Add parallel Print Page Options

18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect: not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. 19 For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. 20 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. 21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you[a] an example, that you should follow his steps, 22 who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”Isaiah 53:9 23 When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.[b] 25 For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer[c] of your souls.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2:21 TR reads “us” instead of “you”
  2. 2:24 or, stripes
  3. 2:25 “Overseer” is from the Greek ἐπίσκοπον, which can mean overseer, curator, guardian, or superintendent.

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

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