Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Peter 1:14

"knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me." — 2 Peter 1:14 (ASV)

That Peter knows that he will not always live in “the tent of this body” underlines what he has been saying. The word “tent” (GK 5013; cf. 5008) was used of a body either living or dead (see 2 Corinthians 5:1, 4). Although it is possible that Peter was influenced by Paul’s usage, it is also possible that they shared a common linguistic and conceptual heritage. Peter knows that he will soon die and refers to a special revelation Jesus gave him (possibly Jn 21:18–19, where Jesus spoke of a violent death for Peter). For Christians death should hold no terrors; it is like putting off old clothes or like exiting from old age. According to Paul, to die is to “be with Christ” in a new way. So in view of his approaching death, Peter wants “to refresh [his readers’] memory”—“refresh” (GK 1444) means “to wake up” or “arouse.”