Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Peter 1:13
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance;
13. Yea, I think it meet ] More accurately, But I think it right. Though he knows them to be established in the truth, he yet looks on it as his duty to remind them of what they know.
as long as I am in this tabernacle ] The term chosen is interesting (1) as a parallel to St Paul’s use of the same imagery in 2Co 5:1, and (2) as connected with the reference to the Transfiguration which follows. In that vision on the mount, it will be remembered, St Peter had uttered the prayer “Let us make three tabernacles ” (Mat 17:4). He had now learnt that the true tabernacle of Christ was His human body, and to think of his own body also as the tabernacle of His Spirit.
to stir you up by putting you in remembrance ] The phrase, which occurs again in chap. 2Pe 3:1, may be noticed as characteristic of St Peter. He assumes a knowledge not only of the broad outlines of Gospel truth, but of the facts of the Gospel history, including, it is obvious, the history of the Transfiguration, and corresponding therefore to the record found in the first three Gospels.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Yea, I think it meet – I think it becomes me as an apostle. It is my appropriate duty; a duty which is felt the more as the close of life draws near.
As long as I am in this tabernacle – As long as I live; as long as I am in the body. The body is called a tabernacle, or tent, as that in which the soul resides for a little time. See the notes at 2Co 5:1.
To stir you up, by putting you in remembrance – To excite or arouse you to a diligent performance of your duties; to keep up in your minds a lively sense of Divine things. Religion becomes more important to a mans mind always as he draws near the close of life, and feels that he is soon to enter the eternal world.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 13. As long as I am in this tabernacle] By tabernacle we are to understand his body; and hence several of the versions have , body, instead of , tabernacle. Peter’s mode of speaking is very remarkable: as long as I AM in this tabernacle, so then the body was not Peter, but Peter dwelt in that body. Is not this a proof that St. Peter believed his soul to be very distinct from his body? As a man’s house is the place where he dwells, so the body is the house where the soul dwells.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In this tabernacle; in the body; q.d. Having not long to live, I would live to the best purpose, and so as I may do the most good. He calls his body a tabernacle both in respect of its short continuance, its mean structure, and his laborious life in it.
To stir you up; to awaken and rouse you up, as ye have need, the flesh being slothful; and lest ye should by security and slightness lose the benefit of what ye have learned: where knowledge is not wanting, yet admonitions may be useful.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. YeaGreek, “But”;though “you know” the truth (2Pe1:12).
this tabernaclesoon tobe taken down (2Co 5:1): Itherefore need to make the most of my short time for the goodof Christ’s Church. The zeal of Satan against it, the more intense ashis time is short, ought to stimulate Christians on the sameground.
byGreek, “in”(compare 2Pe 3:1).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Yea, I think it meet,…. Or “just”. This is the apostle’s other reason for his conduct, taken from the duty of his place and office; judging it to be what became him as an apostle and elder, and the minister of the circumcision, and was what was due to God and Christ, whom he served, and the souls of men under his care:
as long as I am in this tabernacle: or “body”, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it, and so some copies; for the body is as a tabernacle for the soul to dwell in, pitched for a time, and, ere long, to be taken down; [See comments on 2Co 5:1],
to stir you up; to the lively exercise of grace, and constant performance of duty: by putting you in remembrance: of the said things; for saints are apt to be forgetful of their duty, and backward to it, and sluggish and slothful in it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
I think it right ( ). Peter considers this to be his solemn duty, “right” (). Cf. Phil 3:1; Eph 6:1.
So long as (‘ ). For this phrase see Matt 9:15; Rom 11:13.
Tabernacle (). Old word, in literal sense in De 33:18 for the usual (Peter’s word at the Transfiguration, Mr 9:5), earliest use (in N.T. only here, verse 2Pet 1:14; Acts 7:46 of the tabernacle of the covenant) in this metaphorical sense of life as a pilgrimage (1Pet 1:1; 1Pet 2:11), though Paul has , so in 2Cor 5:1; 2Cor 5:4. Peter feels the nearness of death and the urgency upon him.
To stir you up ( ). Present active infinitive of , late (Arist., Hippocr., Herodian, papyri), perfective ( = thoroughly) compound, to wake out of sleep (Mr 4:39), “to keep on rousing you up.”
By putting you in remembrance ( ). Old word, from (verse 12), in N.T. only here, 2Pet 3:1; 2Tim 1:5. “By way of reminding you.”
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Tabernacle [] . A figurative expression for the body, used also by Paul, 2Co 5:1, 4, though he employs the shorter kindred word skhnov. Peter also has the same mixture of metaphors which Paul employs in that passage, viz., building and clothing. See next verse. Peter’s use of tabernacle is significant in connection with his words at the transfiguration, ” Let us make three tabernacles (Mt 17:4). The word, as well as the entire phrase, carries the idea of brief duration – a frail tent, erected for a night. Compare ver. 14.
To stir you up by putting you in remembrance [ ] . Lit., to stir you up in reminding. See the same phrase in ch. 3 1.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Yea, I think it meet.” By permission or restraint of the Holy Spirit, Peter continued – (Greek dikaion de egoumai) “I indeed deem it the right thing.”
2) “As long as I am in this tabernacle.” (Greek ephi hoson) “so long as” I am in this (Greek skenomati (tabernacle or tent – the earthly body, 2Co 5:1; 2Co 5:4. Three times in the New Testament the term refers to one’s decaying body. Life is so brief here.
3) “To stir you up (Greek diegeirein) to stir, arouse, or raise you up (as from sleep, lethargy or indifference). Rom 13:11-12; Eph 5:14.
4) “By putting you in remembrance.” (in hupomnesei) “by a reminder” or by calling these Christian virtues and the brevity of life to your attention. Humanly, like the fisherman that he was, Peter was a practical man, and knew men needed to have “known things” often called to mind. Good teacher recall, restate, or reiterate basic facts, Deu 32:7; Psa 89:27; 2Ti 1:5-6.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
13. Yea, I think it meet, or right. He expresses more clearly how useful and how necessary is admonition, because it is needful to arouse the faithful, for otherwise torpor will creep in from the flesh. Though, then, they might not have wanted teaching, yet he says that the goads of admonitions were useful, lest security and indulgence (as it is usually the case) should weaken what they had learned, and at length extinguish it.
He adds another cause why he was so intent on writing to them, because he knew that a short time remained for him. “I must diligently employ my time,” he says; “for the Lord has made known to me that my life in this world will not be long.”
We hence learn, that admonitions ought to be so given, that the people whom we wish to benefit may not think that wrong is done to them, and also that offenses ought to be so avoided, that yet the truth may have a free course, and exhortations may not be discontinued. Now, this moderation is to be observed towards those to whom a sharp reproof would not be suitable, but who ought on the contrary to be kindly helped, since they are inclined of themselves to do their duty. We are also taught by the example of Peter, that the shorter term of life remains to us, the more diligent ought we to be in executing our office. It is not commonly given to us to foresee our end; but they who are advanced in years, or weakened by illness, being reminded by such indications of the shortness of their life, ought to be more sedulous and diligent, so that they may in due time perform what the Lord has given them to do; nay, those who are the strongest and in the flower of their age, as they do not render to God so constant a service as it behooves them to do, ought to quicken themselves to the same care and diligence by the recollection of approaching death; lest the occasion of doing good may pass away, while they attend negligently and slothfully to their work.
At the same time, I doubt not but that it was Peter’s object to gain more authority and weight to his teaching, when he said that he would endeavor to make them to remember these things after his death, which was then nigh at hand. For when any one, shortly before he quits this life, addresses us, his words have in a manner the force and power of a testament or will, and are usually received by us with greater reverence.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
2Pe. 1:13-14 And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me.
Expanded Translation
Yet I think (deem), it right, proper, and correct, as long as I am in this tent (as long as my spirit dwells in my body), to arouse your mind (literally, wake you up) by putting you in remembrance; realizing that the laying aside of my tent (that is, my body) will be abrupt, sudden, and swift, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made known unto me.
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And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle
Our bodies are the tabernacles or tents housing our spirits. (Tabernacle, (skenoma) is translated habitation in Act. 7:46.) By calling it a tent, the apostle emphasized the temporary and perishable nature of our outward beings.
Peter did not plan to put himself on the shelf in his older years. As long as I am alive and able, he says, I will stir you up. What a wondrous attitude to have toward the work of the Gospel! Let us serve our Master to our fullest capacity until our dying day!
to stir you up by putting you in remembrance
(See also 2Pe. 3:1).
Diegeiro, stir (you) up means to wake up, awaken, arouse from sleep. It is here used as a metaphor meaning to arouse or activate the mind, animate.
