The Bible in a Year
“If when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example.” —1 Peter 2:20–21
Sometimes the hardest part of being wronged comes afterward. We rehearse the conversation, imagine the answer we should have given, and begin planning how to make the other person feel what we felt. I recognize that temptation. Something within us wants an injury answered immediately, preferably in a way that leaves no doubt about who won. Yet Peter brings us face-to-face with Jesus and asks us to consider another response. We can acknowledge the wrong without allowing it to govern our character. Faithfulness becomes visible when we continue doing good even after goodness has been met with hostility.
Peter originally addressed these words to household servants living under masters, including unjust ones. Their vulnerability gives this passage considerable weight. He was speaking to people whose suffering could be severe and whose options were limited. He distinguishes between suffering for wrongdoing and suffering while doing what is right, then points to Christ as their example. The Greek word hypogrammos, translated “example” in verse 21, refers to a pattern to be copied, like a writing model a student follows. Jesus gives us that pattern through His conduct under pressure. His footsteps show us how to remain faithful when another person behaves unjustly.
Charles Spurgeon observed that returning evil for evil “is very, very easy.” His point was that retaliation readily draws on impulses already present within us; Christlike restraint requires prayer, watchfulness, and grace. The Spurgeon Library Peter describes that restraint in Jesus: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Jesus placed His cause in the Father’s hands. He knew that the judgment of those condemning Him could never overturn the Father’s knowledge of the truth.
We need to distinguish personal vengeance from responsible action. Refusing revenge does not require concealing abuse, remaining in danger, or allowing others to harm vulnerable people. Scripture recognizes the responsibility of governing authorities to address wrongdoing (Romans 13:1–4). Jesus Himself questioned an unjust blow during His hearing (John 18:23), and Paul appealed to lawful protections (Acts 22:25). We may report a crime, establish a boundary, correct a falsehood, or seek accountability while refusing cruelty. The searching question concerns our purpose: Are we seeking protection and truth, or are we looking for an opportunity to wound someone in return?
Keeping our eyes on Jesus helps us examine that purpose honestly. Peter’s account moves from Christ’s example to His saving work: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). The Savior whose conduct we follow is also the One whose mercy we need. Remembering that mercy softens our desire to reduce an offender to the worst thing they have done. We can desire repentance and appropriate consequences while still praying for their salvation. God’s grace teaches us to care about what happens to their soul.
Today, bring one unresolved injury before the Lord. Name what happened without exaggerating it, and ask Him to reveal what a faithful response requires. Perhaps you need to speak truth calmly, seek help, or stop repeating an accusation that serves only to keep your anger alive. Pray for the person involved, even if your first prayer is simply, “Father, bring them to repentance, and keep me from hatred.” The higher throne frees us from the burden of personally settling every account. God sees what happened. We can entrust judgment to Him while taking the next responsible step in obedience.
Read 1 Peter 2:18–25 and Spurgeon’s sermon “Overcome Evil with Good”.
Invite younger readers to explore everyday decisions about faith and character at Keaton Talks on Facebook.
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