06/16/2026
Stir Up!
Stan Cox
In Peter’s second letter he refers to his purpose in writing both epistles, “in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder” (2 Peter 3:1).
Two things in this phrase are worth mentioning. Peter first considered the minds of his readers as “pure.” This is from the Greek word eilikrin?s. This word is a compound word taken from one which means judge, and another which means sun-ray. I love the imagery, judged by the sun! In effect, something that is unsullied, it is seen to be pure when it is seen by the light of day. God’s examination of Peter’s readers show them to be among the faithful, true servants of the Almighty.
And yet there was danger. They needed what we all need, for our minds to be stirred up! This means we need active minds, those which are stimulated or aroused, in this context by reminding them of things they already knew. In his first epistle it was a call to holy living and an adherence to God’s will (cf. 1 Peter 1:13-17, 22-25; 2:9-24; 3:8-22; 4:3-7, 12-19; 5:4, 8-11). In this second epistle, the entire second chapter consists of the warning to avoid false teachers and their error!
It’s good whenever we are reminded of the things of God. It is important to review, to be stirred up and be mindful of God’s word!
