1 Peter 2 · Verse 21

1 Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Peter 2:21, King James Version

1 Peter 2:21 in other translations

BSBFor to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
WEBFor you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
ASVFor hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:
YLTfor to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to you an example, that ye may follow his steps,
DARBYFor to this have ye been called; for Christ also has suffered for you, leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps:
BBEThis is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps:
WebsterFor even to this were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

What does 1 Peter 2:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
21. Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (1Pe 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (1Pe 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us ... us," read, "you ... for you." Christ's sufferings, while they are for an example, were also primarily sufferings "for us," a consideration which imposes an everlasting obligation on us to please Him. leaving--behind: so the Greek: on His departure to the Father, to His glory. an example--Greek, "a copy," literally, "a writing copy" set by masters for their pupils. Christ's precepts and sermons were the transcript of His life. Peter graphically sets before servants those features especially suited to their case. follow--close upon: so the Greek. his steps--footsteps, namely, of His patience combined with innocence.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. For even hereunto were ye called. Such a spirit is required by the very nature of your Christian vocation; you were called into the church in order that you might evince it. 1Thes 3:3.

Because Christ also suffered for us. Marg., "Some read, for you." The latest editions of the Greek Testament adopt the reading "for you." The sense, however, is not essentially varied. The object is, to hold up the example of Christ to those who were called to suffer, and to say to them that they should bear their trials in the same spirit that he evinced in his. Php 3:10.

Leaving us an example. The apostle does not say that this was the only object for which Christ suffered, but that it was an object, and an important one. The word rendered example (υπογραμμον) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means properly a writing copy, such as is set for children; or an outline or sketch for a painter to fill up; and then, in general, an example, a pattern for imitation.

That ye should follow his steps. That we should follow him, as if we trod exactly along behind him, and should place our feet precisely where his were. The meaning is, that there should be the closest imitation or resemblance. The things in which we are to imitate him are specified in the following verses.

(b) "hereunto" Mt 16:24 (3) "suffered for us" "Some copies read for you" (c) "follow his steps" 1Jn 3:16, Rev 12:11

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 Hereunto were ye called - Ye were called to a state of suffering when ye were called to be Christians; for the world cannot endure the yoke of Christ, and they that will live godly in Christ must suffer persecution; they will meet with it in one form or other. Christ also suffered for us - And left us the example of his meekness and gentleness; for when he was reviled, he reviled not again. Ye cannot expect to fare better than your master; imitate his example, and his Spirit shall comfort and sustain you. Many MSS. and most of the versions, instead of Christ also suffered for Us, leaving Us, etc., read, suffered for You, leaving You, etc. This reading, which I think is genuine, is noticed in the margin.

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 2:21 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.

εἰςeisTo thisG1519
τοῦτοtoutohereuntoG3778
γὰρgarforG1063
ἐκλήθητε,eklēthēteyou have been called,G2564
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
καὶkaialsoG2532
ΧριστὸςChristosChristG5547
ἔπαθενepathensufferedG3958
ὑπὲρhuperforG5228
ὑμῶν,humōnfor you,G4771
ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771
ὑπολιμπάνωνhupolimpanōnleavingG5277
ὑπογραμμὸνhupogrammonan exampleG5261
ἵναinathatG2443
ἐπακολουθήσητεepakolouthēsēteyou may follow afterG1872
τοῖςtoistheG3588
ἴχνεσινichnesinstepsG2487
αὐτοῦ·autouof Him:G846

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

Cross references for 1 Peter 2:21

  • 1 John 2:6

    He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

  • 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.

  • John 13:15

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

  • Ephesians 5:2

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

  • 1 John 3:16

    Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:1

    Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

  • Philippians 2:5

    Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

  • 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;

  • 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.

  • Acts 14:22

    Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

  • Matthew 11:29

    Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

  • 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.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
even.
Mt 10:38; 16:24; Mr 8:34,35; Lu 9:23-25; 14:26,27; Joh 16:33
Ac 9:16; 14:22; 1Th 3:3; 4:2; 2Ti 3:12
because.
24; 3:18; 4:1; Lu 24:26; Ac 17:3; Heb 2:10
for us.Some read, for you.
1:20
leaving.
Ps 85:13; Joh 13:15; Ro 8:29; 1Co 11:1; Eph 5:2; Php 2:5; 1Jo 2:6
1Jo 3:16; Re 12:11

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

Context

  • 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.

  • 1 Peter 2:21

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

  • 1 Peter 2:22

    Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Read all of 1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque para esto sois llamados; pues que también Cristo padeció por nosotros, dejándonos ejemplo, para que vosotros sigáis sus pisadas:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car c’est à cela que vous avez été appelés; car aussi Christ a souffert pour vous, vous laissant un modèle, afin que vous suiviez ses traces,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn hierzu seid ihr berufen worden; denn auch Christus hat für euch gelitten, euch ein Beispiel hinterlassend, auf daß ihr seinen Fußstapfen nachfolget;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In hoc enim vocati estis: quia et Christus passus est pro nobis, vobis relinquens exemplum ut sequamini vestigia ejus: