2 Peter 1:4 kjv
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:4 nkjv
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:4 niv
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:4 esv
by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Peter 1:4 nlt
And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.
2 Peter 1 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Heb 8:6 | ...Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry, for he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. | Jesus mediates a covenant based on better promises. |
| Heb 10:23 | Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. | God's faithfulness guarantees His promises. |
| 1 Cor 1:20 | For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. | Christ is the fulfillment of God's promises. |
| Rom 4:13 | For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. | God's promises are received by faith. |
| Gal 3:29 | And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. | Believers are heirs to God's promises through Christ. |
| Eph 3:6 | ...that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. | Gentiles partake in Christ's promise through the gospel. |
| Psa 17:15 | As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. | Longing to behold and be satisfied with God's likeness. |
| Psa 73:25-26 | Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. | God is the ultimate desire and portion. |
| Rom 8:29 | For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son... | God's purpose for believers: conformity to Christ's image. |
| 2 Cor 3:18 | And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. | Transformation into God's image through beholding Christ. |
| Eph 4:24 | And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. | New self created in God's likeness of righteousness. |
| Col 3:10 | And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. | New self renewed in knowledge after creator's image. |
| 1 Jn 3:2 | Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him... | Believers will be like Christ when He appears. |
| Php 3:21 | ...who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. | Future physical transformation into Christ's glorious body. |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind... | Warning against conformity to worldly patterns. |
| Eph 2:1-3 | And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air... carrying out the desires of the body and the mind... | Past state of being dead in sin, following worldly desires. |
| 7:5 Rom | For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. | Sinful passions producing deathly fruit. |
| 1 Jn 2:16 | For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. | Worldly desires are not from God. |
| Gal 5:16 | But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. | Walking by the Spirit prevents gratifying fleshly desires. |
| Tit 2:11-12 | For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions... | Grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. |
| 1 Jn 5:19 | We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. | Contrast between believers from God and the world. |
| Jn 1:12-13 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. | Believers born of God, given right to become His children. |
| Matt 5:48 | You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. | Call to strive for perfection, like God's holiness. |
2 Peter 1 verses
2 Peter 1 4 Meaning
God, through His immense divine power, has generously given believers promises that are unparalleled in their greatness and invaluable worth. The ultimate purpose of these promises is twofold: firstly, to enable those who believe to actively share and partake in the very moral essence and character of God Himself, and secondly, by this divine empowerment, to decisively escape the moral decay and corrupting influence prevalent in the world, which is primarily driven by unrestrained evil desires. This verse underscores that divine provision leads to profound spiritual transformation and liberation from the world's degradation.
2 Peter 1 4 Context
Second Peter chapter 1 sets the foundation for the believer's call to diligence and spiritual growth. The preceding verse (1:3) declares that God's divine power has granted us everything necessary for life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him. Verse 1:4 builds on this by explaining how this provision is supplied – through His "great and precious promises," and what the purpose of this provision is – to become "partakers of the divine nature" and to escape worldly corruption. This transformative power of God's promises directly addresses Peter's overarching concern in the letter: equipping believers to live righteously amidst false teachings and growing apostasy (which will be detailed later in chapter 2). It's a foundational statement that frames Christian living as a journey of increasing Christlikeness, empowered by God's faithfulness, and standing in stark contrast to the corrupting influence of the world and its carnal desires.
2 Peter 1 4 Word analysis
- whereby / Through these (δι’ ὧν - di’ hōn): This connective phrase points back to God's divine power and the knowledge of Him (v.3). It signifies the instrumentality or means through which these blessings are bestowed, emphasizing that the promises are activated by divine power and spiritual understanding, not by human effort alone.
- are given unto us / he has given us (δεδώρηται - dedōrētai): This verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results. It's an act of divine bestowal (δωρέομαι - dōreomai, "to bestow a gift freely"), signifying God's generous and unmerited grace. The gift is already received and its effects persist.
- exceeding great / very great (μέγιστα - megista): The superlative form of "great," underscoring the supreme magnitude, grandeur, and excellence of these promises. They are the greatest of all promises, vast and immense in scope.
- and precious (καὶ τίμια - kai timia): From τίμιος (timios), meaning "valuable," "costly," "honorable," "highly esteemed." It emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of the promises, not just their size. They are of immense spiritual value.
- promises (ἐπαγγέλματα - epangelmata): Specific declarations and assurances from God concerning what He will do or provide. The plural implies a wide array of divine commitments that collectively empower the believer.
