What does 2 Peter 1:13 mean?

In the previous verse, Peter acknowledged that his readers, Christians, already know and are established in the truth. They "have" the truth in knowing the Lord. Now he writes that his mission is to remind them of what they know in order to stir them up. He seeks to motivate them to act on the knowledge God has given to them.

Peter's point also reminds us that we, as believers, need to keep coming back to the truths we know. We should emphasize the truth over and over, so we're "provoked" to act on it. The fact that we already know the contents of God's Word is no reason to ignore it from that point forward. Repeated reminders of the truth not only keep us secure in what we know, it helps us better understand how to interpret it, apply it, and defend it.

Peter's goal is to keep doing this kind of stirring as long as he lives. Peter knows that he is not long for this world, as he'll state in verse 14. His purpose so far is not to criticize, but to encourage.