The word rendered putting . . . in remembrance (hupomnesis) is the noun form of the verb defined in 2Pe. 1:12. One means every faithful Gospel preacher must use to challenge and activate Gods people, is to remind them of their responsibilities and privileges as Christians.
knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly
Peter was now getting along in years, for he was an older man when he wrote his first epistle (1Pe. 5:1). Now he speaks of the laying aside of his earthly tabernacle and the time of his decease (2Pe. 1:15). When the spirit returned to God who gave. it (Ecc. 12:7), it would leave its earthly abode or tabernacle, his body.
The adverb tachinos (the poetic and later form of tachus) means literally swift, speedy, and has reference to the manner of his death, not the time.[51] His life was to be taken abruptly and suddenly in his old age.
[51] However, some lexicons have near at hand, or impending as a proper definition for the word here, agreeing with the King James Versions shortly. And Thayer does cite several secular sources to show that the word may refer to an event soon to come.
even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me
Where? In Joh. 21:18-19 are these words: Verily, verily I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself and walkest whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. The significant part of the prophecy was not the fact that Peter would die during his older yearsmost people do that. The historian plainly tells us Christ was signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God in his old age. It was to be an abrupt, sudden, forceful death.
Now that Peter was an older man, he knew he was completely qualified to fulfill this prophecy at any moment. Some day in the near future, his life would be suddenly snuffed out.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(13) Yea, I think it meet.Better, But I think it right. So Rheims; Tyndale and Cranmer have notwithstanding. The meaning is, but (so far from my writing being unnecessary) I think it right, &c.
In this tabernacle.The comparison of the human body to a dwelling is common in all literatures, and the temporary nature of a tent makes it specially appropriate. (Comp. 2Co. 5:1.)
By putting you in remembrance.Better, in putting you. The stirring up consists in the reminding. (See 2Pe. 1:1-2; 2Pe. 1:4; also 2Pe. 3:1, where the same phrase occurs.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. In this tabernacle His body, the tent in which the I, the real Peter, dwelt. See notes on 2Co 5:1. He thinks it right, as long as he remains in it, to stir them up by reminding them of the truth, and admonishing them of the danger of departing from it through the seductions of the false teachers.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance, knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified to me.’
Indeed as long as he is in his earthly tent he considers it right to continually stir them up, by reminding them of these things, and especially so because he is aware that he must shortly put off this tent, as the Lord Jesus Christ had told him.
The reference to his living in a tent is a reminder of his emphasis in 1 Peter that we are but sojourners here (1Pe 1:1) and are strangers and pilgrims in the world (1Pe 2:11), journeying on to our living hope (1Pe 1:3) and inheritance (1Pe 1:4). It is a reminder of the brevity of life.
How the Lord had indicated to him that he would shortly die he does not say. He would undoubtedly remember how the Lord had told him that one day others would take him and stretch forth his hands and carry him to where he would prefer not to go (Joh 21:18), but that was something that he had known ever since the resurrection of Christ. It hardly explains this sense of urgency. This would seem to indicate a clearer and more urgent warning recently received.
Perhaps he had received news of the arrest party coming to take him. Or perhaps it had come in a dream or vision. Or perhaps it was simply the result of an impression made on his heart as he prayed. But whichever way it was he knew that his time was short. He had run his race and the time was drawing near (see 2Ti 4:7-8). And the very thought of it takes his mind back to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ that he, with James and John, had seen when he was on the mount (2Pe 1:16-18), a mount which he could only call ‘that holy mount’ (2Pe 1:18) because of the awesomeness of their experience. Soon he would see that glory again and be a partaker of that glory to its fullest extent (1Pe 5:1). That this is his train of thought comes out in his reference to his ‘exodus’ in the following verse which had been used of Jesus’ death at the Transfiguration.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Pe 1:13. Yea, I think it meet St. Peter accounted it , meet, that is, becoming his character and office, as one of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, and proper for them, as professed Christians in such a situation. With great propriety and beauty, he calls his own body a tabernacle: it was not like a house, a firm fixed building, likely to stand for some ages; but a structure comparatively light and weak, and which was shortly to be taken down: like the travelling tents of the wild Arabs, easily set up and easily removed. St. Peter was then in his tabernacle; but he was going to remove; however, as long as he continued in it, he thought it proper to stir up, or rouse his converts; ( .) Christians should be continually excited to look forward to Christ’s second coming, and to press on in all Christian experience and holyduties,bywayofpreparation for that day; since, without being frequently put in remembrance, many are apt to be drowsy, or not duly attentive to such important truths. See ch. 2Pe 3:1.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Pe 1:13-14 . ] “ I consider it right and reasonable ” (Dietlein: “as a duty”); cf. Phi 1:7 ; 2Pe 1:14 states the reason.
