If it is God"s will for us to suffer misunderstanding, abuse, or bullying, it is better that that suffering be for good conduct than for bad (cf. Romans 8:28). Peter probably meant these words as assurance rather than as admonition. He meant that we are much better off when we suffer than the evildoers who oppress us. [1][source]
Context Summary
1 Peter 3:13-22 - Following Christ In Bearing Injustice
It was said of Archbishop Cranmer that the way to make him a life-long friend was to do him some disservice, and surely these words of the Apostle have created many characters of the same type. The one aim and purpose of life should be to sanctify Christ as Lord; that is, to put Him on the throne. Let all the powers of our nature stand around to do His bidding, as the courtiers of a royal sovereign.
Keep a good conscience! Remember you have to live with yourself! A good conscience is the best bedfellow! Paul exercised himself always to have a conscience void of offense toward God and man, Acts 23:1; Acts 24:16. This is especially necessary when we are called on to give our witness for our Lord. We must not keep silent when we ought to speak, and when we speak we should do so reverently, simply and without heat.
Our Lord seems to have carried the news of redemption through the world of disembodied spirits. The Apostle compares baptism to the deluge, because it lies between the believer and his old worldly life, as Noah's flood lay between the old world and the new which emerged from its waters. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Peter 3
1He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other; 8exhorting all men to unity and love; 14and to suffer persecution 19He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world
If the will of God should so will [ει τελοι το τελημα του τεου] Condition of the fourth class again Accusative plural agreeing with πασχειν humās understood (accusative of general reference with the infinitive αγατοποιεω paschein (to suffer) of the participles from κακοποιεω agathopoieō (see 1 Peter 2:15) and κακοποιος kakopoieō (Mark 3:4, and see 1 Peter 2:14 for kakopoios). [source]
For well-doing than for evil-doing [υμας] Accusative plural agreeing with πασχειν humās understood (accusative of general reference with the infinitive αγατοποιεω paschein (to suffer) of the participles from κακοποιεω agathopoieō (see 1 Peter 2:15) and κακοποιος kakopoieō (Mark 3:4, and see 1 Peter 2:14 for kakopoios). [source]
If the will of God be so [εἰ θέλοι τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ] More literally, as Rev., preserving the play upon the word will, if the will of God should so will. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Peter 3:17
Hebrews 1:4Being made so much better than the angels [τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων] The informal and abrupt introduction of this topic goes to show that the writer was addressing Jewish Christians, who were familiar with the prominent part ascribed to angels in the O.T. economy, especially in the giving of the law. See on Galatians 3:9. For being made, rend. having become; which is to be taken in close connection with sat down, etc., and in contrast with ὢν being Hebrews 1:3. It is not denied that the Son was essentially and eternally superior to the angels; but his glorification was conditioned upon his fulfillment of the requirements of his human state, and it is this that is emphasized. After having passed through the experience described in Philemon 2:6-8, he sat down on the right hand of the divine majesty as messianic sovereign, and so became or proved to be what in reality he was from eternity, superior to the angels. Τοσούτῳ - ὅσῳ somuch - as. Never used by Paul. Κρείττων bettersuperior, rare in Paul, and always neuter and adverbial. In Hebrews thirteen times. See also 1 Peter 3:17; 2 Peter 2:21. Often in lxx. It does not indicate here moral excellence, but dignity and power. He became superior to the angels, resuming his preincarnate dignity, as he had been, for a brief period, less or lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7). The superiority of Messiah to the angels was affirmed in rabbinical writings. [source]
3 John 1:11That which is evil [το κακον] “The bad,” as in Romans 12:21 (neuter singular abstract).But that which is good (αλλα το αγατον alla to agathon). “But the good.” As in Romans 12:21 again. Probably by the contrast between Diotrephes and Demetrius.He that doeth good Articular present active participle of αγατοποιεω agathopoieō late and rare verb, in contrast with ο κακοποιων ho kakopoiōn (old and common verb) as in Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 1 Peter 3:17.Is of God (εκ του τεου εστιν ek tou theou estin). As in 1 John 3:9.Hath not seen God As in 1 John 3:6. He does not say εκ του διαβολου ek tou diabolou as Jesus does in John 8:44, but he means it. [source]
3 John 1:11He that doeth good [ο αγατοποιων] Articular present active participle of αγατοποιεω agathopoieō late and rare verb, in contrast with ο κακοποιων ho kakopoiōn (old and common verb) as in Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 1 Peter 3:17.Is of God (εκ του τεου εστιν ek tou theou estin). As in 1 John 3:9.Hath not seen God As in 1 John 3:6. He does not say εκ του διαβολου ek tou diabolou as Jesus does in John 8:44, but he means it. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Peter 3:17 mean?
