Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

1 Peter 3

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be 1 courteous; 9 k not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary l blessing, knowing that you were called to this, m that you may inherit a blessing.

10 For
n "He who would love life
And see good days,
o Let him 2 refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him p turn away from evil and do good;
q Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
r And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." 3

13 s And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 t But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. u "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." 4 15 But 5 sanctify 6 the Lord God in your hearts, and always v be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the w hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 x having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring 7 us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, 8 when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 y There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism z (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, a but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and b is at the right hand of God, c angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

  1. Cross References
    Proverbs 17:13
    Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 5:44
    But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 25:34
    Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 34:12 - 16
    Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?
  5. Cross References
    James 1:26
    If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
  6. Cross References
    Psalms 37:27
    Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 12:18
    If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
  8. Cross References
    John 9:31
    Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.
  9. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:7
    When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
  10. Cross References
    James 1:12
    Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
  11. Cross References
    Isaiah 8:12
    Do not say, 'A conspiracy,' Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 119:46
    I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed.
  13. Cross References
    Titus 3:7
    That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
  14. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:5
    Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.
    Hebrews 13:18
    Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
    1 Peter 3:21
    There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 16:33
    And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
    Ephesians 5:26
    That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.
  16. Cross References
    Titus 3:5
    Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
  17. Cross References
    Romans 10:10
    For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
  18. Cross References
    Psalms 110:1
    The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 8:38
    For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come.
    Hebrews 1:6
    But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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