Logos Bible Study

1 Peter 3:13–17

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UNDESERVED SUFFERING

13Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness,n you are blessed. Do not fear themCo or be intimidated,Dp 15but in your hearts regardE ChristF the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.q 16Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,r so that when you are accused,G those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffers for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Read in Logos
1 Peter 3:15: but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…

Footnotes

  1. COr Do not fear what they fear
  2. EOr sanctify, or set apart
  3. FOther read set God
  4. GOther read when they speak against you as evildoers

Cross references

  1. nMt 6:33; Rm 1:17; 2Pt 1:1
  2. oJn 6:20; 7:13
  3. DIs 8:12
  4. pIs 8:12–13
  5. q1Jn 4:4
  6. rAc 23:1; 24:16; Rm 9:1; 2Co 1:12; 1Tm 1:5,19; 3:9; Heb 10:22; 1Pt 3:21
  7. sPhp 1:29; 1Pt 2:19

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

NLTNew Living Translation

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And who is the one who will harm you if you are a zealous adherent for what is good? But even if you might suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their intimidation or be disturbed, but set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you for an accounting concerning the hope that is in you. But do so with courtesy and respect, having a good conscience, so that in the things in which you are slandered, the ones who malign your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.

KJV 1900King James Version

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 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: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.