1Peter 3:13-17

 

 

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1 Peter 3:13  Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?  (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: Kai tis o kakoson (FAPMSN) humas ean tou agathou zelotai genesthe? (2SAMS
Amplified: Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good? 
(Amplified Bible - Lockman)
KJV:
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
NLT:
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?  (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: After all, who in the ordinary way is likely to injure you for being enthusiastic for good?
Young's Literal:  and who is he who will be doing you evil, if of Him who is good ye may become imitators?

References 1 Peter

Paul Apple
Albert Barnes
Brian Bell
John Bunyan
John Calvin
Rich Cathers
Rich Cathers
Steven Cole
Thomas Constable
Ron Daniels
Bob Deffinbaugh
Dwight Edwards
Doug Goins
David Guzik
John MacArthur
Alexander Maclaren
Middletown Bible
John Piper
John Piper

Ray Pritchard
Ron Ritchie
Grant Richison
Grant Richison
Grant Richison
A T Robertson
Dave Roper
Dave Roper
Marvin Vincent
Precept Ministries

1 Peter Commentary in Pdf
1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3:13 -17

1 Peter 3:14 Refined

1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3:8-18
1 Peter 3:8-18

1 Peter 3:13-17
1 Peter
1 Peter 3:8-17 Witness While Suffering

1 Peter 3:13-22 A New Slant on Suffering 
1 Peter: Exposition by Verse
1 Peter 3:8-18: Survival And Suffering
1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:13-17 Securities Against a Hostile World
1 Peter 3:14,15 Hallowing Christ
1 Peter 3:15 Being Ready to Give an Answer

1 Peter 3:13-16 Make a Case for Your Hope

1 Peter 3:13-17 Christ is Hallowed in Us When...
1 Peter 3:13-17 Are You Prepared to Suffer for Christ?
1 Peter 3:1-12 How Can We Maintain Our Marriage

1 Peter 3:13 3:13b 3:14 3:14b 3:14c 3:14d 3:14e 14f
1 Peter 3:15 3:15b 3:15c 3:15d 3:15e 3:15f 3:15g
1 Peter 3:16 3:16b 3:17
1 Peter 3: Greek Word Pictures
1 Peter 3:8-22: Loving Life
1 Peter 3:8-4:6: Dead Men Don't Sin

1 Peter 3: Word Studies in NT
1 Peter Download lesson 1 of 12

AND WHO IS THERE TO HARM YOU: Kai tis o kakoson (FAPMSN) humas: (Pr 16:7; Ro 8:28; 13:3)

1Peter 3:13-15 begins with a rhetorical question to introduce his discussion of the relationship between God’s grace and suffering which the readers were experiencing (both grace and suffering!). (see notes 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 1:6).

And who is there to harm you - One idea is  “seeing that God takes such good care of the righteous,” who is there to harm you?

MacDonald comments that..

The answer implied is “No one.” And yet the history of the martyrs seems to prove that enemies of the gospel do harm faithful disciples. There are at least two possible explanations of this paradox:

1. Generally speaking, those who follow a path of righteousness are not harmed. A policy of nonresistance disarms the opposition. There may be exceptions, but as a rule, the one who is eager for the right is protected from harm by his very goodness.

2. The worst that the foe can do to a Christian does not give eternal harm. The enemy can injure his body but he cannot damage his soul.

During World War II a Christian boy of twelve refused to join a certain movement in Europe. “Don’t you know that we have power to kill you?” they said. “Don’t you know,” he replied quietly, “that I have power to die for Christ!” He had the conviction that no one was able to harm him. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos)

John MacArthur adds...

that it is unusual for most people, even those hostile to Christianity, to harm believers who prove zealous for what is good. (MacArthur, J. 1 Peter. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

Harm (2559) (kakoo) denotes mistreatment and implies that real damage is done through such actions (cp Acts 7:6, 19), including active persecution against the church (Acts 12:1, 18:10) or in vicious attitudes toward believers (Acts 14:2). Kakoo includes any hostile and injurious attitude or activity that produces essential damage.

