“by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).
We can build upon the reference to God’s glory and excellence given to us earlier in verse three to gain a better understanding of what it means to partake in the divine nature. We will explore that concept over our next three studies, beginning with a look at the “great and precious promises” mentioned here. There is a strong correlation between several of those Biblical promises and our opportunity to share in God’s divine nature. For example…
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:27-28).
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40 ESV).
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14).
Thus, as one commentary reminds us, “The implication is that through inheriting and acting on these promises the believers will increasingly become partakers of the divine nature.” (1)
(1) NET Bible notes on 2 Peter 1:4 https://classic.net.bible.org/bible.php?book=2Pet&chapter=1&mode=print