1 Peter 2:21

1 Peter 2:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
• New International Version (NIV)To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Context of 1 Peter 2:21

19For this finds favor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of an awareness of [the will of] God. 20After 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. For [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. 23While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly.

1 Peter 2:21 word by word

εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ ἐκλήθητε, ὅτι καὶ Χριστὸς ἔπαθεν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ὑμῖν ὑπολιμπάνων ὑπογραμμὸν ἵνα ἐπακολουθήσητε τοῖς ἴχνεσιν αὐτοῦ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• evenεἰςeis · towardG1519
• hereuntoοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• were ye calledκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• sufferedπάσχωpaschō pathō penthō · to sufferG3958
• forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• leavingὑπολιμπάνωhupolimpanō · to leave behindG5277
• an exampleὑπογραμμόςhupogrammos · exampleG5261
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye should followἐπακολουθέωepakoloutheō · to follow afterG1872
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• stepsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• stepsἴχνοςichnos · trackG2487

Cross-references for 1 Peter 2:21

• Matthew 10:38And he who does not take his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] is not worthy of Me.
• Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
• Mark 8:34Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
• Luke 9:23And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
• Luke 14:26“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple.
• John 16:33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
• Acts 9:16for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.”
• Acts 14:22strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one would be unsettled by these difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you know that we have been destined for this [as something unavoidable in our position].
• 1 Thessalonians 4:2For you know what commandments and precepts we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 3:12Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith].
• 1 Peter 2:24He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.
• 1 Peter 3:18For indeed Christ died for sins once for all, the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;
• 1 Peter 4:1Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],
• Luke 24:26Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and [only then to] enter His glory?”
• Acts 17:3explaining and pointing out [scriptural evidence] that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I am proclaiming to you, is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).”

Commentaries on 1 Peter 2:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Hereunto were ye called - Ye were called to a state of suffering when ye were called to be Christians; for the world cannot endure the yoke of Christ, and they that will live godly in Christ must suffer persecution; they will meet with it in one form or other. Christ also suffered for us - And left us the example of his meekness and gentleness; for when he was reviled, he reviled not again. Ye cannot expect to fare better than your master; imitate his…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21For even hereunto were ye called - Such a spirit is required by the very nature of your Christian vocation; you were called into the church in order that you might evince it. See the notes at 1 Thessalonians 3:3. Because Christ also suffered for us - Margin, “some read, for you.” The latest editions of the Greek Testament adopt the reading “for you.” The sense, however, is not essentially varied. The object is, to hold up the example of Christ to those…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. 21-25There is no clear change in who Peter is addressing in this passage. However, the general tone of these verses shows that they apply to all Christians. These verses might include an early Christian hymn or confession about Christ (2:22–25). They focus on the sufferings of Christ for human salvation or redemption, using language mainly from Isaiah 52:13–53:12.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (1Pe 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (1Pe 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Peter 2:21

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Commandments
• Example
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Meekness
• Patience
• Suffering

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Bishop
• Cheek
• Chosen
• Cloke
• Disallow
• Example
• Fleshly
• Offer

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