1 Peter 3:13-17

V. SUFFERING AND THE GLORIES TO FOLLOW 3:134:19

1. Proper Conduct When Suffering For Righteousness 3:13-17

1 Peter 3:13-14 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? But even if ye should suffer for righteousness-' sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;

Expanded Translation

And who is he that will be harming you, if you are eager and zealous to do what is good and right? But even if you might suffer in behalf of (or, on account of) righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear (i.e., the things they do which would cause fear), neither let your mind be troubled, disquieted, or terrified.

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he that will harm you

HARMkakoo (from the same root as kakos, evil, which occurred once each in 1 Peter 3:10-12): to maltreat, cause evil to, oppress, afflict, harm.

if ye be zealous

ZEALOUSzelotes. The primary meaning is one burning with zeal; a zealot. Hence, one most eagerly desirous of something, zealous for a thing, a diligent aspirant, a devoted adherent. It is from the root word zeo which meant, according to Thayer, to boil with heat, be hota word sometimes used by ancient classic writers of boiling water.

The idea of the passage is, if you live such a life as just recommended in my previous exhortation, you need not fear.
There are two basic interpretations of these verses:
1. Christians are generally safe. Thus Macknight: Besides, in ordinary cases, we will have the favor of men; for few will do you evil, if ye be. Similarly, Matthew Henry states: this, I suppose, is spoken of Christians in an ordinary condition, not in the heat of persecution. -Ordinarily, there will be but few so diabolical and impious as to harm those who live so innocently and usefully as you do.-' Worthy of thought under this consideration is the statement of Galatians 5:23, where, after listing the fruits of the Spirit that should be evident in a Christian's life, Paul said, against such there is no law.

2. That we will not really be harmed (actually or permanently). Those who hold this view would cite such passages as Matthew 10:28, Mark 10:29-30, Romans 8:28. So Lange states: the sense is not: nobody will have any mind to harm you. Peter, at least, knew the world differently, and his Master had foretold differently (Ch. 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 2:18, 1 Peter 3:9; Matthew 10:22-23; Matthew 10:38-39. Likewise, Pulpit Commentary: St. Peter does not mean, Who will have the heart to harm you? He knew the temper of the Jews and heathen; he knew, also, the Saviour's prophecies of coming persecution too well to say that. Similarly, Zerr, Ellicott, and others.

In view of what is stated in 1 Peter 3:14 however, it seems this passage expresses ordinary circumstances, but that persecution would sometimes be their lot.

fear not their fear

i.e., the things they (the persecutors) do which would cause fear. Be not afraid of the terror which they cause.. do not dread or be afraid of their threatsAmplified N. T. They are not to be upset and fretful over the terror which their enemies would seek to instill.

neither be troubled

TROUBLEDterrasso: to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disquiet, make restless. strike one's spirit with fear or dread.

1 Peter 3:15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:

Expanded Translation

But in your hearts, sanctify and reverence Christ as Lord; being ready and prepared at any and every time to give answer (make a defense) to every person who asks you a reason (asks you to give an account) concerning the hope that lies within you, yet with meekness, mildness, forbearance, along with reverence and respect.

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but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord

Other translations of this passage could be but sanctify in your hearts the Lord Christ or ... sanctify the Christ as Lord.
SANCTIFYhagiadzo. See our complete definition of the adjective form of the same word (hagios) in 1 Peter 1:15. Thayer says this word has its more primary meaning here, listing it along with Matthew 6:9 and Luke 11:2, as meaning: to render or acknowledge to be venerable, to hallow.

The reference here may especially be with a view. to Christ as our protector.

Being ready always to give answer to every man

READYhetoimos: of persons; ready, prepared. for (the doing of) a thing.Thayer. See also Titus 3:1 where the same word is used and in a similar sense.

ALWAYS-aei (a word closely related to aion, a word which occurs many times in the Scriptures and usually translated age or eternal). The word is an adverb and means always; i.e., (1) perpetually, incessantly (Acts 7:51, Titus 1:12); (2) invariably, at any and every time (here). Notice the relationship of the Greek word to our word aye. It is from this Greek word that the old English word was derived.

GIVE ANSWERapologia (whence our word apologetic), verbal defense, speech in defense. Originally a speech made by a prisoner in his defense, it was later applied to the treatises written in defense of the Christian faith. Compare 1 Corinthians 9:3, defense.

yet with meekness and fear

Meekness is defined and discussed under 1 Peter 2:17-18, 1 Peter 3:2, and fear under 1 Peter 2:18. Note the Expanded Translation.

Concerning the testimony about our hope in Christ, this verse demands:

1.

We must be prepared or ready to give it.

2.

We must be such alwaysat any and every time.

3.

We must be able to do to every man.

4.

We must do so with meekness and respect. Do you meet these qualifications?

1 Peter 3:16-17 Having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.

Expanded Translation

Having a good (pure, clear, approving) conscience; so that, wherein you are spoken against (slandered, abused with words), they may be made ashamed who revile (falsely accuse) your good conduct in Christ. For it is more excellent to suffer for doing good, if the will of God should so will, than for doing evil.

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Having a good conscience

See also 1 Peter 2:19, 1 Peter 3:21. The word suneidesis, is defined fully by Thayer as the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending the one, condemning the other, When one has a conscience about a subject or matter, he has a sense or consciousness of right or wrong concerning that subject. But here the Apostle exhorts us to have a good conscience. What would this include? Probably here a good conscience refers to an approving one, Notice the context, In spite of the ridicules and jeers of the worldling that spoke against them, they were to have a conscience that approved of their actions so that they inwardly felt that God was with them.

Taking a broader view of the term good conscience, according to the Scriptures, it is commendable to have:

1.

An informed conscience (1 Corinthians 8:1-8).

2.

A pure conscience (Hebrews 9:13-14, 1 Timothy 3:9).

3.

A sensitive, responsive, or tender conscience, (Notice 1 Timothy 4:1-2, which describes the opposite.)

4.

A good conscience (here).

Some may have an approving conscience when they are really in sin. This can easily happen if we do not constantly inform and educate our conscience that it might properly approve what the Scriptures approve. It would sting us and prick us when the Bible's teachings condemn our actions, A thermostat is an excellent help in keeping your house warmed by the heat of the furnace, if it is in good working order. So with the conscience. If it is properly informed, sensitive and pure, then it will approve what is endorsed by God's Word.

they may be put to shame

This is all one word in the original. See it defined under 1 Peter 2:6 (kataischuno). who revile your good manner

REVILEepereadzo. Compare epereia, spiteful abuse, to insult, treat abusively, use despitefully, revile. Thayer says it is here used in a forensic sense, meaning to accuse falsely.

For it is better

BETTERkreitton, means more excellent, superior, more valuable; hence, more conducive to good.

if the will of God should so will

Literally, if Wills the will of God.
Suffering for well-doing is to our credita compliment to us. See Matthew 5:10-12, and in this book, Ch. 1 Peter 4:14-16 and 1 Peter 2:19-20. Suffering for evil-doing is to our discredit, and is something to be ashamed of.