I Peter 3:9
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Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
evil--in deed. railing--in word. blessing--your revilers; participle, not a noun after "rendering." knowing that--The oldest manuscripts read merely, "because." are--Greek, "were called." inherit a blessing--not only passive, but also active; receiving spiritual blessing from God by faith, and in your turn blessing others from love [GERHARD in ALFORD]. "It is not in order to inherit a blessing that we must bless, but because our portion is blessing." No railing can injure you (Pe1 3:13). Imitate God who "blesses" you. The first fruits of His blessing for eternity are enjoyed by the righteous even now (Pe1 3:10) [BENGEL].
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 ↗3:9 and he grant you his blessing: By blessing others, we receive a blessing from God.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.