| Geneva Study Bible {22} For this is thankworthy, if a man for {f} conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (22) The taking away of an objection: indeed the condition of servants is hard, especially if they have perverse masters, but thus their subjection shall be so much more acceptable to God, if his will prevails more with servants, than the masters wrong treatment. (f) Because he makes a conscience of it, to offend God, by whose good will and appointment he knows this burden is laid upon him. People's New Testament 2:19 For this is thankworthy. Acceptable (Revised Version). If a man for conscience toward God endure grief,. If a man suffers wrong for conscience sake, God notes his suffering and approves of his conduct. Wesley's Notes 2:19 For conscience toward God - From a pure desire of pleasing him. Grief - Severe treatment. King James Translators' Notes thankworthy: or, thank Scofield Reference Notes Margin this is thankworthy Grace (imparted). 1Pet 3:7 Rom 6:1 2Pet 3:18. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 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." Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 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 other; the servant is bound to do his duty, though the master may be sinfully froward and perverse. But masters should be meek and gentle to their servants and inferiors. What glory or distinction could it be, for professed Christians to be patient when corrected for their faults? But if when they behaved well they were ill treated by proud and passionate heathen masters, yet bore it without peevish complaints, or purposes of revenge, and persevered in their duty, this would be acceptable to God as a distinguishing effect of his grace, and would be rewarded by him. Christ's death was designed not only for an example of patience under sufferings, but he bore our sins; he bore the punishment of them, and thereby satisfied Divine justice. Hereby he takes them away from us. The fruits of Christ's sufferings are the death of sin, and a new holy life of righteousness; for both which we have an example, and powerful motives, and ability to perform also, from the death and resurrection of Christ. And our justification; Christ was bruised and crucified as a sacrifice for our sins, and by his stripes the diseases of our souls are cured. Here is man's sin; he goes astray; it is his own act. His misery; he goes astray from the pasture, from the Shepherd, and from the flock, and so exposes himself to dangers without number. Here is the recovery by conversion; they are now returned as the effect of Divine grace. This return is, from all their errors and wanderings, to Christ. Sinners, before their conversion, are always going astray; their life is a continued error. | 
