1 Peter, Volume 49 by J. Ramsey Michaels;

Author:J. Ramsey Michaels; [Michaels, J. Ramsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL006070 Religion / Biblical Commentary / New Testament
Publisher: HarperCollins Christian Publishing (3 users)

Does ἔπαθεν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν in v 21b anticipate the theme of redemption in vv 24–25? Nowhere else in the NT is πάσχειν used with ὑπέρ to refer to Christ’s sufferings “for us” or for sinful humanity (see Note f*). It cannot be assumed that the expression must be interpreted in the same way as when it is said that Christ died for or gave himself for someone.

Although it is possible that Peter substituted the verb “suffered” for “died” in such a phrase for the sake of continuity with vv 19 and 20, it is more likely that the meaning of ὑπερ ὑμῶν is explained by the clause that immediately follows in v 21c. Christ suffered “for you” (i.e., for your benefit), Peter says, in the sense of “leaving you an example, that you might follow in his footsteps.”

In 3:18, when he wants to introduce the thought of redemption or sacrifice for sin in connection with πάσχειν, Peter makes clear what he is doing by the use of the phrase, “for sins” (περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν), even though he adds as well the expression, (“a just man on behalf of the unjust”; cf. also Mart. Pol. 17.2). In the present passage, sin is not mentioned until v 22, and the question of Christ’s role in dealing with the sins of Peter’s readers is not addressed until v 24. Best (119) makes the helpful observation that “In creating the way Christ is saviour as well as example; thus in verse 24 we pass quite easily from the example of Jesus’ sufferings to their redemptive value.”

ὑμῖν ὑπολιμπάνων ὑπογαμμὸν ὄνα ἐπακολουθήσητε τοῖς ἴχνεσιν αὐτοῦ, “leaving you an example, that you might follow in his footsteps.” ὑπολυμπάνων (lit., “leaving behind,” found only here in biblical Greek) is a rare equivalent of ὑπολείπων, accenting Jesus’ past existence as a historical figure and his departure from this world to God (see J. A. Bengel, Gnomon, 965; cf. 3:22: “now that he has made his journey to heaven”). Peter looks back on Jesus’ earthly ministry from the vantage point of his subsequent resurrection and Lordship (cf. νῦν in v 25: “now” as the risen one, Jesus has become “Shepherd and in v 25: “now” as the risen one, Jesus has become “Shepherd and Guardian of your souls”).

ὑπογραμμόν, “an example,” is found only here in the NT and in the LXX only in 2 Macc 2:28 (plural, in the sense of “outlines” or “essentials”). Clement of Alexandria’s use of it to refer to letters of the alphabet for children to copy (Strom. 5.8.49) is closely related to the more common cognate verb ὑπογράφειν (cf. Plato, Protag. 326D). More often in Christian literature it came to mean a model or example in a moral sense: thus especially Christ (1 Clem. 16.17, 33.8, and, in dependence on 1 Peter itself, Pol. Phil. 8.2); but also Paul (1 Clem. 5.7) and even (sarcastically) Kronos, the father of Zeus (Clem. Hom. 4.16). Of particular interest is Clement of Alexandria’s reference (Paed 1.9) to Ezek. 34:14–16

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