{Whereby} (di' h(936e)). Probably the "glory and virtue" just
mentioned, though it is possible to take it with panta ta pros,
etc., or with h(886d)in (unto us, meaning "through whom"). {He hath
granted} (ded(9372)(8874)ai). Perfect middle indicative of d(9372)e(935c), for
which see verse 3 . {His precious and exceeding great promises}
( a timia kai megista epaggelmata). Epaggelma is an old word
(from epaggell(935c)) in place of the common epaggelia, in N.T.
only here and 3:13 . Timios (precious, from im(885c), value),
three times by Peter ( 1Pe 1:7 of faith; 1:19 of the blood of
Christ; 2Pe 1:4 of Christ's promises). Megista is the elative
superlative used along with a positive adjective ( imia). {That
ye may become} (hina gen(8873)the). Purpose clause with hina and
second aorist middle subjunctive of ginomai. {Through these}
(dia tout(936e)). The promises. {Partakers} (koin(936e)oi). Partners,
sharers in, for which word see 1Pe 5:1 . {Of the divine nature}
( heias phuse(9373)). This phrase, like o theion in Ac 17:29 ,
"belongs rather to Hellenism than to the Bible" (Bigg). It is a
Stoic phrase, but not with the Stoic meaning. Peter is referring
to the new birth as 1Pe 1:23 (anagegenn(886d)enoi). The same
phrase occurs in an inscription possibly under the influence of
Mithraism (Moulton and Milligan's _Vocabulary_). {Having escaped}
(apophugontes). Second aorist active participle of apopheug(935c),
old compound verb, in N.T. only here and 2:18-20 , with the
ablative here (phthor(8373), old word from phtheir(935c), moral decay
as in 2:12 ) and the accusative there. {By lust} (en
epithumi(8369)). Caused by, consisting in, lust. "Man becomes either
regenerate or degenerate" (Strachan).
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