FOR YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR THIS PURPOSE: eis touto gar eklethete (2PAPI):(Mt 10:38; 16:24; Mk 8:34,35; Lk 9:23, 24, 25; 14:26,27; Jn 16:33; Acts 9:16; 14:22; 1Th 3:3; 4:2; 2Ti 3:12)

Whenever you think of the glory of your risen Lord, remember what your redemption cost him, and quit all dead works, lay aside the grave-clothes of care and anxiety, and live in newness of life as those who have been redeemed by the risen Savior. (1 Peter 2 Commentary)

Called (2564) (kaleo) (Click study of related noun kletos = the "called") means to speak to another person in order to bring them nearer, either physically or in a personal relationship and includes the nuance of giving them an invitation.

Kaleo is in the aorist passive, where the passive is what some linguists refer to as "divine" passive indicating that the action is performed by God. In this verse, it is God Who calls saints to bear up triumphantly though suffering unjustly for doing what is good.

Wuest makes the point that in this context kaleo describes...

The divine call of God to a lost sinner (which) is an effectual call into salvation, and an accompaniment of that salvation is suffering for righteousness’ sake, the natural result of the Christian’s contact with the people of the world and their reaction towards the Lord Jesus who is seen in the life of the saint. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)

Does the church (especially in America) really understand this aspect of the "call" on our life?

Do we understand that our life is not our own, for we have "bought with a price" and that our mission is to glorify God in our body? (1Cor 6:19-note, 1Co 6:20-note)

Do we understand that to us...

it has been granted (literally a gift of grace) for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake? (Php 1:29-note)

Comment: Note not just to suffer mistreatment, derision, etc as a Christian but with a purpose - for Christ's sake. How so? We suffer for Jesus in the sense that by our patient endurance of unjust punishment [which is what Peter also describing], we are bearing a powerful testimony to His saving, transforming grace, grace that enables us to do something quite unnatural and yea, even supernatural. And Christ gets the glory. If we understand this truth and genuinely believe this truth suffering can take on a whole new significance.

Do we understand that "indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2Ti 3:12-note)

Do we understand the supernatural power that flows through us when we willingly joyfully submit to this truth? (2Cor 12:10-note).

God's great doctrine of our calling should cause all the "called of Jesus Christ" to cry out "Glory!"...and to earnestly desire to walk worthy of the calling to which they have been called, motivated by the "hope of His calling".

SINCE CHRIST ALSO SUFFERED FOR YOU, LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE: kai Christos epathen (3SAAI) huper humon humin hupolimpanon (PAPMSN) hupogrammon: (1Pe 2:24; 3:18; 4:1; Lk 24:26; Acts 17:3; Heb 2:10) (An example: Ps 85:13; Jn 13:15; Ro 8:29; 1Cor 11:1; Eph 5:2; Php 2:5; 1Jn2:6; 1Jn 3:16; Rev 12:11) (See Torrey's Topic "Example of Christ")

Since Christ -  Peter now proceeds to illustrate his exhortation to slaves by citing Christ's example of suffering unjustly.

There was no reason why he should be made to suffer, for he had done no wrong. He was buffeted for no fault of his own, yet how patiently he endured it all! He did not even open his mouth to murmur or complain; but he handed the whole matter over to the Supreme Court of Appeal: “to him that judgeth righteously.” It will be wise for us also to feel that we can afford to wait, knowing that our Avenger liveth, and that, in his own good time, he will rectify all wrongs, and justify his people against all their accusers. It is sweet, for the dear love of Jesus, to put up with a thousand things which, otherwise, we should resent. “But,” says one, “if you tread on a worm, it will turn.” Perhaps it will, but a Christian is not a worm; he is a being of a nobler order than that, and he does not go for his example to reptiles; he looks up to Christ, and follows his steps. (1 Peter 2 Commentary)

Suffered (3958) (pascho) means to undergo an experience or experience a sensation including painful, usually difficult circumstances.

Aorist tense speaks of past completed action and indicative mood is the mood of reality. Christ truly did suffer during His life on our behalf even before His ultimate suffering and agony on the Cross.

Application: Christ understands what you are going through when you suffer.

Since He Himself was tempted (tested) in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid (to run to the cry for help) of those who are tempted (are continually being tested)" (He 2:18-note).