The important spiritual principle is that the fear of the Lord conquers every other fear.

Peter quoted Isaiah 8:13, 14 to back up his admonition

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord” (see note 1 Peter 3:15)

One meaning of Peter's question could be "who is able to harm you"? Because v12 teaches they were under the watchful care of their Father & thus no one was able to do them any real & essential harm. Persecution encountered could inflict no real damage. Because of their union with the living Christ, the enemy can only injure the part of their being which is not permanent or eternal. As Paul said

If God is for us, who can be against us? (see note Romans 8:31, cp 2 Timothy 4:18, Da 3:17,18)

David expressed a similar assurance (Ps 56:4 - see Spurgeon's note). Although there is some truth in this interpretation, the context in 1Peter 3:14 indicates that suffering for the sake of righteousness would come.

IF YOU PROVE ZEALOUS ("sold out") FOR WHAT IS GOOD: ean tou agathou zelotai genesthe (2SAMS): (Ps 38:20
; Pr 15:9; 1 Cor 14:1; Eph 5:1; 1 Th 5:15; 1 Ti 5:10; 3 Jn 1:11)

The KJV says followers instead of zealots, as in the NAS, because the Greek manuscript for the KJV has mimetes (translated imitators) not zelotes.

"Zealots for the good" Even a hostile world is slow to hurt people who are benefactors of society, who are kind and caring (cf. note 1 Peter 4:12), but it does happen (v14).

Zealous (2207) (zelotes from zeloo = to burn with zeal; cf root verb zeo = to be hot or figuratively to be fervent) means to be filled with or controlled by eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something. Zealous pictures one with intensity or enthusiasm and describes a person with great ardor for a specific cause. Zelotes thus conveys the idea of wholeheartedness and singleness of purpose. The condition is not just an occasional good deed but being zealots for good, possessing a passion for good, aggressively seeking to perform good.

Good (18)(agathos) means intrinsically good, inherently good in quality but with the idea of good which is also profitable, useful, benefiting others, benevolent (marked by or disposed to doing good).  Agathos is that which is  good in its character, beneficial in its effects and/or  useful in its action.

 

1Peter 3:14  But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,  (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: all' ei kai paschoite (2PPAO) dia dikaiosunen, makarioi. ton de phobon auton me phobhetge (2PAPS) mede tarachthete, (2PAPS
Amplified: But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition]. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
KJV:
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
NLT:
 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't be afraid and don't worry. (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: And if it should happen that you suffer "for righteousness' sake", that is a privilege. You need neither fear their threats nor worry about them;
 (Phillips: Touchstone)
Young's Literal: but if ye also should suffer because of righteousness, happy are ye! and of their fear be not afraid, nor be troubled,

BUT (marks a strong antithesis) EVEN IF YOU SHOULD SUFFER FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: all ei kai paschoite (2PPA0) dia dikaiosunen: (1 Peter 2:19,20; 4:13-16; Jer 15:15; Mt 5:10-12; 10:18-22,39; 16:25; 19:29; Mk 8:35; 10:29; Lu 6:22,23; Acts 9:16; 2Cor 12:10; Php 1:29; Js 1:12)

I like the way Ray Pritchard summarizes this section in five simple commands...

v14a Cheer up! (you are blessed)

v14b Give up! (do not fear)

v15a Lift up! (set apart Christ as Lord)

v15b Speak up! (Always ready to give an answer)

v16 Shape up! (keeping a clear conscience)

But even if - This introduces a so called condition of fourth class with ei and the optative mood (expresses a wish, sometimes a prayer). The optative expresses a fourth-class condition implying there is no certainty that suffering will happen, but it might. In other words Peter is saying that suffering is not generally the expected outcome of zeal for good but it might occur. If matters, in spite of the note of victory in v13 should come to actual suffering "for righteousness' sake" as in Mt 5:10 (see note), then "blessed" would be their condition! Peter alludes to some aspects of what that "blessing" might entail near the close of his letter writing

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (See note 1 Peter 5:10)

Paul encouraged the Corinthians writing...

