1 Peter 3:9

1 Peter 3:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
• New International Version (NIV)Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
• New King James Version (NKJV)not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Context of 1 Peter 3:9

7In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective. 8Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit; and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection]. 10For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit). 11He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it].

1 Peter 3:9 word by word

μὴ ἀποδιδόντες κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ ἢ λοιδορίαν ἀντὶ λοιδορίας, τοὐναντίον δὲ εὐλογοῦντες ὅτι εἰς τοῦτο ἐκλήθητε ἵνα εὐλογίαν κληρονομήσητε.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Notμήmē · notG3361
• renderingἀποδίδωμιapodidōmi · to payG591
• evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556
• forἀντίanti · forG473
• orἤē · orG2228
• railingλοιδορίαloidoria · revilingG3059
• butδέde · thenG1161
• contrariwiseτοὐναντίονtounantion · insteadG5121
• blessingεὐλογέωeulogeō · to praise/blessG2127
• knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• ye areκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
• thereuntoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• ·οὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• calledκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye should inheritκληρονομέωklēronomeō · to inheritG2816
• a blessingεὐλογίαeulogia · praiseG2129

Cross-references for 1 Peter 3:9

• 1 Peter 2:20After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God.
• Proverbs 17:13Whoever returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
• Proverbs 20:22Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you.
• Matthew 5:39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise].
• Luke 6:27“But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you,
• Romans 12:14Bless those who persecute you [who cause you harm or hardship]; bless and do not curse [them].
• 1 Corinthians 4:12We work [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When we are reviled and verbally abused, we bless. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure.
• Ephesians 4:32Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.
• 1 Peter 2:21For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.
• 1 Peter 5:10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be].
• Romans 8:28And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
• Matthew 19:29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
• Matthew 25:34“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
• Mark 10:17As He was leaving on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially good and morally perfect], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?”
• Luke 10:25And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Commentaries on 1 Peter 3:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Not rendering evil for evil - Purposing, saying, doing nothing but good; and invariably returning good for evil. Ye are thereunto called - This is your calling - your business in life, to do good, and to do good for evil, and to implore God's blessing even on your worst enemies. And this is not only your duty, but your interest; for in so doing you shall obtain God's blessing, even life for evermore.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Not rendering evil for evil - See the Matthew 5:39, Matthew 5:44 notes; Romans 12:17 note. Or railing for railing - See the notes at 1 Timothy 6:4. Compare Mark 15:29; Luke 23:39. But contrariwise blessing - In a spirit contrary to this. See the notes at Matthew 5:44. Knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing - “Knowing that you were called to be Christians in order that you should obtain a blessing infinite and eternal in…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-13Verses 8-13 Though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet they should have compassion one of another, and love as brethren. If any man desires to live comfortably on earth, or to possess eternal life in heaven, he must bridle his tongue from wicked, abusive, or deceitful words. He must forsake and keep far from evil actions, do all the good he can, and seek peace with all men. For God, all-wise and every where present, watches over the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9so that you may inherit a blessing: By blessing others, we receive a blessing from God.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. 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."…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Peter 3:9

• Charitableness
• Commandments
• Fellowship
• Forgiveness
• Kindness
• Love
• Malice
• Railing
• Retaliation
• Revenge
• Reward
• Righteous
• Righteousness
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Adorning
• Chaste
• Contrariwise
• Ornament
• Pitiful
• Quiet
• Railing
• Reason
• Spirit
• Terror

Commentaries on 1 Peter 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings