1 Peter 2:20

For what glory is it? The word translated "glory" ( κλέος ), common in Greek poetry, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, first, "rumor, report;" then "fame, renown." If, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently ; literally, if sinning and being buffeted . The word translated "buffeted" ( κολαφιζόμενοι ), used by St. Matthew and St. Mark in describing our Savior's sufferings, has a figurative meaning in 1 Corinthians 4:11 ; 2 Corinthians 12:7 . It is probably used literally here; blows were a common occurrence in the life of slaves. To be patient when suffering deserved punishment is often difficult, but it is no more than a simple duty; it would not be for the glory of religion. Christian slaves ought to do their duty to their masters, and not deserve punishment. But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently ; literally, but if doing well, and suffering . The words "for it" are not in the Greek. This is acceptable with God . If we read "for" ( τοῦτο γὰρ ), with some of the best manuscripts, we must supply "there is glory" after the last clause. "It, doing well and suffering, ye take it patiently, there is glory ( κλέος ) , for this is thank-worthy ( χάρις ) with God." Such conduct will bring honor to Christianity, for it is thankworthy even in the sight of God. When Christian men and women took cruel sufferings patiently and joyfully, as the apostles did ( Acts 5:41 ; Acts 16:25 ), that was more than a mere recognized duty—that showed the power of Christian motives, that brought glory to Christianity, and was held to be thankworthy (such is God's gracious condescension) even in the sight of God. The word for "acceptable" here is that translated "thankworthy" in 2 Corinthians 12:19 , where see note.