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  (2 Cor 4:16-18)

Jesus gave a similar encouragement to the church at Smyrna declaring...

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (See note Revelation 2:10)

Even if you are affected by something or someone from without or are vexed in your spirit...hang in there...the promised condition is blessed. Is this what you would naturally expect? No, for it speaks of supernatural support as we chose not to fear and not to be agitated which implies that we are trusting God's sovereign (in control) hand no matter what the external, temporal circumstances look like.

Make sure the qualifier -- for the sake of righteousness -- is operative if you plan on invoking this promise of God in the midst of your suffering.

As John MacArthur reminds us...

Suffering must be viewed as an opportunity to receive spiritual blessings, not as an excuse to compromise the faith before a hostile world. (MacArthur, J. 1 Peter. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

As McGee observes...

Suffering for the right should bring joy to the child of God. Some Christians actually make themselves obnoxious in their witness to others, thinking they are taking a stand for the Lord. But if we have simply taken a quiet stand for the right and for God, we ought to rejoice if we suffer for that. I must repeat this again: you are not going to escape suffering in this world if you are a child of God. Someone has said, “Jesus often spoke of Christianity as a banquet but never as a picnic.” How true that is! He never said that we are going to have it easy down here. (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary:  Thomas Nelson or Logos)

YOU ARE BLESSED: makarioi:

Blessed (3107) (makarios)  means that you are fully satisfied no matter the circumstances fully satisfied because of the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit, your supernatural Comforter.

And since to consider oneself blessed while suffering persecution is not natural, Peter goes on to offer some practical guidelines. First, negatively, don't yield to the natural reaction of fear and agitation. Secondly, from the positive aspect, keep Christ as the central focus of your life and make appropriate responses to your adversaries. No matter what a believer suffers, he still has his most cherished possession — Jesus Christ (see notes Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:28; 8:29)

Puritan Thomas Watson said

Afflictions work for good, as they make way for glory...Not that they merit glory, but they prepare for it. As ploughing prepares the earth for a crop, so afflictions prepare and make us [ready] for glory. The painter lays his gold upon dark colours, so God first lays the dark colours of affliction, and then He lays the golden colour of glory. The vessel is first seasoned before wine is poured into it: the vessels of mercy are first seasoned with affliction, and then the wine of glory is poured in. Thus we see afflictions are not prejudicial, but beneficial, to the saints" (All Things for Good [Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1986], p. 32).

AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED: ton de phobon auton me phobethete (2PAPS) mede tarachthete (2PAPS): (Isa 8:12,13; 41:10-14; 51:12; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9; Mt 10:28,31; Lu 12:4,5; Jn 14:1,27; Acts 18:9,10)

Fear (5399) (phobeo) is to demonstrate or experience fear.

Intimidation (5401)  (phobos) is fear.

More literally and with considerable force Peter writes (quoting Isaiah)...

"Fear of them do not fear."

The negative instruction in the aorist tense comes across much like a command, prohibiting yielding to any kind of fear. Christians are not to allow a feeling of fright or terror to grip them.

Peter is quoting from the Hebrew and the Septuagint (LXX) of Isaiah 8:12-13 which  reads 

"You are not to say, 'It is a conspiracy!' In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. (Isaiah 8:12)

The historical context of the Isaiah quotation is helpful. In Isaiah's day, the King of Judah (Ahaz) was faced with an impending invasion by the powerful Assyrians. In addition the kings of Israel (the Northern Kingdom of 10 tribes) and Syria wanted King Ahaz to join them in an alliance. When King Ahaz refused to join them, Israel and Syria threatened to invade Judah! And sadly "behind the scenes" King Ahaz allied himself with Assyria! In this background, God's prophet, Isaiah, warned King Ahaz against any ungodly alliances and urged him to trust in Jehovah for deliverance. Below is the English translation of the Septuagint (LXX)  translation (Greek translation of the Hebrew) of Isaiah 8:13. Notice that it begins with "Sanctify the LORD..." which is picked up in the following verse (see 1 Peter 3:15)

Sanctify (Lxx = aorist imperative) the Lord of hosts (see study of Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts or of armies) Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread (Isaiah 8:13)

But God sends His prophet Isaiah to say, "Don't fear". Peter applies these words in Isaiah 8:12,13 saying in essence 'Instead of fearing man, fear GOD.

