The Meaning of Apopheugo (ἀποφεύγω)

BDAG Research: See Sirach 22:22 and JosAs 13:1, Cod. A. BDAG, page 125. Sense 1) escape, escape from. See 2 Peter 1:4; 2:18, 20. Sense 2) avoid, shun, see Hm 11:13.

Rogers and Rogers: "APOPHEUGONTES aor. act. part. APOPHEUGW (#709) to escape, to escape completely" (p. 581).

John Phillips writes: "The word for 'escaped' is apopheugo. Peter alone uses this word. Moreover, he uses it three times and always in a similar context (2:18, 20). It means literally 'to flee away.' " That is the Bible's best advice for dealing with temptation. See Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary, page 232.

Ben Witherington III argues that the event being discussed in 2 Pet 1:4 occurred in the past (The Theological and Ethical World of the NT: The Collective Witness, p. 722ff). Hence, he reasons that believers flee from corruption in the here and now (the present). Furthermore, it's possible that the language in this portion of 2 Peter might have a Hellenistic background. If the divine nature is experienced now, anointed Christians would be participating in the divine nature at this time through "sheer grace" (p. 722). Nevertheless, while it's evident that Jehovah's undeserved kindness makes participation in the divine nature possible, I prefer a future reference for 2 Pet 1:4.

NIV renders apopheugo, "escape." Others translate "having escaped" (NASB), and "escape" (NRSV). These are some initial thoughts regarding the Greek term, but more work needs to be done.

For other references, see https://fosterheologicalreflections.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-greek-word-apofeugw-and-2-peter-14.html