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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 2 Peter 1:4 - 1:4
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Whereby (di' hōn). Probably the “glory and virtue” just mentioned, though it is possible to take it with panta ta pros, etc., or with hēmin (unto us, meaning “through whom”).
He hath granted (dedōrētai). Perfect middle indicative of dōreō, for which see 2Pe 1:3.
His precious and exceeding great promises (ta timia kai megista epaggelmata). Epaggelma is an old word (from epaggellō) in place of the common epaggelia, in N.T. only here and 2Pe 3:13. Timios (precious, from timē, value), three times by Peter (1Pe 1:7 of faith; 1Pe 1:19 of the blood of Christ; 2Pe 1:4 of Christ’s promises). Megista is the elative superlative used along with a positive adjective (timia).
That ye may become (hina genēsthe). Purpose clause with hina and second aorist middle subjunctive of ginomai.
Through these (dia toutōn). The promises.
Partakers (koinōnoi). Partners, sharers in, for which word see 1Pe 5:1.
Of the divine nature (theias phuseōs). This phrase, like to theion in Act 17:29, “belongs rather to Hellenism than to the Bible” (Bigg). It is a Stoic phrase, but not with the Stoic meaning. Peter is referring to the new birth as 1Pe 1:23 (anagegennēmenoi). The same phrase occurs in an inscription possibly under the influence of Mithraism (Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary).
Having escaped (apophugontes). Second aorist active participle of apopheugō, old compound verb, in N.T. only here and 2Pe 2:18-20, with the ablative here (phthorās, old word from phtheirō, moral decay as in 2Pe 2:12) and the accusative there.
By lust (en epithumiāi). Caused by, consisting in, lust. “Man becomes either regenerate or degenerate” (Strachan).