For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:

For to this have ye been called; for Christ also has suffered for you, leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps:

For even to this were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

for to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to you an example, that ye may follow his steps,

And it is to this you were called; because Christ also suffered on your behalf, leaving you an example so that you should follow in His steps.

This is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps:

For you have been called to this because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in his footsteps.

For it was to this that you were called! For Christ, too, suffered – on your behalf – and left you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

For even hereunto were ye called For though his discourse was respecting servants, yet this passage ought not to be confined to that subject. For the Apostle here reminds all the godly in common as to what the condition of Christianity is, as though he had said, that we are called by the Lord for this end, patiently to bear wrongs; and as he says in another place that we are appointed to this. Lest, however, this should seem grievous to us, he consoles us with the example of Christ. Nothing seems more unworthy, and therefore less tolerable, than undeservedly to suffer; but when we turn our eyes to the Son of God, this bitterness is mitigated; for who would refuse to follow him going before us? But we must notice the words, Leaving us an example [1] For as he treats of imitation, it is necessary to know what in Christ is to be our example. He walked on the sea, he cleansed the leprous, he raised the dead, he restored sight to the blind: to try to imitate him in these things would be absurd. For when he gave these evidences of his power, it was not his object that we should thus imitate him. It has hence happened that his fasting for forty days has been made without reason an example; but what he had in view was far otherwise. We ought, therefore, to exercise in this respect a right judgment; as also Augustine somewhere reminds us, when explaining the following passage, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." (Matthew 11:29.) And the same thing may be learnt from the words of Peter; for he marks the difference by saying that Christ's patience is what we ought to follow. This subject is handled more at large by Paul in Romans 8:29, where he teaches us that all the children of God are foreordained to be made conformable to the image of Christ, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Hence, that we may live with him, we must previously die with him.

Footnotes

1 - Calvin has "you" instead of "us," and has also "you" after "suffered." The authority as to MSS. is nearly equal; but the verse reads better with having "you" in both instances, as the verb "follow" is in the second person plural, "that ye may follow in his footsteps." The word for "example" is hupogrammon, a copy set before scholars to be imitated, and may be rendered "a pattern." -- Ed.

For even hereunto were ye called - Such a spirit is required by the very nature of your Christian vocation; you were called into the church in order that you might evince it. See the notes at 1-Thessalonians 3:3.
Because Christ also suffered for us - Margin, "some read, for you." The latest editions of the Greek Testament adopt the reading "for you." The sense, however, is not essentially varied. The object is, to hold up the example of Christ to those who were called to suffer, and to say to them that they should bear their trials in the same spirit that he evinced in his. See the notes at Philippians 3:10.
Leaving us an example - The apostle does not say that this was the only object for which Christ suffered, but that it was an object, and an important one. The word rendered "example" (ὑπογραμμὸν hupogrammon) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means properly "a writing copy," such as is set for children; or an outline or sketch for a painter to fill up; and then, in general, an example, a pattern for imitation.
That ye should follow his steps - That we should follow him, as if we trod exactly along behind him, and should place our feet precisely where his were. The meaning is, that there should be the closest imitation or resemblance. The things in which we are to imitate him are specified in the following verses.

Hereunto were ye called - Ye were called to a state of suffering when ye were called to be Christians; for the world cannot endure the yoke of Christ, and they that will live godly in Christ must suffer persecution; they will meet with it in one form or other.
Christ also suffered for us - And left us the example of his meekness and gentleness; for when he was reviled, he reviled not again. Ye cannot expect to fare better than your master; imitate his example, and his Spirit shall comfort and sustain you. Many MSS. and most of the versions, instead of Christ also suffered for Us, leaving Us, etc., read, suffered for You, leaving You, etc. This reading, which I think is genuine, is noticed in the margin.

(23) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an (g) example, that ye should follow his steps:
(23) He alleviates the grievousness of servanthood, while he shows plainly that Christ died also for servants, that they should bear so much more patiently this inequality between men who are of the same nature: moreover setting before them Christ the Lord of lords for an example, he signifies that they cannot but seem too subdued, who show themselves more grieved in the bearing of injuries, than Christ himself who was most just, and most severely of all afflicted, and yet was most patient.
(g) A metaphor of speech taken from painters and schoolmasters.

For even hereunto were ye called,.... Both to well doing, of which none but those who are called with an holy and effectual calling are capable; and which they are fitted for, and are under obligation to perform, and to suffer for so doing, which they must always expect, and to patience in suffering for it, which highly becomes them. This being then one end of the saints' effectual calling, is made use of as an argument to engage them to the exercise of the grace of patience in suffering for well doing; and another follows:
because Christ also suffered for us; in our room and stead, to fulfil the law, satisfy the justice of God, and make reconciliation for sin; and not only for our good, or merely as a martyr, to confirm the truth of his doctrine, or barely as an example to us, though this also is true: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, read, "for you"; for you servants, as well as others, and therefore should cheerfully and patiently suffer for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel; and the rather, because he suffered,
leaving us, or "you", as the same copies, and the Vulgate Latin version read,
an example that ye should follow his steps: Christ is an example to his people in the exercise of grace, as of faith, love, zeal, meekness, and humility; and in the discharge of duty, in his regard to the commands of the moral law, and positive institutions of religion; in his constancy in prayer; in frequent attendance on public worship; in his submission to the ordinance of baptism, and his celebration of the supper; and likewise in his sufferings; and in his meekness, patience, courage, and resignation to the will of God, which is what is here intended, and in which his people are to fellow and imitate him.

Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God.
hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (1-Peter 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant."
called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves.
for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (1-Peter 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . for you." Christ's sufferings, while they are for an example, were also primarily sufferings "for us," a consideration which imposes an everlasting obligation on us to please Him.
leaving--behind: so the Greek: on His departure to the Father, to His glory.
an example--Greek, "a copy," literally, "a writing copy" set by masters for their pupils. Christ's precepts and sermons were the transcript of His life. Peter graphically sets before servants those features especially suited to their case.
follow--close upon: so the Greek.
his steps--footsteps, namely, of His patience combined with innocence.

Hereunto were ye called. It was the experience of the Christian calling in that age to suffer for right doing. Even so Christ our Lord suffered. He is our example.
Who did no sin. He had no fault.
When he was reviled. He resented neither insults nor the sufferings inflicted upon him.
But committed. He gave our judgment between him and his enemies to God.
Who . . . bare our sins. Died for our sins, not his own. He took our burdens.
On the tree. The wood of the cross.
That we being dead to sins. "Crucified with him," penitent, the repentant sinner is baptized into his death, and rising to a new life, lives unto righteousness.
By whose stripes. See Isaiah 53:5-6.
Ye were as sheep. Led astray by sin.
Are now returned. By coming to Christ.
The Shepherd and Bishop. The good Shepherd who died for the sheep; the Bishop who watcheth over and careth for them.

Hereunto are ye - Christians. Called - To suffer wrongfully. Leaving you an example - When he went to God. That ye might follow his steps - Of innocence and patience.