For you - The preposition for (huper) can mean in behalf of or for the sake of and in this context clearly depicts Christ's substitutionary death.

UBS Handbook adds that...

For you gives a deeper purpose of Christ’s suffering; he suffered not only to set an example for the believers to follow, but his suffering was in fact vicarious. The content of such vicarious suffering is not completely developed here; one significant part of it is mentioned in 1 Peter 2:24 (note). (The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series or Logos)

Leaving (5277) (hupolimpano from hupo = under + leipo = to leave) means to leave behind something for someone.

Example (5261) (hupogrammos from  hupo =  before + grapho = write) (only used here in NT) literally means “writing under” and was used of words given to children to copy, both as a writing exercise and as a means of impressing a moral.

More specifically hupogrammos referred to a line of writing at the top of a tablet written by the teacher so that the child could write under it and make his letters like the master. Sometimes it was used with reference to the act of tracing over written letters.

Hupogrammos is used in the non-canonical book, 2 Maccabees 2:28, describing the outlines of a sketch which the artist fills in with details. 

Figuratively as used by Peter hupogrammos signifies a model or example of conduct to be imitated or to be avoided. What is the example? Although not a popular teaching, suffering unjustly is the example believers are to be willing to follow (see note Romans 8:17)

Barclay writes that hupogrammos...

can mean two things—an outline sketch which the learner had to fill in or the copyhead of copperplate handwriting in a writing exercise book which the child had to copy out on the lines below.

A T Robertson notes that...

Clement of Alexander (Strom. V. 8. 49) uses hupogrammos of the copy-head at the top of a child’s exercise book for the child to imitate, including all the letters of the alphabet. The papyri give many examples of hupographē and hupographō in the sense of copying a letter.

UBS Handbook adds that...

The word for example is used only here in the whole New Testament; in classical Greek literature, it has two meanings: (1) a piece of writing from a teacher which a child is expected to trace or imitate, and (2) an artist’s sketch which is prepared for others to color and complete. Christ therefore left a perfect model, upon which the Christian is expected to pattern his own life. (The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series or Logos)

Vincent writes that hupogrammos is...

A graphic word, meaning a copy set by writing-masters for their pupils. Some explain it as a copy of characters over which the student is to trace the lines.

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Tale of the Goats - A former missionary told the story of two rugged mountain goats who met on a narrow pathway. On one side was a chasm 1,000 feet deep; on the other, a steep cliff rising straight up. There was no room to turn around, and the goats could not back up without falling. What would they do? Finally, instead of fighting for the right to pass, one of the goats knelt down and became as flat as possible. The other goat then walked over him, and they both proceeded safely. In a sense, this is what Jesus Christ did for us when He left heaven's glory and came to this earth to die for our sins. He saw us trapped between our sin and God's righteousness with no way to help ourselves. He came in human likeness and took the form of a servant (Php 2:5, 6,7-note). Then, by dying for sinful mankind, He let us "walk over Him" so that we could experience forgiveness and receive eternal life. Peter pointed to Christ as an example of humility. When we are mistreated for Jesus' sake, we must learn to be humble enough to let others walk over us if need be. This is not a sign of weakness but of strength and true humility. Such a response, when done for Christ's sake, brings glory to His name. —D C Egner

Blessed Savior, make me humble,
Take away all sinful pride;
When I suffer from injustice,
Help me stay close by Your side. —DJD

The Example of Christ

Is perfect -Hebrews 7:26

CONFORMITY TO, REQUIRED IN
Holiness -1Peter 1:15,16; Romans 1:6
Righteousness -1John 2:6
Purity -1John 3:3
Love -John 13:34; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 3:16
Humility -Luke 22:27; Philippians 2:5,7
Meekness -Matthew 11:29
Obedience -John 15:10
Self-denial -Matthew 16:24; Romans 15:3
Ministering to others -Matthew 20:28; John 13:14,15
Benevolence -Acts 20:35; 2Corinthians 8:7,9
Forgiving injuries -Colossians 3:13
Overcoming the world -John 16:33; 1John 5:4
Being not of the world -John 17:16
Being guileless -1Peter 2:21, 22
Suffering wrongfully -1Peter 2:21, 22, 23
Suffering for righteousness -Hebrews 12:3,4

Saints predestinated to follow -Romans 8:29

Conformity to, progressive -2Corinthians 3:18

FOR YOU TO FOLLOW: hina epakolouthesete (2PAAS):

For (2443) (hina) introduces a purpose clause explaining the reason or purpose for Christ's example. We are not just to stare at it or to read about it, but to do it!

