2 Peter 1:16–21 is part of the apostolic testimony and false teachers
section of the letter. This section can be further subdivided as follows:1
- Body middle: the apostolic testimony and the false teachers (2 Peter 1:12 – 2:22)
1. A call to remember (2 Peter 1:12–21)
a. The occasion of remembrance: Peter’s farewell (2 Peter 1:12–15)
b. The content of remembrance (2 Peter 1:16–21)
Where 2 Peter 1:12–15 focused on the need to remember what has been taught, the next verses focus on the content to be remembered: the return of Jesus Christ. In particular the apostle Peter wants to make it clear that Jesus' return is certain and based on two facts: Old Testament prophecy and New Testament experience. Peter needs to emphasize the certainty of Christ’s return because this was the one doctrine which the false teachers were denying. They claimed that the teaching about future judgment was a made-up story meant to scare people into obedience.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.