I Peter 3:17
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For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
better--One may object, I would not bear it so ill if I had deserved it. Peter replies, it is better that you did not deserve it, in order that doing well and yet being spoken against, you may prove yourself a true Christian [GERHARD]. if the will of God be so--rather as the optative is in the oldest manuscripts, "if the will of God should will it so." Those who honor God's will as their highest law (Pe1 2:15) have the comfort to know that suffering is God's appointment (Pe1 4:19). So Christ Himself; our inclination does not wish it.
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 ↗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.
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
When he would not be dissuaded, we fell silent and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”
Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.