JMNT(i)
19 for this [
is]
grace: if through [
the]
conscience, which is God, (or: through awareness pertaining to God; or: by means of a joint-knowing with God; or: because of consciousness of God),
someone is continuing to bear and hold up under distress or pains (griefs; sorrows; anxieties; sufferings),
continuously experiencing it wrongfully (unjustly; contrarily, in regard to fairness and right relationship; undeservedly)!
20 For what sort of credible report (honorable rumor; credit; fame; praiseworthy reputation) [
is it]
if, being ones habitually doing what is wrong (failing to hit the target; sinning)
and being repeatedly beaten and struck with a fist [
p72 & other MSS: repeatedly lopped-off and pruned],
you folks will continue [
p72 & other MSS read: you are constantly]
remaining under and enduring [
it]
? But to the contrary, if while habitually practicing virtue (doing good; constructing excellence)
and [
at the same time]
repeatedly experiencing such bad treatment (or: continually suffering)
you will continue [
p72 reads: you are constantly]
humbly remaining under, enduring and supporting [
it]
, this [
is]
grace at the side of (or: from beside; = in the presence of)
God,
21 for into this you are called (or: were invited),
because Christ also experienced [
this]
(or: suffered)
over you folks (or: for your sakes),
leaving continuously below (or: behind)
in you (or: with and for you)
an underwriting (a writing under which you are to write or copy; hence: a pattern; a model)
to the end that you could (or: would)
follow-on in the footprints of Him
22 "Who does not make a mistake (Who did not perform failure; Who does no sin; Who does not construct failure to hit the target),
nor is (or: was)
deceitful bait (fraud; guile)
found in His mouth;" [
Isa. 53:9]
23 Who, being repeatedly reviled (harshly and bitingly rebuked and insulted),
was not reviling back (answering insult with insult; taking the position of harsh, biting rebuke);
continuously (or: repeatedly)
suffering (experiencing ill treatment),
he was not threatening, but kept on giving [
the situation]
over to the One at His side: the One constantly sifting, separating and deciding (or: judging)
fairly (equitably; following the Path of the Way pointed out, bringing situations to a rightwised condition),