Follow (1872) (epakoloutheo from epi = upon or an intensifier + akoloutheo = to follow literally and also figuratively in a moral sense - see below) literally means to follow after, to follow upon or follow closely. To follow close upon. Literally to go along in someone's footsteps. The figurative meaning is to follow or imitate someone's life, living in the same way. Another nuance describes pursuing a matter (with devotion, dedication or attention) (as in 1Ti 5:10). Mark 16:20 refers to accompanying authenticating signs.

The root verb akoloutheo in the NT refers to being a disciple of Christ, which can include external following (Mt 8:19, Mk 10:28) but with the added idea of "a total commitment and in an exclusive relation to one who is recognized as not just a teacher but the Messiah. This discipleship brings participation in salvation (Mk 10:17, Lk 9:61, 62, Jn 8:12, Rev 14:4) but also in suffering (Mt 8:19, 20, Mk 8:34, Jn 12:25, 26)" (TDNTA)

In the present context, to follow is used figuratively to mean imitate Christ's example. Caleb, the godly OT saint gives us a wonderful illustration of what it means to follow in His steps...
 

Numbers 14:24 "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed (Lxx = epakoloutheo)  Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.

Comment: May his tribe increase! Amen

Moulton and Milligan add that...
 

From its original meaning “follow,” “follow after,” this verb came to be used in a number of closely related senses from iii/B.C. onwards. Thus it means “am personally present at,”

Epakoloutheo - 4x in 4v in NAS - Mark 16:20; 1Ti 5:10, 24; 1Pet 2:21. NAS = devoted herself(1), follow(1), follow after(1), followed(1).
 

Mark 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. [And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.

1 Timothy 5:10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted (followed after) herself to every good work.

1 Timothy 5:24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

Epakoloutheo - 14x in NAS - Lev 19:4, 31; 20:6; Num 14:24; Deut 12:30; Josh 6:8; 14:8f, 14; Esther 5:1; Job 26:3; 31:7; Pr 7:22; Isa 55:3
 

Leviticus 19:4 'Do not turn to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:31 'Do not turn to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 12:30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow (Lxx = epakoloutheo) them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?'

Job 31:7 "If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart followed (Lxx = epakoloutheo) my eyes, Or if any spot has stuck to my hands,

Proverbs 7:22 Suddenly he follows (Lxx = epakoloutheo) her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,

 Isaiah 55:3 "Incline your ear and come to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David.

Paul has an interesting use of this verb noting that...

The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins (although hidden still) follow after (epakoloutheo). (1Ti 5:24)

Vincent explains that...

The compound verb implies close following. From writers and painters, the metaphor changes now to a guide.

Here Peter changes the metaphor from a writer (hupogrammos) to that of a guide.

IN HIS STEPS: tois ichnesin autou:

Literally "follow His steps" (No preposition for "in" in the Greek sentence)

Wuest makes a good point observing that...

Peter changes over easily from the idea of a child tracing over the writing of the writing-master to a Christian planting his feet in the foot-prints left by our Lord.  In this context, these footprints are foot-prints of suffering. But the illustration holds good for our Lord’s entire life. Just as a child slowly, with painstaking effort and close application, follows the shape of the letters of his teacher and thus learns to write, so saints should with like painstaking effort and by close application, endeavor to be like the Lord Jesus in their own personal lives. Or, as a small child endeavors to walk in the footprints made by his father’s feet in the snow, so we are to follow in the path which our Lord took. The Greek word “follow” means literally “to take the same road” as someone else takes. We should walk the same road that Jesus walked, in short, be Christlike.  (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)

Steps (2487) (ichnos) means the sole of the foot on which men and animals go, a footstep, a footprint or an impression left by the sole of the foot in walking and is used metaphorically here and elsewhere in the NT of imitating someone’s example.

Ichnos - 3x in the NT. In addition to this verse ichnos is also in...

Romans 4:12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

2Corinthians 12:18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?

