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1 Peter 2:20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n For what credit<\/span> is it<\/span><\/em> 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<\/span> is<\/span><\/em> commendable before God.<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n When we patiently endure unjust punishment for having done good deeds, God is pleased.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The word translated \u201ccredit<\/span>\u201d is kleos<\/span><\/em>, which is derived from a shortened form of kale\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto call.\u201d Kleos<\/span><\/em> refers to \u201ccalling out the goodness\u201d of someone. Hence, it is often translated as \u201crenown,\u201d \u201cglory,\u201d or \u201ccredit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeaten<\/span>\u201d is translated from kolaphidz\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which means \u201cto strike with the fist.\u201d The word \u201cfaults<\/span>\u201d is hamartan\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto miss the mark.\u201d It is often translated as \u201ctransgress\u201d or \u201csin.\u201d Both of these words are expressed as present participles indicating current ongoing activity. Hence, the phrase \u201cif when you are beaten for your faults \u2026\u201d is literally, \u201cif sinning and being beaten \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The expression \u201cyou take it patiently<\/span>\u201d is translated from hupomen\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which is made up of hupo<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cunder\u201d and men\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto remain.\u201d It literally means \u201cto remain under.\u201d It is a picture of a beast of burden remaining under a heavy load and is often translated as \u201cpersevere\u201d or \u201cendure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo good<\/span>\u201d is from agathopoi\u014dn<\/span><\/em>, a word we looked at back in verse fourteen. It refers to doing good deeds.<\/p>\n The word \u201csuffer<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word pasch\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which refers to an intense emotion, usually suffering.<\/p>\n As pointed out in the previous verse, the word translated \u201ccommendable<\/span>\u201d refers to gladness and joy.<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peter is making a very profound statement that should be taken to heart by all who call themselves Christian. If you do wrong, are punished for it, and take it with patience, there is no glory or recognition given to you except that you got what you deserved. If, on the other hand, you have done good deeds, are falsely punished for it, and you take it patiently, this is joyous, or well-pleasing, with God.<\/p>\n When we suffer wrongfully, our Heavenly Father is aware of it. If our attitude is right, He is pleased with us. Peter says nothing of God\u2019s attitude toward our actions when we complain and raise a ruckus because we have been falsely accused or punished unjustly. But he says that God is pleased when we endure it patiently. Peter is clearly thinking back on the unjust beating and suffering endured by Jesus Christ when he paid for our sins. In the following verses Peter will refer to Christ\u2019s wrongful suffering as a perfect example of how we should act. He was innocent and was supremely punished by men and accepted it patiently. We, on the other hand, are guilty before God and do not receive the just punishment for our offenses.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Every Christian has experienced situations where we did what was good and ended up suffering for it in one way or another. Can you remember such a time? How did you handle it? Did you endure it quietly and patiently, or did you fuss and complain to God about how unfair it was? How will you react the next time this happens to you? Quietly and patiently, I hope!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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