2 Peter 1:4

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 the world by lust.

Expanded Translation

Through which (glories and virtues) he has freely given us the precious (properly, held as of great price) and very great promises, in order that through them you might become sharers (partakers, fellowshippers) in the divine nature, having fled and escaped from the (moral, spiritual) corruption and destruction that is in the world through lust (strong passions of the flesh).

_______________________

whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises

Promises it is well for us to stop and enumerate frequently. The word doreomai (hath granted) which also occurred in 2 Peter 1:3, means to give freely, present, bestow; conveying the idea of generosity. In its only other New Testament appearance it is used, strangely enough, of the Roman procurator Pilate, when he granted the corpse of Jesus to Joseph of Arimathaea (Mark 15:45).

God always fulfills his promises, for he cannot lie (see Titus 1:2). Solomon could say in his prayer as he dedicated the temple, Blessed be Jehovah, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised; there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant (1 Kings 8:56).

that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature

Peter had previously stated that he was a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed (1 Peter 5:1). The word koinonos means basically to be a partner or fellow (so koinonia, fellowship); then, to be a sharer, partaker, participant. We, as God's children, should partake in the nature of our Father, becoming like him in holiness (1 Peter 1:14-19).

having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust

The word apopheugo is an emphatic form of the common word pheugo (to flee, seek safety by flight). It is used only by Peter in the New Testament (here, 2 Peter 2:18; 2 Peter 2:20), always with reference to those who have fled from the world, its people, or its defilements. Many, alas, are still behind Satan's Iron Curtain and have never escaped to the freedom that is in Christ.

CORRUPTIONphthora, signifies a bringing or being brought into a worse condition, a destruction or corruption. Mankind has deteriorated in its morals and spiritual character. But how? Through its lustsits strong cravings for evil, its submission to the desires of the fleshly mind. We either become degenerate or regenerate!

God's Children are those who have fled from and escaped the corruption of this world. They are no longer dominated by the flesh. Some, however, have claimed to be partakers of the divine nature, but have never escaped the lusts of their human nature. The strong desires for admiration, prestige, excessive food, strong drink, fornication, and material possessions are still within their hearts and minds. They have not yet escaped; they are still in bondage!