Ichnos - 22x in the Septuagint (LXX) - Gen 42:9, 12; Deut 11:24; 28:35, 65; Josh 1:3; 1 Sam 5:4; 2 Sam 14:25; 1 Kgs 5:3; 18:44; 2 Kgs 9:35; 19:24; Job 9:26; 11:7; 38:16; Ps 18:36; 77:19; Prov 5:5; 30:19; Ezek 32:13; 43:7; Dan 10:10

Deuteronomy 11:24 "Every place on which the sole (Lxx = ichnos) of your foot treads shall be yours; your border will be from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the river, the river Euphrates, as far as the western sea.

Joshua 1:3 "Every place on which the sole (Lxx = ichnos) of your (plural = not just Joshua but the people of Israel entering the promised land) foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

Comment: Great verse emphasizing the principle of a divine tension - God's sovereign promises, man's responsibility to in faith and trust obey Him and lay hold of that which He has already given us. The whole land was given, but they could only posses that which they claimed. In a similar way believers today have been granted every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, and yet we must lay hold of these blessings by faith that obeys. F B Meyer puts it this way "The land of rest and triumph is ours by deed of gift; yet we must go up and possess it. We must claim it by putting down the foot of faith."

 Psalm 18:36-note You enlarge my steps under me, and my feet (Lxx = ichnos) have not slipped.

NET Psalm 77:19-note You walked through the sea; you passed through the surging waters, but left no footprints (Lxx = ichnos).

In the plural (as in this verse) ichnos means a continuous line of impressions, a trail or a track.

To follow a man's footprints or footsteps is to move in the direction he is going. So in the figurative sense ichnos indicates a record left by someone's conduct or manner of life which provides an example for others to imitate.

Obviously to follow in His steps does not imply that we will do everything He did, but it does refer to the general idea that we will follow His example of enduring undeserved suffering, demonstrating the same attitude He had.

Following His steps, saints should

"walk, even as He walked" (1John 2:6)

We should love as He loved...

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

We should think as He thought...

Have this attitude (present imperative = command to do this continually, make this your lifestyle) in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (Php 2:5-note).

Ambrose wrote...

Christ emptied Himself. Behold our pattern!

WHO COMMITTED NO SIN: hos hamartian ouk epoiesen (3SAAI): (Is 53:9; Mt 27:4,19,23,24; Lk 23:41,47; Jn 8:46; 2Co 5:21; Heb 4:15; 7:26,27; 9:28; 1Jn 2:1; 3:5)  

No (3756) (ou) expresses direct and full negation, independently and absolutely, and objectively. Ou differs from the other Greek negative particle me (3361) which implies a conditional and hypothetical negation, and in contrast to ou is subjective.  Peter is saying "no sin", no exceptions!

Peter had lived in closely company with Jesus for three years and knew that He was perfect. Isn't it true as a general principle that intimate relationships often reveal the best or the worst in people, and yet Peter's affirms that he had seen nothing but the best in Jesus, even in the worst of times! Peter is fully qualified to give a personal testimony of the sinless state of the unblemished and spotless Lamb of God. (1Pe 1:19-note)

NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH: oude heurethe (3SAPI) dolos en to stomati autou:  (John 1:47; Re 14:5)  

Peter is quoting from (Isaiah 53:9).

His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

Deceit (1388) (dolos [word study] which is derived from dello meaning to bait) literally refers to a fishhook, trap, or trick all of which are various forms of deception. Dolos is a deliberate attempt to mislead, trick, snare or "bait" (baiting the trap in attempt to "catch" the unwary victim) other people by telling lies. It is a desire to gain advantage or preserve position by deceiving others. A modern term in advertising is called "bait and switch" where the unwary consumer is lured in by what looks like an price too good to be true!

Larry Richards explains that dolos...

AND WHILE BEING REVILED: hos loidoroumenos (PPPMSN): (Ps 38:12, 13, 14; Isa 53:7; Mt 27:39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44; Mk 14:60,61; 15:29, 30, 31, 32; Lk 22:64,65; 23:9,34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39; Jn 8:48,49; 19:9, 10, 11; Acts 8:32, 33, 34, 35; He 12:3) (Torrey's Topic "Reviling & Reproaching")

While being reviled He did not revile - This passage parallels and fulfills the prophecies in the Psalms and Isaiah 53...

