1 Peter 2:21

Christ’s Example of Suffering

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: ¹

1 Peter 2:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called
Both to well doing, of which none but those who are called with an holy and effectual calling are capable; and which they are fitted for, and are under obligation to perform, and to suffer for so doing, which they must always expect, and to patience in suffering for it, which highly becomes them. This being then one end of the saints' effectual calling, is made use of as an argument to engage them to the exercise of the grace of patience in suffering for well doing; and another follows:

because Christ also suffered for us;
in our room and stead, to fulfil the law, satisfy the justice of God, and make reconciliation for sin; and not only for our good, or merely as a martyr, to confirm the truth of his doctrine, or barely as an example to us, though this also is true: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, read, "for you"; for you servants, as well as others, and therefore should cheerfully and patiently suffer for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel; and the rather, because he suffered,

leaving us,
or "you", as the same copies, and the Vulgate Latin version read,

an example that ye should follow his steps:
Christ is an example to his people in the exercise of grace, as of faith, love, zeal, meekness, and humility; and in the discharge of duty, in his regard to the commands of the moral law, and positive institutions of religion; in his constancy in prayer; in frequent attendance on public worship; in his submission to the ordinance of baptism, and his celebration of the supper; and likewise in his sufferings; and in his meekness, patience, courage, and resignation to the will of God, which is what is here intended, and in which his people are to fellow and imitate him.

1 Peter 2:21 In-Context

19 For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.

20 How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

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

23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Cross References

• 1. (Isaiah 53:1–8)