] , like , 2Co 5:1 , “ the tabernacle ,” a figurative designation of the human body; cf. Wis 9:15 : . There can hardly be here any direct reference to the nomadic life in tents (Hornejus).
] “ to stir you up by reminding you , i.e. to encourage you .” The same combination takes place in chap. 2Pe 3:1 ; is to be found elsewhere only in the Gospels, and there in its strict signification.
points back to in 2Pe 1:12 , which, in the aim of it, serves to define more nearly. In de Wette’s opinion, these words are written with special reference to the advent of Christ; but there is nothing to indicate any such limitation of them. It cannot, with Dietlein, be concluded that this letter is linked on to the First Epistle of Peter, from the circumstance that in 1Pe 5:8-9 , is to be found followed by . 2Pe 1:14 . ] “ since I know ,” gives the reason for the , 2Pe 1:13 .
] The expression is to be explained by “a mingling of the figure of a garment and that of a tent” (de Wette).
is taken by most commentators (as also by Wiesinger and Brckner) to mean “soon.” Accordingly some (de Wette, Fronmller, and others) think that in the subsequent words the writer does not refer to the prediction of Christ contained in Joh 21:18 ff., but to a later revelation vouchsafed to Peter (such as is mentioned by Hegesippus, De Excid. Jerosolym. iii. 2, and by Ambrose, Ep . 33); but Bengel already translated correctly by repentina est; observing: Praesens; qui diu aegrotant, possunt alios adhuc pascere. Crux id Petro non erat permissura. Ideo prius agit, quod agendum erat. [45] In chap. 2Pe 2:1 also, means “ sudden, swift ” (Vulg. velox), not “soon.” Peter says here that he will end his life by a sudden ( i.e. violent) death; so too Steinfass, Schott, Hofmann; the adjective states, not the time, but the manner of the . Accordingly the assumption of a later revelation has no foundation in this passage. [46]
The particle after , for the most part left unnoticed, shows that the words . . . are added in confirmation of Peter’s certainty as to his sudden death, equivalent to “ even as indeed .” With , cf. 1Pe 1:11 .
[45] Besser: “The Lord had communicated to him that a quick and sudden putting off of the tabernacle of the body awaited him.”
[46] Even if meant “soon,” it would not be necessary to understand this here; for as Joh 21:18 expressly says: , Peter could, if writing this epistle in his old age, appeal to those words of Christ as corroborating his expectation of a speedy death.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
Ver. 13. To stir you up ] Gr. , to rouse you and raise you, ex veterno torporis, teporis et oblivionis. Grace in the best is like a dull seacoal fire; which, if not stirred up, though it want no fuel, will yet easily go out of itself.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
13 .] But (notwithstanding this previously conceded fact, that you know and stand firm in the truth) I think it right ( why , follows, 2Pe 1:14 ) as long as ( , scil. , see Rom 7:1 al.) I am in this tabernacle (see for the sense 2Co 5:1 ff.: and below), to stir you up in (not, “ by :” in , as the medium in which I strive towards the stirring up, and in using which it has place) reminding (the same phrase occurs in ch. 2Pe 3:1 ):
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Pe 1:13 . . “I consider it a duty.” The language in 2Pe 1:13-14 , is studiously solemn and impressive. , used in literal sense of “tent” in Deu 33:18 . In Act 7:46 , it is used of the Tabernacle of God. Elsewhere in N.T. is used in the metaphorical sense of human existence. Cf. 2Co 5:4 . A similar use of is found in Ep. ad Diogn. 6. . is the word used by Peter in the transfiguration story (Mat 17:4 ; Mar 9:5 ; Luk 9:33 ). is always used in N.T. = “awaken” or “rouse from sleep” (except in Joh 6:18 of the sea); significant in view of the reference to the Transfiguration in 2Pe 1:16 ff. Cf. (“fully awake”) in St. Luke’s account; Introd . p. 95.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
meet = just. App-191.
as long as = for (App-104) such (time) as.
tabernacle. Greek. skenoma. See Act 7:46.
stir . . . up. App-178. ‘
by putting you in = in.
