The concept of partaking in the divine nature is a profound privilege granted to the saints, those who are set apart by God through faith in Jesus Christ. This privilege is rooted in the transformative work of salvation and sanctification, allowing believers to share in the moral and spiritual attributes of God.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for this privilege is found in 2 Peter 1:3-4 : "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

This passage highlights that through God's power and promises, believers are enabled to partake in His divine nature. This participation is not about becoming divine in essence but involves a transformation into the likeness of God's moral and spiritual character.

Transformation and Sanctification

Partaking of the divine nature is closely linked to the process of sanctification, where believers are progressively conformed to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 states, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers and empowers them to live in a manner that reflects God's holiness and righteousness.

Moral and Spiritual Attributes

The divine nature encompasses attributes such as love, holiness, righteousness, and truth. Ephesians 4:24 encourages believers to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." As saints partake in these attributes, they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Escape from Corruption

Partaking of the divine nature also involves escaping the corruption of the world. This is achieved through the renewal of the mind and the rejection of sinful desires. Romans 12:2 exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Union with Christ

The privilege of partaking in the divine nature is intrinsically linked to the believer's union with Christ. Through faith, believers are united with Him in His death and resurrection, as expressed in Galatians 2:20 : "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Eternal Perspective

Finally, partaking of the divine nature has an eternal dimension. It is a foretaste of the ultimate transformation that will occur when believers are glorified and fully conformed to the image of Christ. 1 John 3:2 assures, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is."

In summary, the privilege of partaking in the divine nature is a transformative process that begins in this life and finds its completion in eternity. It is a profound aspect of the believer's identity and calling, enabling them to reflect God's character and live in a manner worthy of their calling as saints.2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

[Shewing] that Common and Saving Grace Differ, not Only in Degree ...
... the saints, but as one of the highest privileges of the ... from the vine to it, nor
any partaking of any ... evidently spoken of as what belongs to the saints, and to ...
/.../edwards/treatise on grace/shewing that common and saving.htm

Hans Denck and the Inward Word
... life either by baptism or by partaking of bread ... love, and he insisted that the
privileges of blessedness ... of the Anabaptists held that the "saints" may, however ...
/.../chapter ii hans denck and.htm

Go Teach all Nations
... in all Christ's healing, and only by partaking of that ... are reclaimed and reinstated
in their holy privileges as His ... be given to the people of the saints of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 86 go teach all.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 314; one Spirit wrought in both, [394]ib.; privileges of, [395 ... ib.; cast out by bones
of the saints, [476]403. ... body and blood, [550]139; by partaking become the ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Second Commandment
... What is done to the saints, God takes as done ... God shows mercy to us in continuing
our forfeited privileges. ... you.' Leviticus 20:8. This is the partaking of the ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

Acts II
... which term expresses their common participation in religious privileges. ... that the
assemblies of the saints should be ... which was not done in partaking of the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ii.htm

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ...
... and more than ever I dreamed of, in partaking of water ... believers, you take from them
their privileges to which ... 'If we shall reject visible saints by calling ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/differences in judgment about water.htm

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... from punishment, but gifted with immense privileges, [3209]418 ... reproved, [3233]425;
one unworthy partaking of, presumption ... 512; in store for all saints, [3261]ib ...
/.../homilies on the epistles to.htm

Praise for the Gift of Gifts
... Let us look, then, at our privileges. ... All the apostles and prophets and saints of
God have been trying ... give up any hope you may have of ever partaking of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/praise for the gift of.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... upon him; and the title of the saints who had ... all the benefits of his death, by
partaking of these ... to point out the covenant relation and privileges, and duties ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

What is the biblical view of white privilege? | GotQuestions.org

If Jesus is God, why did He not know when He would return? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian see a psychologist / psychiatrist? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus