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.

2 PETER 1:12KJV
Know the Bible

2 Peter 1:12 (KJV)

What does 2 Peter 1:12 mean?

In 2 Peter 1:12, the speaker says that knowing the truth and being firmly established in it do not make reminders unnecessary. He intends to keep bringing his readers back to what they already know, rather than treating the subject as settled and finished.

“Wherefore” links his promise to what has just been said about entering the everlasting kingdom. “The present truth” points to the truth already with his readers, not necessarily to a new message.

The Greek behind 2 Peter 1:12

  • “put you always in remembrance” — ὑπομιμνῄσκω (hypomimnēskō): This word carries the sense of reminding someone of something already known. It fits the speaker’s stated purpose of returning to familiar teaching.
  • “established” — στηρίζω (stērizō): This word can mean to make firm or strengthen. Here it pictures the readers as having a firm footing in the truth they have received.
  • “present” — πάρειμι (pareimi): This word can mean to be present or at hand. With “truth,” it suggests truth already available to the readers.

Why 2 Peter 1:12 matters

  • The reminders have a particular subject. “These things” reaches back to the qualities listed in verses 5–7, such as faith, knowledge, patience, and love.
  • The speaker treats the reminders as a responsibility he intends to keep. His promise not to be “negligent” leads into his words in verses 13–15 about making sure the readers can recall these things after his death.

Where else these words appear

“will” Greek G272 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 22:5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
  • 1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
  • Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

“though” Greek G2539 · used in 6 verses

  • Philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
  • Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
  • Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

“put” Greek G5279 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
  • 2 Timothy 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
  • 3 John 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

“always” Greek G104 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 15:8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
  • Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.