1 Peter 3:16

συνείδησιν�, cf. 1 Peter 3:21. A good conscience, mens conscia recti, is essential if the defence offered by Christians is to convince their opponents. To this St Paul laid claim in making his defence, Acts 23:1; Acts 24:16, cf. also 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:19.

ἐν ᾧ, in the matter in which, cf. 1 Peter 2:12 with which the T.R. assimilates this verse, reading καταλαλοῦσιν ὑμῶν ὡς κακοποιῶν instead of merely καταλαλεῖσθε.

καταισχυνθῶσιν, may be shamed into silence. Cf. Luke 13:17.

ἐπηρεάζοντες, the word means spiteful abuse in Aristotle but is used of false accusations in other classical writers, and this meaning would be appropriate here, but in Luke 6:28 it is translated “despitefully use.”

ἀγαθὴν�. Cf. note on καλὴν�, 1 Peter 2:12.

ἐν Χριστῷ, in Christ, of whom you claim to be members.