Verse 21. For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.
Verse 22. Who did not sinne, neither was guile found in his mouth?
Verse 23. Who when he was reviled, reviled not againe; when hee suffered, he threatned not, but committed himselfe to him, that judgeth righteously.
Verse 24. Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree, that we being dead to sinnes, should live unto righteousnesse, by whose stripes ye were healed.
Verse 25. For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the shepheard and Bishop of your soules.
The Analysis.
Here the Apostle makes a speciall exhortation about the duty of servants to their masters; and this duty he doth 1. As it were define by a speciall kind of subjection wherein it consists. Be subject with all feare. 2. He doth illustrate it by a distribution of the object, or the masters, to whom this subjection is due; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 3. He proves that this subjection is to be made to both sorts, by an argument taken from the adjuncts thereof, grace and glory, that is, Gods praising and approving of it, which accompanies the subjection that is made unto wicked masters verse 19. For this is thank-worthy. The reason of which consequence is set forth. 1. By a description of that subjection which is due unto wicked Masters, to wit, that it is a patient suffering of wrong for conscience towards God verse 19. 2. By a comparison that is made betwixt those that suffer justly, and those that suffer unjustly, which he shewes to be unlike, in that the former can looke for no glory from their sufferings, but the latter may expect great glory, verse 20. In the second place, he proves the same duty from that relation which ariseth from our generall calling, because we are thereunto called, that we should patiently suffer the injuries of the world: and this he confirmes by the example of Christ; to whose imitation we are called: for he shewes two ends of the suffering of Christ; one was to dye for us, that is, to expiate our sinnes, which is the primary end. The other was, to leave us an example to imitate. verse 21. which is the secondary end. Now a speciall part of this secondary end was, that when he was without sinne verse 22. Yet he patiently suffered all kinds of reproaches and afflictions, verse 23. And the primary end of Christs sufferings, which was to redeeme us from sin, is upon this occasion also declared verses 24,25. Because therehence also may be drawne a powerfull argument, to perswade us to imitate Christ in doing righteously, and suffering unjustly: And this is declared, 1. From the nature of Christs death, that it was a sacrifice for our sins to take away the guilt of them; 2. From the end of this propitiation, which is the death of sinne, and the life of righteousnesse. And hereof there is an illustration made by comparing that condition, which went before our conversion, with that condition which followes it, verse the last.
The Doctrines drawne here-hence.
Doctrine 1. They that are in the lowest condition, should by their good workes glorifie God in that condition.
This is gathered from the connexion of the 18 Verse with the 11 and 12.