1 Peter 2:23

Reviled. Or, “abused.”

Reviled not again. Christ would not stoop to retaliate or requite evil for evil. Because a second wrong does not make the first wrong right, Christ’s example revealed the only spirit that can finally reconcile men in discord. When Paul said, “Love never faileth” (1 Cor. 13:8, RV), he saw no other solution to man’s problems than Christ’s example.

Suffered. Peter thinks of the monstrous things done to his Lord at the time of His trial and death, and of the fact that Christ brought no railing accusation against His tormentors.

Committed himself The word “himself” has been supplied by the translators. It is not clear from the Greek whether Christ “committed” Himself, His cause, or His tormentors “to him that judgeth righteously.” The prayer of Christ on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), may imply the last of the three possibilities. Christ made no reply to His persecutors as they reviled and abused Him.

Judgeth. Compare John 5:22, 27, 29.

Righteously. Judgment, even of the wicked, will be in harmony with God’s righteous and compassionate nature (see Rom. 3:26; Rev. 15:3; 16:5, 7; 19:11).