We are inclined to hear in this phrase the instruction to live in obedience to God’s commands—a concept fully biblical (Romans 6:4). This, however, is not the point Peter is getting at here. He had used variants of the word translated as “righteousness” (justice) in 1 Peter 2:19 to describe the injustice of slaves’ suffering and in 1 Peter 2:23 to say that God judges justly. Through Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion, God has achieved justice in relation to our sin. The injustice that slaves experience (because of (alleged) errors) has been set straight through Jesus’ suffering and so the slave—even in prison—can live in the beauty of God’s justice (righteousness). The reality of God’s gracious justice helps heal the wounds the master inflicted.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.