Scofield Reference Bible Notes/2 Peter

by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

Book Introduction - 2 Peter

Read first chapter of 2 Peter
WRITER: The Apostle Peter (2 Peter 1:1)
DATE: Probably A.D. 66
THEME: Second Peter and Second Timothy have much in common. In both, the writers are aware that martyrdom is near (2 Timothy 4:6; 2 Peter 1:14 with ; John 21:18,19); both are singularly sustained and joyful; both foresee the apostasy in which the history of the professing church will end. Paul finds that apostasy in its last stage when the so-called laity (See Scofield "Revelation 2:6") , have become infected (2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3,4); Peter traces the origin of the apostasy to false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3,15-19). In Peter the false teachers deny redemption truth (2 Peter 2:1); we shall find in First John a deeper depth--denial of the truth concerning Christ's person (1 John 4:1-5). In Jude all phases of the apostasy are seen. But in none of these Epistles is the tone one of dejection or pessimism. God and His promises are still the resource of the believer.
The Epistle is in four divisions:

• The great Christian virtues, 1:1-14
• The Scriptures exalted, 1:15-21
• Warnings concerning apostate teachers, 2:1-22
• The second coming of Christ and the day of Jehovah, 3:1-18

CHAPTER 1

Verse 2

grace
Grace (imparted). Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18

Verse 4

world
kosmos = world-system. 2 Peter 2:20; John 7:7 (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8").

Verse 9

sins
Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").

Verse 18

holy mount
Where the reference is to things, the meaning of "holy" or "sanctified" is, simply, set apart for the use of God, or rendered sacred by the divine presence.

Verse 19

whereunto
That is, made more sure by fulfilment in part. Fulfilled prophecy is a proof of inspiration because the Scripture predictions of future events were uttered so long before the events transpired that no merely human sagacity or foresight could have anticipated them, and these predictions are so detailed, minute, and specific, as to exclude the possibility that they were mere fortunate guesses. Hundreds of predictions concerning Israel, the land of Canaan, Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and numerous personages--so ancient, so singular, so seemingly improbable, as well as so detailed and definite that no mortal could have anticipated them--have been fulfilled by the elements, and by men who were ignorant of them, or who utterly disbelieved them, or who struggled with frantic desperation to avoid their fulfilment. It is certain, therefore, that the Scriptures which contain them are inspired. "Prophecy came not in olden time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" 2 Peter 1:21.
a more sure Or, the word of prophecy made more sure.
dark place Or, squalid place. Psalms 119:105; John 1:4,9.

Verse 20

any private
its own interpretation; i.e. not isolated from all that the Word has given elsewhere.

CHAPTER 2

Verse 5

world
kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:8").

Verse 12

natural brute beasts
natural animals without reason. Jude 1:10.

Verse 14

sin
Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").

Verse 15

Balaam
Balaam. (See Scofield "Numbers 22:5") was the typical hireling prophet, anxious only to make a market of his gift. This is the "way" of Balaam. See the "error" of Balaam, See Scofield "Jude 1:11" and the "doctrine" of Balaam, See Scofield "Revelation 2:14".

Verse 20

world kosmos = world-system.
1 John 2:15-17; John 7:7 (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8")
Saviour (See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

CHAPTER 3

Verse 2

Saviour
(See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

Verse 6

world
kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:8").

Verse 13

righteousness
(See Scofield "1 John 3:7").

Verse 15

salvation
(See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

Verse 18

grace Grace (imparted). Summary (see "Grace,") (See Scofield "John 1:17") grace is not only dispensationally a method of divine dealing in salvation
(See Scofield "John 1:17") but is also the method of God in the believer's life and service. As saved, he is "not under the law, but under grace" Romans 6:14. Having by grace brought the believer into the highest conceivable position. Ephesians 1:6. God ceaselessly works through grace, to impart to, and perfect in him, corresponding graces ; John 15:4,5; Galatians 5:22,23.
Grace, therefore, stands connected with service Romans 12:6; 15:15,16; 1 Corinthians 1:3-7; 3:10; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9,10; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:7,8; Ephesians 4:7; Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:1,2; 1 Peter 4:10 with Christian growth ; 2 Corinthians 1:12; Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:16; 4:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:12; Hebrews 4:16; 12:28,29; 13:9; James 4:6; 1 Peter 1:2; 3:7; 5:5,10; 2 Peter 3:18; Jude 1:4 and with giving ; 2 Corinthians 4:15; 8:1,6,7,19; 9:14
grace Grace (imparted). Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18.