Compare Jesus' words to His disciples regarding Whom we should fear...

And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  (Mt 10:28).

As Christians, we are like King Ahaz and are many times faced with crises, and are tempted to give in to our fears and make the wrong decisions. But if we sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts ("Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face and the things of this earth will grow slowly dim in the light of His glory and grace" play the hymn as you ponder your future glory with Him), we need not fear men or circumstances. Our enemies might hurt us, but they cannot harm us. Only we can harm ourselves if we fail to trust God. As already stated, generally speaking, people do not oppose us if we do good but even if they do, it is better to suffer for righteousness’ sake than to compromise our testimony. Peter discussed this theme in more detail in 1Pe 4:12-19

Troubled (5015)(tarasso) means literally stirred up (like the pool in John 5:4,7) but is used more often in a figurative sense in Scripture to describe the state of one's mind as "stirred up" or agitated and so disturbed by various emotion, including fear and trepidation.  

Peter says don't let your mind  be smitten with fear and dread. Don't be stirred up, troubled, anxious, distressed, agitated. Mt 2:3; (when King Herod heard of the birth of THE KING!) Jn 12:27

How well the martyrs lived out this policy!

When Polycarp was promised release if he would blaspheme Christ, he said,

Eighty six years I have served Christ and He has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?

When the proconsul threatened to expose him to the wild beasts, he replied

It is well for me to be speedily released from this life of misery.

Finally the ruler threatened to burn him alive. Polycarp said,

I fear not the fire that burns for a moment: You do not know that which burns forever and ever."

Polycarp understood Jesus' piercing warning...

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire  (Mk 9:43)

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F B Meyer (Our Daily Homily) - It was a time of very real and fiery trial when Peter wrote these words. Persecution was already beginning with the House of God. The first mutterings of the awful storm which was to break in Nero’s terrible atrocities were making themselves heard throughout the Roman world. The intention of this Epistle, therefore, was to encourage these scattered saints, that they might not be overwhelmed. Some who read these words may need similar comfort.

Remember, beloved fellow-believers, that Jesus has suffered; your Lord and Master has trodden these thorns before you. See, they are flecked with his blood. Would you not desire to be fellow-partaker with Him in his sorrow, that you may share his glory? It is only in suffering that we can properly identify ourselves with the great anguish of the world, or learn to comfort or pray for others. And, probably, none know the innermost tenderness and companionship of Jesus like those who daily fill up that which is behind of his sufferings. Besides, their fear is much worse in anticipation than in actual experience. Probably God entirely delivers his martyrs from those physical tortures which to onlookers might seem unbearable.

This has been the perpetual testimony of the Armenian refugees. Miss Codrington’s story of her experiences in China, and Dr. Baedeker’s statement of what he has learnt in his wide experience amid the refugees and imprisoned saints in all parts of Europe support and confirm the same conclusion. Sanctify Jesus Christ in your heart as Lord and King. Maintain a good conscience; do not be turned aside for fear of man; and when you come to suffer, yea will find the fire has lost its sting.  (Meyer, F B: Our Daily Homily)

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Prepared For Persecution? - While I was visiting the Russian Far East, I had a conversation with my friend Lena that I will not soon forget. She is an excellent student and works at a Christian radio station in Magadan. Since becoming a believer in Christ in 1994, she has enjoyed remarkable spiritual growth.

Like most Russians, Lena has much hope, but she is also realistic about what could happen in her changing land. As we talked about the future of her country, she looked me in the eye and said with unsettling candor, "I am preparing myself for persecution."

I had two reactions when she said those words. The first was a chill I felt as I matched what I know about Russian political history with this young believer's realistic outlook. The second was to look seriously into my own heart. I realized that I hadn't been preparing to suffer for Christ. The thought had never even crossed my mind!

