strengthen believers.
Paul writes to his spiritual children, not to shame them, but to remind them of what they already know, just as Peter aims to stir up remembrance.
Philippians 3:1Peter's desire to remind believers is echoed by Paul's joy in writing the same things to the Philippians, emphasizing the ongoing need for foundational truths.
Jude 1:5Jude feels compelled to remind his readers of the salvation they share, similar to Peter's intention to stir them up by recalling established teachings.
Hebrews 10:24-25This passage speaks to the importance of mutual encouragement and stirring one another up to love and good works, highlighting the purpose behind Peter's reminder.
Peter isn't just writing a feel-good letter; he's keenly aware that his time in this physical life is limited, using his remaining days to intentionally shake people awake. The phrase "stir you up" is a strong image, suggesting a necessary jolt, not just a gentle nudge, to keep them focused on the truth. It highlights the urgency and personal investment he has in their spiritual well-being before he's gone.
Peter is writing to believers facing deception and persecution, urging them to stand firm in the truth they've already received. He knows his time is short and wants to remind them of what's essential before he departs. This letter serves as a final call to remember the foundational teachings of Jesus Christ and to grow in godliness, ensuring they won't be led astray by false prophets.
Peter is writing to believers facing deception and persecution, urging them to stand firm in the truth they've already received. He knows his time is short and wants to remind them of what's essential before he departs. This letter serves as a final call to remember the foundational teachings of Jesus Christ and to grow in godliness, ensuring they won't be led astray by false prophets.
"I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me." — Peter isn't just writing a feel-good letter; he's keenly aware that his time in this physical life is limited, using his remaining days to intentionally shake people awake. The phrase "stir you up" i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
