‘For what glory is it, if, when you sin, and are buffeted for it, you take it patiently? But if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.'
A contrast is then made between two different attitudes. On the one hand if they were cuffed or beaten because they had done wrong, and endured it patiently, there would be no glory in it. The punishment would be thoroughly deserved. There could be no credit for that. On the other hand, however, if it happened when they had done well, and were obeying their conscience, then God would be well pleased with them. They would have obeyed Christ by ‘turning the other cheek' (Matthew 5:39). And they would be receiving their punishment on His behalf.