King James Version

What Does 2 Peter 1:4 Mean?

2 Peter 1:4 in the King James Version says “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine natur...” — study this verse from 2 Peter chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

2

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: to: or, by

4

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.

5

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Through knowing God, believers receive "exceeding great and precious promises" (megista kai timia epangelmat, μέγιστα καὶ τίμια ἐπαγγέλματα)—superlative language emphasizing the incomparable value of God's covenant commitments. These promises enable believers to become "partakers of the divine nature" (theias koinōnoi physeōs, θείας κοινωνοὶ φύσεως).

This phrase requires careful interpretation. Peter is not teaching deification (becoming God) or pantheism (merging with divine essence), doctrines alien to biblical theology. Rather, "partakers" (koinōnoi, κοινωνοί) means "sharers" or "participants"—believers share in divine qualities like holiness, righteousness, love, and immortality without becoming ontologically divine. This is the biblical doctrine of sanctification and glorification: progressive transformation into Christlikeness (2 Cor 3:18) culminating in resurrection bodies (1 John 3:2).

This participation involves "having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (apophygontes tēs en kosmō en epithymia phthoras). The escape is ongoing (apophygontes, aorist participle), achieved through regeneration and maintained through sanctification. "Corruption" (phthora, φθορά) denotes moral and physical decay resulting from the Fall. "Lust" (epithymia, ἐπιθυμία) encompasses all sinful desires, not just sexual. False teachers promoting moral license (chapter 2) demonstrate they have not truly escaped worldly corruption, proving their claims to special knowledge are fraudulent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of participation in divine nature would resonate with Greek philosophical thought (particularly Platonism and Stoicism) that discussed humans sharing in the divine logos or divine spark. However, Peter radically redefines this concept in Christian terms. Unlike Greek philosophy's innate divine nature requiring liberation or cultivation, Peter teaches that sharing divine nature is a gift received through God's promises, requiring both initial escape from worldly corruption and ongoing transformation.

Eastern Orthodox theology has historically emphasized 2 Peter 1:4 in developing the doctrine of theōsis (deification), understood as participation in God's energies (not essence). Western theology has been more cautious, emphasizing sanctification and glorification without using deification language. Both traditions agree that believers are transformed to reflect God's character without becoming God in essence. Against Gnostic devaluation of the body and material creation, Peter affirms that the divine nature we share includes moral transformation affecting embodied existence, not escape from physicality.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific promises of God's Word do you need to claim more fully to experience transformation in areas of ongoing struggle?
  2. How does understanding sanctification as 'partaking of divine nature' change your view of sin's seriousness and holiness' possibility?
  3. In what ways does contemporary Christianity compromise the call to escape worldly corruption, and how should we respond?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
διὰ1 of 23

“Whereby”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ὧν2 of 23
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τὰ3 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέγιστα4 of 23

“exceeding great”

G3176

greatest or very great

ἡμῖν5 of 23

“unto us”

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

καὶ6 of 23

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τίμια7 of 23

“precious”

G5093

valuable, i.e., (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved

ἐπαγγέλματα8 of 23

“promises”

G1862

a self-committal (by assurance of conferring some good)

δεδώρηται9 of 23

“are given”

G1433

to bestow gratuitously

ἵνα10 of 23

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

διὰ11 of 23

“Whereby”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τούτων12 of 23

“these”

G5130

of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)

γένησθε13 of 23

“ye might be”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

θείας14 of 23

“of the divine”

G2304

godlike (neuter as noun, divinity)

κοινωνοὶ15 of 23

“partakers”

G2844

a sharer, i.e., associate

φύσεως16 of 23

“nature”

G5449

growth (by germination or expansion), i.e., (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native

ἀποφυγόντες17 of 23

“having escaped”

G668

(figuratively) to escape

τῆς18 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν19 of 23

“that is in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

κόσμῳ20 of 23

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἐν21 of 23

“that is in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐπιθυμίᾳ22 of 23

“lust”

G1939

a longing (especially for what is forbidden)

φθορᾶς23 of 23

“the corruption”

G5356

decay, i.e., ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Peter. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Peter 1:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Peter 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 4:23-24Ezekiel 36:25-272 Corinthians 3:18Colossians 3:102 Corinthians 6:17-7:1Hebrews 12:10

Test Your Knowledge

2 Peter 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Peter Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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