Those who seek my life lay snares for me and those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction, and they devise treachery all day long. 13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; and I am like a dumb man who does not open his mouth. 14 Yes, I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth are no arguments. (Psalms 38:12, 13, 14)

See Spurgeon's comments Verse 12 , Verse 13 , Verse 14) (Spurgeon comments that in Ps 38:14 "He repeats the fact of his silence that we may note it, admire it, and imitate it. We have an advocate, and need not therefore plead our own cause. The Lord will rebuke our foes, for vengeance belongs to him; we may therefore wait patiently and find it our strength to sit still.

He (Messiah) was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) (Comment: Observe that Christ's silence in the face of reproach is emphasized by repeating it three times! Oh, the forbearance of God!

Reviled (3058) (loidoreo from loidoros = reviling, railing, one who reviles as in 1Cor 5:11)  means to subject one to verbal abuse, and to to reproach, vilify, speak in a highly insulting manner, insult strongly. Revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred. Rail (against) means to scold someone using harsh, insolent, or abusive language.

Note the present tense indicating that Christ was continually reviled and railed against by His protagonists. Even continuous suffering at the hands of the angry mob did not elicit from our Lord any retaliatory words.

To show the strong character of the word, Moulton and Milligan cite Calvin on the use 1Co 4:12

Loidoria (derived from loidoreo is used in 1Ti 5:14, 1Pe 3:9, "insult for insult") is a harsher railing, which not only rebukes a man, but also sharply bites him, and stamps him with open contumely (harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt). Hence loidoreo is to wound man as with an accursed sting.

NIDNTT comments on the use of loidoreo in classic Greek...

The group of words connected with loidoreo (probably related to Lat. ludus, game), is frequently found in classic Greek. In general it is not used in a religious sense. It was rather in the political and social life of the Greeks that importance came to be attached to slander, insult and disparagement of an opponent, e.g. as a weapon of the orator in a political dispute, or of the Homeric heroes...

They (loidoreo, loidoria, loidoros = a reviler) retain the meaning which they have in classic Greek, although they are used chiefly in religious contexts. If for the Greek it was one of the arts of life to know how to insult others or bear insults against oneself, for the believer the suffering of slander and insults is evidence of the cross the Christian disciple is called to bear (1Pe 2:23) (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) 

TDNT...

This common word group has the secular sense of reproach, insult, calumny, and even blasphemy. In the LXX it carries the nuance of wrangling, angry remonstrance, or chiding as well as thee usual calumny. Philo has it for mockery or invective. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W.  Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)

Loidoreo - 4x in 4v - John 9:28; Acts 23:4; 1Cor 4:12; 1 Pet 2:23. Here are the other 3 uses...

John 9:28 They reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.

Acts 23:4 But the bystanders said, "Do you revile God's high priest?"

1Corinthians 4:12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

Loidoreo - 6x In the Septuagint (LXX) - Gen 49:23; Ex17:2; 21:18; Num 20:3, 13; Deut 33:8

Calvin defined revile as...

a harsher railing, which not only rebukes a man but also sharply bites him, and stamps him with open contumely. It is to wound a man with an accursed sting. (Note: "Contumely" means harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt)

HE DID NOT REVILE IN RETURN: ouk anteloidorei (3SIAI): (Acts 4:29; 9:1; Ep 6:9)

Matthew records one such example of His not reviling in return...

And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so that the governor was quite amazed. (Mt 27:12, 13, 14)

Not (ouk) signifies absolute negation. Jesus absolutely did not revile when reviled! He is our example! How are you doing, beloved of the Lord? Remember, if you try to "not revile in return" in your old self, you own strength, your natural ability, you don't stand a chance! Even if we catch the wicked words before they are propelled from our lips, we still have to deal with our heart, for out of our mouth comes that which fills our heart. And so how do we "not revile in return"? The truth is this response (or choice to not give a response) is not possibly naturally but only be achieved supernaturally. If Jesus is our example and He succeeded (which He did) then we must surrender to the Spirit of Christ in us and rely on His enabling power to give us the ability to "not revile in return". There is simply no other way to live like Jesus, then to live supernaturally by His Spirit. And He will give us many "opportunities" to practice dying to self and acknowledging our natural weakness so that we might begin to learn that it is only His grace that is truly sufficient and that it is only in our weakness that His power is made perfect. (2Cor 12:9-note; 2Co 12:10-note) And then God will receive the glory for something we and everyone else knows can only be achieved supernaturally! (Mt 5:16-note, cp the similar command to do all things without grumbling! Php 2:14-note)

Revile in return (486) (antiloidoreo from anti = in turn, return, back + loidoreo = revile) means to answer insults or slander with insulting or slanderous words.

