STRONGS NT 95a: ἈδμείνἈδμείν, ὁ, Admin, the indeclinable proper name of one of the ancestors of Jesus: Luke 3:33, where Tdf. reads τοῦ Ἀδμεὶν τοῦ Ἀρνεί for Rec. τοῦ Ἀράμ (which see) (and WH text substitute the same reading for τοῦ Αμιναδαβ τοῦ Αραμ of R G, but in their marginal reading Ἀδάμ (which see, 2) for Ἀδμείν; on the spelling of the word see their Appendix, p. 155).

Strong’s Greek 95 (ἀδίκως, adikōs) expresses the idea of being treated “unjustly,” “wrongfully,” or “without right.” It speaks not merely to legal injustice but to any circumstance in which a person suffers contrary to equity and righteousness. In Scripture the term highlights a moral and relational wrong rather than a procedural error.

Biblical Usage and Context

The word appears once in the New Testament—in 1 Peter 2:19—where Peter exhorts believers to endure mistreatment that is “unjust.”

“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God someone endures grief, suffering unjustly.” (1 Peter 2:19)

Peter addresses household servants but extends the principle to all believers who experience hostility for doing good (1 Peter 2:20–21). The single occurrence underscores the rarity of the term yet amplifies its weight: when believers suffer adikōs, their endurance becomes a platform for God’s glory.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Approval in Suffering: Peter links unjust suffering to divine favor (“commendable”), revealing that God esteems integrity maintained under pressure more than vindication gained through retaliation (see 1 Peter 3:14).
2. Participation in Christ’s Pattern: The following verses (1 Peter 2:21–24) root the call to endure in Christ’s own unjust suffering. Discipleship requires conformity to the cruciform life, accepting injustice while entrusting oneself to “Him who judges justly.”
3. Eschatological Perspective: The term pushes the reader toward future vindication. Because God will judge righteously, believers can absorb present wrongs without spiritual loss (Romans 12:19).

Historical and Cultural Background

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, enslaved or socially marginal believers often lacked any legal recourse against unfair masters or civic harassment. Peter’s instruction does not condone oppression; rather, it equips powerless Christians to navigate a hostile environment by aligning their response with Christ’s example, thus subverting injustice with holy endurance.

Intertextual Parallels in Scripture

• Psalm 69:4 portrays David as hated “without cause,” a Messianic foretaste of Christ’s unjust persecution (fulfilled in John 15:25).
• Isaiah 53:7–9 describes the Suffering Servant who “had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth,” yet was condemned.
• Acts 5:40–41 records the apostles rejoicing after wrongful flogging, mirroring the commendation Peter later teaches.

These texts frame ἀδίκως within a canonical trajectory: faithful endurance underlies God’s redemptive plan.

Connection to the Suffering of Christ

Peter explicitly ties unjust suffering to Christ’s path: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). The believer’s unjust suffering is not meaningless; it is fellowship with the Savior (Philippians 3:10) and a testimony to a watching world (1 Peter 2:12).

Practical Implications for Ministry and Discipleship

• Pastoral Care: Shepherds must prepare congregations for possible unjust treatment, grounding them in God’s sovereignty and Christ’s example.
• Ethical Witness: Enduring ἀδίκως without bitterness distinguishes Christian character, often softening opponents and validating the gospel.
• Corporate Solidarity: The church is called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), offering tangible support to members suffering wrongfully—financially, emotionally, and in prayer.
• Missions and Persecution: Many modern believers face systemic injustice. Teaching on ἀδίκως strengthens their resolve and frames their experiences within biblical hope.

Encouragement for the Church

The lone New Testament appearance of ἀδίκως carries a resounding promise: God regards unjust suffering for righteousness as “commendable.” When believers respond as Christ did—without retaliation, steadfast in conscience toward God—they become living testimonies of the gospel’s power, anticipating the day when every wrong is set right and justice rolls down like waters.