1 Peter 3:14-17

3:14 But in fact, if you happen to suffer ¹  for doing what is right, ²  you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them ³  or be shaken. ⁴  3:15 But set Christ ⁵  apart ⁶  as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. ⁷  3:16 Yet do it with courtesy and respect, ⁸  keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. ⁹  3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, ¹⁰  than for doing evil.

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¹ sn The Greek construction here implies that such suffering was not the norm, even though it could happen, and in fact may well have happened to some of the readers (cf. 4:4, 12-19).

² tn Grk “because of righteousness.”

³ tn Grk “do not fear their fear,” referring to those who cause their suffering. The phrase “their fear” may mean “what they fear” (subjective genitive), but in a situation of persecution it more likely means “fear of them” (objective genitive).

⁴ sn A quotation from Isa 8:12.

⁵ tc Most later mss (P Ï) have θεόν (qeon, “God”) instead of Χριστόν (Criston; “Christ”) here. But Χριστόν is widely supported by excellent and early witnesses (Ì⁷² א A B C Ψ 33 1739 al latt sy co), and as a less common idiom better explains the rise of the other reading.

⁶ tn Or “sanctify Christ as Lord.”

⁷ tn Grk “the hope in you.”

⁸ tn Grk “but with courtesy and respect,” continuing the command of v. 15. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

⁹ tn Grk “when you are spoken against.”

¹⁰ tn Grk “if the will of God should will it.” As in 3:14 the Greek construction here implies that suffering for doing good was not what God normally willed, even though it could happen, and in fact may have happened to some of the readers (cf. 4:4, 12-19).