Returning good for good is commendable and even natural. Returning good for evil is Christ like and supernatural. Christ is our Example. The Spirit of Christ is our Enabler.

And why did Christ not revile in return? As the perfect example of submission, He had submitted His will to His Father in His time of agony in the Garden of Gethsemane when He declared...

Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done. (Luke 22:42)

Remember that 1 Peter 2:13 through 1 Peter 3:9 deals repeatedly with submission, and in this section we see Christ's submission as the highest example of submission. And we are called to follow in His steps.

Note also that the verb indicating Christ was entrusting Himself to His Father is imperfect tense...this gives us the following picture of Jesus - each time He was attacked verbally with abusive insults, He gave Himself over to His Father for vindication of the injustice and did not seek to retaliate. This was His response again and again. Blessed holy forbearance!

This is the example He left for His disciples to follow when falsely accused or maligned...this is not easy (in fact in our own strength it is impossible!)...the temptation of the flesh will always be to lash out at our adversaries...but we must master it. God instructed Cain that

If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching (waiting to pounce like a lion, would fulfill its desire to overpower him) at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master (to rule, reign, have dominion over) it. (Genesis 4:7)

So here we see even in the OT that what God demanded in the way of righteous behavior, He provided the power necessary to carry out (although we can't state specifically how from this verse).

In the NT we can be more specific, for Paul writes that

if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Ro 8:13-note).

Paul is saying that the Spirit provides us with the energy and power to continually and gradually be killing our sins  (including reviling in return!), and this is daily process (known as sanctification) never to be completed in this life. One means the Spirit uses to accomplish this process is our faithful obedience to the simple commands of Scripture, giving us the desire to obey and the power to obey.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Php 2:12, 13-See notes Php 2:12; 2:13)

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Right and Wronged - Several years ago, a university student who took the gospel of Christ to a rough London neighborhood encountered a group of hostile men. "You rat!" said one of the men, seizing him. "I've half a mind to break your jaw!"

"My friend," the young man replied, "if that is going to help you at all and make me less of a rat, go ahead and break it."

The writer who described the incident concluded his account by saying, "The jaw was not broken, and the group dispersed."

That student's calm response to a personal threat was powerful and Christlike. The apostle Peter said that when our Lord Jesus Christ was reviled, He "did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1Pe 2:23).

Our profession of faith in a just, sovereign God meets the acid test when we are opposed for taking a stand for the truth. If we strike back, we stand in our own strength. If we follow Jesus' example, we stand in the power of God.

When the heat is on and we put our confidence in the Lord, we will be able to do what's right even when we're wronged. —RBC Ministries (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Lord, help me not retaliate
When someone's mocking You;
Instead, give me the strength to stand
For what I know is true. --Sper

WHILE SUFFERING, HE UTTERED NO THREATS: paschon (PAPMSN) ouk epeilei (3SIAI):

Suffering (3958) (pascho) means to undergo an experience, usually difficult, normally with the implication of physical or mental suffering. Note the present tense indicates this was the "Suffering Servant's" continual lot in life!

Pascho - 42x in 41v - Matt 16:21; 17:12, 15; 27:19; Mark 5:26; 8:31; 9:12; Luke 9:22; 13:2; 17:25; 22:15; 24:26, 46; Acts 1:3; 3:18; 9:16; 17:3; 28:5; 1 Cor 12:26; 2 Cor 1:6; Gal 3:4; Phil 1:29; 1 Thess 2:14; 2 Thess 1:5; 2 Tim 1:12; Heb 2:18; 5:8; 9:26; 13:12; 1 Pet 2:19ff, 23; 3:14, 17f; 4:1, 15, 19; 5:10; Rev 2:10. NAS = endured(1), endured...sufferings(1), suffer(22), suffered(10), suffering(4), suffers(2).

Uttered (no) threats (546) (apeileo) means to menace, to warn, to threaten and so to declare that one will cause harm to someone, particularly if certain conditions are not met. The word for "no" is the Greek particle "ouk" which speaks not of relative but of absolute negation...Jesus absolutely did not make threats of revenge.

