1 Peter 2:18-25
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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)
Read full chapter
1 Peter 2:18-25
New English Translation
18 Slaves,[a] be subject[b] to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse. 19 For this finds God’s favor,[c] if because of conscience toward God[d] someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.[e] 21 For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. 22 He[f] committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.[g] 23 When he was maligned, he[h] did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened[i] no retaliation,[j] but committed himself to God[k] who judges justly. 24 He[l] himself bore our sins[m] in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning[n] and live for righteousness. By his[o] wounds[p] you were healed.[q] 25 For you were going astray like sheep[r] but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Peter 2:18 tn The Greek term here is οἰκέτης (oiketēs), often used of a servant in a household (who would have been a slave).
- 1 Peter 2:18 tn Grk “being subject,” but continuing the sense of command from vs. 13.
- 1 Peter 2:19 tn Grk “For this [is] favor/grace,” used as a metonymy of that which pleases him, which he looks on with favor (cf. BDAG 1079 s.v. χάρις 2). Cf. 1 Pet 2:20.
- 1 Peter 2:19 tc The expression “consciousness/conscience of God” (συνείδησιν θεοῦ; suneidēsin theou) is unusual, occurring only here in the NT. Because θεοῦ was liable to misinterpretation, several witnesses altered the text, either replacing it with ἀγαθήν (agathēn; C Ψ 323 442 614 630 945 1175 1241 1243 1505 1611 1739 1852 2492 sy) or expanding the expression by adding ἀγαθήν before θεοῦ (P72 [A* 33 2344] 81). Replacing θεοῦ with ἀγαθήν conforms to other NT phrases, notably in this same letter (Acts 23:1; 1 Tim 1:5, 19; 1 Pet 3:16, 21), suggesting that such a reading is motivated. The reading θεοῦ, however, has superior support (א Ac B P 049 5 436 1735 M lat co), and best explains the rise of the others.tn Grk “conscious(ness) of God,” an awareness of God and allegiance to him.
- 1 Peter 2:20 tn Grk “For this [is] favor/grace with God,” used as a metonymy as in vs. 19 of that which pleases him, which he looks on with favor (cf. BDAG 1079 s.v. χάρις 2).
- 1 Peter 2:22 tn Grk “who,” referring to Christ and applying the quotations from Isa 53 to him. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- 1 Peter 2:22 sn A quotation from Isa 53:9.
- 1 Peter 2:23 tn Grk “who being maligned,” continuing the reference to Christ. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- 1 Peter 2:23 tn Grk “he did not threaten, but.”
- 1 Peter 2:23 sn An allusion to Isa 53:7.
- 1 Peter 2:23 tn Grk “to the one”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- 1 Peter 2:24 tn Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- 1 Peter 2:24 sn A quotation from Isa 53:4, 12.
- 1 Peter 2:24 tn The verb ἀπογίνομαι (apoginomai) occurs only here in the NT. It can have a literal meaning (“to die”; L&N 74.27) and a figurative meaning (“to cease”; L&N 68.40). Because it is opposite the verb ζάω (zaō, “to live”), many argue that the meaning of the verb here must be “die” (so BDAG 108 s.v.), but even so literal death would not be in view. “In place of ἀποθνῃσκιεν, the common verb for ‘die,’ ἀπογινεθαι serves Peter as a euphemism, with the meaning ‘to be away’ or ‘to depart’” (J. R. Michaels, 1 Peter [WBC 49], 148). It is a metaphorical way to refer to the decisive separation from sin Jesus accomplished for believers through his death; the result is that believers “may cease from sinning.”
- 1 Peter 2:24 tn Grk “whose.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- 1 Peter 2:24 tn Grk the singular: “wound”; “injury.”
- 1 Peter 2:24 sn A quotation from Isa 53:5.
- 1 Peter 2:25 sn A quotation from Isa 53:6.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.