Before we leave this section, I want us (you and me) to understand that what is commendable here—mentioned in verse 19—is NOT going through the suffering, but the devotion to God is what is commendable. When we couple that with the going through suffering, then that is commendable. But it is really the devotion to God that Peter wants us to focus on. We do this (going through the pain, going through the trouble) because of our respect for God.
Now, think about Jesus again—that He did not revile. Think of the awesome powers of discernment that He had! It says in another place in the scriptures that He knew what was in the heart of men. He undoubtedly (as we would say today) "had the goods on" those people—on those who were reviling Him. But "He opened not His mouth." Instead, He lived within the limits of His human authority.
