1 Peter 2 22

1 Peter 2:22 kjv

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1 Peter 2:22 nkjv

"Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";

1 Peter 2:22 niv

"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."

1 Peter 2:22 esv

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

1 Peter 2:22 nlt

He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.

1 Peter 2 verses

1 Peter 2 22 Meaning

The verse 1 Peter 2:22 asserts the absolute moral and ethical perfection of Jesus Christ, affirming that He never committed any sin nor harbored any form of deception. This twin declaration underscores His complete innocence, both in His actions and in His character as expressed through His words. It portrays Him as the faultless and spotless one, a crucial attribute for His role as the atoning sacrifice.

1 Peter 2 22 Context

The verse 1 Peter 2:22 is embedded within a broader passage (1 Pet 2:18-25) that provides ethical guidance to household servants (οἰκέτης) who face suffering and unjust treatment from their masters. Peter calls them to endure patiently, even when innocent, modeling their conduct after Jesus Christ. The preceding verses (2:21) explicitly state that Christ suffered, leaving an example for believers to follow in His steps. This context is critical because Peter presents Christ’s perfect sinlessness not only as the ground for His redemptive suffering but also as the reason He is the supreme model for unjust suffering. His blameless character gives His example ultimate weight and significance; only an innocent sufferer could perfectly demonstrate the right way to respond to unmerited pain. The entire letter of 1 Peter addresses believers in Asia Minor who are experiencing various forms of hostility and persecution for their faith, urging them to live honorably and to understand their suffering in light of Christ’s passion. This verse is a direct quote from Isaiah 53:9 (LXX), connecting Christ's suffering to the Old Testament prophecy of the Suffering Servant who bore the sins of many without blemish or wrongdoing.

1 Peter 2 22 Word analysis

• He committed no sin (ὃς ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν - hos hamartian ouk epoiesen)

  • He (ὃς - hos): A relative pronoun, referring directly to Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant mentioned in the preceding verse (2:21). It emphasizes that this specific person, Jesus, embodies the following truth.
  • committed (ἐποίησεν - epoiesen): From the verb ποιέω (poieō), meaning "to do, to make, to produce, to commit." This active verb implies intentional action. The construction οὐκ ἐποίησεν ("did not commit/do") emphasizes that Christ never actively engaged in any sinful deed. It speaks to outward actions and behaviors.
  • no (οὐκ - ouk): A strong, absolute negative particle, indicating a factual and categorical denial. There was no instance whatsoever of sin being committed by Him.
  • sin (ἁμαρτίαν - hamartian): The Greek word for "sin," implying "missing the mark," a deviation from God's perfect standard. This covers all forms of wrongdoing, both in thought and action. The statement affirms His absolute moral perfection in action.

• nor was deceit found in his mouth. (οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ - oude heurethē dolos en tō stomati autou)

  • nor (οὐδὲ - oude): A strong conjunction meaning "and not," "nor," or "not even." It functions as an emphatic continuation of the negation, adding a second, equally important dimension to Christ's blamelessness.
  • was found (εὑρέθη - heurethē): From the verb εὑρίσκω (heuriskō), meaning "to find, discover, detect." The aorist passive form ("was found") suggests that even if one were to examine Him, or seek it, no deceit would ever be detected. It implies scrutiny and confirms complete absence, rather than just non-action.
  • deceit (δόλος - dolos): This word refers to "cunning," "craftiness," "guile," "trickery," "malice," or "treachery." It signifies an inward corruption or insincerity that can manifest in speech or action. This encompasses hidden motives or a lack of straightforwardness.
  • in his mouth (ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ - en tō stomati autou): This phrase specifies the location where δόλος might be expressed, primarily through speech. However, it implicitly points to the heart, as the mouth is the outward expression of what is within (Matt 15:18). It guarantees His truthfulness, sincerity, and inner integrity.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "He committed no sin": This phrase asserts Christ's outward and active blamelessness. He performed no unrighteous act. This speaks to His perfect obedience to God's law in His life and ministry. It refutes any accusation or suggestion that He ever transgressed a divine command.
  • "nor was deceit found in his mouth": This second phrase, mirroring the first in its absolute denial, confirms His inward purity and truthfulness. It means there was no craftiness, trickery, or underlying malicious intent that might find expression through His words. His speech was always utterly truthful, sincere, and without any hidden agenda or manipulation. Together, these two statements provide a comprehensive portrayal of Christ's perfect righteousness, encompassing both His deeds and His very character as expressed through His words.

1 Peter 2 22 Bonus section

The complete and absolute sinlessness of Jesus Christ, as articulated in 1 Peter 2:22, is not merely a moral commendation but a theological necessity. Without His complete freedom from both active sin and internal deceit, His sacrifice would be imperfect and thus insufficient to atone for humanity's sins. His perfect humanity, unmarred by the fall, allows Him to perfectly fulfill the roles of the spotless Passover Lamb and the High Priest who needs no offering for Himself. This verse highlights the profound connection between Christology (the doctrine of Christ's nature) and Soteriology (the doctrine of salvation). His pure character provides a stark contrast to human fallenness and rebellion, making His self-offering the uniquely potent means of reconciliation with God. This verse also implicitly defends Christ against any accusations or doubts about His righteousness, serving as a pillar for His messianic claim and saving work.

1 Peter 2 22 Commentary

1 Peter 2:22 profoundly declares the twofold moral perfection of Jesus Christ. Firstly, "He committed no sin" affirms His complete adherence to God's will in His actions, establishing His objective righteousness. He was entirely blameless in His conduct, setting Him apart from all humanity. Secondly, "nor was deceit found in his mouth" underscores His absolute integrity of character. It confirms His truthfulness, sincerity, and the purity of His inner being, from which His words flowed. This makes Him the quintessential "spotless lamb" whose sacrifice holds ultimate redemptive power. This moral faultlessness is fundamental to Christian doctrine: His sinlessness is the basis for His ability to be the substitutionary atonement for our sins. Peter presents this not just as a theological truth, but also as the foundation for Christ's example. As believers face unjust suffering, they are called to follow His pattern of blameless endurance, recognizing that true vindication comes from God.