2 Peter 1:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
διὰ
G1223
Whereby
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#2
ὧν
G3739
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#3
τὰ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
μέγιστα
G3176
exceeding great
greatest or very great
#5
ἡμῖν
G2254
unto us
to (or for, with, by) us
#6
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#7
τίμια
G5093
precious
valuable, i.e., (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved
#8
ἐπαγγέλματα
G1862
promises
a self-committal (by assurance of conferring some good)
#9
δεδώρηται
G1433
are given
to bestow gratuitously
#10
ἵνα
G2443
that
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
#11
διὰ
G1223
Whereby
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#12
τούτων
G5130
these
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
#13
γένησθε
G1096
ye might be
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#14
θείας
G2304
of the divine
godlike (neuter as noun, divinity)
#15
κοινωνοὶ
G2844
partakers
a sharer, i.e., associate
#16
φύσεως
G5449
nature
growth (by germination or expansion), i.e., (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native
#17
ἀποφυγόντες
G668
having escaped
(figuratively) to escape
#18
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
ἐν
G1722
that is in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#20
κόσμῳ
G2889
the world
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
#21
ἐν
G1722
that is in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#22
ἐπιθυμίᾳ
G1939
lust
a longing (especially for what is forbidden)
#23
φθορᾶς
G5356
the corruption
decay, i.e., ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively)

Cross References

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Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection