2 Peter 1:4
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. | whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThrough God's glory and goodness he has given very great and precious promises. Through them believers share in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that lust brings into the world. God's promises change those who receive them. 2 Peter 1:32 Peter 1:4
Commonly taken out of context
How it’s often usedQuoted to teach that believers become gods or share God's own being.
In contextPeter says believers become partakers of the divine nature "by these," God's "exceeding great and precious promises," having escaped the world's corruption (1:4). Other scriptures describe this change: God chastens us "that we might be partakers of his holiness" (Hebrews 12:10), and the new man "is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Colossians 3:10). Believers are renewed in the image of their Creator; they do not become the Creator. 2 Peter 1:4Hebrews 12:10Colossians 3:10Ephesians 4:24
SpeakingSimon Peter, "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ," who saw Christ's majesty on the holy mount. 2 Peter overview
To"Them that have obtained like precious faith"; traditionally the same believers as 1 Peter, in Asia Minor. 2 Peter overview
Also involvedBelievers who have received God's promises. 2 Peter 1:4
Peter continues from 1:3: God's provision comes through his promises. Verse 5 begins "And beside this," telling believers how to respond. 2 Peter 1:32 Peter 1:42 Peter 1:5
The letter names no place. If the readers are those of 1 Peter, they were in Asia Minor; tradition places Peter in Rome at the end of his life. 2 Peter overview
The eventsBelievers have already "escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." The promises are given so that they "might be partakers of the divine nature." 2 Peter 1:4
WrittenTraditional: about AD 64-68, shortly before Peter's death. Scholarly: many hold a follower wrote it in Peter's name, perhaps AD 100-150; others accept that Peter wrote it near the end of his life. 2 Peter overview
HerePeter shows what God's promises are for: that believers "might be partakers of the divine nature," having escaped the world's corruption. 2 Peter 1:4
In the whole of ScriptureBelievers "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). God disciplines us "that we might be partakers of his holiness" (Hebrews 12:10). "We are changed into the same image from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Ephesians 4:24Hebrews 12:102 Corinthians 3:18
For readersGod's promises are not only for the future. Through them believers share his holiness now and leave the world's corruption behind. 2 Peter 1:4Hebrews 12:10
- promisesἐπάγγελμα
The word means a promise. Strong's G1862
- partakersκοινωνός
The word means a partner, one who shares. The lexicon lists Luke 5:10 and 2 Corinthians 8:23 among its uses. Strong's G2844
- natureφύσις
The word means nature, natural character. Strong's G5449
- escapedἀποφεύγω
The word means to escape. The lexicon also lists 2:18. Strong's G0668
- corruptionφθορά
The word means decay, corruption. Strong's G5356
Takeaway
Through God's great and precious promises, believers share in the divine nature and escape the world's corruption. 2 Peter 1:4Ephesians 4:24
