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FOR YOU HAVE
BEEN CALLED FOR THIS PURPOSE: eis touto gar eklethete (2PAPI):(Mt10:38;
16:24;
Mk 8:34,35;
Lu9:23-25;
14:26,27;
Jn 16:33;
Ac9:16;
14:22;
1Th3:3;
4:2;
2Ti3:12)
Spurgeon comments...
It is part of a true Christian’s
calling to bear what is put upon him wrongfully.
Whenever you think of the glory of
your risen Lord, remember what your redemption cost him, and quit all
dead works, lay aside the grave-clothes of care and anxiety, and live
in newness of life as those who have been redeemed by the risen
Savior.
(1
Peter 2 Commentary)
Called (2564)
(kaleo) (Click
study of related noun
kletos = the "called") means to speak to another person in order to
bring them nearer, either physically or in a personal relationship and
includes the nuance of giving them an invitation.
Kaleo
is in the
aorist
passive, where the passive is what some linguists
refer to as "divine" passive indicating that the action is
performed by God. In this verse, it
is God Who calls saints to bear up triumphantly though suffering
unjustly for doing what is good.
Wuest makes the point that
in this context kaleo describes...
The divine call of God to a
lost sinner (which) is an effectual call into salvation,
and an accompaniment of that salvation is suffering for righteousness’
sake, the natural result of the Christian’s contact with the people of
the world and their reaction towards the Lord Jesus who is seen in the
life of the saint.
(Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans
or
Logos)
Does the church (especially in
America) really understand this aspect of the "call" on our life?
Do we understand that our life is not our own, for we have "bought
with a price" and that our mission is to glorify God in our body? (1Cor 6:19-20)
Do we understand that to us...
it has been granted (literally a
gift of grace) for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also
to suffer for His sake? (see note
Philippians 1:29)
(Comment: Note not just to suffer mistreatment, derision, etc
as a Christian but with a purpose - for Christ's sake.
How so? We suffer for Jesus in the sense that by our
patient endurance of unjust punishment [which is what Peter also
describing], we are bearing a powerful testimony to His saving,
transforming grace, grace that enables us to do something quite
unnatural and yea, even supernatural. And Christ gets the glory. If we
understand this truth and genuinely believe this truth suffering can
take on a whole new significance.)
Do we understand that "indeed,
all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
(see note
2 Timothy 3:12)
Do we understand
the supernatural power that flows through us when we willingly
joyfully submit to this truth? (2Cor 12:10).
The called
are those who have been summoned by God...called...
according to His purpose (see note
Romans 8:28)
to salvation (see note
Romans 8:30)
saints by calling (1Cor
1:2)
both Jews and Greeks (1Cor
1:24)
having been called "with a holy" (see note
2 Timothy 1:9)
heavenly calling (see note
Hebrews 3:1)
out of darkness into His marvelous light (see note
1 Peter 2:9)
to walk worthy (see note
Ephesians 4:1)
by grace (Gal
1:6)
not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles (see note
Romans 9:24)
through the "gospel" that we "may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ" (2Th
2:14)
and be brought "into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1Cor
1:9)
and return in triumph "with Him" at the end of this age (see
note
Revelation 17:14).
The Christian’s holy calling
is described in some detail in Ephesians 1-3, especially Ephesians
1:3-14 where
we see the truths that saints are chosen (see note
Ephesians 1:4),
predestined (see notes
Ephesians 1:5,
1:11), adopted as
sons (see note
Ephesians 1:5),
accepted in the Beloved (see note
Ephesians 1:6),
redeemed through His blood (see note
Ephesians 1:7),
forgiven (see note
Ephesians 1:7),
sealed with the Holy Spirit (see note
Ephesians 1:13)
and given the earnest of our inheritance (see note
Ephesians 1:14).
In addition to a holy calling,
saints also have a high ("upward") calling (see
note
Philippians 3:14) and
a heavenly calling (see note
Hebrews 3:1)
SINCE CHRIST
ALSO SUFFERED FOR YOU, LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE: kai Christos epathen (3SAAI) huper
humon humin hupolimpanon (PAPMSN) hupogrammon: (24;
3:18;
4:1;
Lu 24:26;
Acts 17:3;
Heb 2:10) (An example:
Ps 85:13;
Jn 13:15;
Ro 8:29;
1 Cor 11:1;
Eph 5:2;
Php 2:5;
1Jn2:6;
1 Jn 3:16;
Rev 12:11)
(See Torrey's Topic
"Example of Christ")
Since Christ - Peter
now proceeds to illustrate his exhortation to slaves by citing
Christ's example of suffering unjustly.
