2 Peter - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

nature is unfolded within us. True religion desires and seeks supremely the assimilation
of the mind to God, or the perpetual unfolding and enlarging of those powers and virtues
by which it is constituted His glorious image. (R. Finlayson) The believer has run away
from the corruption which is in the world (kosmos world system of evil), this corruption
being within the sphere of lust, here in the widest sense of inordinate affection. (K.
Wuest) Peter’s addressees have made good progress in sanctification. The next few
verses urge them to further progress. (G. Clark) Sanctification is the imparting of God
Himself by the Holy Spirit in the soul. (R. Jamieson) The Parousia will be the
vindication of all moral and spiritual effort. (W. Nicole) Having received the divine
nature while still retaining the old nature, every child of God possesses two natures; one
is incapable of sinning, and the other is incapable of holiness. (J. Walvoord)
What a difference there is between escaping the pollutions of the world and escaping the
corruption of the world. The corruption of the world is that which is within us. The
pollution of the world is that which is on the outside. (J. McGee) The natural man is a
complex individual. How much more complex is the child of God, to whom God has
imparted a new divine nature. Many believers fall short of God’s standard in daily life
because they have not been instructed in the principles of the Word of God. They do not
understand themselves. They have no concept of the enormity of the conflict in which
they are engaged ... The world, as a system is characterized by corruption, and those who
are in the world partake of the defilement and the corruption of the world system. (J.
Pentecost) The work of regeneration or new birth in which the believer partakes of the
divine nature is an irreversible process and the work of God. (J. Walvoord) The
impartation of a nature is an operation so deep that the nature thus imparted is never said
to be removed for any cause whatsoever. (L. Chafer) Peter speaks of the corruption that is
in the world (the Satanic system) as well as the pollution of the world (the Satanic
system). The Satanic world system is not only wholly evil, but as a world order it is
limited and temporary. It is limited in its leadership. Satan, although powerful, is not, like
Christ, omnipotent. His system is temporary and transient. (M. Unger)
Satan has no controversy or warfare with his own unregenerate people, but there is
abundant Scripture to prove that he makes unceasing effort to mar the life and service of
believers. The motive for this effort is all-sufficient: they have partaken of the divine
nature, and afford, therefore, a possible opportunity for Satan to thrust his fiery darts at
the Divine Person. (L. Chafer) The word “divine” means Godlike, and “partaker” means
companion. Thus, the word “nature” cannot be essence or substance; it is disposition or
moral qualities. The apostle was teaching that, when we put off the vices of the flesh, we
shall be partakers of the blessing of God in a way proper to believers. We shall be one
with God so far as our capacity allows. (W. Best) The details of life are always uncertain,
therefore, cling only to what is certain, that which has intrinsic value – Bible doctrine.
God’s plan for some believers does not include money. But He gives every believer grace
capital – His precious Word – with which to redeem the time. For believers who invest
this divine capital, God may or may not compound monetary prosperity, but the spiritual
dividends will multiply and capacity for life will expand. (R.B. Thieme, Jr.)