Verse 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.
Whereby ... "This refers to the things mentioned in the previous verse, meaning that it was through those arrangements,"[16] of the apostles being guided into all truth, etc., that all Christians have the privilege of partaking of the divine nature.
Partakers of the divine nature ... As Strachan put it, "In Christ we are made partakers of the divine nature."[17] The whole scheme of redemption is beautifully epitomized in this. Through their primary obedience to the gospel of Christ, Christians are added to Christ's spiritual body, inducted "into Christ," and "in him" sharing his perfection, his righteousness, his death, and all the glorious benefits of being in him.
[16] Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the New Testament, 2Peter (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1953), p. 219.
[17] R. H. Strachan, Expositor's Greek Testament, Vol. V (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967), p. 126.
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