remembrance. Greek. hupomnesis. See 2Ti 1:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
13.] But (notwithstanding this previously conceded fact, that you know and stand firm in the truth) I think it right (why, follows, 2Pe 1:14) as long as ( , scil. , see Rom 7:1 al.) I am in this tabernacle (see for the sense 2Co 5:1 ff.: and below), to stir you up in (not, by: in, as the medium in which I strive towards the stirring up, and in using which it has place) reminding (the same phrase occurs in ch. 2Pe 3:1):
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Pe 1:13. , but) A particle of explaining or declaring.-, tabernacle) There is a reference to the immortality of the soul, and its brief abode in the mortal body, together with the easy departure of believers.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
as long: 2Pe 1:14, 2Co 5:1-4, 2Co 5:8, Heb 13:3
to stir: 2Pe 3:1, Hag 1:14, 2Ti 1:6
by: 2Pe 1:12
Reciprocal: Exo 38:21 – tabernacle of testimony Num 23:10 – the death Deu 4:22 – General Deu 8:2 – remember Deu 31:2 – Thou shalt not 2Sa 23:1 – the last 1Ki 2:1 – the days 1Ch 22:5 – David prepared Mat 24:46 – General Mat 25:1 – went Luk 12:36 – men Luk 14:28 – counteth Rom 8:10 – the body 2Co 5:4 – we that 2Th 1:3 – are 2Ti 2:14 – put Heb 2:1 – we should Rev 2:5 – Remember Rev 3:3 – Remember
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Pe 1:13. Think it meet or suitable to continue the reminding. Stir you up means to rouse them to further activities by approaching them and appealing to their memory. In this tabernacle means as long as he is in the flesh. Paul refers to the mortal body as a tabernacle in 2Co 5:1-6. The word is from SKENOS and Thayer defines it, “A tabernacle, a tent,” and he explains that it is “used figuratively of the human body, in which the soul dwells as in a tent, and which is taken down at death.” This is another suggestion of the temporary nature of our stay upon this earth, and of the folly of men in acting as if they expected to live on the earth for ever.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Pe 1:13. But I consider it right, so long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up in the way of reminder. But represents the sense better than the And of the R. V. Although he gives them credit for knowing these truths already, and being firmly grounded in them, he deems it, nevertheless, a duty not to be silent or regard them as beyond danger. Their danger, on the contrary, is so grave that he must speak to them as long as life lasts (comp. Php 1:7); and this with the special object of stirring them up, or rousing them (the verb occurs again in chap. 2Pe 3:1, and elsewhere in the N, T. only in the Gospels, and there always with the literal sense, Mar 4:38-39; Luk 8:24; Joh 6:18), and keeping them, by continuous reminders, awake to all that spiritually concerns them. The body is here figuratively described as a tent or tabernacle by a word which occurs again in the figurative sense in the next verse, and once in the literal sense, viz. in Act 7:46. It is a longer form of the term used by Paul in 2Co 5:1; 2Co 5:4, and of another which occurs repeatedly elsewhere, e.g. in the record of Peters own words at the Transfiguration (Mat 18:4; Mar 9:5, etc.). The figure was a somewhat common one in later Classical Greek, particularly in medical writers. It conveyed the idea that the body is the mere tenement of the man, and a fragile one, erected for a nights sojourn and quickly taken down. In the Book of Wisdom (Wis 9:15) we have the same figure, with a somewhat different applicationa corruptible body weighs down the soul; and the earthen tent burdens the much-thinking mind. The Christian Father Lactantius uses it thus: This, which is presented to the eyes, is not man, but is the tabernacle of man; whose quality and figure is seen thoroughly, not from the form of the small vessel in which he is contained, but from his deeds and habits (2Pe 3:3, Ramages rendering). Here, according to Bengel, the immortality of the soul, the briefness of its abode in a mortal body, and the ease of departure in the faith, are implied.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 13
In this tabernacle; in the body.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this {k} tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance;
(k) In this body.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Peter’s earthly dwelling (lit. tent) was his physical body (cf. 2Co 5:1; 2Co 5:4). The Greek word apothesis means "a divesting," and it refers elsewhere to removing clothes (cf. Act 7:58). We do not know exactly how Peter knew someone would separate his mortal body from his spirit soon. Peter’s words allow the possibility of separation by death or translation. Both events were imminent: overhanging. He was probably at least in his 50s, if not older, when he wrote 2 Peter, and he may have known that he would die as a martyr soon. The Lord Jesus had told Peter that he would end his earthly life as a captive of some kind (Joh 21:18-19).