Taking Suffering Patiently 1 Peter 2:20

As Peter the apostle continued to share ways Christians were to live among others, he included “servants” before their “masters” in his charge, and those who were “servants” were to be subject to their “masters” even if they “suffered wrongfully” while doing so. Peter knew “this” behavior was “acceptable to God”, and in chapter two and verse twenty of his letter, he went on to add how “taking suffering patiently” “is acceptable with God” where we read:

For what glory is it, if, when your are buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

The verse begins, “For what glory is it, if, when you are buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently?” Peter began with the word, “For” which means “even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then and verily” “what glory is it” or “what sort or nature is the rumor, report or praise”, “if” or “whether”, “when you are buffeted” which means “stricken or given a blow with the fist, to maltreat or treat with violence and contumely” “for your faults” or “without a share in, to miss the mark, to err or be mistaken”, “you shall take it patiently” or “remaining, abiding, not receding, persevere, endure, bear bravely and calmly”. Peter's question was for those who knew when they did wrongly and were chastised for it. He rhetorically desired for the Christians to consider how it was not “patient” taking for faults they deserved.

The verse goes on to say, “but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” Peter went on to add, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just written, “moreover, nevertheless and notwithstanding” “if” or “whether”, “when you do well” which means “do good, do something that profits others, help someone or do someone a favor”, “and suffer for it” or “be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience or undergo”, “you take it patiently” which means “remaining, abiding, not receding, persevere, endure, bear bravely and calmly”, “this is acceptable” or “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, good will and favor” “with God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. The way the “Christians'” behavior would be “joyful, providing pleasure in and delight” to the Lord would be for them to take “suffering patiently” even if they did nothing amiss.

When we think through Peter's words, we immediately see the challenge he has put before us. Whenever we do “wrong”, it is no wonder we are treated harshly for it, however, when we do what is good and are “buffeted” for it, we can discover what is really inside us. Peter's challenge is to “take patiently” any wrong treatment we receive even when we have done nothing wrong. Our reaction to others mistreating us when we have done nothing but good for them will be a witness of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and therein we identify with Him.

Next time Peter shares about Christ's example of “suffering”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.