I Peter 2:20
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
what--Greek, "what kind of." glory--what peculiar merit. buffeted--the punishment of slaves, and suddenly inflicted [BENGEL]. this is--Some oldest manuscripts read, "for." Then the translation is, "But if when . . . ye take it patiently (it is a glory), for this is acceptable." acceptable--Greek, "thankworthy," as in Pe1 2:19.
Open source ↗The general exhortation to holiness is continued, and enforced by several reasons taken from the foundation on which Christians are built, Jesus Christ, and from their spiritual blessings and privileges in him. The means of obtaining it, the word of God, is recommended, and all contrary qualities are condemned (Pe1 2:1-12). Particular directions are given how subjects ought to obey the magistrates, and servants their masters, patiently suffering in well doing, in imitation of Christ (Pe1 2:13 to the end).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
Test and prove what pleases the Lord.
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him
To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.