I Peter 3:13
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Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
who . . . will harm you--This fearless confidence in God's protection from harm, Christ, the Head, in His sufferings realized; so His members. if ye be--Greek, "if ye have become." followers--The oldest manuscripts read "emulous," "zealous of" (Tit 2:14). good--The contrast in Greek is, "Who will do you evil, if ye be zealous of good?"
Open source ↗Wherein the apostle describes the duties of husbands and wives one to another, beginning with the duty of the wife (Pe1 3:1-7). He exhorts Christians to unity, love, compassion, peace, and patience under sufferings; to oppose the slanders of their enemies, not by returning evil for evil, or railing for railing, but by blessing; by a ready account of their faith and hope, and by keeping a good conscience (Pe1 3:8-17). To encourage them to this, he proposes the example of Christ, who suffered, the just for the unjust, but yet punished the old world for their disobedience, and saved the few who were faithful in the days of Noah (Pe1 3:18 to the end).
Open source ↗3:13-17 This short paragraph emphasizes the Christian response to suffering—following Christ’s example (3:18). 3:13 Generally speaking, no one will want to harm someone who is doing good, but sometimes Christians do suffer even when they do good (3:14; see 1:6; 4:12-19).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.
and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.
Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.