How 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.
You are called not only to do good but to suffer for it with patience. Christ suffered for us in our stead to satisfy God's justice and make reconciliation; He left you His example in meekness and resignation to the Father's will, which you must follow in your own trials.
AI summary
what--Greek, "what kind of." glory--what peculiar merit. buffeted--the punishment of slaves, and suddenly inflicted [BENGEL]. this is--Some oldest manuscripts read, "for." Then the translation is, "But if when . . . ye take it patiently (it is a glory), for this is acceptable." acceptable--Greek, "thankworthy," as in Pe1 2:19.
Where is the honour in bearing a beating you deserve? If your masters inflict only what you earned, patience in that looks like nothing but admission of guilt. The virtue lies in suffering without blame, when your conscience is clear before God and you have done no wrong.
AI summary