New: 2 June 2025
Peter and the
Sufferings of Christ
1 Peter 2:21-25
For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps.
1 Peter 2:21 NASB
The Example of Christ in Suffering
Paul gave his life to be the chosen vessel Christ called him to be. He knew that suffering was part of the calling and he endured it with dedication and dignity (see D13). Peter, too, dedicated his life to serve the Saviour who gave His life to redeem him. His resurrection gave Peter, the fisherman, a new life as apostle with a 'living hope' and incorruptible inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4). The believers were to endure temporary trials with this in mind (vv 5-6), knowing that testing of faith brings forth a mature person and gains salvation in eternity (vv 7-9). The prophets had prophesied of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow as now proclaimed in the gospel (vv 10-12).
Suffering is part of the calling of God; Christ had given the example and we are to follow it (2:21). His example is that he committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth (v 22), despite the horrors of suffering He had to endure. When Christ was reviled, He didn't return in the same way; when He suffered, He didn't threaten in anger, but He surrendered His life to God who judges righteously (v 23). God vindicated the Son by raising Him from the dead after he 'bore our sins in His own body' so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness (v 24). His stripes have brought us healing from unfaithful backsliding, as sheep going astray, having returned to the Shepherd of our souls (v 25). The sufferings of Christ serve as an example to follow. As Paul wrote, we must be patient in tribulation (Romans 12:12). And as James wrote, trials bring forth maturity when handled with God's wisdom (James 1:2-5) and the blessing of 'the crown of life' for those who endure (v 12). There are benefits in suffering and we should learn about them. This will empower is to handle suffering in the right way and carry them with dignity. Christ gave us an example and we are to follow in His footsteps. Here is how.
Suffering according to God's Will
Some people deny that suffering is from God. The origin of evil is a sensitive but important topic (see A10). We need to distinguish between different kinds of sufferings when it comes to origins. More importantly, we need to learn to handle suffering for it is a reality of life. Even Christ learned obedience by the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:7-8). Since this applies to the Son of God, how much more to the sons of God?
Peter wrote of suffering 'according to the will of God' (1 Peter 4:19). The context explains what he had in mind and how we can understand this concept properly. First of all, Peter reminds his readers that they should not think that 'fiery trials' are something strange (v 12). Sufferings, temptations and trials are simply a reality of life on earth. They are opportunities to grow strong in faith and become mature as God's people. Peter says we should rejoice that we can 'partake of Christ's sufferings' in view of the glory that will be revealed and the joy it will give us (v 13). Similar to Paul's understanding that there is a glory to be revealed, and the present sufferings are not even worth comparing to it (Romans 8:18), Peter gives us instructions on how to respond to such trials. There is a blessing in being insulted for the name of Christ and the Spirit of glory abides with us (v 14). The words of Peter echo the words of Jesus that those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are blessed and they would inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10). There is a blessing in being reviled and persecuted, falsely slandered and spoken evil about, for His sake, and there is a reward in heaven, as it was with the prophets (vv 11-12).
Suffering for Jesus and Peter is with regard to Christ, the kingdom and the gospel. Peter excludes suffering for doing wrong and breaking the law (1 Peter 4:15). Suffering for out faults is somewhat deserved or understandable (2:20a), but suffering as a believer for doing good is commendable before God (v 20b) and part of our calling as His children (v 21), and nothing to be ashamed about (4:16a). We are to glorify God (v 16b) and commits our souls to God in doing good; He is a faithful Creator (4:19) and righteous Judge (2:23). We can trust God to reward us for doing good and bearing His name. There is a judgment of God in trials and suffering that separate those who are of God and those who are not, the righteous and the ungodly (4:17-18). Solomon wrote of this millennia ago (Proverbs 11:31). Malachi, the last of the Hebrew prophets before the arrival of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant, prophesied of a time when a book of remembrance would be written before God regarding those who fear God and meditate on His Name, and a clear difference would occur between the righteous and the wicked, those who serve God and those who do not (Malachi 3:16-18). Trials can serve to test our faith and make us mature, as well as to expose the wicked ones who will get what they deserve. This type of suffering excludes natural disasters, war or sickness. It speaks of the witness to Christ, genuineness of faith and purity of service into God.