BUT KEPT ENTRUSTING HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES RIGHTEOUSLY: paredidou (3SIAI) de to krinonti (PAPMSD) dikaios: (1Peter 4:19; Ps 10:14; 31:5; 37:5; Lk 23:46; Acts 7:59; 2Ti 1:12, Ge 18:25; Ps 7:11; 96:13; Acts 17:31; Ro 2:5; 2Th 1:5; 2Ti 4:8; Rev 19:11)

As always Jesus yielded His will to His Father leaving us the same example of "yet not My will, but Thine be done." [Lk 22:42]

Kept Entrusting (3860) (paradidomi [word study] from para = alongside, beside + didomi = give) means to hand over to or to convey something to someone particularly a right or an authority. Paradidomi was commonly used of delivering up a criminal to police or court for punishment. It was included the idea of one being given over into another's power and in this case means giving one's self over to God the righteous Judge.

Peter's use of the imperfect tense pictures Jesus surrendering Himself to His Father's righteous judgment again and again, as one unfounded injustice after another was hurled at Him.

John MacArthur explains the idea conveyed by use of the imperfect tense writing that...

With each new wave of abuse, as it came again and again, Jesus was always “handing Himself over” to God for safekeeping. Luke records how that pattern continued until the very end

‘Father, into Your hands I commit (Ed note: paratithemi - not paradidomi but similar idea) My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last” (Lk 23:46).

Undergirding Jesus’ peaceful, resolute acceptance of suffering was an unshakeable confidence in the perfectly righteous plan of Him who judges righteously (cf. Jn 4:34; 15:10; 17:25). He knew God would vindicate Him according to His perfect, holy justice.  (MacArthur, J. 1 Peter. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

Judges (2919) (krino) primarily signifies to distinguish, separate or discriminate and then, to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, without necessarily passing an adverse sentence, though this is usually involved.

Righteously (1346) (dikaios [word study] from díke = right, just) means God judges equitably, justly and in a manner that always conforms to His perfect justice. Why? Because God's judgments are an outcome of His character. He judges righteously in full conformity to His standard of truth and holiness. Christ could therefore with full assurance commit His vindication into God's hands.

Let us (in the power of the Spirit of Christ) follow His beautiful example and walk in His steps to the glory of God and not revile in return, utter threats or speak deceitfully when we suffer.

Alan Stibbs explains that there...

is a double sense in which He (Jesus) may have acknowledged God as the righteous Judge. On the one hand, because voluntarily, and in fulfillment of God’s will, He was taking the sinner’s place and bearing sin, He did not protest at what He had to suffer. Rather He consciously recognized that it was the penalty righteously due to sin. So He handed Himself over to be punished. He recognized that in letting such shame, pain and curse fall upon Him, the righteous God was judging righteously. On the other hand, because He Himself was sinless, He also believed that in due time God, as the righteous Judge, would vindicate Him as righteous, and exalt Him from the grave, and reward Him for what He had willingly endured for others’ sake by giving Him the right completely to save them from the penalty and power of their own wrongdoing. (The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, The First Epistle of Peter. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971)

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In God's Hands- READ: 2 Samuel 16:5-14

It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good. —2Sa 16:12

In 2 Samuel 16:5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 we read of King David being cursed by Shimei. This happened while David was fleeing from his son Absalom, who wanted to kill him.

Unlike David, we often want to silence our critics, insist on fairness, and defend ourselves. But as we grow in our awareness of God's protective love, we become less concerned with what others say about us and more willing to entrust ourselves to our Father. Like David, we can say of each critic, "Let him alone, and let him curse" (2Sa 16:11). This is humble submission to God's will.

We may ask our opponents to justify their charges, or we may counter them with steadfast denial. Or, like David (2Sa 16:12), we can wait patiently until God vindicates us.

It is good to look beyond those who oppose us and look to the One who loves us with infinite love. It is good to be able to believe that whatever God permits is for our ultimate good—good, though we're exposed to the curses of a Shimei; good, though our hearts break and we shed bitter tears.

You are in God's hands, no matter what others are saying about you. He has seen your distress, and in time He'll repay you for the cursing you have received. So trust Him and abide in His love. —David H. Roper (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

THINKING IT OVER - Read 1Pe 2:20, 21, 22, 23. How did Jesus respond to words spoken against Him? What did He do and not do? In what situations can you follow His example?

We can endure life's wrongs because we know that God will make all things right.

TORREY'S TOPIC
Reviling and reproaching