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| through | δι᾽ | di᾽ | G1223 | through/because ofδιά (dia) διά (before a vowel δ᾽, exc. Rom.8:10, 2Co.5:7, and in (Proper name)s; Tdf., Pr., 94), prep. with genitive, accusative, as in cl.; 1. with genitive, through; (i) of Place, after verbs of motion or action: Mat.2:12 12:43, Mrk.2:23, Luk.4:30, Jhn.4:4, 2Co.11:33, al.; σώζεσθαι (διας-) δ. πυρός, ὕδατος, 1Co.3:15, 1Pe.3:20; βλέπειν δ. ἐσόπτρου, 1Co.13:12; metaphorically, of a state or condition: Rom.14:20, 2Co.2:4 5:7, 10; δ. γράμματος, ἀκροβυστίας (Lft., Notes, 263, 279), Rom.2:27 4:11; δι ̓ὑπομενῆς, Rom.8:25. (ii) Of Time; … |
| which | ὧν | hōn | G3739 | whichὅς (hos, hē) ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. … |
| precious | τίμια | timia | G5093 | preciousτίμιος (timios) τίμιος, -α, -ον (τιμή), [in LXX chiefly for יָקָר ;] valued, hence, (a) precious, costly, highly valued: primarily, of money value, λίθος, Rev.17:4 18:12, 16 21:19; pl., 1Co.3:12; compar., -ώτεφος, 1Pe.1:7, Rec.; superl., -ώτατος, Rev.18:12 21:11; in extended sense, καρπός, Jas.5:7; αἷμα, 1Pe.1:19; ἐπαγγέλματα, 2Pe.1:4; (b) held in honour, honoured, esteemed worthy: with dative, Act.5:34; ὁ γάμος, Heb.13:4; ψυχή, Act.20:24 (where τ. is pleonastic, see Page, in l).† (AS) |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| magnificent | μέγιστα | megista | G3173 | greatμέγας (megas) μέγας, μεγάλη, μέγα, [in LXX chiefly for גָּדוֹל, also for מַרְבֶּה ,רַב (incl. μείζων), רֹב (μέγιστος) ;] great; 1. of external form, bodily size, measure, extent: λίθος, Mat.2:60; δράκων, Rev.12:3; ἰχθῦς, Jhn.21:11; πόλις, Rev.11:8; μάχαιρα, Rev.6:4, al. 2. Of intensity and degree: δύναμις, Act.4:33; φόβος, Mrk.4:41; ἀγάπη, Jhn.15:13; ἄνεμος, 'ib. 6:18; κραυγή, Act.23:9; φῶς, Mat.4:16; πυρετός, Luk.4:38; θλίψις, Mat.24:21. 3. Of rank; … |
| to us | ἡμῖν | hēmin | G3165 | meμέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML) |
| promises | ἐπαγγέλματα | epangelmata | G1862 | a promiseἐπάγγελμα (epangelma) ἐπ-άγγελμα, -τος, τό (ἐπαγγέλλω), a promise: 2Pe.1:4 3:13.† (AS) |
| He has himself given, | δεδώρηται, | dedōrētai | G1433 | to giveδωρέω (dōreō) δωρέω, -ῶ [in LXX: Gen.30:20 (זָבַד), Est.8:1, Pro.4:2 (נָתַן), Lev.7:15 (קׇרְבָּן), 1Es.1:7 Est.8:14 Est.8:55, Sir.7:25 * ;] to present, bestow. As depon. (with same sense), -Ιομαι,.-οίμαι: Mrk.15:45, 2Pe.1:3-4.† SYN.: δίδωμι, q.v (AS) |
| so that | ἵνα | ina | G2443 | in order that/toἵνα (hina) ἵνα, I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), 1. of place, where, whither. 2. of circumstance, when. II. Conjunction, 1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); (a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); … |
| through | διὰ | dia | G1223 | through/because ofδιά (dia) διά (before a vowel δ᾽, exc. Rom.8:10, 2Co.5:7, and in (Proper name)s; Tdf., Pr., 94), prep. with genitive, accusative, as in cl.; 1. with genitive, through; (i) of Place, after verbs of motion or action: Mat.2:12 12:43, Mrk.2:23, Luk.4:30, Jhn.4:4, 2Co.11:33, al.; σώζεσθαι (διας-) δ. πυρός, ὕδατος, 1Co.3:15, 1Pe.3:20; βλέπειν δ. ἐσόπτρου, 1Co.13:12; metaphorically, of a state or condition: Rom.14:20, 2Co.2:4 5:7, 10; δ. γράμματος, ἀκροβυστίας (Lft., Notes, 263, 279), Rom.2:27 4:11; δι ̓ὑπομενῆς, Rom.8:25. (ii) Of Time; … |
| these | τούτων | toutōn | G3778 | this/he/she/itοὗτος (ohutos) οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; 1. as subst., this one, he; (a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; (b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; … |
| you may become | γένησθε | genēsthe | G1096 | to beγίνομαι (ginomai) γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] 1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. … |