There are authorities from God who are to establish justice on earth: punishment for the wicked, reward for the righteous (1 Peter 2:13-14). It is God's will that those doing good will put to silence those who slander God's people in ignorance and foolishness; they are to do so by their good works (v 15) and remain honourable, loving and God-fearing in all things, using their freedom to do good, not as a cover-up to do evil in secret (vv 16-17). Evil doers and alders will be put to shame by our good works and honourable conduct (vv 11-12). God's people are to be sober, obedient and holy in their conduct (1:13-16), knowing that their incorruptible redemption came from the precious blood of Christ (vv 17-21). God's people are to purify their souls from all evil by the truth of God's eternal Word (vv 22-25). Foul speech and evil desires are part of the old, sinful, worldly life; being born by the seed of God's Word, our speech should reflect His word (2:1-3). As God's people we are God's spiritual house to glorify His name and proclaim His praises (vv 4-10). We are called to live in unity and harmony and inherit blessing (3:8-9). Living in God's blessing requires our speech to be good and right (vv 10-12), as the psalmist stated (see Psalm 34:12-16; cf., E7).
As 'followers of what is good' (1 Peter 3:13), we will at times suffer for righteousness' sake. There is a blessing in handling that type pf slander with dignity. We are not to be intimidated or afraid, not even troubled by it (v 14). In response, 'sanctify the Lord God in your hearts' and be ready to witness to the hope you carry in your heart (v 15). Do it with meekness and respect, not with offence or from hurt; do it with a good conscience and stay faithful to your good conduct in Christ (v 16). Suffering for doing good in God's will is better than doing evil (v 17). It is better to suffer evil than to do evil. Christ suffered and brought forth salvation, yet there will also be a judgement (vv 18-22). Since Christ suffered for us, we are to arm ourselves with the same mind or mentality and live the rest of our days for the will of God (4:1-2), doing what is pleasing to Him (v 3). God will hold all human beings to account in judgment (vv 4-6). Hence, we are to be serious and sober and serve others according to the gifts God has given us to His glory (4:7-11). Doing good is the will of God and suffering with dignity for His name is part of His will.
The elders who are among you I exhort,
I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
and also a partaker of the glory
that will be revealed:
shepherd the flock of God...
1 Peter 5:1-2a NKJV
Standing Together in Trials
Peter was not only an apostle, elder and shepherd, he was also a witness of Christ's suffering (1 Peter 5:1). He saw it all. He was there in the Garden when they arrested Jesus; he was there in the court yard when they mocked and condemned his Lord; he was there at the cross when they crucified his Messiah. Peter also cried over his own weakness in denying Jesus, but rejoiced when Jesus restored him back into his calling to shepherd His people (John 21). Jesus didn't give up on Peter; he was to fulfil his role in the church. He witnessed to Christ at Pentecost and later in front of a hostile religious council, boldly proclaiming the crucified Jesus who offered salvation and eternal life to all who believe. And Peter also exhorted other leaders to shepherd the flock of God in view of Christ's suffering (1 Peter 5:1-2). He instructed that leaders must execute their responsibilities with purity, servanthood and maturity (vv 3-4) and that the younger ones should be submissive and respectful in humility (v 5). All of God's people should be humble in view of God giving grace to the humble and exalting those in due time who would be humble towards God (v 6). By humility we cast our cares and worries on the God who cares for us (v 7).
In the struggles of life and the trials of those who oppose or slander us, we must stand together as God's people. We must all be sober and vigilant, because the devil and demonic spirits seek to devour anyone, much like a roaring lion looking for prey (v 8). The way to handle these types of sufferings is to resist evil and the evil one steadfast in the faith, and relaying on the God of all grace to perfect and strengthen us during such temporary sufferings (vv 9-10). To Him be all the glory and dominion (v 11). As we live in humility before God and towards one another, we can stand together in trials and overcome suffering with steadfast faith.
Standing Together against Sin and Heresy
We can stand together in our growth in maturity so that we will not stumble (2 Peter 1:1-11), holding on to the prophetic word as a light that shines in the darkness of sin and heresy (vv 12-21). False prophets and false teachers will pervert the way of truth and bring destruction and judgment on themselves and those who follow them (2:1-22). God's people, on the other hand, must stand together against sin and heresy. Peter stirred up their 'pure minds' (3:1) and instructed them to heed the words of the Hebrew prophets and the Christ's apostles (v 2). There will be both judgment (vv 3-12) and restoration: God's promise of new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (v 13). One day, the sufferings on this earth will be over! This is the hope of believers who are faithful to Christ.
God's people are to diligent to be found in Him in peace, spotless and blameless (v 12), and not to fall away from the steadfastness of faith, being led away with the error of the wicked (v 17). Instead, believers are to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to whom be all the glory (v 18). Paul, too, has a lot to say on this matter (vv 15-16). Both Peter and Paul are key figures who encourage us even today through their writings, to take suffering as part of our calling and remain faithful to God until Christ returns. God is faithful.