1 Peter 2:20 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.
Being punished for doing wrong is merely justice. That justice may not always be fair. Peter is talking to slaves, who were plentiful in the Roman empire of that time. Many early believers were also slaves. The first part of this verse is simply setting up a hypothetical situation. The second part is more likely what the Christian slaves were experiencing: being punished or treated harshly for doing good. Their lives were already changed and they were striving towards holiness. It is unlikely that they had done anything wrong that deserved punishment. However, many may have faced suffering because of their faith in Christ. Suffering is a big theme in the New Testament. Many early believers suffered because of their faith. Believing in Jesus sets one up as a target because as living lights, believers expose the darkness. People like to hide in the darkness. When their own darkness is exposed and they fill the prick of the Holy Spirit on their consciences, they love the darkness too much and want to put out the light. As a result, believers will suffer. But God sees was is going on. Such suffering for righteousness receives a blessing from God. Peter might have in mind the last beatitude that Jesus told in Matthew 5:11-12: 11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
We may not experience suffering as slaves, but there is pressure in our culture for living like Jesus. In John 15:18-24, Jesus warned his disciples of the suffering they would experience as his followers. We should expect no less. What can keep us strong through this suffering? Remember the outcome, that God sees and will commend us.
For older posts, click here.