1 Peter 2:24

Context

1 Peter is traditionally attributed to the apostle Peter, although scholars hold differing views on its actual authorship. The letter was addressed to Christians scattered across various regions of Asia Minor. First Peter 2:18–25 is an exhortation to household servants. The author commends the patient endurance of unjust suffering and presents the sufferings of Christ as the example to follow. In 2:22–25 he draws repeatedly on the "Suffering Servant" passage of Isaiah 53. The phrase in this verse, "by whose stripes ye were healed," likewise comes from Isaiah 53:5. The following verse, 2:25, says, "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

Interpretation

• Substitutionary atonement reading: Substitutionary atonement means redeeming someone by paying the price in that person's place. Evangelical traditions, including the Reformed tradition, read "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body" as a proof text for the view that Christ bore the sins and punishment of sinners in their place. They take "the tree" to refer to the cross and connect it with Deuteronomy 21:23, which regards one hanged on a tree as accursed.
• Reading that emphasizes transformed living: Many commentators focus on the verse's purpose clause. Because Christ died so that "we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness," they argue that his death does not stop at forgiveness but leads to sanctification, that is, a holy life. They note that this reading also fits the flow of the letter, which urges suffering believers to follow Christ.
• Reading that includes divine healing: Pentecostalism, Full Gospel churches, and the Holiness tradition, which includes divine healing in its Fourfold Gospel, hold that "ye were healed" also encompasses the healing of physical illness. They cite this verse in support of the view that healing is provided for in Christ's atonement.

Debates and Issues

The most frequently discussed question is what "healed" means. Those who emphasize divine healing point out that Matthew 8:17 applies Isaiah 53 to the healing of illness. Others counter that because the very next verse continues with the image of straying sheep, the healing in view here refers primarily to restoration from sin.

Translation issues also arise. The Greek word rendered "stripes" refers to the welts or wounds left by a beating. Some commentators also explain that the Greek word behind "being dead to sins" is a rare term closer in meaning to "departing from" or "being cut off from."

Questions of application arise as well, since the passage appears in a context exhorting servants to endure unjust suffering. Voices in a number of denominations caution against applying this passage today as an exhortation to endure abuse or violence.

In the Korean Church

This verse is commonly cited in Holy Week sermons and in Communion services to explain Christ's atonement. It is also reportedly quoted often at divine healing meetings and in sermons within Full Gospel and Holiness churches.

Related Passages

• Isaiah 53:4-6
• Matthew 8:16-17
• 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Galatians 3:10-14
• Romans 6:3-6