In 2 Peter 1:12–15 the apostle Peter discloses his reason for writing the letter. He wants to remind or encourage believers to remember what they have heard and have been taught. He does so on account of the presence of false teachers and the fact that his time on earth is drawing to a close. To that end his letter can be seen as something of a testament.
Testaments are final speeches given by an individual who knows that his death is near. There are several such speeches to be found in Scripture: Jacob’s speech to his sons (Genesis 49:1–28), Moses' speech on the plains of Moab (Deuteronomy 33:1–29), Joshua’s final farewell in the Land of Promise (Joshua 24:1–28), and David’s words to Solomon (1 Kings 2:1–9).1 The New Testament also contains similar testaments with Jesus giving a final discourse to his disciples (John 13–17) and Paul’s farewell speech to the elders in Ephesus (Acts 20:17–35).
One prominent scholar, Richard Bauckham, argues that the use of a testament is proof that the letter was not truly written by Peter. He claims that the Christian believers who received the letter would have realized that the author is making use of a fictional device (a testament) and that his purpose is to provide a reminder and defence of the apostle Peter’s message for his own time.2 Suffice to say, given the fact that testaments are used elsewhere in Scripture and presented as the actual words of the individuals concerned, it makes sense to consider that Peter is doing exactly the same. There is no need to affirm that the use of a testament results in the letter being pseudepigraphical.
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.