In 1 Peter 3, the apostle wanted to prepare Christians for the threat of persecution that faced them daily. He instructed them to live a life marked by love and free from evil (vv.8-12). If persecution still came, Peter knew it would be better "to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" (v.17).

Am I prepared to suffer for doing good? Are you? —David C. Egner (
Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

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Today in the Word - The great Colonial-era pastor and theologian Jonathan Edwards once wrote, “The truly humble Christian is clothed with lowliness, mildness, meekness, gentleness of spirit and behavior. These things are just like garments to him. Christian humility has no such thing as roughness, or contempt, or fierceness, or bitterness in its nature.... Yet in searching and awakening the conscience, [the Christian] should be a son of thunder.... He should be like a lion to guilty consciences, but like a lamb to men and women.”

The person Edwards was describing fits the profile 1 Peter presents to us in today’s reading. Christians must be humble and yet fearless, with a powerful testimony for the Savior that makes them like lions in the presence of their false accusers. Both humility and courage are qualities especially important in situations where believers may have to suffer because of their faith.

We said that Peter’s purpose for writing his first letter was to help Christians live godly lives in a hostile world, and also to know how to handle persecution in a Christ-like way. In verse 13, this theme of suffering for Christ comes to the forefront.

In this verse Peter reiterated his counsel for Christians facing persecution: be sure that if you suffer, it’s for doing right, not for doing wrong. Continue to do what’s right and entrust your ultimate vindication to God, because He will give special blessings to those who stand firm in the faith.

Peter’s reference to Isaiah 8:12-13 is interesting because it helps to explain his reference to fear. Isaiah was telling godly Israelites not to fear the coming Assyrian invasion that would result in captivity and exile for the northern kingdom. Because these righteous people feared the Lord, He would take care of them even in frightening times.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY - A major part of the “answer” we should be ready to give at any time involves being able to explain the gospel in clear and simple terms
(Copyright Moody Bible Institute. Used by permission. All rights reserved)

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The Blessing Of Persecution - Persecution, even martyrdom, has been the cost of discipleship for Christians down through the centuries. In many lands believers still suffer imprisonment and death for their uncompromising devotion to their Savior. Even in nations that have religious freedom, a person with a bold witness for the Lord may become the target of ridicule.

When we experience hardship because of our Christian commitment, no verse of Scripture is more comforting than the beatitude spoken by our Savior, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 5:10).

At one time in his life, British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was so intensely criticized that he became deeply depressed. So his wife printed that beatitude along with the other seven on a large sheet of paper and placed it above their bed. The first thing Spurgeon saw in the morning and the last thing he read at night was our Savior's glorious promise.

Are you discouraged because you are suffering for your Christian testimony? The antidote is this one sustaining promise: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake." --V C Grounds 
(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

The consecrated cross I'll bear
Till death shall set me free,
And then go home, my crown to wear,
For there's a crown for me. --Shepherd

If you live for God,
you can expect trouble from the world.

 

1 Peter 3:15  but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;  (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: kurion de ton Christon hagiasate (2PAAM) en tais kardiais humon hetoimoi aei pros apologian panti to aitounti (PAPMSD) humas logon peri tes en humin elpidos, alla meta prautetos kai phobou,
Amplified: But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.
(Amplified Bible - Lockman)
KJV:
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
NLT:
 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips
: simply concentrate on being completely devoted to Christ in your hearts. Be ready at any time to give a quiet and reverent answer to any man who wants a reason for the hope that you have within you.  (
Phillips: Touchstone)
Young's Literal: and the Lord God sanctify in your hearts. And be ready always for defence to every one who is asking of you an account concerning the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

BUT SANCTIFY (the) CHRIST AS LORD IN YOUR HEARTS: kurion de ton Christon hagiasate (2PAAM) en tais kardiais humon: (Nu 20:12; 27:14; Isa 5:16; 29:23)

But sanctify - As A T Robertson says...

This instead of being afraid.

Do this instead of worrying or being afraid.