- that by these / so that through them (ἵνα διὰ τούτων - hina dia toutōn): "ἵνα" (hina) introduces a purpose clause. The promises are not an end in themselves but the very channel (διὰ - dia) through which the subsequent transformation and escape are realized.
- ye might be partakers / you may participate (γένεστε κοινωνοί - genesthe koinōnoi): From γίνομαι (ginomai - "to become") and κοινωνός (koinōnos - "partner," "sharer," "participant"). It signifies an active, experiential, and intimate sharing. It is a profound privilege of deep communion with God, progressively becoming like Him in character.
- of the divine nature (θείας φύσεως - theias physeōs):
- θείας (theias): Adjective, "divine," belonging to God.
- φύσεως (physeōs): "Nature," "essential character," "constitution," "essence." This does not mean believers become deities themselves (an ontological change) but refers to sharing in God's moral and spiritual attributes—His holiness, love, righteousness, purity, and truth. It's a transformation into Christlikeness in conduct and disposition.
- having escaped (ἀποφυγόντες - apophygontes): An aorist participle, indicating a decisive, complete action in the past: "having fled away from," "having been liberated from." This is a foundational break at conversion from the dominion of corruption, even as ongoing vigilance is required.
- the corruption (τῆς ... φθορᾶς - tēs ... phthoras): From φθορά (phthora), signifying "decay," "decomposition," "moral degradation," "ruin." It denotes the pervasive moral rottenness and spiritual decay that characterizes a world alienated from God.
- that is in the world (ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ - en tō kosmō): Identifies the location and pervasiveness of this moral decay—it saturates the fallen human system and its values.
- through lust / caused by evil desires (ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ - en epithymia): Here "lust" or "evil desires" (ἐπιθυμία - epithymia) refers to uncontrolled, often illicit, cravings and passions. "ἐν" (en) denotes the instrumental cause or the realm in which the corruption thrives; these desires are the driving force behind the world's decay.
Words-group analysis:
- "exceeding great and precious promises": This phrase emphasizes the exceptional quality and immense value of God's commitments. They are truly magnificent divine declarations that inspire awe and provide assurance beyond any human capacity or expectation.
- "partakers of the divine nature": This is a bold and profound theological concept. It defines the goal of spiritual life—not just external adherence to rules, but an internal, fundamental transformation that results in a sharing of God's moral attributes. It's a call to reflect His holiness and love.
- "having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust": This provides the stark contrast and clarifies what the "divine nature" liberates one from. It highlights the believer's decisive break from the destructive, self-serving, and morally decaying patterns that dominate the unregenerate world, fueled by sinful desires. This liberation is a prerequisite for and complement to the positive appropriation of the divine nature.
2 Peter 1 4 Bonus section
- The phrase "partakers of the divine nature" has a long theological history, often linking to concepts of theosis or deification in Eastern Orthodoxy, which interprets it as humans participating in the uncreated divine energies and becoming god-like (without ever becoming God ontologically). In Western theology, it generally refers to an ethical transformation, a sharing in God's moral perfection and likeness. Peter's emphasis here is clearly on moral renewal rather than ontological change.
- The "promises" are typically understood to be the New Covenant promises in Christ, particularly those related to salvation, forgiveness, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the future hope of glory and full transformation. They encompass all that God guarantees to believers.
- The "escape" is a past, completed event at the point of conversion, indicating a change of dominion from sin to Christ. However, it also has ongoing implications, as believers are called to continue living out this freedom from the residual power of sin in their lives. The struggle against lust and worldly corruption remains, but the power to overcome them is now available.
2 Peter 1 4 Commentary
2 Peter 1:4 reveals the extraordinary nature of God's provision for His people. It declares that God, out of His sovereign power and immense grace, has given us magnificent and invaluable promises. These are not mere words but divine assurances designed for a specific and transformative purpose. Through them, believers are empowered to become genuine participants in God's moral nature – His holiness, righteousness, and purity – enabling an internal, character-level change. Simultaneously, this divine enablement means a definitive escape from the moral decay and corrupting influences rampant in a world driven by uncontrolled, self-seeking desires. The verse implies that spiritual transformation is a dynamic process initiated and sustained by God's reliable promises, leading to both a positive assimilation of divine attributes and a decisive separation from worldly degradation. It establishes the high calling and privilege of every believer, encouraging them to pursue godly living (as further explained in subsequent verses) by fully trusting and acting upon these precious promises.Example: A Christian facing temptation to cheat (corruption through lust for gain) remembers God's promise of strength in trial (1 Cor 10:13) and His call to integrity (Col 3:23). By holding to this promise, they find power to partake in God's truthful nature and resist the urge, thereby escaping the corruption of deceit.