1 Peter 2 · Verse 19

1 Peter 2:19

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1 Peter 2:19, King James Version

1 Peter 2:19 in other translations

BSBFor if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.
WEBFor it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
ASVFor this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.
YLTfor this is gracious, if because of conscience toward God any one doth endure sorrows, suffering unrighteously;
DARBYFor this is acceptable, if one, for conscience sake towards God, endure griefs, suffering unjustly.
BBEFor it is a sign of grace if a man, desiring to do right in the eyes of God, undergoes pain as punishment for something which he has not done.
WebsterFor this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience towards God endureth grief, suffering wrongfully.

What does 1 Peter 2:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. Reason for subjection even to froward masters. thankworthy--(Lu 6:33). A course out of the common, and especially praiseworthy in the eyes of God: not as Rome interprets, earning merit, and so a work of supererogation (compare 1Pe 2:20). for conscience toward God--literally, "consciousness of God": from a conscientious regard to God, more than to men. endure--Greek, "patiently bear up under": as a superimposed burden [Alford]. grief--Greek, "griefs."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. For this is thank-worthy. Marg., thank. Gr., "This is grace," (χαρις.) Doddridge renders the expression, "This is graceful indeed." Various interpretations of this expression have been proposed; but the meaning evidently is, that it is acceptable to God, (1Pet 2:20, "this is acceptable to God "χαριςπαραθεω-) that is, this will be regarded by him with favour. It does not mean that it was worthy of thanks, or that God would thank them for doing it, (comp. Lk 17:9,10;) but that such conduct would meet with his approbation.

If a man for conscience toward God. If, in the conscientious discharge of his duty, or if, in the endurance of this wrong, he regards himself as serving God. That is, if he feels that God, by his providence, has placed him in the circumstances in which he is, and that it is a duty which he owes to him to bear every trial incident to that condition with a submissive spirit. If he does this, he will evince the true nature of religion, and will be graciously accepted of God.

Endure grief. That is, endure that which is fitted to produce grief, or that which is wrong.

Suffering wrongfully. Suffering injury, or where there is injustice, (πασχωναδικως.) This, though a general remark, has particular reference to servants, and to their duty in the relation which they sustain to their masters. In view of what is here said, we may remark,

(1.) that if this has reference to slaves, as has been usually supposed, it proves that they are very liable to be abused; that they have little or no security against being wronged; and that it was a special and very desirable characteristic of those who were in that condition, to be able to bear wrong with a proper spirit. It is impossible so to modify slavery that this shall not be the case; for the whole system is one of oppression, and there can be nothing that shall effectually secure the slave from being ill-treated.

(2.) It would follow from this passage, if this refers to slavery, that that is a very hard and undesirable condition of life; for that is a very undesirable condition where the principal virtue, which they who are in it are required to exercise, is patience under wrongs. Such a condition cannot be in accordance with the gospel, and cannot be designed by God to be permanent. The relation of parent and child is never thus represented. It is never said or implied in the Scriptures that the principal virtue to which children are exhorted is patience under wrongs; nor, in addressing them, is it ever supposed that the most prominent thing in their condition is, that they would need the exercise of such patience.

(3.) It is acceptable to God, if we bear wrong with a proper spirit, from whatever quarter it may come. Our proper business in life is, to do the will of God; to evince the right spirit however others may treat us; and to show, even under excessive wrong, the sustaining power and the excellence of true religion. Each one who is oppressed and wronged, therefore, has an eminent opportunity to show a spirit which will honour the gospel; and the slave and the martyr may do more to honour the gospel than if they were both permitted to enjoy liberty and life undisturbed.

(1) "this is thank-worthy" "thank" Lk 6:32 (*) "thank-worthy" "well-pleasing"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 For this is thankworthy - If, in a conscientious discharge of your duty, you suffer evil, this is in the sight of God thankworthy, pleasing, and proper; it shows that you prefer his authority to your own ease, peace, and emolument; it shows also, as Dr. Macknight has well observed, that they considered their obligation to relative duties not to depend on the character of the person to whom they were to be performed, nor on their performing the duties they owed to their servants, but on the unalterable relations of things established by God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 2:18-25

Servants in those days generally were slaves, and had heathen masters, who often used them cruelly; yet the apostle directs them to be subject to the masters placed over them by Providence, with a fear to dishonour or offend God. And not only to those pleased with reasonable service, but to the severe, and those angry without cause. The sinful misconduct of one relation, does not justify sinful behaviour in the…

Read the full comment on 1 Peter 2:18-25 →

1 Peter 2:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τοῦτοtoutoThisG3778
γὰρgarforG1063
χάρις,charis[is] acceptable,G5485
εἰeiifG1487
διὰdiafor sake ofG1223
συνείδησινsuneidēsinconscienceG4893
θεοῦtheoutoward GodG2316
ὑποφέρειhupophereienduresG5297
τιςtisanyoneG5100
λύπαςlupasgriefsG3077
πάσχωνpaschōnsufferingG3958
ἀδίκως.adikōsunjustly.G95

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Peter 2:19

  • Matthew 5:10-12

    Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

  • 1 Peter 3:14-17

    But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

  • 1 Peter 2:20

    For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

  • Luke 6:32

    For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  • John 15:21

    But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

  • Romans 13:5

    Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

  • Psalms 119:86

    All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

  • 2 Timothy 1:12

    For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:1

    Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

  • Psalms 35:19

    Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
this.
20; Lu 6:32
thankworthy. or, thank.
Ac 11:23; 1Co 15:10; 2Co 1:12; 8:1; *Gr:
for conscience.
3:14-17; Mt 5:10-12; Joh 15:21; Ro 13:5; 2Ti 1:12
suffering.
Job 21:27; Ps 35:19; 38:19; 69:4; 119:86

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Peter 2:18

    Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

  • 1 Peter 2:19

    For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

  • 1 Peter 2:20

    For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Read all of 1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque esto es agradable, si alguno á causa de la conciencia delante de Dios, sufre molestias padeciendo injustamente.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car c’est une chose digne de louange, si quelqu’un, par conscience envers Dieu, supporte des afflictions, souffrant injustement.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn dies ist wohlgefällig, wenn jemand um des Gewissens vor Gott willen Beschwerden erträgt, indem er ungerecht leidet.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Hæc est enim gratia, si propter Dei conscientiam sustinet quis tristitias, patiens injuste.