The Promise of Good in a Corrupt World
The biblical concept of God's promises offers believers a means to escape the pervasive corruption of the world and partake in a divine nature [1, 2]. This promise is presented as "exceeding great and precious" [2], serving as a foundation for faith and a catalyst for sanctification [3].
The Apostle Peter highlights this in 2 Peter 1:4, stating that through these promises, believers "might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" [2]. The Rotherham translation similarly renders this, "through which, his precious, and very great, promises, have, unto us, been given, in order that, through these, ye might become sharers in a divine nature—escaping the corruption that is in the world by coveting" [1]. The "corruption that is in the world" is often understood as stemming from "lust" or "coveting" [1, 2]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, interprets this corruption as a pervasive sinfulness that false teachers exploit by promising a "sinful carnal liberty" rather than true freedom from sin [4].
The idea of a corrupt world is not unique to the New Testament. The Old Testament frequently describes widespread corruption. For instance, in Genesis 6:11, the earth is depicted as "corrupt before God," characterized by various sins, particularly in matters of worship, and filled with violence [5]. This corruption was so profound that it justified God's decision to destroy the world [5]. The prophet Micah also laments the universality of corruption in his time, describing a situation where righteous individuals are scarce, "as when one seeks fruits after the harvest" [6]. In such times, the faithful remnant is driven to turn to God's promises for comfort and triumph [6].
The "precious promises" are considered a gift from God, as sure as if they were already fulfilled [3]. These promises are not merely future hopes but have a present, sanctifying effect on the believer, drawing them closer to God [3]. This participation in the divine nature is not fully realized until the promises are completely fulfilled [3].
The nature of these promises extends to an "inheritance incorruptible" [7]. This inheritance is described as a large estate, a rich possession, not earned through human effort or works of the law, but freely given by God to His children [7]. It is a bequest that comes through God's grace, making believers heirs through their relationship with Him [7].
Looking forward, believers are encouraged to anticipate "new heavens and a new earth, according to his promise" [8]. This expectation is not merely figurative, referring to a new church state or the Gospel dispensation, but is understood literally as a future reality [8]. This hope in a renewed creation further underscores the promise of ultimate deliverance from the world's corruption.
Sources
- II Peter “II Peter 1:4 (Rotherham) — Through which, his precious, and very great, promises, have, unto us, been given, in order that, through these, ye might become sharers in a divine nature—escaping the corruption that is in the world by coveting.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Peter 1:4 — 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.”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:4: Whereby, &c.--By His glory and virtue: His glory making the "promises" to be exceeding great; His virtue making them "precious" [BENGEL]. Precious promises are the object of precious faith. given--The promises themselves are a gift: for God's promises are as sure as if they were fulfilled. by these--promises. They are the object of faith, and even now have a sanctifying effect on the believer, assimilating him to God. Still more so, when they shall be fulfilled. might, &c.--Greek, "that ye MAY become partakers of the divine nature," even now in p”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 2:19: While they promise them liberty,.... Not Christian liberty, which lies in a freedom from sin, its dominion, guilt, and condemnation, and in serving God with liberty, cheerfulness, and without fear; but a sinful carnal liberty, a liberty from the law of God, from obedience to it as a rule of walk and conversation, and from the laws of men, from subjection to the civil magistrate, and from servitude to masters, and obedience to parents; a liberty to lay aside and neglect the ordinances of the Gospel at pleasure, and to live in all manner of sin and wickedness; a libert”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 6:11: The wickedness of that generation is here again spoken of, either as a foil to Noah's piety - he was just and perfect, when all the earth was corrupt; or as a further justification of God's resolution to destroy the world, which he was now about to communicate to his servant Noah. 1. All kinds of sin was found among them, for it is said (Gen 6:11) that the earth was, (1.) Corrupt before God, that is, in the matters of God's worship; either they had other gods before him, or they worshipped him by images, or they were corrupt and wicked in despite and contempt of ”
- Micah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Micah 7 (introduction): THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE CORRUPTION; THE CHOSEN REMNANT, DRIVEN FROM EVERY HUMAN CONFIDENCE, TURNS TO GOD; TRIUMPHS BY FAITH OVER HER ENEMIES; IS COMFORTED BY GOD'S PROMISES IN ANSWER TO PRAYER, AND BY THE CONFUSION OF HER ENEMIES, AND SO BREAKS FORTH INTO PRAISES OF GOD'S CHARACTER. (Mic. 7:1-20) I am as when, &c.--It is the same with me as with one seeking fruits after the harvest, grapes after the vintage. "There is not a cluster" to be found: no "first-ripe fruit" (or "early fig"; see on Isa 28:4) which "my soul desireth" [MAURER]. So I ”
- 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 1:4: To an inheritance incorruptible,.... This is a further explanation of the "lively hope", or hope laid up in heaven, which regenerate ones are begotten to: it is an "inheritance"; a large estate, and rich possession, they are born heirs apparent to; what is not to be got by industry, or obtained by the works of the law; for they that are of the law are not heirs; but what is the pure bequest and free gift of God, as a Father to his children; for an inheritance is proper and peculiar to children, nor does it belong to any but them; and it comes to them through the death”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:13: Nevertheless we, according to his promise,.... Or promises, as the Alexandrian copy, and the Vulgate Latin version; namely those in Isa 65:17; look for new heavens and a new earth; not figuratively, the world to come in distinction from the Jewish world or state; a new church state, the Gospel dispensation, with new ordinances, as baptism and the Lord's supper, all legal ceremonies and ordinances being gone, and everything new; for these things had taken place already, and were not looked for as future: but these phrases are to be understood literally, as the heave”