| of [the] divine | θείας | theias | G2304 | divineθεῖος (theios) θεῖος, -εία, -εῖον (θεός), [in LXX: Exo.31:3 35:31, Job.27:3 33:4, Pro.2:17 (אֵל, אֱלֹהִים, אֱלוֹהַּ), Sir.6:35, 1-37 II Mal.3:1-40, 3Ma.1:1-29, 4Mac.25 * ;] divine: δύναμις, 2Pe.1:3; φύσις (for parallel in π., see MM, Exp., xv), 2Pe.1:4; τὸ θ., the Deity (so in cl.; of God, in Philo and FlJ), Act.17:29.† (AS) |
| partakers | κοινωνοὶ | koinōnoi | G2844 | participantκοινωνός (koinōnos) κοινωνός, -ή, -όν (κοινός), [in LXX: Pro.28:24, Isa.1:23 (חָבֵר), Mal.2:14 (חֲבֶרֶת), Est.8:13, al. ;] 1. as adj., = κοινός. 2. As subst., ὁ, ἡ κ., (a) a partner, associate, companion: 2Co.8:23, Phm 17; with dative of person(s), Luk.5:10; with genitive of person(s), Heb.10:33; id. before ἐν, Mat.23:30; (b) a partaker, sharer: with genitive of thing(s), 1Co.10:18 10:20, 2Co.1:7, 1Pe.5:1, 2Pe.1:4 (see Deiss., BS, 368 n2).† (AS) |
| nature | φύσεως | phuseōs | G5449 | natureφύσις (phusis) φύσις, -εως, ἡ (φύω) [in LXX: Wis.7:20 13:1 19:20 אΑ, 3Ma.3:29, 4Ma.1:20 4Mac 5:7-8 4Mac 5:25 4Mac 13:27 4Mac 15:13 4Mac 15:25 4Mac 16:3 * ;] nature, i.e., (a) the nature (natural powers or constitution) of a person or thing: Jas.3:7, 2Pe.1:4; τέκνα φυσει ὀργῆς, Eph.2:3; (b) origin, birth (Soph., Xen., al.): Rom.2:27, Gal.2:15; (with) nature, i.e. the regular order or law of nature: 1Co.11:14; dative, φύσει adverbially, by nature, Rom.2:14, Gal.4:8; παρὰ φύσιν, against nature, Rom.1:26 11:24; καρὰ φ., according to nature, naturally, Rom.11:21, 24.† (AS) |
| having escaped | ἀποφυγόντες | apophugontes | G0668 | to escapeἀποφεύγω (apopheugō) ἀπο-φεύγω [in LXX: Sir.22:22 * ;] to flee from, escape: with accusative, 2Pe.2:18 2:20; with genitive, 2Pe.1:4.† (AS) |
| in | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af … |
| world | κόσμῳ | kosmō | G2889 | worldκόσμος (kosmos) κόσμος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX: Gen.2:1, Deu.4:19 17:3, Isa.24:21 40:26 (צבא), Exo.33:5, 6 Jer.2:32 4:30, Eze.7:20 16:11 23:40 (עֲדִי), Isa.61:10 (כְּלִי), al., Wis.2:24 and freq., Sir.6:30, al ;] 1. order (Hom., Plat., al.). 2. ornament, adornment, esp. of women (Hom., al.): 1Pe.3:3. 3. Later, the world or universe, as an ordered system (Plat., al.): Act.17:24, Rom.4:13, 1Co.3:22, Php.2:15, Heb.4:3, al. 4. In late writers only, the world, i.e. the earth (= ἡ οἰκουμένη, cf. Mat.4:8 with Luk.4:5): Mat.4:8, Mrk.16:[15], Col.2:20, 1Ti.6:7, al.; hence by meton., … |
| in | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af … |
| desire | ἐπιθυμίᾳ | epithumia | G1939 | desireἐπιθυμία (epithumia) ἐπιθυμία, -ας, ἡ (έπιθυμέω), [in LXX chiefly for תַּאֲוָה, אָוָה; also for חֶמֶד, etc. ;] desire, longing: Luk.22:15 (see: ἐπιθυμέω), Php.1:23, 1Th.2:17, Rev.18:14; p1., Mrk.4:19; esp. with ref. to forbidden things, desire, lust (Vg., concupiscentia): Rom.7:7-8, Jas.1:14-15, 2Pe.1:4; pl., Gal.5:24, 1Ti.6:9, 2Ti.2:22 4:3, 1Pe.1:14 4:2; πάθος ἐπιθυμίας, 1Th.4:5; ἐ. κακή, Col.3:5; with genitive, μιασμοῦ, 2Pe.2:10 (see Mayor, in l); τ. καρδιῶν, Rom.1:24; τ. κόσμου (aroused by the world), 1Jn.2:17; τ. σώματος, Rom.6:12; τ. ἀπάτης, Eph.4:22 (see ICC, in l); τ. σαρκός, 1Jn.2:16, 2Pe.2:18 (without ar … |
| decay. | φθορᾶς. | phthoras | G5356 | corruptionφθορά (phthora) φθορά, -ᾶς, ἡ (φθείρω) [in LXX for שַׁחַת, חֶבֶל, etc. ;] destruction, corruption, decay (see Mayor on 2Pe, App.,175 ff.): Rom.8:21, 1Co.15:42, Col.2:22, 2Pe.2:12; opposite to ζωὴ αἰώνιος, Gal.6:8; by meton., of that which is subject to corruption, 1Co.15:50; of moral decay, 2Pe.1:4 2:12 2:19 (cf. Wis.14:12).† (AS) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.