Greek Commentary for 1 Peter 3:17
Comparative of κρατυς kratus as in 2 Peter 2:21; Hebrews 1:4. Patient endurance not only silences calumny (1 Peter 3:16), is Christlike (1 Peter 3:18), but it has a value of its own (1 Peter 3:17). [source]
Condition of the fourth class again Accusative plural agreeing with πασχειν humās understood (accusative of general reference with the infinitive αγατοποιεω paschein (to suffer) of the participles from κακοποιεω agathopoieō (see 1 Peter 2:15) and κακοποιος kakopoieō (Mark 3:4, and see 1 Peter 2:14 for kakopoios). [source]
Accusative plural agreeing with πασχειν humās understood (accusative of general reference with the infinitive αγατοποιεω paschein (to suffer) of the participles from κακοποιεω agathopoieō (see 1 Peter 2:15) and κακοποιος kakopoieō (Mark 3:4, and see 1 Peter 2:14 for kakopoios). [source]
More literally, as Rev., preserving the play upon the word will, if the will of God should so will. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Peter 3:17
The informal and abrupt introduction of this topic goes to show that the writer was addressing Jewish Christians, who were familiar with the prominent part ascribed to angels in the O.T. economy, especially in the giving of the law. See on Galatians 3:9. For being made, rend. having become; which is to be taken in close connection with sat down, etc., and in contrast with ὢν being Hebrews 1:3. It is not denied that the Son was essentially and eternally superior to the angels; but his glorification was conditioned upon his fulfillment of the requirements of his human state, and it is this that is emphasized. After having passed through the experience described in Philemon 2:6-8, he sat down on the right hand of the divine majesty as messianic sovereign, and so became or proved to be what in reality he was from eternity, superior to the angels. Τοσούτῳ - ὅσῳ somuch - as. Never used by Paul. Κρείττων bettersuperior, rare in Paul, and always neuter and adverbial. In Hebrews thirteen times. See also 1 Peter 3:17; 2 Peter 2:21. Often in lxx. It does not indicate here moral excellence, but dignity and power. He became superior to the angels, resuming his preincarnate dignity, as he had been, for a brief period, less or lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7). The superiority of Messiah to the angels was affirmed in rabbinical writings. [source]
Comparative of κρατυς kratus as in 2 Peter 2:21; Hebrews 1:4. Patient endurance not only silences calumny (1 Peter 3:16), is Christlike (1 Peter 3:18), but it has a value of its own (1 Peter 3:17). [source]
“The bad,” as in Romans 12:21 (neuter singular abstract).But that which is good (αλλα το αγατον alla to agathon). “But the good.” As in Romans 12:21 again. Probably by the contrast between Diotrephes and Demetrius.He that doeth good Articular present active participle of αγατοποιεω agathopoieō late and rare verb, in contrast with ο κακοποιων ho kakopoiōn (old and common verb) as in Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 1 Peter 3:17.Is of God (εκ του τεου εστιν ek tou theou estin). As in 1 John 3:9.Hath not seen God As in 1 John 3:6. He does not say εκ του διαβολου ek tou diabolou as Jesus does in John 8:44, but he means it. [source]
Articular present active participle of αγατοποιεω agathopoieō late and rare verb, in contrast with ο κακοποιων ho kakopoiōn (old and common verb) as in Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 1 Peter 3:17.Is of God (εκ του τεου εστιν ek tou theou estin). As in 1 John 3:9.Hath not seen God As in 1 John 3:6. He does not say εκ του διαβολου ek tou diabolou as Jesus does in John 8:44, but he means it. [source]