1 Peter 3:13

καὶ τίς ὁ κακώσων ὑμᾶς. The verb κακοῦν is used of the Egyptians ill-treating the Hebrews Acts 7:6, cf. Acts 7:19; Acts 12:1; Acts 18:10. But in Acts 14:2 it is used of the Jews making the Gentiles ill-affected towards the Christians.

Here it might mean (1) Who can do you any real harm? cf. the Litany “being hurt by no persecutions,” or more probably (2) Who is likely to ill-treat you? In several passages St Peter seems to regard suffering for Christ’s sake as no more than a possibility for some at least of his readers, cf. 1 Peter 1:6 εἱ δέον, 1 Peter 3:14 εἰ καὶ πάσχοιτε, 1 Peter 3:17 εἰ θέλοι τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ. He still regards magistrates as being for the praise of those who do well 1 Peter 2:14, and he speaks hopefully of influencing opponents by good works, silencing the ignorance of senseless men by well-doing and making them ashamed 1 Peter 3:16.

ἐὰν τοῦ�. If ye prove yourselves enthusiasts for what is good. ζηλωταί is the reading of the best texts for μιμηταὶ imitators T.R. The word is used in 1 Corinthians 14:12 ζηλωταὶ πνευμάτων, Titus 2:14 καλῶν ἔργων, Acts 21:20 νόμου, Galatians 1:14 τῶν πατρικῶν παραδόσεων. In Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13, it is used of Simon the Zealot or Canaanite.