For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
- NASB For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
- NLT Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Enduring punishment for wrongdoing earns no credit, but patiently bearing suffering for doing good is commendable to God. Only undeserved suffering borne patiently pleases God.
Overview
Peter distinguishes deserved punishment from unjust suffering: there is no honor in enduring the consequences of sin. But to suffer for doing good and bear it patiently 'is commendable with God,' echoing the value he places on conscience-driven endurance. This sets the standard that Christ himself perfectly embodied.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 1 Pet 2:19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
- 1 Pet 3:17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Luke 6:32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
- 1 Pet 4:14–16If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
- 1 Pet 3:14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
- Eph 5:10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
- Matt 5:47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
- Matt 26:67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
- 1 Cor 4:11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
- Mark 14:65And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
- Rom 12:1–2I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
- Phil 4:18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
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