Spurgeon comments...
There was no reason why he should
be made to suffer, for he had done no wrong. He was buffeted for no
fault of his own, yet how patiently he endured it all! He did not even
open his mouth to murmur or complain; but he handed the whole matter
over to the Supreme Court of Appeal: “to him that judgeth
righteously.” It will be wise for us also to feel that we can afford
to wait, knowing that our Avenger liveth, and that, in his own good
time, he will rectify all wrongs, and justify his people against all
their accusers. It is sweet, for the dear love of Jesus, to put up
with a thousand things which, otherwise, we should resent. “But,” says
one, “if you tread on a worm, it will turn.” Perhaps it will, but a
Christian is not a worm; he is a being of a nobler order than that,
and he does not go for his example to reptiles; he looks up to Christ,
and follows his steps.
(1
Peter 2 Commentary)
Suffered (3958)
(pascho) means to undergo an experience or experience a
sensation including
painful, usually difficult circumstances.
Aorist tense
speaks of past completed action and
indicative mood is
the mood of reality. Christ truly did suffer during His life on our
behalf even before His ultimate suffering and agony on the Cross.
Application:
Christ understands what you are going through when you suffer.
"Since He Himself was tempted
(tested) in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the
aid (to run to the cry for help) of those who are tempted
(are continually being tested)" (see note
Hebrews 2:18).
For you -
The preposition for (huper) can mean in behalf of or for
the sake of and in this context clearly depicts Christ's
substitutionary death.
UBS Handbook
adds that...
For you gives a deeper
purpose of Christ’s suffering; he suffered not only to set an example
for the believers to follow, but his suffering was in fact vicarious.
The content of such vicarious suffering is not completely developed
here; one significant part of it is mentioned in
1 Peter 2:24 (note).
(The
United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series
or
Logos)
Leaving (5277)
(hupolimpano from hupo = under + leipo = to
leave) means to leave behind something for someone.
Example (5261)
(hupogrammos
from hupo =
before + grapho = write) (only used here in NT) literally means “writing under” and was
used of words given to children to copy, both as a writing exercise
and as a means of impressing a moral.
More specifically hupogrammos referred to a line
of writing at the top of a tablet written by the teacher so that the
child could write under it and make his letters like the master. Sometimes
it was used with reference to the act of tracing over written letters.
Hupogrammos
is used in the non-canonical book, 2 Maccabees 2:28, describing the
outlines of a sketch which the artist fills in with details.
Figuratively as used by Peter hupogrammos signifies a
model or example of conduct to be imitated or to be avoided.
What is the example? Although not a popular teaching, suffering
unjustly is the example believers are to be willing to follow (see
note
Romans 8:17)
Barclay writes that
hupogrammos...
can mean two things—an outline
sketch which the learner had to fill in or the copyhead of copperplate
handwriting in a writing exercise book which the child had to copy out
on the lines below.
A T Robertson notes that...
Clement of Alexander (Strom. V. 8.
49) uses
hupogrammos of the
copy-head at the top of a child’s exercise book for the child to
imitate, including all the letters of the alphabet. The papyri give
many examples of hupographē and hupographō in the sense of copying a
letter.
UBS Handbook adds that...
The word for example is used only
here in the whole New Testament; in classical Greek literature, it has
two meanings: (1) a piece of writing from a teacher which a child is
expected to trace or imitate, and (2) an artist’s sketch which is
prepared for others to color and complete. Christ therefore left a
perfect model, upon which the Christian is expected to pattern his own
life. (The
United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series
or
Logos)
Vincent writes that
hupogrammos is...
A graphic word, meaning a copy set
by writing-masters for their pupils. Some explain it as a copy of
characters over which the student is to trace the lines.
