1 Peter 2:20

1 Peter 2:20 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of 1 Peter 2:20

18Servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19For this finds favor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of an awareness of [the will of] God. After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God. 21For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps. 22He committed no sin, nor was deceit ever found in His mouth.

1 Peter 2:20 word by word

ποῖον γὰρ κλέος εἰ ἁμαρτάνοντες καὶ κολαφιζόμενοι ὑπομενεῖτε; ἀλλ᾽ εἰ ἀγαθοποιοῦντες καὶ πάσχοντες ὑπομενεῖτε, τοῦτο χάρις παρὰ θεῷ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• whatποῖοςpoios · what?G4169
• gloryκλέοςkleos · creditG2811
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• whenκαίkai · andG2532
• ye be buffetedκολαφίζωkolaphizō · to beatG2852
• for your faultsἁμαρτάνωhamartanō · to sinG264
• ye shall take it patientlyὑπομένωhupomenō · to remain/endureG5278
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• when ye do wellἀγαθοποιέωagathopoieō · to do goodG15
• sufferπάσχωpaschō pathō penthō · to sufferG3958
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• acceptableχάριςcharis · graceG5485
• withπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for 1 Peter 2:20

• 1 Peter 3:14But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness [though it is not certain that you will], you are still blessed [happy, to be admired and favored by God]. Do not be afraid of their intimidating threats, nor be troubled or disturbed [by their opposition].
• 1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify].
• Matthew 5:47And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that?
• Matthew 26:67Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him,
• Mark 14:65And some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy [by telling us who hit you]!” Then the officers took custody of Him and struck him in the face.
• 1 Corinthians 4:11To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are continually poorly dressed, and we are roughly treated, and wander homeless.
• 1 Peter 2:19For this finds favor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of an awareness of [the will of] God.
• Matthew 5:10“Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
• Romans 12:1Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.
• Ephesians 5:10trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].
• Philippians 4:18But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.
• Luke 6:32If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Commentaries on 1 Peter 2:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20For what glory is it - It appears from this that the poor Christians, and especially those who had been converted to Christianity while in a state of slavery, were often grievously abused, they were buffeted because they were Christians, and because they would not join with their masters in idolatrous worship.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For what glory is it - What honor or credit would it be. If, when ye be buffeted for your faults - That is, if you are punished when you deserve it. The word “buffet” ( ́ kolaphizō) - means, to strike with the fist; and then to strike in any way; to maltreat, Matthew 26:67; Mark 14:65; 1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7. Perhaps there may be a reference here to the manner in which servants were commonly treated, or the kind of pun ishment to which…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-25Verses 18-25 Servants in those days generally were slaves, and had heathen masters, who often used them cruelly; yet the apostle directs them to be subject to the masters placed over them by Providence, with a fear to dishonour or offend God. And not only to those pleased with reasonable service, but to the severe, and those angry without cause. The sinful misconduct of one relation, does not justify sinful behaviour in the other; the servant is bound to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-20A slave was legally bound to a master and could not change his or her situation. In contrast, a modern employee has the right to stop working for an employer who is cruel. Some employees, however, may not be able to leave their jobs. In those cases, Peter’s advice to slaves can also apply to employees today.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. what--Greek, "what kind of." glory--what peculiar merit. buffeted--the punishment of slaves, and suddenly inflicted [Bengel]. this is--Some oldest manuscripts read, "for." Then the translation is, "But if when ... ye take it patiently (it is a glory), for this is acceptable." acceptable--Greek, "thankworthy," as in 1Pe 2:19.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Peter 2:20

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Commandments
• Example
• Meekness
• Patience
• Servant

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Bishop
• Cheek
• Chosen
• Cloke
• Disallow
• Fleshly
• Offer
• Sincere

Commentaries on 1 Peter 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings