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.
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.
- KJV 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.
- 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.
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 it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
- 1 Pet 3:17For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Luke 6:32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
- 1 Pet 4:14–16If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
- 1 Pet 3:14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”
- Eph 5:10proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.
- Matt 5:47If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
- Matt 26:67Then they spit in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him,
- 1 Cor 4:11Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.
- Mark 14:65Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, “Prophesy!” The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
- Rom 12:1–2Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
- Phil 4:18But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
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Original language
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