3:13-17 Suffering for righteousness’ sake
‘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.‘ 1 Pet 3:13-17
We have now arrived at the main section of 1 Peter which, depending upon how one divides the epistle, ends at either 4:19 or 5:10. It deals with the subject of undeserved suffering; specifically, suffering as a Christian. The suffering endured by his readers has already been referred to in 1:6-7; 2:12,15, 19-20 and 3:9 but now Peter addresses it as his main topic.
Kelly (1969, p. 139) identifies three main interwoven strands of thought that Peter develops throughout the section:
- ‘the idea that the innocent man can face suffering with confidence.’
- ‘the basis of this confidence is Christ’s victory and the privilege of sharing His passion.’
- ‘the imminence of the End, when righteous suffering will receive its reward.’
[13] Generally, undeserved suffering is exceptional. Following on naturally from what he has said in vv.9-12 Peter asks a rhetorical question: ‘Who then (i.e. under the circumstances that I have just outlined) is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?’
‘followers of that which is good’ lit. ‘zealous of good ‘ – enthusiastic for.
The implied answer is ‘no-one’.
‘harm’ This does not mean literal physical harm but eternal, lasting harm.
[14] Peter tells them that in the event that they should have to suffer physical abuse for the sake of righteousness they ought to count it a blessing and a privilege. The thought is similar to that of Mt 5:10-11. Peter goes into more detail on this point in 4:14. ‘Righteousness’ is upright behaviour. In this verse the situation is hypothetical but in 4:12 the suffering is about to take place, therefore the situation for the original readers must have been deteriorating. In an environment hostile to, and suspicious of, Christianity the risk is always present.
‘be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled’ Peter quotes from Isa 8:12 -13 by way of encouragement. Keating (2011, p.93) explains the point:
‘Just as the Lord was a stronghold for beleaguered Jerusalem in the time of the prophet Isaiah, so he is the comfort and strength for the small, vulnerable Christian communities of Asia Minor— and for us today. To shrink in fear before those who abuse us verbally and physically is a natural human response. We need supernatural faith and hope to resist falling into fear.’
[15] Undeserved suffering presents an opportunity to witness. Christians are not to be terrified by those around them. Their response should not be to deny Christ but to ‘sanctify’ (acknowledge as holy) the Lord God in their hearts. The words ‘in your hearts’ are not in Isaiah, these are added by Peter.
‘give an answer’ A second response is to be ‘ready for a defence (apologian)’. See Acts 22:1; 25:16 ‘answer for himself’; 26:2; Phil 1:7,17; 2 Cor 7:11 ‘clearing;’ 2 Tim 4:16 ‘answer’.
‘reason’ (lógos) account.
This may be a reference to formal interrogation by government or to making a legal defence against a charge, but ‘defence’ and ‘account’ do not always have a technical legal sense. Apologian is used in a non-technical way in 1 Cor 9:3 and 2 Cor 7:11.
‘Always’ and ‘everyone’ are general words so, while they may be called upon to answer to government authorities, Peter’s readers are expected to give an explanation or justification of their faith in answer to general informal questions from non-Christians.
‘hope’ – looking for something good with the expectation of obtaining it.
‘within you’ – either in the Christian community in Asia Minor as a group or within each of their individual hearts.
Their defence of their beliefs is to be conducted with an attitude of gentleness (towards their critics) and fear (towards God).
[16] ‘having a good conscience’ It is necessary to maintain a clear conscience for their witness to be effective. The idea is of knowing that one is not guilty and has nothing to hide. For similar see 3:21 and also Acts 23:1; 1 Tim 1:5,19; 3:9; 2 Tim 1:3; Heb 13:18.
Peter hopes that the exemplary behaviour of Christians will shame those who slander them. Their good manner of life is rooted ‘in Christ”.
‘conversation’ (anastrophḗ) mode of conduct, way of life.
‘that they may be ashamed who falsely accuse you’ (epēreázō) misuse, insult, treat despitefully – this word only occurs here and in Mt 5:44; Lk 6:28.
[17] The paragraph closes with a general statement: ‘it is better to suffer when doing right, if it be God’s will, than when doing wrong.’ lit, ‘if the will of God were so to will.’ Peter has already given this advice to slaves in 2:20.
SUMMARY POINTS
3:14 BE CONFIDENT ‘Be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled’
3:15 BE COMMITTED ‘But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts ‘
3:15 BE CONVERSATIONAL ‘Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.’
3:15 BE CONSIDERATE ‘With meekness and fear.’
3:16 BE CLEAN ‘Having a good conscience.’
1 PETER 3:18-22 THE SPIRITS IN PRISON
1 PETER 4:1-6 THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE DEAD
1 PETER 4:7-19 LIVING WITH ‘THE END’ IN VIEW
Written Exposition 
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