2 Peter 1:4
What does 2 Peter 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 1:4 means
God has granted “precious and exceedingly great promises,” and through these believers become “partakers of the divine nature.” This does not mean becoming divine in essence, but sharing in God’s life and moral likeness through union with Christ and the indwelling Spirit. The promises assure forgiveness, transformation, and future glory, enabling a real break from “the corruption that is in the world by lust.” Believers are not trapped by sinful desires; God’s promises supply power to live differently. This participation in God’s life fuels holiness and hope. The gospel is more than pardon—it is a new birth into a life shaped by God’s character and sustained by his pledged faithfulness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000whereby 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whereby 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901whereby 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And through this he has given us the hope of great rewards highly to be valued; so that by them we might have our part in God's being, and be made free from the destruction which is in the world through the desires of the flesh.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862through which to us the most great and precious promises have been given, that through these ye may become partakers of a divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world in desires.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752By whom he hath given us most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature: flying the corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890through which he has given to us the greatest and precious promises, that through these ye may become partakers of [the] divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Context
Verse 4 completes Peter’s statement of divine provision in verses 3–4. Having said that God’s power gives all we need, he now highlights the channel of promises that both impart life and empower escape from worldly corruption. The stage is set for verses 5–7, where believers are called to respond with diligent effort, adding specific virtues to faith. The logic is crucial: grace precedes effort, and promises energize obedience. The moral exhortations that follow are not self-improvement schemes, but responses to the life and power God has already given in Christ.
v.3seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
v.4This passage
v.5Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ:
- 1 John 2:25
And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal.
- Hebrews 9:15
And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
- Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:
- 2 Peter 2:18
For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;
- 1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.
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