Will see to it translates the same verb used in verse 5 (Revised Standard Version “make every effort”) and in verse 10 (Revised Standard Version “be the more zealous”). The future tense of the verb has created some problems for translation and interpretation. Some possible ways of understanding the future tense are as follows:

1. It is possible that Peter is here referring to a future effort that will remind his readers of these things even after his death. This effort most probably includes a letter, but one which is not the same as the present letter. Some have even speculated that such a letter was written, but that it has been lost. Others conjecture that what is meant here is Mark’s Gospel, since the ancient church regarded it as related to Peter and enshrining his testimony regarding Jesus Christ. Most if not all of this is of course speculative, that is, based only on what some think is possible.

2. The verse does not refer to the writing of any letter, either in the present or in the future, but to Peter’s effort of insuring that his testament (that is, the things mentioned in the present letter) is preserved and remembered even after his death.

The verb see to it can be rendered in many different ways; for example, “try as hard as I can” or “do whatever I can to.”

Departure is a very dignified euphemism, or way of avoiding the unpleasant word “death.” (The same euphemism is used in Luke 9.31.) A literal translation may give the wrong idea, such as the departure of the soul from the body, which is a Greek but not a Christian idea. Instead of translating literally, an equivalent euphemism can be used in the translation; for instance “after I am gone” (New English Bible) or “after I have passed away.” It is advisable to use the same expression as in verse 14 if a euphemism is used there. If no euphemism is available, then the meaning can be stated directly, as in Good News Translation “after my death.”

You may be able at any time to recall these things is literally “you may be able always to have remembrance of these things.” These things refers to the contents of Peter’s testament, which as suggested above is perhaps identical to the present letter. It is important for the readers of Peter’s letter to have continuous access to these important matters, even and especially after Peter’s death, since that is the main purpose of a testament. The expression for recall appears only here in the whole letter. For you may be able Good News Translation has “provide a way for you”; this is an excellent model for translators. Another way to say this is “cause you to.”

An alternative translation model for this verse is:
• I will try very hard, then (or, as hard as I can), to give you a way (or, cause you) to remember these matters continually after I have passed away (or, died).

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Second Letter from Peter. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .