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The Example of Christ’s Suffering

18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect,[a] not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. 19 For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God.(A) 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.(B)

22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.(C) 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[b] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[c] you have been healed.(D) 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.[d](E)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.18 Or fear
  2. 2.24 Or carried up our sins in his body to the tree
  3. 2.24 Gk bruise
  4. 2.25 Or lives

The Kind of Life He Lived

18-20 You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God’s sake when you’re treated badly for no good reason. There’s no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.

21-25 This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.

He never did one thing wrong,
Not once said anything amiss.

They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.

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18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,(A) not only to those who are good and considerate,(B) but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.(C) 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.(D) 21 To this(E) you were called,(F) because Christ suffered for you,(G) leaving you an example,(H) that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,(I)
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a](J)

23 When they hurled their insults at him,(K) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.(L) Instead, he entrusted himself(M) to him who judges justly.(N) 24 “He himself bore our sins”(O) in his body on the cross,(P) so that we might die to sins(Q) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”(R) 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[b](S) but now you have returned to the Shepherd(T) and Overseer of your souls.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
  2. 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)