><> ><> ><>
Tale of the
Goats
(Our
Daily Bread) A former
missionary told the story of two rugged mountain goats who met
on a narrow pathway. On one side was a chasm 1,000 feet deep; on
the other, a steep cliff rising straight up. There was no room
to turn around, and the goats could not back up without falling.
What would they do? Finally, instead of fighting for the right
to pass, one of the goats knelt down and became as flat as
possible. The other goat then walked over him, and they both
proceeded safely. In a sense, this is what Jesus Christ did for
us when He left heaven's glory and came to this earth to die for
our sins. He saw us trapped between our sin and God's
righteousness with no way to help ourselves. He came in human
likeness and took the form of a servant (see notes
Philippians 2:5-7).
Then, by dying for sinful mankind, He let us "walk over Him" so
that we could experience forgiveness and receive eternal life.
Peter pointed to Christ as an example of humility. When we are
mistreated for Jesus' sake, we must learn to be humble enough to
let others walk over us if need be. This is not a sign of
weakness but of strength and true humility. Such a response,
when done for Christ's sake, brings glory to His name. —D C Egner
Blessed
Savior, make me humble,
Take away all sinful pride;
When I suffer from injustice,
Help me stay close by Your side. —DJD
FOR YOU TO
FOLLOW: hina epakolouthesete (2PAAS):
For (2443)
(hina) introduces a purpose clause explaining the
reason or purpose for Christ's example.
Follow (1872)
(epakoloutheo from epi = upon or an
intensifier + akoloutheo = to follow) means to follow
after, follow upon with the idea of following closely upon
(epi-).
Paul has
an interesting use of this verb noting that...
The sins of some men are quite
evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins
(although hidden still) follow after (epakoloutheo). (1 Ti
5:24)
Vincent explains that...
The compound verb implies close
following. From writers and painters, the metaphor changes now to a
guide. Here Peter
changes the metaphor from a writer (hupogrammos)
to that of a guide.
IN
HIS STEPS: tois ichnesin autou:
Literally
"follow His steps" (No preposition for "in" in the Greek
sentence)
Wuest makes a good point observing that...
Peter changes over easily from the
idea of a child tracing over the writing of the writing-master to a
Christian planting his feet in the foot-prints left by our Lord.
In this context, these footprints are foot-prints of suffering. But
the illustration holds good for our Lord’s entire life. Just as a
child slowly, with painstaking effort and close application, follows
the shape of the letters of his teacher and thus learns to write, so
saints should with like painstaking effort and by close application,
endeavor to be like the Lord Jesus in their own personal lives. Or, as
a small child endeavors to walk in the footprints made by his father’s
feet in the snow, so we are to follow in the path which our Lord took.
The Greek word “follow” means literally “to take the same road” as
someone else takes. We should walk the same road that Jesus walked, in
short, be Christlike.
(Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans
or
Logos) Steps
(2487)
(ichnos) means the sole of the foot on which men and animals
go, a footstep, a footprint or an impression left by the sole of the
foot in walking and is used metaphorically here and elsewhere in the
NT of imitating someone’s example.
In the plural (as in this verse) ichnos means a continuous line of impressions, a trail or a track.
To
follow a man's footprints or footsteps is to move in the direction he
is going. So in the figurative sense ichnos indicates a
record left by someone's conduct or manner of life which provides an
example for others to imitate.
Obviously to follow in His steps does not imply that we will do
everything He did, but it does refer to the general idea that we will
follow His example of enduring undeserved suffering, demonstrating the
same attitude He had.
Following His
steps, saints should
"walk, even as He walked" (1 John 2:6) We should love as He loved...
"By this all men will know that you
are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
We should think as He thought...
Have this attitude
(present
imperative
= command to do this continually,
make this your lifestyle) in yourselves which was also in Christ
Jesus, (see note
Philippians 2:5).
Ambrose
wrote...
Christ emptied Himself. Behold our pattern!
This is a good definition of a disciple! Jesus' disciples are called to follow exactly the footprints He left
and they are not like footprints on the seashore which fade away and
blur as the waves wash over them.
Topeka minister
Charles Sheldon wanted to attract local college students to God, so he
began preaching a series of practical, Sunday evening sermons on how
to follow "in His steps" in business, in journalism, in other careers. From the
popular series he wrote magazine articles, which in time became the
best-selling book In His Steps (Click
here for online version). |
