1 Peter 2:22. Neither was guile, &c.— In the Eastern languages, righteousness and truth are put one for another; and so are wickedness and falsehood, or deceit. By guile therefore we may here understand wickedness in general, but more especially in this connexion, lying and deceit. If Christ's example have its genuine influence upon us, there will be no guile found in our mouths. read more
20. 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 :-. read more
21. Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto—to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering ( :-). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called—with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us—His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" ( :-). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest... read more
22. Illustrating Christ's well-doing (1 Peter 2:20) though suffering. did—Greek aorist. "Never in a single instance did" [ALFORD]. Quoted from Isaiah 53:9, end, Septuagint. neither—nor yet: not even [ALFORD]. Sinlessness as to the mouth is a mark of perfection. Guile is a common fault of servants. "If any boast of his innocency, Christ surely did not suffer as an evildoer" [CALVIN], yet He took it patiently (Isaiah 53:9- :). On Christ's sinlessness, compare 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26. read more
2. Slaves’ respect for their masters 2:18-25Peter proceeded to address the situation of Christians working under the authority of others."The unusual fact, unnoticed by most Bible readers, is that he [Peter], along with Paul (1 Corinthians 7:21; Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:9-10) and later Christian writers (Did. 4:11; Barn. 19:7), addresses slaves at all, for Jewish and Stoic duty codes (which in many respects this code in 1 Peter, as well as those in Ephesians... read more
However, Peter hastened to distinguish between justifiable and unjustifiable suffering. He did not want his readers to rest comfortably if they were suffering for their own sins. Nevertheless if they were suffering for their testimony, or without having provoked antagonism by improper behavior, they could rest confidently because God approved their conduct even if other people did not. What God rewards is endurance in His will (cf. James 1:4)."Although 1 Peter 2:20 has domestic servants... read more
Part of the Christian’s calling (1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:9) includes suffering (cf. 2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus Christ suffered for His righteous conduct at the hands of sinners (cf. Matthew 26:67; Mark 14:65). We too can expect that our righteous behavior will draw the same response from the ungodly of our day (Matthew 11:29; Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:27; Acts 14:22).Whereas Jesus’ atonement set an example for us, it accomplished much more than that. Peter cited only His example here in view of his... read more
Peter applied this prophecy to Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:9)."The OT statement is applied to Christ to indicate that in his total conduct, especially in his words, he followed God’s will." [Note: Goppelt, p. 210.] This is quite a statement. Peter had lived with Jesus for more than three years and had observed Him closely, yet he could say that Jesus never sinned.The absence of deceitful speech would have been ". . . particularly applicable to slaves in the empire, where glib, deceitful speech was... read more
2:20 bear (e-13) Hupomeno , 'endure patiently.' see 2 Timothy 2:12 ; James 5:7 (Note f). good (f-18) Not only 'good' in the sense of 'right,' but 'beneficent.' I think his mind goes beyond the servants to doing good generally as Christians. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Peter 2:21
1 Peter 2:21. For even hereunto were ye called— That is, "You were called to suffer for righteousness' sake, when ye became the disciples of Jesus." See Matthew 5:10; Matthew 5:48; Matthew 16:24; Matthew 16:28. Because Christ also suffered for us; that is, for us Christians in general, Jews or Gentiles, bond or free. It is observable, that upon the mention of the name of Christ, the apostle falls into anoble and animated digression to the end of the chapter; afterwards he continues to pursue... read more