19. Xdpig thank-worthy”], favour ) with God: ver. 20. — o/a GvvsidrjGtv QsoZ, for conscience toward God) On account of the con- sciousness of a mind which does things good and pleasing to God, even though they please no man (let the force of xX'sog, which pre- sently follows, be considered).1 — ddr/.ug, unjustly) that is, suffering those things, which are unjustly inflicted. D:n, ddlxug, Septuagint, Prov. i. 11, 17.
20. KX'sog, glory) K Xsog denotes praise , not so much from many, as from the good ; and here proceeding from God Himself, in return for insults. — xoXa(pi^6fisvoiy beaten with bloivs) The punishment of slaves , and that instantaneous. — cyovrsg, suffering) afflicted with deliberate evils. — yffpts [“ acceptable,” thank-worthy], favour) Peter imitates the phrase which he himself, when a recent disciple, had heard from the Lord. Luke vi. 32, and following verses.
21. E tg rovroj to this) to the imitation of Christ; who condescends
to propose His own example to servants, as He Himself was for- merly esteemed as a servant. — ixXrjdt jre, ye were called) with a heavenly calling, whereas it found you in a state of slavery. — irro- Xtljjndvwv) leaving) on His departure to the Father.2 — vcroy^a/x/xov, an example) a copy , a lesson for imitation , is adapted to the
capacity of a tiro, learning to paint. Thus Peter in this passage plainly paints before the eyes of servants the example of Christ, ex- pressing those features which are especially adapted to the case of servants. — "yvsGtv, footsteps) of innocence and patience. The same word occurs, Rom. iv. 12 ; see note.
22. 'lOg ujxupriav oux effolriGsv, ovds sip's dr) boXog, x.r.X., who did no sin , neither was guile found , etc.) Is. liii. 9, Septuagint, on uvo/j,<a.v oix e'Tolrjffsv, oids doXov sv rip Grogan aOrou, that is, He committed nei- ther open nor secret sin. Words most suitable for the admonition of servants, who easily fall into sins and deceits, reproaches towards their fellow-servants, and threats, arising from anger without strength.
23. Oix a.vrs'koidopsi , He reviled not again) Is. liii. 7. — oix, ^crs/Xe/, He threatened not) although, as Lord, He might have done so.3
1 When a just man is not approved of by men, though doing what is good, and when he does not acquire, either before or afterwards, either their assent, support, or the intimation of a grateful mind, nay, rather experiences everything of an opposite kind, he may possibly be affected with no small chagrin and sor- row. But, if his conscience can only have God propitious, nothing but an un- mixed feeling of delight remains. — V. g.
2 Into glory, V. g. ; in contrast to the previous u shame.”
3 And although He openly declared His coining again, Matt. xxvi. 64. — v- g.