1 Peter 2:21
New International Version
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

New Living Translation
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

English Standard Version
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Berean Standard Bible
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

Berean Literal Bible
For to this hereunto you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow after His steps:

King James Bible
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

New King James Version
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

New American Standard Bible
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,

NASB 1995
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

NASB 1977
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

Legacy Standard Bible
For to this you have been called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps,

Amplified Bible
For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.

Christian Standard Bible
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.

American Standard Version
For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For you are called to this, for even The Messiah died for our sake and left us this example, that you would walk in his steps,

Contemporary English Version
After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps.

English Revised Version
For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you. He left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps.

Good News Translation
It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps.

International Standard Version
This is, in fact, what you were called to do, because: The Messiah also suffered for you and left an example for you to follow in his steps.

Literal Standard Version
for to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving to you an example, that you may follow His steps,

Majority Standard Bible
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

New American Bible
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.

NET Bible
For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.

New Revised Standard Version
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

New Heart English Bible
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,

Webster's Bible Translation
For even to this were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Weymouth New Testament
And it is to this you were called; because Christ also suffered on your behalf, leaving you an example so that you should follow in His steps.

World English Bible
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,

Young's Literal Translation
for to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to you an example, that ye may follow his steps,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Christ's Example of Suffering
20How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”…

Cross References
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. "We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.


Treasury of Scripture

For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps:

even.

Matthew 10:38
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34,35
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me…

because.

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1 Peter 4:1
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

for us.

1 Peter 1:20
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

leaving.

Psalm 85:13
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

John 13:15
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

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1 Peter 2
1. He exhorts to put away wickedness;
4. showing that Christ is the foundation whereupon they are built.
11. He beseeches them also to abstain from sinful desires;
13. to be obedient to authorities;
18. and teaches servants how to obey their masters;
20. patiently suffering for well doing, after the example of Christ.














(21) For even hereunto were ye called.--Namely, to the combination of suffering and well-doing. To this they "were called" by the Gospel which St. Paul had preached to them; it ought not to be a surprise to them when it comes. (See 1Peter 4:12.) It was a special point in St. Paul's preaching to forewarn fairly of the tribulations attending all who wished to enter the kingdom of God. Comp. 1Thessalonians 3:3-4, and Acts 14:22, which latter passage refers to preaching in the very homes of some of the recipients of this Epistle.

Because.--This justifies the last assertion. It appeared on the very face of the gospel message that we should all (slave and freeman alike) have to do well, and at the same time suffer, because the gospel told us that it was so with Him, the subject of the gospel. Notice what a fine assumption lies in this "because"--viz., that Christ's experience must needs be that of every Christian.

Christ also suffered.--It is to be carefully observed again that he does not say "Jesus suffered;" the whole point is that these Hebrew Christians have given in their adhesion to a suffering Messiah. (See Note on 1Peter 1:11.) And the true reading immediately after is "for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow His steps;" not, of course, that St. Peter exempts himself from the need of the atonement or the obligation of following Christ's steps, but because it is his accustomed style to give a charge (as it were) rather than to throw himself in with those whom he addresses. (See Note on 1Peter 1:12.) There is one important point to be observed. Christ is said to have suffered "for you," but this does not mean "in your stead" but "on your behalf, for your good." Christ's atonement for us is not represented in this passage as vicarious. He did not, according to St. Peter's teaching, die as a substitute for us, any more than He rose again as our substitute. So far as the words themselves go, the death of the Messiah "for us" might have been such a death as that of the hero who, in the battle of Murgarten, gathered the Austrian spears like a sheaf into his own bosom, "for" his fellow-patriots, clearing the way for them to follow. The addition "for you" conveys the thought that in gratitude we ought to suffer with, or even for, Him. . . .

Verse 21. - For even hereunto were ye called; that is, to do good and to suffer patiently (comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:3). Omit "even," for which there is no authority. St. Peter is speaking of slaves, but what he says of slaves is true in some sense of all Christians (comp. Acts 14:22). Because Christ also suffered for us; rather, for you, with the oldest manuscripts. You do not suffer alone; Christ also suffered, and that for you slaves, on your behalf. "Christ himself," says Bengel, "was treated as a slave; he deigns to exhibit his own conduct as an example to slaves." Leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. The oldest manuscripts have the second person here in both places. Leaving (ὑολιμπάνων), leaving behind; Bengel says, "in abitu ad pattern." The Greek for "example" is ὑπογραμμός ( α word which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means a copy set by a writing or drawing master, which was to be exactly reproduced by his pupils (see 2 Macc. 2:28, in the Greek). The life of Christ is our model. In particular St. Peter urges us to imitate the Lord's patience in suffering undeserved afflictions. In the last clause the figure is changed to that of a guide along a difficult route, so difficult that those who follow must put their feet in his footprints. We should follow his steps, one by one, closely following him, as the word ἐπακολουθήσητε means (comp. Mark 16:20; 1 Timothy 5:10, 24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

to this
Εἰς (Eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

you were called,
ἐκλήθητε (eklēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

Christ
Χριστὸς (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

suffered
ἔπαθεν (epathen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3958: I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

for
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

you,
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

leaving
ὑπολιμπάνων (hypolimpanōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5277: To leave behind. A prolonged form for hupoleipo; to leave behind, i.e. Bequeath.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

an example,
ὑπογραμμὸν (hypogrammon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5261: A writing-copy, an example, pattern. From a compound of hupo and grapho; an underwriting, i.e. Copy for imitation.

that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

you should follow in
ἐπακολουθήσητε (epakolouthēsēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1872: To follow close after, accompany, dog; I imitate, pursue, be studious of. From epi and akoloutheo; to accompany.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

footsteps:
ἴχνεσιν (ichnesin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2487: A track, footstep. From ikneomai; a track.


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NT Letters: 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called because (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)
1 Peter 2:20
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