Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Peter 1:4

"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 that world by lust." — 2 Peter 1:4 (ASV)

Whereby.—By God’s “glory and virtue;” not by “all things that pertain to life and godliness,” although the latter is possible, and is preferred by some.

Are given to us.—Better, He has given to us, namely, He who called us, God. Wiclif, “He gaf;” Rheims, “He has given.”

Promises.—The Greek word occurs here and in 2 Peter 3:13 only. Its termination indicates the things promised rather than the act of promising. They are “exceeding great,” or rather “the greatest,” because they contain an earnest of the completion and perfection of the Christian life; they are very “precious,” because this earnest is in itself something real, and not mere empty words.

Not the promises of the Old Testament are meant, that Christ should come; but those of the New Testament, that Christ should come again. The certainty of Christ’s return to reward the righteous and punish the wicked is one of the main subjects of the Epistle.

That by these.—“These” is variously referred to:

1. to “all things that pertain to life and godliness,”
2. to “glory and virtue,”
3. to “promises.”

The last is most likely, the second least likely to be right. The hope expressed in this verse, and again in 2 Peter 3:13, is distinctly parallel to that in 1 Peter 1:4.

You might be partakers.—Better, become partakers. Rheims, “be made.” This idea of close relationship to God and escape from corruption is found in 1 Peter 1:23. The change from the first person plural to the second is easy enough both in Greek and English: by this change, what is true of all Christians is applied especially to those whom the writer is addressing. We have a similar change in 1 Peter 1:3–4; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Peter 2:24.

Through lust.—Rather (as in 2 Peter 1:1–2; 2 Peter 1:13; 2 Peter 2:3) in lust. It is in lust that the corruption has its root. (Compare to 1 Peter 1:22.)

The word “escaped” indicates bondage of corruption (Romans 8:21) from which even the Christian is not wholly free as long as he is in the body, and in which others are hopelessly held.

A comparison of this last clause with 2 Peter 3:13 will confirm for us the view that “by these” refers to the “promises.” We see there what the things promised are.

Instead of merely “having escaped” evil, we, according to His promise, look for better things; for, from the corruption that is in the world in lust we turn to new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

There should be no period at the end of this verse; the sentence continues unbroken from the beginning of 2 Peter 1:3 to the end of 2 Peter 1:7.