1 Peter 3:8-17

Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

8 Finally, all of you, u have unity of mind, sympathy, v brotherly love, w a tender heart, and x a humble mind. 9 y Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, z bless, for a to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

10 For
b "Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
 11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

13 Now c who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 d But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. e Have no fear of them, f nor be troubled, 15 but g in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, h 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 i respect, 16 j having a good conscience, so that, k when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For l it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

  1. Cross References
    Romans 12:16
    Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
  2. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:1
    Let brotherly love continue.
  3. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:32
    Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
  4. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:2
    With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
  5. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:23
    When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
    Romans 12:17
    Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
  6. Cross References
    Luke 6:28
    Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
    Romans 12:14
    Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
    1 Corinthians 4:12
    And we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure.
  7. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:21
    For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 34:12 - 16
    What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 34:12 - 16
    What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:7
    When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
  11. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:19 - 20
    For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
    1 Peter 4:14
    If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
    1 Peter 4:16
    Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
    Matthew 5:10
    Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  12. Cross References
    Isaiah 8:12 - 13
    Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.
    1 Peter 3:6
    As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
    Matthew 10:28
    And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
  13. Cross References
    John 14:1
    Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
    John 14:27
    Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
  14. Cross References
    Isaiah 29:23
    For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
    Matthew 6:9
    Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  15. Cross References
    Colossians 4:6
    Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
    2 Timothy 2:25
    Correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
  16. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:17
    And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.
  17. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:18
    Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
  18. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:12
    Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
  19. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:20
    For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
    1 Peter 4:15 - 16
    But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.