Scofield Reference Bible Notes
1 Peter 2

1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

tasted

Psa 34:8.

1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

as unto a living stone

1Co 3:11.

disallowed [See also 1Pe 2:7.]

rejected. Psa 118:22.

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

are built up

are being built up.

spiritual sacrifices

Sacrifice (the believer-priest's). Heb 10:1-18. (Gen 4:4; Heb 10:18.)

1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone

Isa 28:16.

1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

believe

Faith. 1Pe 2:6-7; 1Jo 5:1, 4-5, 10. (Gen 3:20; Heb 11:39.)

is precious

is the preciousness.

1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

stone of stumbling

Christ (as Stone). 1Pe 2:4, 8. (Exo 17:6; 1Pe 2:8.)

Christ crucified is the Rock:

1. Smitten that the Spirit of life may flow from Him to all who will drink (Exo 17:6; 1Co 10:4; Jhn 4:13-14; 7:37-39).
2. To the church the foundation and chief corner Stone (Eph 2:20).
3. To the Jews at His first coming a "stumbling stone" (Rom 9:32-33; 1Co 1:23).
4. To Israel at His second coming the "headstone of the corner" (Zec 4:7).
5. To the Gentile world-power the smiting "stone cut out without hands" (Dan 2:34).
6. In the divine purpose the Stone which, after the destruction of Gentile world-power, is to grow and fill the earth.
7. To unbelievers the crushing Stone of judgment (Mat 21:44).

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

chosen generation

Election (personal). 2Jo 1:1, 13. (Deu 7:6; 1Pe 1:2).

priesthood

The New Testament priesthood, Summary:

1. Until the law was given the head of each family was the family priest (Gen 8:20; 26:25; 31:54).
2. When the law was proposed, the promise to perfect obedience was that Israel would be unto God "a kingdom of priests" (Exo 19:6); but Israel violated the law, and God shut up the priestly office to the Aaronic family, appointing the tribe of Levi to minister to them, thus constituting the typical priesthood (Exo 28:1).
3. In the dispensation of grace, all believers are unconditionally constituted a "kingdom of priests" (1Pe 2:9; Rev 1:6), the distinction which Israel failed to achieve by works. The priesthood of the believer is, therefore, a birthright; just as every descendant of Aaron was born to the priesthood (Heb 5:1).
4. The chief privilege of a priest is access to God. Under law the high priest only could enter "the holiest of all," and that but once a year (Heb 9:7). But when Christ died, the veil, type of Christ's human body (Heb 10:20), was rent, so that now the believer-priests, equally with Christ the High Priest, have access to God in the holiest (Heb 10:19-22). The high Priest is corporeally there (Heb 4:14-16; 9:24; 10:19-22).
5. In the exercise of his office the New Testament believer-priest is
   1. a sacrificer who offers a threefold sacrifice:
      1. his own living body (Rom 12:1; Phl 2:17; 2Ti 4:6; 1Jo 3:16; Jas 1:27);
      2. praise to God, "the fruit of the lips that make mention of His name" (R.V.), to be offered "continually" (Heb 13:15; Exo 25:22; "I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat");
      3. his substance (Heb 13:16; Rom 12:13; Gal 6:6; 3Jo 1:5-8; Heb 13:2; Gal 6:10; Tit 3:14).
   2. The N.T. priest is also an intercessor (1Ti 2:1; Col 4:12).

holy

Sanctify, holy (persons) (N.T.). 1Pe 2:5, 9; 3:5, 15. (Mat 4:5; Rev 22:11.)

peculiar people

people for a possession.

praises

virtues or, excellencies.

1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

God

God. Hos 1:10.

1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

strangers

Psa 119:19.

war against the soul

Rom 8:13.

1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

good works

Mat 5:16.

1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man

Mat 22:21; Rom 13:1, 7.

1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

As free

Rom 6:14, 20, 22.

servants

bondmen.

1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

God

Jehovah. Pro 24:21.

1Pe 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Servants

Eph 6:5.

1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

this

grace

is thankworthy

Grace (imparted). 1 Peter 3:7; Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18.

1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

faults [See also 1Pe 2:22, 24.]

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

hereunto were ye called

Mat 16:24; 1Th 3:3-4.

1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Who did no sin

Isa 53:9.

1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

he was reviled

Isa 53:7.

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Who his own self

1Pe 3:18.

bare our sins

Judgments (the seven). 1Pe 3:18. (2Sa 7:14; Rev 22:12).

righteousness

Scofield Romans 10:10, note.

1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Shepherd

Eze 34:11.

Bishop

Overseer.