1 Peter 2:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Peter 2:22 mean?

1 Peter 2:22 describes Jesus as completely without sin and never deceitful in anything He said. The verse emphasizes that Jesus did not commit any wrongdoing, and there was no dishonesty or trickery in His speech.

Peter is writing to early Christians who were facing hardship and urging them to follow Jesus’s example, especially in how they respond to suffering. By highlighting Jesus’s innocence and honesty, Peter shows that even though Jesus suffered, it was not because of any fault or deceit on His part.

The Greek behind 1 Peter 2:22

• "ἁμαρτία" (hamartia, G266) means "sin" and refers to any moral wrongdoing or missing the mark. The verse stresses that Jesus never committed any such act.
• "δόλος" (dolos, G1388) means "guile" or "deceit." This word points to trickery or dishonesty, and Peter is clear that none was ever found in Jesus’s speech.
• "εὑρίσκω" (heuriskō, G2147) means "found." The Greek here carries the sense that even upon close examination, no deceit could be discovered in Jesus’s words.

Why 1 Peter 2:22 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that Jesus’s suffering was a result of His own wrongdoing; Peter is explicit that Jesus was innocent in both action and speech.
• The emphasis on both sinlessness and honesty sets a high standard for Christian conduct, especially when facing unfair treatment.
• By connecting Jesus’s innocence to the suffering He endured, Peter encourages believers to endure hardship with integrity, trusting that being blameless does not always mean avoiding suffering.